Sugar... A vehicle that helps the body store fat

IT ONCE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HUMAN SURVIVAL IN PREHISTORIC TIMES; A TIME WHEN FOOD WAS NOT AS PLENTIFUL AS IT IS TODAY…

Excessive sugar consumption has negative effects on the body and the brain. Research suggests that sugar contributes to many human ailments, including obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, addiction, mental decline, and much more.

CANDIES, CARBONATED DRINKS AND PROCESSED FOODS

They fill our supermarket and restaurant menus, are high in added sugar, and don’t provide many nutrients. They lead us to ingest far more sugar than we are aware of and at levels that are unhealthy.

When a food is processed, fat, sugar and salt are usually added and important nutrients, such as fibre, are usually removed. Processed foods usually also include preservatives, artificial flavours, nutrients and other food additives or substances that can affect hormones and body functions. 

There are 3 types of processed foods:

1. Minimally processed foods have been slightly altered mainly for preservation purposes, but the nutritional content generally remains unchanged. 

2. Processed foods with additional salt, sugar, fat, or protein include some canned fruits and vegetables, some dairy products, and some types of bread. These foods usually are made from at least 3 ingredients and can be readily eaten without further preparation. 

3. Highly processed foods go beyond incorporating salt, sweeteners, or fat and include artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives that promote shelf stability, preserve texture, and increase taste. A bag of potato chips would be considered a highly processed food. The final product contains very little, if any, benefits of the whole food (potatoes). Highly processed foods also include sugary drinks, cookies, some crackers, breakfast cereals, frozen dinners, and lunch meats.

Unfortunately, the process that makes highly processed foods taste good comes at a cost to your health because the additives have no nutritional value. Highly processed food with an unevenly high ratio of calories to nutrients is unhealthy and can lead to eating more than the recommended amounts of sugar, salt, and fat. Processed foods never leave you satisfied.  You keep craving more and more.  It’s an endless cycle. 

HOW TO DETOXIFY FROM SUGAR?

• Examine what you are eating and drinking

• Stay hydrated by drinking 2-3 litres of water each day in between meals

• Eat whole foods: Healthy carbohydrates, lean proteins and full-fat foods

• Variety is key! Aim for different colours and textures

• Limit snacks

• Get proper rest each night so your body can repair properly

• Move your body daily

• Use some breathing techniques to manage stressful situations to optimize the function of key hormones

• Avoid carbonated beverages, juices, syrups, and processed foods

Eating a diet that is primarily composed of whole foods; fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds, as opposed to processed foods is the easiest way to reduce calorie intake without actually counting calories. Also, when you eat a diet high in healthy fats, fibre and whole foods, you will stay full for much longer. 

So there is no need to snack… Bonus points! :)