New Age Health Spa
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with sugar. We love it because it tastes good and often has happy connotations (think birthday and wedding celebrations, or the cookie your mom gave you when you cleaned your room). We eat it because it gives us instant energy when we’re fatigued or stressed, or to help us accommodate our lifestyle – that of always being on the run and skipping meals.

Sugar consumption has increased steadily – increasing 28 percent since 1985, a direct result of the low-fat craze. We as a nation have become fatter over these same years. Currently, the average American consumes 150 pounds of sugar per year; the USDA recommends a maximum of 45 pounds per year.

Stopping or even curbing sugar consumption is very difficult, at best. Sugar has an addictive trait – the more we eat, the more we want. Additionally, sugar is everywhere – in everything from soft drinks to crackers and bread, and even condiments such as ketchup and mayonnaise. Sugar has many negative qualities. It contains empty calories – meaning they offer no nutrients. It causes fatigue, mood swings, and hyperactivity. Also, it increases appetite, which then leads to weight gain. Sugar leads to tooth decay and insulin resistance/diabetes. Sugar has been linked to PMS, depression, yeast infections and heart disease.

So, what can we do? We can take steps to limit consumption of sugar. These steps include eating a balanced, healthy diet and trying alternative methods of mood improvement (try exercising or calling a friend). Being sugar-aware will help limit consumption as well. To do this, start by reading labels of packaged food. Sugar has many other names – such as high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, caramel, glucose and many others. When you do consume sugar, you can limit its effects by increasing your consumption of fiber and water in order to promote better elimination of sugar remnants. When eating sugar or any other food, always remember – food becomes you.