Everyone likes sweet tasting foods, especially around the holidays. However, sugar is usually the source of that sweetness; a substance that is highly addictive and hidden in a lot of foods besides desserts.
The American Heart Association recommends a total of 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for women and 9 teaspoons a day for men. Since one teaspoon equals 4 grams of sugar, that equates to 24 grams a day for women and 36 grams a day for men. The average American actually consumes 22 teaspoons of sugar a day or 88 grams of sugar with many individuals consuming much more.
It is common knowledge that heart disease and diabetes type 2 are the result of consuming too much sugar over a long period of time. By the time these diseases manifest it is too late, the damage to the physical body has been done. Diabetes and heart disease are two of the top leading causes of death in men and women. Diabetes type 2 is now showing up in children because of the massive amounts of sugar children are consuming on a daily basis.
Our bodies give us signals all the time to let us know something is not quite right. It also lets us know when we have been eating too much sugar through physical and emotional symptoms. You need to pay attention to the warning signs and do something about it before it causes permanent damage.
Here is a list of the top 10 signs that may signal you are eating too much sugar.
- Brain fog
- Cravings,
- Mood swings
- Joint pain
- Weight gain
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue and low energy
- Skin issues like acne or boils
- Difficulty sleeping through the night
- Fluid retention
Take a typical day and add up all the sugar you consume. Carefully read all the labels of the food you consume. Look at the line that reads total sugars and added sugars for the exact amount. Added sugar is exactly that – the amount of sugar that has been added to the item on top of what is naturally occurring. Remember the amount listed is per single serving of that food or drink substance. This includes but is NOT limited to the hidden sugars in condiments, instant oatmeal, granola bars, salad dressings, canned fruits, coffee drinks, flavored waters, gummy vitamins, processed foods, yogurts, breakfast cereals, etc. Add up all the grams and divide by 4 to get the number of teaspoons of sugar. You will probably surprise yourself when you discover how much sugar you actually ingest on a daily basis.
Sugar is an addictive substance that sets off a release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the body causing you to constantly crave more. Sugar is more addictive than cocaine for this reason. You may cut out desserts only to discover you are eating a lot of other foods with hidden sugars in them. At the end of the day, it all adds up.
If you want help getting sugar out of your diet, I can help you. I have done it myself and I know what it takes. I also know how to substitute healthier ingredients to maintain the taste of sweetness without damaging my health. Feel free to reach out to me and we can talk about what you need to do and the best way to do it to live a healthier, sweeter life!
