Ah, Sugar, Sugar!

We’ve all heard that “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” but did you know there’s already plenty of the sweet stuff in that decongestant you are swallowing? And your spaghetti sauce? And even the canned veggies you feed your kids?

Carbohydrates include fruit, vegetables, starches (like bread and potatoes), and of course, sweet ole sugar. An essential nutrient, carbohydrates are the body’s main source of both quick and sustained energy. All carbohydrates have approximately four calories of energy per gram of weight.

That doesn’t sound like much, but they add up very fast! When eaten in large quantities, simple carbs (like sugar) provide excessive calories that can ultimately lead to weight gain and other concerning medical issues.

And it’s not just “sugar” that you’ll need to be aware of on your favorite food labels — you’ll need to also recognize the other forms, including honey, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, confectioner’s sugar, powdered sugar, high fructose corn syrup, concentrated fruit juice, dextrose, glucose, molasses, corn syrup, maltose, sucrose, xylitol, or mannitol. This list is not all-inclusive, there are more names for sugar on a food label.

Why worry about sugar? Aside from providing empty calories, one of sugar’s major drawbacks is that it raises your insulin levels. An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to maintain blood sugar at a constant and safe level. Prolonged, elevated insulin levels can increase the risk for disease by causing inflammation within your body and by inhibiting key hormones that regulate the immune system. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat excessive sweets high in sugar, you’re making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglycerides, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Are there sugars I can eat? The sugars we need to pay particular attention to are the sugar we add to food. However there are sugars that are naturally found in food, and those count in your overall intake as well

Sugars that occur naturally in foods that also supply key nutrients (“Good Sugar”).

• Dairy products (milk, cheese, and plain yogurt. This does not include ice cream)
• Fresh and frozen fruits (apple, blueberries, orange, pineapple, strawberries, banana, cantaloupe, etc.)
• Most Vegetables (carrots, tomato, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, cucumber, etc.)

“Bad” sugars

The only good sugar is one found in nature. You can’t grow, pick, or raise high fructose corn syrup, let alone all the names for sugar you can’t pronounce. If you have to use a sweetener, stick with one you can find out in nature. But use all sugars in moderation.

The following foods are typically loaded with sugar. Read through and learn to limit your intake by reducing the portions of your favorite sweet foods.

(1 teaspoon = 3.5 – 4 grams sugar on the food label)  
1 teaspoon sugar = 1 sugar cube = 1 sugar packet

Everyday products

• Fruit Loops, 1 cup = 3.75 teaspoons
• Low fat, fruit-flavored yogurt, 6 oz. = 7 teaspoons
• Pancake syrup, 1/4 cup = 8 teaspoons
• Ketchup, 4 Tablespoons = 4 teaspoons

Foods that sound healthy, but are loaded with sugar!

• Granola, 2/3 cup = 4 teaspoons
• Dried fruit, 1 cup = 21 teaspoons

Beverages

• Orange juice/ apple juice, 8 oz. = 5.5 teaspoons
• Snapple, Lemon Iced Tea, 16 oz. = 11.5 teaspoons
• Strawberry Passion Fruitopia, 20 oz. = 17.5 teaspoons

Snacks & desserts

• Balance/ Power Bar = 4.75 teaspoons
• McDonald’s Vanilla Shake, 21 oz. = 24 teaspoons
• Frozen yogurt, 8 oz. = 8.5 teaspoons
• Restaurant chocolate cake, 1 slice = 13 teaspoons

Movie theatre combo

• Twizzlers, (movie size) 6 oz. = 17+ teaspoons
• Soda, (movie large) 44 oz. = 37 teaspoons
• Total = 54 teaspoons!

As you can see, sugar is everywhere, in very large amounts. Sugar may be inexpensive as far as dollar and cents go, but over consumption of sugar and other sweeteners in large amounts are responsible for the obese and diseased society we are.

Our “Carbohydrate Changeover” is designed to help you move from the empty calories of processed flours and sugars to natural, unprocessed foods over a 21 day period. You won’t believe the difference in how you feel! Talk to your doctor or registered dietician before beginning this or any other eating and lifestyle change.

It is possible to break your sugar addiction, and the benefits are well worth it! If you would like a complimentary copy of our 21 day “Steps To Success” guide, which includes the “Carbohydrate Changeover” program, please Contact Us Here and we will send you the download link.

I look forward to hearing of your success!

Nancy