SUGAR! SUCRE ! AZUCAR!

by Alesha Jansen 1 Comment

Definition of Sugar:

1. a sweet, crystalline substance, C 1 2 H 2 2 O 1 1, obtained chiefly from the juice of the sugarcane and the sugar beet, and present in sorghum, maple sap, etc.: used extensively as an ingredient and flavoring of certain foods and as a fermenting agent in the manufacture of certain alcoholic beverages; sucrose.

2. Chemistry. a member of the same class of carbohydrates, as lactose, glucose, or fructose.

Effects of Sugar:

Sugar is poison for your body. Find out below how it’s not worth eating your favorite Ben and Jerry ice cream and that oh- so-good chocolate bar.

Your Body: So what does sugar do to our bodies? It causes your body to store fat around its organs and also makes your organs fat, can cause diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol chaos, makes your hunger that you really are cause weight gain, ages your skin as sugar damages the protein fibers in collagens which keeps your skin firm and pliable. It also does not help your body protect its self from sun damage since it deactivates your body’s natural antioxidant enzyme. Sugar is also known to cause cancer.

Your Mind: Research has been done on how sugar( fructose or cane sugar) effects your brain, not only does it mess up your metabolism, leaving us with a sugar high and then the crash mood swings, your mind does not function at its best with sugar often causing a sluggish feeling. They liken sugar as a sweet drug since it has similar effect on the brain. Often when consuming sugar that one bite just isn't enough, ever wonder why? That first bite of sweetness sends a direct message to your brain awaking up what we call the reward system. The main chemical in this reward system is call dopamine. Hence causing that happy feeling often ending in mood swings sluggishness, depression, anxiety, etc. Sugar is been added to more products that ever, the average person a year consumes 150-170 pounds a year remember is the average, versus what the average American used to consume which was 4-6 pounds per year in the 1800's . Crazy I know! But think of where all the sugar is or is hidden in; when buying products read the label to find hidden ways it may be incorporated words such as glucose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, dextrose, starch, corn syrup, fruit juice, raw sugar, and honey. Your body does need some sugar found in fruit and some vegetables, but it does not need all the artificial added junk into our bodies, it does us no good.

How to Avoid Sugar: It can be hard to avoid I know, but it is possible. Start slow and don’t give up. Remove all sugar products from your home, such as candy bars, boxed cereals, white breads, syrups and sauces, juice, ice cream, cookies etc. Fill your fridge and cupboards with healthy whole food alternatives; fresh fruit, veggies, protein, eat those healthy fats such as avocadoes, salmon, and nuts, add spices to your food to ramp up the flavor, to curb those times when you want sugar. Eat 3 balanced meals, and 2 healthy snacks (if you need to) so you don’t have a drop in sugar level that causes you to feel hungrier than you are and crave sweet stuff. If you are an emotional eater, find other ways to compensate, try yoga, or go for a walk outside before eating. Eat your food whole and un-touched, example: eat plain yogurt, it may take you taste buds a little time but eating the food the way nature created it is the best. Get enough sleep and exercise, read your labels though you should try and eat foods that don’t need labels or are a minimum. Drink water and take a good multi-vitamin. Just remember, it takes 3 weeks to start a new habit or kick the old one.

How Your Body and Mind will Thank You: Your body and mind will feel so much more alive and energized. You will remember things better, your body will find your happy spot in your weight, you will sleep better, your will age gracefully, your skin will be a healthy glow and you will feel like a new person! Cheers to a sugar free you!