Salaam readers! I have been away from my blog a few days because I have to make a confession: I put myself in rehab over an addiction I have had since my teen years: a sugar addiction.

I hadn’t realized it, but I was walking around a bulk of my day on a sugar high. Literally, I would start my morning off with a sugar laced latte, frosted granola bar, and cap off my day with desserts and sugary treats throughout the day.

I noticed I would literally twitch if I did not get my fix.

Then, I read this article in Women’s Health Magazine about the harmful effects of sugar and it made me realize how harmful I was being to my body.

In Islam, Muslims are commanded by God to take care of their bodies:

“But waste not by excess for God loves not the wasters” (Quran 7:31).

“Eat of the good things we have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein, lest my wrath should justly descend on you, and those on whom descends my wrath do perish indeed” (Quran 20:81).

I was not following these commandments if I was stuffing my face with sugar! I knew I had to do something.

So I made a pact with my Hubster to literally stop my addiction in its tracks by going cold turkey. No more Starbucks, no more Godiva, no more home made cookies, no more extra sugar in my life.

All halal (permissible in Islam) foods are permitted in moderation, but I knew I needed a detox which is why I personally cut out sugar. In the WH article, doctors explain that like any other addiction, you need more and more sugar in order to maintain the same pleasurable rush you get when you eat sugar. So in order to get back my sensitivity to sugar, I have cut it out completely except in fruits.

Eating fruits gives you fiber and essential nutrients. It is also pointed out in the Quran:

“And from the fruits of date palm and grapes you get wholesome drink and nutrition: Behold in this is a sign for those who are wise” (Quran 16:67).

So for now, when I crave any thing sweet, I am reaching for an apple instead of chocolate. It’s been hard, but alhamdulillah, I feel more energy. Another bonus is weight loss since I am eating less calories in general.

So if you are like me and you crave sweets, try a piece of fruit and your body will thank you.