Sugar Blues
Studies show that too much sugar (natural sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup) not only makes us fat but is also affects our liver, disturbs our metabolism, impairs brain function, increases the risk of diabetes and even causes premature aging.
How much sugar are YOU eating?
Did you know that Americans are consuming 22 teaspoons of sugar each day and most of that added sugar comes from soft drinks and candy, often in the form of high fructose corn syrup?
Did you know that sugar is highly addictive and that it easily leads to weight gain and obesity?
Sugar is also linked to depressive states and it actually suppresses the immune system.
Sources of Sugar
Sources of sugar causing Sugar Blues commonly include cane sugar, beet sugar, corn syrup, and corn sugar, however, sugar is hidden in many of the foods we consume on a daily basis.
Other sources of sugar are malt syrup, corn syrup, high fructose, corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, galactose, honey, sorghum syrup, caramel, and sucanat.
Sugar is present in candy, soda, cakes, cookies, brownies, and junk food and is also present in sports drinks, sodas, juices and ready to eat cereal. Many crackers, yogurt, prepared foods, ketchup, and peanut butter, are loaded with sugar, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. (HFCS) Some products are marketed as health foods, or at least as “healthy sweeteners”, such as agave, maple syrup, molasses, and coconut sugar.
Sugar makes you fat.
We once thought that fat made us fat, but actually it is the sugar that makes you fat. After sugar spikes of blood sugar, the body quickly works to re-balance itself. Insulin is released, and the liver starts storing the excess sugar as fat, so that blood sugar and insulin rates can stabilize. All this work from your body lowers your blood sugar, and as your blood sugar dips, you get ravenously hungry. So, you eat again and get stuck in a vicious hunger cycle fueled by sugar cravings. These energy crashes cause massive inflammation, which disrupts the body’s ability to function optimally
Helpful tips for Sugar Blues
- Be aware of hidden sugars and don’t let them become part of your food.
- Don’t be fooled by healthy-sounding names that are actually sugar.
- Sugar raises your blood sugar and spikes insulin, leading to belly fat and disease.
- Even healthy-sounding sweeteners like agave nectar, which contain fructose, not glucose, can affect you adversely.
- Read food labels. Ingredients are listed in order of volume, so anything with sugar, corn syrup, glucose (or, in general, words ending in “-ose”) near the top of the list is likely to be high in sugar.
- When you do choose a product with added sugar, be aware of the portion size.
- Avoid processed foods, especially sodas and other sweetened beverages.
- Sweeten your desserts and beverages with real fruit juices, raw honey, raw stevia leaves or organic coconut crystals – all in moderation.
- Eat a diet with good quality fat and protein to avoid sugar spikes and possibly prevent diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Linda Anne Kahn is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Clinical Aromatherapist, lymphedema therapist and Integrative Health Coach with over 30 years of experience. She is the founder and President of Beauty Kliniek Aromatherapy Day Spa and Wellness Center. She is available for health consultations at 858-457-0191 ext 14. Or on line Via Zoom