 |
|
|
Singing the Sugar Blues?
Singing the Sugar Blues?
By Brenda Jaeck Certified Holistic Health and Nutritional Counselor.
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with sugar.
We love it because it tastes good and often has happy connotations (think
birthday and wedding celebrations, or the cookie your mom gave you when you
cleaned your room). We eat it because it gives us instant energy when
were fatigued or stressed, or to help us accommodate our lifestyle that
of always being on the run and skipping meals. Hormones sometimes drive
women's sugar consumption.
Sugar consumption has increased steadily increasing 28 percent since 1985,
a direct result of the low-fat craze. We as a nation have become fatter over these
same years. Currently, the average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar
per year; the USDA recommends a maximum of 45 pounds per year.
Stopping or even curbing sugar consumption is very difficult, at best. Sugar
has an addictive trait the more we eat, the more we want. Additionally,
sugar is everywhere in everything from soft drinks to crackers and bread,
and even condiments such as ketchup and mayonnaise.
Sugar has many negative qualities. It contains empty calories meaning they
offer no nutrients. It causes fatigue, mood swings, and hyperactivity. Also,
it increases appetite, which then leads to weight gain. Sugar leads to tooth
decay and insulin resistance/diabetes. Sugar has been linked to PMS,
depression, yeast infections and heart disease.
So, what can we do? We can take steps to limit consumption of sugar. These
steps include eating a balanced, healthy diet and trying alternative methods
of mood improvement (try exercising or calling a friend). Being sugar-aware
will help limit consumption as well. To do this, start by reading labels of
packaged food. Sugar has many other names such as high fructose, corn
syrup, dextrose, caramel, glucose and many others.
When you do consume sugar, you can limit its effects by increasing your
consumption of fiber and water in order to promote better elimination of
sugar remnants.
When eating sugar or any other food, always remember food becomes you.
Brenda Jaeck is a Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle Counselor, Lecturer and
Workshop Facilitator. She can be contacted at 917 213 9305 or
brenda@seedstochange.com.
|
|
