If you are dieting, especially if you are diabetic or borderline diabetic there are some things you need to know about sugar. This article is referring to table sugar as well as other forms of sugar that show up in all kind of foods-even foods you would not think.
Sugary Foods
You might think that refined sugar and starchy sweeteners are limited to breads, pastas, cakes, candies, syrups, and other obviously sweet foods. However, this substance is actually found in most foods-even in some canned veggies and fruits as well as supposedly “unsweetened” cereals.
The Good
Our body does need a little bit of sugar. When used in a very small amount it helps provide energy and it helps make food taste better. It is also is part of the fuel that keeps our body going. Sweeteners in their most natural and unrefined forms used sparingly are very healthy.
The Bad
The problem with sugar-especially white table sugar and sugar in canned foods and candies-is that there is just too much of it. It is even in spaghetti sauces and most condiments-even in ketchup (usually as corn syrup).
In fact, if you want to get an idea of how much of a problem this is, just view recent statistics. For instance, it is reported that the average American citizen eats about 42 pounds of sugar per year.
This is resulting in heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other problems. Sugar is killing America and killing the world-almost as fatal as fat.
If it does not kill you at the very least it will make you lethargic. It will make you depressed and not want to get up in the morning if you consume too much of it.
The Solution
Consider eating foods in their most natural state possible. If you must cook your food, try to substitute with natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia, or some other type of natural fruit sugar.
Furthermore, eat more whole grains instead of the complex carbs that turns to sugar, which then turns to fat. You can also substitute fresh fruits for those rich deserts you always like, and perhaps cut down on the amount of sugar you put in treats such as Jell-O.
One more suggestion is also to find spices such as cinnamon or cloves to use in your coffee instead of white sugar. There also is the pure cane sweetener, which has not yet been refined.
Tags: Carbohydrates, Dangers, Diatbetics, Dieters, Energy, Fat, Sugar, Sweeteners