Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco have proposed that sugar should be regulated just like alcohol because of detrimental effects to the human body.
If you don’t agree, try giving up the sweet stuff for seven days and see how well you do. Most people can’t make it past the first twenty-four hours.
Sugar is in everything. When you read labels, you’ll notice it in cereals, energy bars, coffee drinks (think whip, chocolate, syrups), spaghetti sauces, salad dressings, yogurt, and of course desserts and candy.
With obesity at an all time high, patients are battling associated diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes/diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea, skin problems and more.
All of this sugar excess can cause liver problems, insulin resistance and a very difficult time losing weight. While a lot goes into obesity (lack of exercise, high simple carbohydrate diet, genetics), sugar definitely plays a major role.
Some experts believe that sugar is as addictive as tobacco, alcohol or drugs and that this addiction often starts in early childhood when children learn to appreciate sweet treats and desserts.
The American Heart Association recommended women max out at 20grams (or 5 teaspoons) of sugar per day while men can have a little more at 36 grams (or 9 teaspoons) and children shouldn’t go above 12 grams (or 3 teaspoons) per day.
Work to break this pattern and start reading labels. Retrain your taste buds to choose vegetables and healthy protein over sugary foods and work really hard to keep your grams low, especially if you are overweight or obese and trying to lose weight. You’ll be surprised by how many grams you are eating each day.
Opt for plain yogurt and add in cinnamon, vanilla and berries. Choose energy bars that focus on the protein not the sugar, chocolate chips, marshmallows or caramel added.
Pick coffee drinks without the fancy additives like whipped cream, syrups, chocolate and flavored creamers. Reach for cut-up vegetables and hummus, plain (unsalted) nuts and seeds, an apple with no sugar added peanut butter (yes, sugar is added to peanut butter) or almond butter as snacks.
Whip up a smoothie with rice protein powder, plain yogurt, no-sugar added almond/rice/coconut milk and berries. Skip out on high-sugar energy drinks or soda. Have eggs or chicken sausage for breakfast instead of pancakes or toast with jelly.
The first few days of going sugar-free can be rough (be careful not to load up on alternatives like agave syrup, honey or fake sugars such as aspartame or splenda) but in the name of your health you can do it!
References:
1. Sugar Should Be Regulated As A Toxin, Researchers Say. Web. 3 February 2012.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/02/01/sugar-should-be-regulated-as-toxin-researchers-say
actual journal article if a member: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v482/n7383/full/482027a.html
2. Dyslipidemia and Added Sugar Consumption. Web. 3 February, 2012.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/726960
3. Cutting Intake of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Lowers BP in Observational Study. Web. 3 February, 2012.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722534
Reviewed February 3, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith