Dennis' recommendations may sound drastic, but they are correct.
One "secret" to gaining control of your appetites is to understand how the body works.
We convert carbs to sugar to energy. If you don't burn the energy that is created then the body either casts it off in waste material or stores it as fat. The secret is to understand that the body operates on habitual history and genetics.
For example you cannot eat properly for good health and lose a pound or two and then reward yourself with candy or cake or ice cream every week end.
You could reward yourself with sweets every three months or so, but not more often.
So pick another form of reward such as an expensive steak dinner. (smile)
We all are addicted to our appetites just as much as an alcoholic or a drug user is addicted to theirs.
The human body does not forget what the body likes.
It takes time for the body to adjust to the new "no sugar" foods. Forming new, life long habits takes time and determination. AND every body is different. Some can burn sugar and some cannot do it as well. We need to do what is right and necessary for our own physical system.
The body will not burn fat as long as our blood sugar is sufficient to keep us operating at our normal pace. If your life style is sedentary, low exercise, then one teaspoon of sugar will go a long way. A can of peaches in heavy syrup will keep you going all day.
The extra "good" food you eat for vitamins and minerals although necessary, won't make up for the unnecessary can of peaches that gives you pleasure.
2. The flora or bacteria in our small intestines actually do the digesting of complex carbohydrates and vegetables and meat. We need a healthy complement of billions of bacteria specifically for the digestion of healthy foods.
When we eat sugar, even a little at every meal, the sugar stimulates the production of the type of bacteria that love sugar. At the same time the production of bacteria that will break down healthy foods is reduced.
With the result that the nutrients in the healthy foods may be lost. WHY?
Well the healthy foods such as vegetables take longer to break down in the intestines and when we eat sugary foods and sweet breads made of white flour with our veggies, the veggies speed through the digestive tract too fast to be absorbed. Once the digested food is passed on to the large intestine for storage the benefits are lost.
The truth is out there, but so are the sales pitches for an easy way to good health.
The truth is that there is no easy way, until we change our habits and make them life long and life changing.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, all of the above is my own research and conclusions.
Be like the more noble Bereans, check it out for yourself and pray for guidance.
Indiana Bob
NO Sugar - Low carbohydrates will cure Type 2 Diabetes - It's all over the Internet.
When Ray tried to cure his cancer his Diabetes went 100% away as a side effect.
And NO artificially sweetened anything.