Healthy Living Tips: Did you know that according to the USDA, Americans, on average, eat and drink the equivalent of 30 to 40 teaspoons of sugar daily. That comes to half a cup of pure sugar a day, or about 130 to 140 pounds of sugar a year. It’s Time To STOP IT!
Since childhood we’ve all known that sugar causes tooth decay, but do you know that it contributes to obesity and diabetes. Evidence keeps mounting that a diet high in sugar may be linked to other chronic conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. In fact, over the years my research tells me that cancer feeds off of sugar, yet sugar intake is on the rise.
Simple sugars, such as those found in soda, candy and white flour products, cause our blood sugar levels to rise. In turn, our bodies release insulin, which moves the sugar into our cells. Once the sugar reaches our cells our blood sugar levels drop. The result is that we will feel tired, foggy, restless or irritable. This then causes us to crave more sugary foods. It’s a nasty roller coaster ride that just keeps going round and round.
How do you avoid Sugar? You don’t need to avoid all sugar, but you do need to read labels carefully. Look at the product’s nutrition label for the grams of sugar. Be aware of these “hidden names” for sugar, such as;
Cane Juice Corn Sweetener Dextrin, Dextrose Honey Brown Sugar Sucanat Corn Syrup, or high fructose corn syrup Fructose Glucose, maltose, sucrose Malt Barley Turbinado Sugar White Flour (turns to sugar)Sugar is everywhere. Many “so called” fat-free foods are loaded with sugar, yet sugar inhibits weight loss, so how can they call it fat free?
Healthy Living Tips for losing weight! Change your life, by changing your lifestyle.Eventually your taste buds will adjust to less sugar. Instead of sugary drinks, squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice into water, better yet, buy a juicer and start making your own fresh raw healthy drinks.
In recipes, use half the sugar suggested, or change the type of sugar in the recipe. For example, on rare occasions I still make my mom’s chocolate chip oatmeal raisin cookies, but now I’ve changed the ingredients to match my quest to be as healthy as I can.
Instead of using simple white sugar and brown sugar, I use just a quarter of the sugar in the form of some raw organic sugar, honey or pure maple syrup. I don’t use white flour. I now only use 100% Organic whole grain wheat flour or 100% organic whole grain anything.
As for chocolate chips, I try to find raw organic carob, or I might just place in the ingredients raw cocoa powder, which is very high in antioxidants. Get the picture? Take your favorite recipes and change them. Your taste buds will adapt, your sweet tooth will get fed, and your health in general just may get better.
Limit or completely omit artificial sweeteners. They are deadly chemicals, plus they keep the taste of sugar “alive” in your system.
Eat regular meals and snack every two to four hours. Sugar cravings often strike when you’re hungry.
Include lean protein and a small amount of healthy fats, such as an avocado. This will keep your blood sugar in check and help control your cravings.
Just throw away the white flour and the white and brown sugar in your cupboards. Enjoy naturally sweet fresh fruit for snacks and desserts. If you are trying to lose weight, only eat fruit low in sugar, such as all berries and grapefruit.
Spread sugar free peanut butter on apples or celery or a banana, or eat raw nuts and raw seeds.
If you just have to have the sugar fix, use xylitol, a natural sweetener found in health food stores. It has half the calories and carbs of regular sugar.
Next time you want to go for that sugar high, remember that a candy bar may give you an energy jolt, but the effect will be short-lived … and not in the best interest of your health.
Following 8 Healthy Steps is for a lifetime, not just a quick fix. Read all of these Healthy Living Tips and it won’t be long until you will be in the groove. Once you’re in the groove, your life will be changed for the good, FOREVER!
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NOTE: (Please understand, we are not addressing any reader’s personal circumstances. You should rely on this email for informational purposes only. Always consult with your personal physician before acting on any recommendations contained herein.)
