Bitter Truths About Sugar Freaks and "Fake" Sweets
By: Bean Jones
Sugary Temptation. You have to know when to stop snacking on sweet treats--or you'll go over your daily sugar intake limit without realizing it.
Americans are suckers for sweets.
I myself have a weakness for Snickers bars, holding the Jones family record of eating seven bars in 30 minutes. (My brothers dared me to do it.) But that was way back when I was 13 and didn't know any better. Even now when I do know better, I still have a weakness for Snickers. Then again, I'm not the only guy with a sweet tooth.
Sugar Rush
The United States Department of Agriculture released a report which reveals that the calorie content of the food products available in the market have increased their percentage of added sugars by 17 percent. This rate of increase is the average range incurred from 1970 to 2006.
According to the findings highlighted in "Sugar Shock," a special feature done by the Parents magazine staff, "basic healthy-sounding foods are being loaded with many more grams of sugar than what a normal person would suspect, especially in America."
Thus, many of us may believe that we're munching on "relatively healthy foods," when, in reality, several grams of sugar have been added to supposedly enhance the flavor of food items such as bread, biscuits, powdered drinks, juices, and other packaged food products.
Scary Stats
The Parents magazine article goes on to reveal: "Based on an average 2,000-calorie diet, the recommendation is not to consume more than 40 grams of sugar per day."
That adds up to about 32 pounds of sugar per year. However, the latest research shows that the average 30-something adult consumes about 46 pounds of sugar a year. The fact that children consume 49 pounds of sugar each year is even more alarming.
With these numbers, it's not surprising that as many as 64.5 percent of adults in the US--aged 20 years and older--are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese. Those who belong to this group risk developing diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which, in turn, increase the risk of heart disease.
Sneaky Substitute
Still, instead of drastically minimizing their sugar consumption, most people opt to literally have their cake and eat it, too. So, they go for artificially sweetened food and drinks. Unfortunately, this isn't such a wise move.
A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Obesity shows that artificial sweeteners, like those used in diet sodas, mess up the body's ability to monitor a person's calorie intake. Specifically, they seem to somehow trick your body into thinking that other sweets are also calorie-free. As a result, your system isn't able to send a "Ditch the sugar!" signal and you end up wolfing down more sugary treats.
Control Center
If you have self-control, you don't have to give up Coke Light entirely. Just try to limit your diet soda intake to no more than one can a day. The same restriction applies to other artificially sweetened stuff.
But if you want to lessen your sugar intake significantly, keep in mind that the best thirst-quencher is water. Make that non-flavored water. Likewise, when you want a treat or need food to energize you, savor small portions of authentic fare like your favorite cake, ice cream, or chocolate bar. Better yet, you can stick to fruits to soothe your sweet tooth.
As for me, my Snickers-munching record is now a distant memory. I crave a sugar rush every now and then--but I stick to one Snickers bar. It's hard but I figure it's a small sacrifice to make in the name of good health.
Comments
"Even now when I do know better, I still have a weakness for Snickers."
Oh! WOW! Maybe you have a systemic fungal thing going on. Sugar feeds fungus and peanuts are known to be susceptible to molds and fungal invasions. Of particular concern is aflatoxin, a poison produced by a fungus called Aspergillus flavus. "They" say peanuts are 'safe' because of improved methods.. but maybe this is one reason so many people seem to be allergic!! If you have a fungal condition it might be why you crave peanuts and sugar.. the fungus want to be fed. www.knowthecause.com
Stevia is a no cal natural sweetener that has been used for thousands of years. On the other hand, the patentable sweeteners are a danger to your health.
Everyone should read; "The World Population Control Agenda." Written by an awakened medical doctor.
Did you know that sugar is a natural substance? sugar cane...
also, it is a natural antibiotic...
I would like to know if there are other benifits, as well...
I'd bet there are...
yep avoid those artificial ones...correct stevia balances blood sugar levels and is nutritious...normally craving for sugar is the body asking for iron...enough water and good minerals will assist absorbtion and therefore the feeling of lack that craves sugar is reduced or eliminated..in its natural cane juice or as rapadura (dehydrated) sugar has benefits in a small and balanced amount...but not in conjunction with the intake of crap
I guess if sugar is a natural substance then cocaine would be too. Yet most would agree that chewing coca leaves is probably less taxing on the body than heavy cocaine use is.
Chewing on sugar cane with the molasses part still in it's natural form and in balance would probably be beneficial to the body. But a heavy dose of refined white powder with no redeeming vitamins and minerals isn't. It's a drug, and not a very good one at that.
Eric, I agree completely with you. I have given up sugar completely more than a year ago (including fruit high in glucose such as grapes, or dried fruit) because of hypoglycemia and can report that it is fairly easy to do.
The added bonus is that bad nutritional habits seem to hold each other up, like the poles of a tent. Shortly after giving up sugar coffee became rather disgusting to me, my sense of taste sharpened very much so that I can not stand very salty food any more, and a few days ago, I believe, alcohol came to a natural end - I lost my taste for it. I do not feel the need to substitute anything for those semiluxury foods, there was no "fight", nor did I plan to give up coffee and my evening glass of red wine.
If sugar is a natural antibiotic, that would explain why the intestinal flora of most people seems to be so messed up. Not to mention the encouragement of Candida (yeast) in the microbial mix.
Yeah, just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's any good for you. The FDA allows milk proteins to be lumped under the umbrella of "natural flavors"; that's exactly the "natural additive" that causes arthritis in me, anaphylaxis in others, and indigestion in many more.
I gave up Nutrasweet many years ago as I'd forget things. Since I stopped my memory improved.
If you want to eat less of a sugary treat, get a very sharp,serrated knife and a cup of coffee or tea. Cut a thin sliver of the bar, savor it, then have a sip of the beverage. Repeat until satisfied. You may find that you can save halfof the sweet for later or for tomorrow.
How many knew that the sugar-industry has been responible for a lot of the slavery? Quite a few I suppose. Sugar and tabacco was the main reasons for big-scale slavery.
Now the interesting question is; what is that very "same" industry, and its lobbyists, responisble for in todays society?
According to "Sugar Blues" of William Dufty (1975) the tabacco-industry was the second biggest sugar-customer after the food-industry(!) Maybe because of the addictive "features" of sugar?
PS: refined sugar is not natural. About 90% of the original plant, including fibre etc, is lost during the chemical processing.