I did it again. I called myself JB. I referred to myself in the third person and confirmed everyone’s guesses that I am excessively weird. Whatever. I dance on video camera while cooking, people are bound to feel uncomfortable during my posts as well.
Anywho, let’s talk about sweets people. Holy poop, I love sweets. Like LOVE them. I grew up on peanut butter and chocolate chip sandwiches and swiss rolls. Thanks mom. Then fell in love with chocolate chip pancakes as my after school snack in high school. Then found out how amazing a 2 gallon tub of ice cream and sugar cookie dough can be while studying with my best girlfriends in college. Yeah, I’m into sweets. Slightly embarrassing.
But here’s the jist. I gain weight VERY easily. Like stupid easily. My metabolism is dumb. So when I eat any sort of sugar, my body goes wild. I can feel the changes that have occurred within hours. And know that the sugar I consumed WILL change my body, and not for the best.
BUT, I’m a human being. A human being who loves sweets. So in no way am I ever going to give them up completely. If I tell myself I can’t have something, I want it more. So I have to figure out a solution to my sweets addiction. I can either consume a Cinnabon (holy balls those are good) or I can consume my coffee cake. I can consume stuffed french toast from Ihop or I can consume my french toast. So I think this over. What’s going to make me feel worse? Grains or nuts and coconut. Well, my body doesn’t like grains. And I probably wouldn’t poo for a week if I ate the stuffed french toast from Ihop. So I go with my own version of french toast. And don’t feel sick, I don’t feel uncomfortable, and I don’t have any regret about what I ate. Seems understandable to me.
If I want something sweet, I will eat something that has been paleo-fied and serves the purpose of satisfying my sweets needs. I will stuff the sh*t out of dates with some almond butter and I will be a happy clam. And that’s why I love having creating my own paleo desserts. I can live a lifestyle that is, well, livable. I can find different options out there that make me happy and don’t make me feel like I’m missing out. And that is the key to a healthy diet. A healthy way of eating. Having unlimited options to keep you on track. That’s why I blog recipes daily. To give you all options.
But what I do want to specify, because I have dealt with this issue myself, is that just because it is “paleo” does not mean it is completely good for you. Sugar is sugar. It affects your body the same way no matter what kind it is. So just like regular desserts, paleo desserts need to be eaten in moderation as well. If your body is like mine, it’s not going to love having an entire jar of almond butter or an entire plate of sweet potato brownies. The dimples on my ass increase when the jar of almond butter disappears. It’s just plain fact.
So I definitely have to eat in moderation. And control myself, which is always a difficult feat. So when I make these desserts, I’m often taking them to friends. I get to satisfy my sweet tooth and share new recipes with you, while making others happy and help them find out how amazing the paleo diet can be. That’s pretty awesome.
Let’s sum this up.
- I love sweets. So I eat them in ways that are better FOR ME. That does not mean I think they are extremely healthy and should be consumed daily. Or that your body processes sweets the same way mine does. Just remember, your body is YOURS. So you need to figure out the best options for YOUR body. Sweets or no sweets.
- Even though I talk about my love for sweets, when CrossFit competitions come up, my diet changes immensely and I have to eat differently than I did before. That means no dark chocolate for JB. No late light food binges. And no crazy big meals. Kinda blows, but totally worth it.
- The inside of a Cinnabon cinnamon roll is tear worthy. True beauty right there. But I must shove that to the back of mind so I can have a digestive tract that works correctly.
So now it’s time for you to figure out what works for you. Are you the type that can’t have any sweets? Or the type that needs something sweet daily. I don’t care either way, just find what works for you. And stop worrying about what others are eating. Having a dessert 2-3 times a week is what makes me happy. So that’s what I do to keep myself sane and smiley. Like sticky apple bars. Those thing were awesome. And made because I was craving apple pie. It worked. Not craving it anymore. Boom.
Life is all about decisions. The decision to eat something that makes us sick or something that makes us thrive, both physically and mentally. Sticky apple bars make me healthy in the mind. And that’s why I love paleo desserts.
woo hoo for sweets! It keeps me and the family satisfied that we can enjoy them in moderation, along with all the yummy food creations we make. So much better at enjoying their addition rather than than the sugar processed crud we had nightly before. Thanks JB for making MY world a better place. 🙂
🙂 ur awesome Christina!
Still new to paleo and crossfit so adjusting but learning what works and what doesn’t! Your recipes are awesome and sun dried tomato pesto chicken is my go to. Thanks again!
Glad you like it Alison!
wow. did thst post ever hit home for me. I’m just like you. my body will react right away to grains or straight up sugar…people think i’m crazy but it’s true. it doesnt take much to have an effect on my body…but i too like desserts and can appreciate a good alternative that i truly feel no guilt over. thanks JB
Yeah people think I’m crazy too but it’s so true, i gain weight with one bite of sugar
This is true for me also! I can literally feel the bloat set in when I eat sugar or carbs (like pasta). My body hurts. My mom thinks I’m crazy, but I know my body! I can totally relate to this and the love of sweets!!! Thank you Juli!
Awesome post, thank you! It couldn’t have come at a better time. I still in my first month of going paleo and love your recipes and blog. Especially the sweet stuff, but it’s been way to easy to slip into the mindset of ‘oh it paleo so it’s ok’ errrrrr hello jars of almond butter, batches of sticky apple bars (I LoVE them so much I have had to ban the baking of them temporarily!).
So basically thank you for the blog and reminding me, and all
of us, that unfortunately treats are treats for a reason. On the plus side I feel so much, indescribably, better since cutting out grains and processed food and excess sugar. This is the first ‘diet’ (I hate that word)that I can maintain, its a lifestyle I guess and it’s so positive. I’m encouraging everyone to do it from my flat mates to my mum.
Wow long post. Whoops.
But thank you.
Vicks xxxx
Thanks for the comment Vicki! Glad you are feeling better and better!
I love sweets, but am trying this paleo thing on for size, and am doing what I can to avoid sugar. So far, I have been a sweets and carb weekend warrior. That has not been working so well for me, but I forge onward. The sticky apple bars looked so divine I was ready to start making them right then and there…except I had none of the ingrediets. So I will have to buy them….doing without is not an option.
Hope you try them out Ana!
What a great post lady, I think this is the most rational and honest explanation I’ve heard in a long time.
(My colon hates ihop like that as well ergh..)
My problem was I would skip all other forms of nourishment for a modest amount of sweets which left me malnourished and muscle-less.I have a lot of health issues because of it..
Paleo has made all the difference… but you’re right…those dates and raisins and nuts…I still have to be mindful!
It’s totally worth it. Thanks for the good reminder. 🙂
For sure, it’s all about moderation and learning to control yourself a bit
I LOVE sweets too, but as long as I give myself a small paleo version of it, I don’t go crazy. My quickest most satisfying small treat is blending together a spoonful of almond butter, 1/2 spoonful coconut oil, and sprinklings of raw nuts, dried cranberries or dates, coconut flakes, and a dash of cinnamon. It’s my crumbly version of something similar to a larabar that satisfies my sweet tooth!
That sounds AMAZING Amber
I could not agree more with this post! I definitely choose to eat sweets a few times a week or when I’m really craving them. It keeps me sane even though I gain weight just looking at a cookie. I would rather be happy. Well said Juli!
Same here Amanda!
Really great post and I know this is a tricky topic in the paleo community. some don’t “believe” in paleo desserts. I think if it keeps someone on track and eating whole real foods without going crazy them go for it. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a sweet tooth but since eating more paleo my palette has changed immensely and when I need a sweet I only crave super dark chocolate or a rich, not so sweet chocolate pie/ mousse etc. I have chocolate every single day and I think that works for me. If I don’t have any on hand I end up tearing my kitchen apart looking for anything to satisfy and usually end up eating a butt load of something else to fill the void. So a square or two or four is a better option for me.
Yeah sweets are totally different when you go paleo huh? I only really ever want dark chocolate now.
well said…even if it did start out in 3rd person.
thanks for promoting paleo AND figuring out what works for your body. too many ppl get lost in the sauce of what ‘is’ and ‘isn’t’ paleo. life isn’t black or white, take a step back and take some accountability for how paleo is going to look for you. it is your body, afterall!!
of course i got the SLOWEST turning bananas in history, always keeping me one step away from your banana bread french toast…
Hope you get to make the banana bread soon!!