Slimmimg down don’t jive with sugar.

We understand that your diet plans can sometimes take a back seat to your sugar cravings. This is something that most people can have trouble with. And yes, your diet may end up having a hit. That internal need to feed the sugar bear that sits just below the surface can turn into a grizzly before you know it.

It’s important to understand how sugar plays a role in your weight plan and what exactly sugar is.

Definition: A sweet, crystalline or powdery substance, white in color in its purest form, consisting of sucrose obtained mainly from sugar cane and sugar beets and used in many foods, beverages and medicines to improve their taste.

If you’re like me and at the mercy of your sugar cravings, losing weight can be a long and uphill battle. But the good news is that you can take control and own your sugar cravings.

Reason to leave sugar behind:

1) Sugar is one of the main causes of weight gain.

  • Processed sugar is full of ‘bad’ calories and your body stores these ‘bad’ calories in your fat tissue.
  • That treat you know you shouldn’t eat is probably full of amino acids and glucose (sugar).
  • One of the biggest problems with eating so much sugar in your diet is that you’re not eating the right foods and that leads to weight gain.

2) Sugar contributes to Diabetes, Kidney and Heart problems.

Diabetes:

  • Too much sugar can also have a devastating effect on the pancreas and its ability to function properly.
  • Sweets and other bad foods that contain sugar will lead you down the wrong path and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
  • When a person eats foods that cause blood sugar to spike, their system creates a large amount of insulin to handle the high levels and will try to remove it from their bloodstream. This can lead to diabetes.

Renal insufficiency:

  • Your kidneys will slowly break down as your blood sugar rises over a period of time.
  • Protein molecules move through the kidneys, leading to increased amounts of glucose and eventually destroying the kidneys entirely.
  • Long-term problems arise when people with diabetes do not change their eating habits.
  • The kidneys are susceptible to severe damage when they have to deal with too much sugar over a long period of time.
  • This can lead to kidney failure, which can have serious effects on your overall health.

Heart problems:

  • For many decades, doctors have been telling us that the connection between heart disease and sugar is not only real, but deadly.
  • Simply stated; that you can draw a straight line between sugar and heart disease.
  • Studies have found that more than 20% of people who consume sugar (above the recommended amounts) are 3 times more likely to suffer from heart disease.
  • When we consume foods and beverages that contain added sugar, such as soft drinks, baked goods, salty snacks, and chocolate bars, etc., we increase our risk of metabolic syndrome and heart disease.

3) How much sugar is safe to eat.

  • We contacted the American Heart Association and they explained that less than 5% of daily calories should come in the form of sugar and no more.
  • A regular can of Pepsi Cola containing about 40 grams of sugar only. Drink that can of Pepsi along with a bag of chips and a candy bar and you’ll have nearly exceeded your weekly sugar intake in one day.

4) What can you do to help with your diet?

  • Drinking water! There is no better liquid to put in your body than water. You are made up of 78% H2O. So it would only stand to reason that you would need to replenish your body with a constant intake of water.
  • Lower the amount of sugar you add to your coffee and tea (here’s a suggestion: try cutting sugar out of your caffeinated beverages altogether) and see if you can enjoy it that way. The sugar-free flavor may take a little getting used to, but you’ll be amazed at how easily you can train your taste buds.
  • When you’re at the grocery store, buy whole grains instead of those mixed with sugar. If necessary, you can always add your own sugar at home and this way you have control over how much sugar is in your breakfast.
  • Another way to reduce your sugar intake is to simply eat smaller portions.