Why Sugar Is So Bad for You

With Halloween and the winter holiday season coming up, many of us are about to eat a lot more sugar than usual—and the cold weather makes it harder for a lot of us to keep up with enough exercise to burn it all off. Unfortunately, sugar is a “universal inflammatory” that can cause health problems.

They’re not just weight-related concerns and problems, either. Sugar is addictive and causes weight gain, but it can also trigger severe mental health problems as well as obesity, inflammation and heart disease. The best way to combat this is to focus on low-sugar, natural and organic foods in Eau Claire, WI. Here’s how to control your sugar intake (and get rid of that sweet tooth).

How much added sugar should I have?
First, it’s important to know the difference between natural sugar and added sugar. For example, the kind of sugar you get from fruits and vegetables also comes with healthy benefits like fiber and other nutrients that will promote your overall health—so go ahead and add fruit to your salad, yogurt and other dishes. Natural sugars are not the main issue for most Americans. Added sugars are the problem, and it’s estimated that Americans consume 94 grams of added sugar per day.

The recommended daily amounts are much different, and can often be satisfied by drinking a regular can of soda. Put down the fast food, the baked goods and the processed food you are probably consuming a lot more added sugar than you realize.

Everyone’s health is different, so be sure to talk to your doctor about your sugar intake. However, here are the general guidelines: women should have no more than 25 grams (six
teaspoons) per day, men should have no more than 36 grams and children should not consume more than 12 grams.

How to avoid added sugar (or cut it out entirely)
When you start adding up just how much added sugar is in your diet, it can make you cringe. Every pre-made food, from salad dressing to processed bread, is likely to include added sugar, even if it’s not supposed to be sweet.

Right now, FDA labels don’t differentiate between added and natural sugar, so you’ll need to look closely at the ingredients. Honey, molasses, maple syrup, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup and anything that ends in “-ose” is likely to be added sugar. If you see any of these in an ingredient list, you know you’re dealing with added sugars instead of those naturally occurring in the food.

Since sugar is addictive, it’s hard to cut it out entirely—especially when we dedicate entire holidays to getting candy, cookies and pie. However, the sooner you start slowing down the added sugar consumption, the better you’ll feel. Look for healthy substitutes labeled “no added sugar,” and parcel out your treats with the added sugar recommendations in mind.

To find the best natural and organic foods in Eau Claire, WI, pay a visit to Mother Nature’s Foodtoday

Categorised in: Health Tips