Lost That "Sugar Belly"

Lost That "Sugar Belly"

Let’s face it-ice cream and apple pie taste awesome! BUT did you know added sugar lurks in nearly 70 percent of packaged foods and is found in breads, health foods, snacks, yogurts, most breakfast foods and sauces?! The average American eats about 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day (not counting the sugars that occur naturally in foods like fruit or dairy products). That’s about double the recommended limit for men (nine teaspoons) and triple the limit for women (six teaspoons). Several studies have discovered that sugar affects the brain the same way that addictive substances such as nicotine, cocaine, and morphine do which triggers the release of dopamine. This leads to a cycle of cravings and needing more sugar to make you feel good.

Many scientists now believe that sugar is the main culprit behind the “obesity epidemic” as well as increased risk for a host of other medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and even depression.

We’re all familiar with the “beer belly” that is associated with drinking too much alcohol. Consuming too much added sugar can give you a similar condition called “sugar belly” where your midsection is actually bigger than your hips! This can happen mainly when the liver repeatedly detects more fructose than the body can use.

According to Dr. Robert Lustig, professor of endocrinology at the University of California, “Sugar turns on the aging programs in your body. The more sugar you eat, the faster you age.”

However, cutting out sugar doesn’t necessarily mean deprivation. You simply substitute other healthier options that are completely satisfying. And yes you can still have dessert! For example, when you eat whole fruit in its natural state, it slows the rate of absorption of sugar in the bloodstream and has the added benefit of containing micronutrients plus fiber! But the fructose found in ultra-processed foods and beverages is concentrated from corn, beets and sugar cane, and much or all of the fiber and nutrients have been removed so your body gets a big dose of fructose that can wreak havoc.

Your first step might be to learn to read food labels for “hidden sugar” keeping in mind they can be disguised as “agave nectar, beet sugar, brown sugar, barley syrup and basically anything ending in “ose”. Adding protein and fiber to every meal will help you to avoid hunger and give you increased energy levels. Try high protein veggies, seeds and nuts which make great snacks! Drink lots of water and eat fresh fruit like berries, mango, grapes, figs, papaya, which contain plenty of antioxidants - “superfoods”. There are a ton of healthy, sugar - free dessert recipes online to curb those cravings!

Final Take-away: Reduced sugar intake equals a happier, healthier, energized you! Oh and one more thing- Don’t forget to EXERCISE!!!