Sugar is not a sweet friend

On average we eat between two to three pounds of sugar every week. Sugar is being processed in so many foods we eat. Sugar can be found in peanut butter, mayonnaise, bread, ketchup and many other "non-sweets" foods.

Research after research shows sugar is bad and contributes to sickness. Dr. Appleton explains in his book "Suicide by Sugar" how it is better not to eat sugar.

Sugar has a major effect on the increase of blood sugar, when more insulin needs to be secreted from the pancreas, the risk of getting diabetes goes up. Some of the adverse effects of sugar are: 

Sugar is food for cancer tumors. 
It contributes to loss of memory. 

Sugar raises blood sugar and increases the level of insulin in your blood, this causes the immune system to go down and our ability to fight sickness is weakened.
 
High blood insulin levels can make us gain weight, since insulin helps increase fat storage.

Sugar has no vitamins or minerals so to be metabolized it must take from the body's reserve of vitamins and minerals. When these reserves are depleted, metabolism of cholesterol and fatty acid is less, contributing to higher blood triglycerides, cholesterol, promoting obesity because of higher fatty acid storage around organs.

 What to do?   

A good way to eat less sugar is to use the glycemic Index chart. After we eat carbohydrates it turns into sugar and goes to the bloodstream. The pancreas secretes insulin to stabilize the blood sugar level and provide energy for us. Use the glycemic index chart to make good choices. A rating below 65 is low and a good choice, a rating about 70 is high and better to eat less of, or not at all.  

Also we can make substitution of the foods to get more benefits.  For example you may choose:

Brown rice instead of White Rice
Yams instead of Potatoes
Water instead of Soda/Cola
Balsamic Vinegar or Lemon instead of Salad dressing
Fresh fruit instead of cookies and cake

Craving for sugar? 

There are underlying reasons why we crave sugar or anything else for that matter like salty foods, sourness or a specific food like pickles, pizza, french fries etc. After we figure out why all the cravings are happening then we can take steps to fixing the underlying issue and head forward to a road of getting results and a better health.

Good choices have an effect on our finances as well. In the down economy today there are more people on food stamps than before. Choosing better food has financial advantages. Good food is not expensive and fits our budget. It makes it possible to spend less on the grocery bill. Choosing better food also bring better health so less chances of getting sick and less money spent on medical bills.

What are you doing to control your sugar intake?  Please post any comments or questions here and follow my twitter and facebook for more tips and advice.
join in facebook group Nutrition Preventive Medicine

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nutritionpreventativemedicine/
 
 All rights reserved. Setareh Vahdat does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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