Deanna Latson member for 1 year 1 week Send a message

The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals

Sugar is virtually devoid of any key vitamins and minerals. Sugar contains 16 calories per teaspoon but has no B vitamins, chromium, magnesium, zinc or other trace minerals that the body needs to digest and metabolize it. For sugar to move through your digestive system, you body has to take B vitamins and other trace minerals from the healthy the food you eat, or from vitamins and minerals that your body is storing for future use. Sugar essentially robs your body of these beneficial nutrients.

Sugar gums up the immune system. Medical studies have found that antibody production drops after people have as little as 18 grams of sugar, about as much as you'd find in half of a can of regular soda. Sugar interferes with the cells of the immune system. Eating just 3 oz of sugar can result in a 50% reduction of the ability of the white blood cells to gobble up and kill viruses and bacteria for up to five hours.

You may be asking, do I really eat that much sugar?

Be sure to read labels. Sugar is everywhere in sodas, cakes, ice cream, and even salad dressings. Sugar is also used to feed animals prior to slaughter as it improves the flavor and color of cured meat. Sugar is added to hamburgers sold in restaurants to reduce shrinkage. The breading of many prepared foods contains sugar. Some fast-food restaurants sell poultry that has been injected with a flavorful honey solution. Sugar is used in the processing of luncheon meats, bacon, and canned meats. Sugar if found in such unlikely items as bouillon cubes and dry-roasted nuts. Sugar if found in beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages. Sugar is often added to the syrup in canned fruits. Peanut butter and many dry cereals (even corn flakes) contain sugar. Some salt contains sugar. Ketchup contains sugar. Etc. etc. etc.

When you crave something sweet, eat protein (like raw nuts and seeds). When you eat healthy you will avoid the ups and downs of sugar addiction. Processed sugar can not only causes addiction but it is linked to depression as well. Your best bet is to avoid sugar altogether by eating good quality foods.

Here are a few of the many names sugar goes by
* Corn sweetener
* Corn syrup, or corn syrup solids
* Dehydrated Cane Juice
* Dextrose
* Fructose
* Fruit juice concentrate
* Glucose
* High-fructose corn syrup
* Invert sugar
* Lactose
* Maltodextrin
* Malt syrup
* Maltose
* Molasses
* Raw sugar
* Rice Syrup
* Sucrose

Remember limit your sugar and your body will thank you for it. Artificial sugars are much worse so stay away from those. If you want to sweeten something Agave Nectar made from cactus or Stevia made from an herb is a much better choice.

To Great Health Always,
Deanna Latson