Do you have a sweet tooth? I sure do.
Having a desire for sugar is quite natural. We have built-in taste buds for salt, sugar, bitterness, sour, and fat.
But there are many sources and types of sugar we should be aware of.
Natural vs Added Sugars
The natural sugars found in whole plant foods such as dates and fruits promote health, while the added sugars found in refined, processed foods promote weight gain, inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and other major illnesses.
The average American today consumes roughly 20 teaspoons of added sugar daily. That equates to 60 lbs. of sugar in one year, or one 5-lb. bag of sugar each month! And teenagers are consuming even more - around 22 teaspoons each day.
Most of the sugar Americans consume is hidden within processed foods; the majority of people don’t even realize they’re eating such large quantities. And because of the many types of sweeteners manufacturers use, added sugars can be tricky to spot on labels. But it's easy to do once you know how.
Refined Sugars are Inflammatory
The refined sugars found in soft drinks, fruit juice, sweet tea, pastries, desserts, cookies, candy, snack cakes, cereals, and even frozen entrees can stimulate the production of something called “free fatty acids” – which circulate through the bloodstream and trigger both insulin resistance and inflammation in the skeletal system, the liver, and the protective cells that line our arteries.
In the below article, you'll learn more about:
* The effects of refined sugars (weight issues, gut disorders, and more)
* What should our sugar limit be?
* How to quickly tell how much sugar is in a processed food?
* Tips to reduce refined sugars in your diet
* How to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health
Healthy Sweet Treats!
The good news is you do NOT have to give up the sweet flavors you enjoy. But you do have to make good choices regarding your sugar intake if you want to achieve and maintain a healthy body.
Click here to read the entire article.
And Click here to learn more about my latest course: Label Reading Tips to Make Smart Choices!
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