Americans Secret Sugar Addiction
Recently, an article in Parent’s Magazine talked about “Sugar Shock”. The article portrayed basic healthy-sounding foods as being loaded with many more grams of sugar than what a normal person would suspect, especially in America. You may believe that you are eating relatively healthy foods, when in reality; multiple grams of sugar have been added to enhance the flavor. In fact, when European chefs come to America, they are “shocked” at the amount of sugar we use here in our recipes. In contrast, when we go to Europe, we think their pastries are tasteless because they are not nearly as sweet as we are accustomed. Food marketing in America has discovered that sugar greatly enhances the sales of almost all food.
As an example, whole wheat bread/bagels may contain added sugar. You must read the labels carefully. The issue is our taste buds may be so affected that they may not be able to tolerate the bitter taste of many green veggies. The more added sugar in our diets, the less likely we are to eat grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy. As it stands one third of American children are overweight, and as adults, these same children will have problems with diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, all of which increase the risk of heart disease.
We need to consider various options to sugar including 1) Instead of flavored yogurts, try plain yogurt with mix-ins (honey, fruit or raisins). 2) Instead of canned fruit, try chopping up fresh fruit. 3) Instead of maple syrup, try topping pancakes/waffles with preserves. 4) Instead of sweetened salad dressings, try Italian or Ranch. 5) Instead of barbeque sauce, try dry rubs or taco seasonings.
Sugar not only breeds ongoing yeast problems, but for those suffering with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sugar may help push Tryptophan into the brain, aiding the in the production of serotonin; however, it will also lead to weight gain.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:28 am
So glad that you posted this entry. It’s important to wake Americans up to the dangers of sugar and to the fact that it’s pervasive in packaged foods, particularly high fructose corn syrup. By the way, some of the options that you mentioned may contain sugar too. For instance Italian and ranch dressings often contain sweeteners. Also, honey is not necessarily a better option. It is even more concentrated than table sugar and some studies showed that honey raises your glucose levels higher than table sugar and suppresses your white blood cell count more.
Also, in my book SUGAR SHOCK!, I talk about the connection between sugar consumption and developing or helping to resolve fibromyalgia
and fatigue.
Again, thank you for talking about sugar shock.
Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C.
Author, SUGAR SHOCK!
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:43 am
fibromyalgia support
When they do, it is considered a normal reaction to their medical condition. Sarah and Virginia both declared: I am depressed because of the fibromyalgiaJust stopped to say hello. I like your blog and it came from your heart. Beautiful!
December 26th, 2007 at 11:58 am
I have a question about raw honey. I use it because I read of its great value to pain and anti bacterial issues etc. Do you know if it would be good for something like fibromyalgia? A friend of my son has been diagnosed with just that. Thank you F. Griscom
January 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Fred,
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to try honey, unless you have diabetes. Raw honey has many benefits including using it directly on an open wound for its antibacterial effect. I know of no studies that say it helps Fibromyalgia pain directly, but it may be of some modest benefit and therefore worth a trial.
I hope this answers your question.
W. Marcus Spurlock, MD