Vanquish Sugar Addiction Naturally (and Painlessly) with These Tips

Sugar addiction is a subtle and insidious dependency that creeps up completely unnoticed. Unknowingly consumed in processed food or a seemingly harmless meal out, sugar is everywhere. In fact, the average American ingests 150 pounds of refined sugar a year — the equivalent of five tons throughout a lifetime. Don't be fooled. Simply because sugar is a widespread accepted substance, doesn't mean it is anymore innocuous than morphine or heroin. It is just as addictive, if not more so. But there is hope. With a few dietary and lifestyle changes, sugar dependency can be tamed and healthy well-being restored.

The ultimate craving - How industry designs food to be as addictive as narcotics (and keeps us coming back for more)

It's not surprising that processed foods are designed to foster addictive behavior -- robbing us of our health, serenity and hard-earned cash. Sugar, fat, salt and artificial flavors are manipulated in such a way that after one taste, consumers just cannot help themselves and a vicious cycle begins. Not only ingredients, but texture, shape and 'mouth feel' are all heavily researched and refined to create a highly pleasurable experience as well. Even though the average American does not view junk food as an addiction, researchers have discovered unhealthy food can actually seize the brain in the same way nicotine, cocaine and other drugs do -- leaving us at the mercy of cravings and binges.