I am a sugar addict! I did not drink, smoke or use recreational drugs. I even avoided caffeinated and carbonated drinks, but sweets were my weakness, but I kept my intake in check. I tried to eat as healthy as I could despite my busy schedule. Several years ago when I noticed that food with refined sugar made my hands tingle, I radically limited desserts, sweets and white breads. I immediately started losing weight of about one pound a month. After a couple of years, I became concerned because those few extra pounds were gone and some people commented that they wondered if I was anorexic.
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| My chocolate fix of choice!. |
Looking back I recognize the symptoms of scleroderma and the noticeable negative effects of refined sugar started about the same time. Coincident? Maybe. What I do know that is if I gave in to my sugar addiction, I got ulcers that surfaced at the top joint of my pinky fingers. It took several weeks to get them healed. Part if my weight loss was due to my thyroid that had stopped working, so I started taking thyroid medication. In February 2013 when treatments for scleroderma started with 60 mg prednisone, I was able to gain some weight back especially after eating Pollo Loco bacon avocado taco salad with dressings that contains over 1000 calories. My appetite has returned, but esophagus issues makes eating time consuming and difficult.
For someone who used to eat because it was necessary, getting enough calories and nutrients has now become a main focus of my life. To satisfy sugar cravings, I treat myself to sugar-free candy and an occasional dessert if it is really delicious. Guylian makes sugar-free dark and milk chocolate bars that are exceptional, and is one of my addiction-satisfying treats.
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