I think it’s safe to say we have all heard that sugar isn’t good for us. What I don’t think we are aware of is just how harmful hidden sugar truly is. This blog isn’t intended to be punitive but it is to help bring awareness of where it’s hiding and what is happening as a result.
We all live in a fast-paced existence and we are looking for ways to make our lives easier. The problem is when something is too convenient, there is always a cost. The #1 place to start is pre-packaged/processed foods. These food items were created, from a consumer’s standpoint, to be easy and fast (and addictive!). We LOVE easy and fast when we have limited time at home. However, we must pay attention to what’s in our food supply. We often think of sweets as items with too much sugar but I’m here to help you understand the wider spectrum.
As a rule, the average woman should not consume more than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar per day and the average man should not consume more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams) of added sugar a day. This limit is often reached before breakfast is finished. The U.S. is dealing with an epidemic of obesity and chronic illness and for the sake of our health, we need to become educated and make better choices. The food industry wants you to buy their products so they need to make it easy on the eyes and the palate. Added sugar is surely one way to achieve sales and BOY do they ever!
Sugar is highly addictive and highly inflammatory, meaning causing pain anywhere in your body. How do you begin to manage this issue? Begin by reading the nutrition label and you will see the amount of sugar in a “serving”. Be careful not to make the mistake of perceived “health” foods not having added sugar. Foods like granola bars, yogurt, and cereals to name a few. Serving sizes are alarmingly small so creating a sense of awareness is critical for not only weight issues but overall health concerns.
Too much added or hidden sugar has the propensity to cause the following issues:
- Weight gain/obesity
- Type II Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Frequent cold and flu episodes
To name just a few …
Why does this happen? It happens because your immune system is compromised by sugar and can’t do its job. Do your immune system a favor and start to make changes on how much sugar you eat. You will NOT be sorry; you are worth it! There is a lot of information out there on how sugar harms your health and it can be quite overwhelming, however; by taking small steps on becoming aware is a step in the right direction. You don’t have to be perfect, just be better.