I recently went through an intense sugar cravings after being on keto for 2 years. It seems like a good time for a rant!
I have a new job that means a longer commute. It takes me about 45 minutes to get to work and another 45 minutes home from work. What do I do on that commute (besides drive, of course). I listen to podcasts. I mostly listen to keto podcasts. Bill and I are working on a small home studio so we can start recording, and I want a clear picture of what I like in podcasts and what I don’t like. But I also like listening to other podcasts to see what people in other industries are talking about. One of my favourites is Addicted to the Mouse. It’s a podcast all about Disney and other parks in the Orlando, Florida area.
The other day, I was listening to Addicted to the Mouse and they were rating the quick serve restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. They were talking about Gaston’s Tavern’s cinnamon buns and Dole Whips and funnel cakes. And I had the most intense, gut-wrenching feeling of despair. Bill and I plan on making a trip to Disney in the next year or so, and it suddenly hit me that those things will not be in our meal plan.
Disney World and Sugar Cravings
The last time we were at Disney World, I was at my heaviest. We ate everything in sight. Eclairs, baked goods, Dole whips, cupcakes…you name it, we ate it. We spent almost $100 U.S. on candy at Goofy’s Candy Company. All that sugar became a central part of our memories. The thought of not having it at Disney literally brought me to tears.
Then I gave myself a shake, paused the podcast, and asked myself what had just happened to me? Sugar was such a part of my Disney memories that I actually felt grief at missing out on it when we go back. What the hell is that?
I love Disney. I love the castle, I love the magic, and I love how at home I feel there. Stepping into Magic Kingdom gives me a feeling of pure joy. But what do you smell when you walk in? You smell baking cookies. And I think that is part of why sugar is such a central part of my memories with the parks.
Sugar Breakdown
After my small breakdown, I started really thinking about what we ate at Disney World. The meals were fantastic, and most of them were loaded with carbs, but not necessarily sugar. I liked the cinnamon bun at Gaston’s Tavern, but it wasn’t the highlight of my trip, or even my day. I actually was not all that struck on Dole whips – I found them a bit icy. And while funnel cakes taste good for the first few bites, I ended up with a soggy waffle and icing sugar all over me. Truly, I enjoy the meals but these snacks were…okay. Not that different from any other theme park food.
Now, I could just toss keto out the window and eat whatever I want when we go to Disney next time. What are the repercussions of that? Well, Bill can’t do that because of his health, so I’d be eating all this junk by myself. I’d feel awful from the sugar when my body hasn’t had it for so long. Do I really want to be tired and feel sick while I’m on vacation in the happiest place on earth? And was the food I was suddenly craving really that good, or was it my sugar memories playing tricks on me?
The last time I went off-plan was about a year ago. I was so excited to get a Dairy Queen blizzard. I loved the Skor blizzards before I started keto. They were my absolute favourite treat. So, I ate one. And it was good. But it wasn’t great. It was incredibly sweet. See, my taste buds have changed and I now like spicy and savory flavour over sweet flavour. So, would I even enjoy those Disney treats if I went off plan?
Intense Cravings
This was the most intense sugar craving I’ve had in a long while – probably since the day I went off plan and had my blizzard. I’ve found other foods that I enjoy more and while they might not be filled with nutrients and vitamins (i.e. keto-friendly cheesecake), they also don’t have the addictive qualities of sugar in them. They say that addiction never goes away. Your cravings just get further and further apart. Well, this was a doozy of a craving and it hit me right in the feels. Will I ever be completely clear of my addiction to sugar? Probably not. But I have learned to cope with it.
We still love food, and food will always be a part of the memories we make. So, I’m going to spend from now until I can make dining reservations researching what I CAN have at Disney World for food and snacks. I already know there is a bakery offsite that does keto-friendly sweets and will deliver them to the resorts. It’s time to make new memories without sugar involved.
Wendy
