Sugar SHOCK

IS SUGAR KEEPING YOU FROM REACHING YOUR GOALS?

Sugar is a tricky, tricky thing.  As you may know from reading my past blog on Carbohydrates, all Carbs (good and bad) eventually are broken down into their simpler parts. These "parts" are actually different sugars. When we eat a whole grain, the fiber and other wonderful bits are digested slower into our blood streams. This is a major Thumb Up! When we eat simple carbohydrates (all the white stuff) we absorb the sugar so rapidly that it is dangerous to our hormone levels.. Thumbs wayyyy Down.  

This hormone reaction ( you may have heard of insulin spikes, or insulin resistance) can cause many ailments to our bodies including Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Cancer!

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Now.. I have also talked about fruits being a source of Natural Sugar.  Fructose is the sugar found in fruits and it is actually digested and absorbed in our bodies similarly to other refined (bad) carbs. 

So what gives?? "Why is fruit considered healthy and my pastry so terrible?"

Lets have a closer look...

Fruit grows in nature. Anything that grows from the ground, or has a Mother is considered Natural. Pretty simple, yes? The wonderful thing about foods provided in nature is that they have been grown in a natural package. FOR EXAMPLE...

An apple has it's outer skin which is rich in fiber and enzymes that aid in digestion, etc.  The apple itself is rich in vitamins and minerals. When the apple is eaten in it's Whole, natural form, it is digested slowly and your body will retain all of its nutritional benefits. 

But take a slice of apple pie for instance...Same fruit, yes, however, the apple's skin has most likely been peeled. The apple is cut up and covered in spices and of course... refined sugar. (I wont even get into the detrimental effects of eating it's crust)..  The point is, now that it's skin is removed and it is cooked at a high temperature for a long period of time, the nutrients have been virtually removed and you are left with a load of refined sugars.

(of course there are exceptions to every rule but try to remember...)
*Food in its natural state-good
*Food taken from nature and altered-not good

WHAT'S MORE: When your body consumes refined sugars, it still requires the same enzymes and vitamins, that are normally found in fruits and vegetables, for digestion. So where does your body attain these enzymes? ... Your body will actually leech those essential nutrients from storage in your cells. This causes immune system malfunctions and cause people to get sick.

***FUN FACT***
I often hear people say to me "but sugar is natural." Sugar grows on a sugar cane. The initial product is a natural sweetened plant. But that sugar is taken to a factory and refined and you are left with a refined white powder. BEAR IN MIND...COCAINE IS ALSO GROWN ON A PLANT. When refined- cocaine and sugar have similar white consistencies. Just because something grows on a plant, does not ALWAYS mean that is healthy for our bodies. 

(click picture for more info on sugar cane) 

You may think that you are not consuming a lot of sugar in your day, but I urge you to take a better look at what you consume.

With all of the processed foods we eat, we are literally consuming more sugar than our bodies can handle and it is causing people to get very ill.  

BE AWARE OF WHAT IS IN YOUR FOOD 

Below is a list of sugars that are hiding in your foods:

• barley malt
• molasses
• dehydrated cane juice
• beet sugar
• cane-juice crystals
• cane sugar
• caramel
• carob syrup
• corn syrup
• corn syrup solids
• Brown rice syrup
• Raw sugar
• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Demerara Sugar
• Dextrose
• Free Flowing Brown Sugars
• Fructose
• Galactose
• Glucose
• High Fructose Corn Syrup
• Honey
• Invert Sugar
• Lactose
• Malt
• Maltodextrin
• Maltose
• Maple syrup
• Muscovado or Barbados Sugar
• Panocha
• Powdered or confectioner's sugar
• Rice Syrup
• Sucrose
• Sugar (granulated)
• Treacle
• Turbinado sugar
• Diastatic malt
• Diatase
• Ethyl maltol

The Recommended Daily Allowance for sugar does not exist due to it's lack of nutrients. Added sugars are not meant to be consumed on a regular basis.  Remember that anything in moderation is okay, but it is hard to gauge how much sugar is a moderate amount due to it being hidden in our everyday foods. As usual, I urge you to read your ingredients! Check those sugar levels and try to moderate your intake.

Try these tips to help you with your continual road to success!!

1. Nix the soda! (even diet sodas are filled with artificial chemical sweeteners that act as addictive drugs in our brain causing us to crave more sugary snacks throughout the day)
2. Try Stevia instead of your pink, blue, and yellow packets! Stevia is the only 0 calorie sweetener that is 100% from a plant called the stevia plant. (My favorite brand- Stevia in the raw! Try 1 packet  in your next cup of coffee or sprinkled over some plain yogurt..mmm)
3. Eat more fruit! Next time you crave something sweet grab some berries! The full package of enzymes and vitamins to build your health and immune system! 
4. Dilute your Juice.  If you are a juice drinker, try to cut your juice to half water and half juice. This virgin cocktail can be a real treat! (try sparkling water, splash of cranberry and a squeeze of lime for great summer virgin cocktail without all of the sugar/ calories!!)
5. Dark Chocolate!  If you just have to have candy, go dark (more than 70% dark) Dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants for fueling your body and brain!

Stay Well

xo

****FUN FACT****
One teaspoon of granulated white sugar is equal to about 4.2 grams! Imagine a bottle of soda with 40 grams of sugar. Now imagine eating roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar...