Posts Tagged ‘ Sugar ’

High Sugar Sodas to Be Phased Out of Dallas Schools

January 21, 2011
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An agreement was reached this past spring with Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Cadbury Schweppes to eliminate all non-diet soda and other sugary drinks from most public school vending machines, unless they have a nutritious value, such as juice and low-fat milk. The voluntary agreement, that affects all of the Dallas schools, was brokered by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association.

The Alliance pushed for the agreement in order to help curb childhood obesity. The three beverage makers agreed amid growing pressure from consumer and medical groups, who are concerned over the high obesity rate in children. They have been pressuring states to enact laws to restrict children’s access to drinks with no nutritional value and high in calories.

The new agreement does not change the rules for elementary Dallas schools, where soda already is banned. It will eliminate soda from the middle Dallas schools, but high schools only will see the non-diet sodas removed.

Studies have shown that just one 100-calorie soda per day adds 10 extra pounds each year. The Alliance hopes the new agreement will help children control their weight. Thirty-five percent of Texas students, including those in the Dallas schools, are considered overweight or obese, according to a 2003 state study.

Nurses within the Dallas schools area already try to identify overweight students at risk of developing diabetes and refer them to doctors. Many believe this is only a first step. Some dietitians agree, noting that soda consumption often signals poor eating and exercise habits, too.

Many Dallas schools parents and students have voiced support of the new agreement, but believe the Dallas schools need to go further to curb the high carb and high fat foods that are served in their cafeterias, as well as the student candy bar fundraisers.

Many educators and consumer groups are not holding their breaths. Students will continue to be allowed to bring sodas from home, which many already do to avoid paying the vending machine prices. Commercial Alert, a nonprofit group that opposes commercialism in schools, believes the beverage makers will back out of the agreement, since it has no enforcement provision. They also criticized the beverage makers for waiting until the 2009-10 school year to completely enact the agreement.

Another problem to enforcing the agreement may well come from the Dallas schools. Over the past ten years, many school districts have signed contracts worth thousands or millions of dollars in revenue. Districts typically agree to sell one company’s line of soda and other drinks in exchange for a share of the profits. Many Dallas schools rely on such profits to supplement their annual budgets.

Students in the Dallas schools may not see much immediate change in their vending machine choices, since the 2009-10 school year is three years away. Even under the contract, sodas will continue to be sold at Dallas schools events, such as band concerts, school plays, presentations, pageants, and sporting events.

For more information on Dallas schools visit, http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Texas/Dallas/index.html

Foods to Lower Blood Sugar Levels – What to Eat and What Not To?

January 12, 2011
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A diabetic’s body does not produce enough insulin to manage the sugar levels within the body. Therefore, it is important that the diabetics strictly follow a charted plan of foods to lower blood sugar strict diet. A diet high in fiber, but low in fat is most often recommended for diabetics. Foods that are high in fiber can help in lowering the level of glucose in the body. Eating smaller meals and eating more frequently throughout the day will help maintain the delicate level of glucose.

Insulin is responsible for changing starches, sugars, and other food into energy inside the body. Decreasing one’s intake of alcohol, fats, and sweets will help regulate this. A diabetic diet should include 2-4 servings of fruit each day. However, since many fruits are high in sugar some of the fruits to add to your diet are banana, apple, mango, orange, raisins and grapes as good food for diabetes.

Fatty foods often contain a lot of butter, cheese, oil or mayonnaise. They are the ones on the menu that are preceded with “fried” or “creamed”. These should be avoided to be free from high blood sugar. Choose instead grilled, baked, roasted, or steamed food. If you must use oil at all in your cooking, replace cooking oil with olive oil or peanut oil, as these contain less fat. Sauces such as barbeque and teriyaki contain high amounts of sugar and therefore are not ideal for the diabetic diet. Try some of the fruits listed above if you’re craving something sweet. Be generous with seasonings (except for salt) to keep food from tasting too bland.

Diabetic diets need to include foods that have little saturated fats and cholesterol, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and skinless poultry. Only 10-20% of your daily calories should be derived from proteins in foods, such as low-fat dairy products , lean meat, and fish. The remainder of a diabetic diet should be carbohydrates from beans, whole grains, beans, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. A diabetic should have 3-5 servings of vegetables a day to lower blood sugar. However, some vegetables such as potatoes, corn and carrots are rich in carbohydrates, so partake of these sparingly. Eat fruit and vegetables gradually throughout the day so your blood sugar level won’t suddenly rise. Red meats, eggs, and whole milk dairy products should be avoided.

Since often an unhealthy, unbalanced diet is what caused the diabetes in the first place, these changes can be hard to implement. However, maintaining proper nutrition will help for healthy glucose levels with the prevention of heart and blood vessels disease, which in some cases has led to very serious consequences like blinding and even amputation of severely affected limbs. Keep in mind that it is not harmful long-term to treat yourself once in a great while. Just be sure to do so in moderation with an intake of foods to lower blood sugar. Eat well, to live well and be well.

Diabetic Diet Sample – 5 Ways to Control Your Blood Sugar With Your Diet

January 2, 2011
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Diabetes is a serious disease that can be traced back to problems with the body’s ability to produce or use insulin properly. Specifically, people with Type 1 diabetes are not able to produce insulin, while people with Type 2 diabetes are unable to properly use their own insulin. If untreated, the disease results in the person having high blood sugar levels that are unhealthy.

In addition to controlling the disease through insulin injections (as needed), diabetics also need to strive to use their diet to maintain as near to normal blood sugar levels as possible. Other important factors for health in a diabetic are keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels, as well.

If you are looking for a diabetic diet sample, here are 5 ways to control your blood sugar:

1. Go light on the alcohol:
Make sure to go very light in terms of your consumption of alcohol. The reason for this is that it is processed within the body in a way very similar to how fat is processed. It contains almost as many calories as does fat. Be sure to avoid drinking at times when your blood sugar level is normal.

2. Have a colorful plate:
Having a color plate, of course, refers to eating a wide variety of foods. This means fruits, vegetables, meats and other forms of protein such nuts, fish or fish oils, dairy products and whole grains.

3. Eat high-fiber foods:
Fiber is a strong ally of diabetics. Make sure that your daily diet includes high-fiber foods like whole grain breads, cereal, fruits, oats, barley, psyllium, and beans. You should aim for about 30 grams of fiber each day. Especially if you have Type 2 diabetes, a high-in-fiber diet can improve your blood sugar and your cholesterol levels.

4. Go light on the sugary foods:
Both sugar and its cousin, carbohydrates, in excess are not conducive to a smart diet when you have diabetes. And, if you do eat something sugary like a piece of cake, make sure that you then avoid (or substitute) eating something else from the carbohydrate category that would have eaten. In other words, sugars and carbohydrates should be substituted for each other when you are planning your daily diet, and both count toward your daily carbohydrate budget. Also, be sure to adjust your insulin dosage if you have eaten extra carbohydrates that day.

5. Try the TLC diet:
Diabetics who also have abnormally-high cholesterol levels should get to know the TLC diet. It was designed to reduce your consumption of nutrients that raise cholesterol levels. To follow this diet:

* maintain your fat consumption at 25-35% of your total daily calories
* eat few or no saturated fats
* polyunsaturated fats (such as liquid vegetable oils) should make up about 10% of your total daily calories consumed
* monounsaturated fats, such as those found in veggies like plant oils and nuts, should make up 20% of your total caloric intake
* carbohydrates should make up about 50% of your daily calories
* consume about 30 grams of fiber each day (see above)
* protein should make up about 15-20% of your total daily calories
* take in less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol each day

Consider this diabetic diet sample as 5 ways to control your blood sugar and remain healthy.

Are The “5 Deadly Whites” Coming To Take You Away? (Part III: White Sugar)

November 25, 2010
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Are The Enlarge Image

Now for all of you who have a sweet tooth, and even for those of you who don’t think you have a sweet tooth, let’s explore and expose the dangers of our fourth “deadly white:” sugar, which happens to be one of America’s very favorite foods.

We’ve already discussed the first three “deadly whites:” white flour, white rice, and white salt.

Lots of foods are loaded with sugar.

Sometimes the sugar is obvious in some foods. We all know that candy, cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, jam, ice cream, desserts, cereals, soda, and drinks contain sugar.

However, sometimes the sugar is hidden in many foods. Sugar can be found in soups, canned fruits and vegetables, bread, peanut butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressings, spaghetti sauce, pickles, and even baby foods.

Americans eat lots of sugar. As a matter of fact, statistics report that the average American eats from 130 to 150 pounds of sugar every year which translates into 30 to 50 teaspoons of sugar a day. A can of pop alone has 10 teaspoons of sugar so it wouldn’t take much more sugar to add up to 30 to 50 teaspoons a day.

So what is so wrong about eating sugar?

Sugar is detrimental to health and fitness. It causes many problems in the body, some of which are:

• Sugar causes the loss of tissue elasticity and tissue functioning causing premature aging.

• Sugar interferes with the body’s ability to effectively process fat and cholesterol, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease, and strokes.

• Sugar, along with white flour, causes wear and tear, and ultimately the malfunction of the pancreas.

Because white sugar and white flour are absorbed too quickly into the blood stream, the pancreas is forced to send large quantities of insulin into the blood to balance the large quantities of sugar. When this is done over and over, day in and day out over a lifetime, the pancreas gets worn out.

The result: hypoglycemia and diabetes, along with fatigue, headaches, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, anxiety, and even mental disorders.

• Sugar is highly correlated with the growth of cancer cells. Cancer, such as cancers of the breast, ovaries, intestines, prostate, and rectum, is thought to thrive on sugar.

• Sugar causes the body to become over-acid. When the body is over-acid, it must pull calcium from the bones to neutralize the acidity. Along with animal products and salt, sugar is another contributor to osteoporosis. Is there any wonder why there is so much osteoporosis in the United States?

• Ultimately, excess sugar is stored in the liver and when the liver is filled to capacity, the sugar returns to the blood in the form of fat. The fat is stored in those places we don’t want it stored—namely our butts, thighs, stomachs, and breasts. So of course, sugar is a huge cause of weight gain and obesity, which is 30 pounds overweight.

• White sugar is correlated with a compromised immune system, varicose veins, gallstones, kidney damage, acid stomach, colitis, asthma, migraine headaches, eczema, cataracts, emphysema, and multiple sclerosis.

• White sugar is high in calories, which could ultimately be turned into fat, and these calories are completely empty of any nutrition whatsoever. And, even worse than empty calories, is the fact that sugar actually leeches vitamins and minerals out of your body.

Carefully consider what you are putting into your body. Read the labels and look for sugar under different names: dextrose, maltose, fructose, glucose, lactose, corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, malt, syrup, and “no sugar added” all mean that sugar is in this product.

If health, fitness, weight loss, well-functioning organs, high energy, and a youthful body are important to you, then it’s time to think about which foods you are putting in your body that promote these priorities and which foods deplete you, choice by choice, of your health and your very life.

Part I: White Flour and White Rice
Part II: White Salt
Part IV: “White” Processed Oils

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels

October 29, 2010
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The source of the basic energy required for the human cells is glucose. Glucose is a sugar that the body derives from the intake of carbohydrate foodstuffs. This blood sugar level is regulated and kept within the necessary levels by insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin is released into the bloodstream whenever the glucose levels rise beyond the normal levels. The normal blood sugar levels are between 70 and 150 mg. In the natural course of the day, it is observed that the blood sugar level is usually lower in the mornings. The level rises after every subsequent meal.

Medically, when the normal blood sugar levels rise above 150 mg, it is clinically diagnosed as hyperglycemia or in lay terms, high blood sugar. The low levels below 70 mg are clinically referred to as hypoglycemia. The condition of hypoglycemia is also referred to as low blood sugar. It is essential to note that hypoglycemia is a fatal condition that is accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy, irritability and even loss of consciousness. The normal blood sugar levels, when not regulated naturally within the body, result in a condition called diabetes mellitus. The diabetic condition can cause eye, kidney and nerve damage, in the long run.

It is very essential to regularly have a blood glucose test conducted to measure the levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This helps eradicate the possibility of diabetes, and to check for hypoglycemia. Today, there are several types of glucose tests and treatments to check and maintain the normal blood sugar levels. There is the ‘fasting blood sugar test’ commonly conducted to check the rise or fall in the glucose levels after a prescribed eight-hour fast. The levels are required to fall and get recorded between 70 and 99 mg to be declared as normal blood sugar levels.

There is also the ‘two-hour postprandial blood sugar test’. This test measures the blood sugar level rise or fall two hours after a meal. Normal blood sugar levels in the case of this test need to fall between 70 and 145 mg. Now, there are a number of self help gadgets too that enable you to check the blood sugar levels at home. The random blood sugar tests can be conducted throughout the day, irrespective of the meal times. The blood sugar levels should be between 70 and 125 to be declared ‘normal’ in the case of the random testing method.

There is also an ‘oral glucose tolerance test’ conducted to diagnose diabetes. The test to confirm the normal blood sugar levels is conducted after consuming a glucose-based drink. In case you are in any doubt about your blood sugar levels, it is best to contact your physician and sign up for testing. Today, with our erratic lifestyles and random eating habits, there are a number of conditions that can cause a shift in the normal blood sugar levels. The diabetic condition occurs when the body can no more regulate the blood sugar levels in the bloodstream. This condition is usually due to the interruption of some sort in the production of insulin by the pancreas. Without insulin, blood sugar levels tend to increase, leading to dire consequences.

Type 1 or juvenile diabetes strikes children and adolescents, while Type 2 is a condition that affects adults. In the case of Type 1 diabetes, to achieve the desired normal blood sugar levels, insulin has to be injected into the bloodstream. In Type 2 diabetes, the body is unable to effectively use the insulin produced. The resultant demand on the pancreas for insulin ends up with the organ losing all ability to produce insulin at all. The symptoms of diabetes show up in the form of excessive thirst, passing urine frequently and sudden weight loss. It is very important to maintain the normal blood sugar levels to eradicate the condition.

To maintain the normal blood sugar levels, it is essential to maintain a healthy and constantly monitored and height proportionate weight. Even a five to ten percent reduction in body weight can result in reduction to the risk of diabetes. Any kind of physical activity can also lower your blood sugar levels. A combination of physical activity and monitored or clinically approved food choice enables you to maintain the normal blood sugar levels. It has been observed that eating excessive carbohydrates stresses out the pancreas to maintain the normal blood sugar levels. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are very important.

Great Sugar Land Apartments for Lease

October 28, 2010
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Great Sugar Land Apartments for Lease

Home Repair Articles | October 11, 2010

view these sugar land apartments for rent or lease.

One item that we always here as a request for renters today is a new apartment home. As apartments age they begin to wear down for common use. You can see the stains in the carpeting or the chipped paint on the walls. And pretty soon the apartments will need to be remodeled in order to fetch the highest rate of return for the owners.

So if your searching for new Sugar Land apartments for rent, we have included the newest ones available in the area. And as you know, new apartment homes feature the latest in advancements and amenities.

Lakeland Estates

Just one year younger, Lakeland Estates is also worthy of a tour.  In fact these properties are very similar in regards to amenities and features offered. Most renters have shown a strong desire for upgrades including washer and dryers in each apartment home, large tubs, high speed Internet, walk-in closets, and a fitness center onsite.

When it comes right down to it, with so many similar amenities location and the floor-plan become extremely important when dealing with properties that are extremely similar.

Silverbooke

Silverbrooke was constructed in 2007 and has a convenient location near
major highways like 59 and 6. So residents will have access to fabulous
shopping and entertainment. And residents will have access to a myriad
of amenities including washer and dryers in each apartment home, large
garden tubs, high ceilings, and high speed Internet.  Its really the
next best thing to a house in Sugar Land.

If you need extra time to complete some work, there is a business center
onsite.  And of course a state of the art fitness center and pool are
included too. Don’t worry about having anything repaired is managed by Greystar. Expect all of your concerns to be abated
quickly.

Article Tags:
Sugar Land Apartments, Sugar Land, Land Apartments

Weight Loss Meal Plan: The Importance of Blood Sugar Stability

October 28, 2010
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One of the more important concepts in developing any weight loss meal plan is stable blood sugar. What does a stable blood sugar level mean and how is it important in a healthy weight loss program?

When you consume carbohydrates, your body experiences a spike in blood sugar levels due to a rise in glucose in your bloodstream. In response to this rise in glucose levels, the pancreas releases the hormone, insulin. Insulin is a hormone that’s absolutely essential for getting amino acids into the muscles for growth and getting carbohydrates into the muscles where they’re needed for energy.

However, when there’s a large blood sugar spike, your body tends to “overreact” and produce too much insulin. The insulin quickly clears the glucose from the bloodstream, leading to a sharp drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar is accompanied by cravings, hunger, weakness, mood swings and decreased energy. The hunger and cravings tend to cause the sugar consumption to perpetuate itself, resulting in a vicious cycle of ups and downs in energy throughout the day.

When excessive amounts of carbohydrates are ingested, particularly high glycemic (sugar content) simple carbohydrates, insulin converts the excess glucose in the blood into triglycerides (blood fat) that are then stored in the fat cells. And, worse yet, is the release of cortisol. Cortisol is a dangerous hormone that actually kills brain cells, increases fat storage, and breaks down lean muscle mass.

So, how do you develop a weight loss meal plan that controls your blood sugar levels and assists you in burning fat? The answer is found in two easy steps:

1. Choose low to moderate glycemic index carbohydrates. The natural simple carbohydrates are “healthy,” but ALL simple carbohydrates should be used in moderation during fat-reducing programs. When we talk about simple carbohydrates, we’re often referring to refined sugar and white flour products – these are the “bad carbohydrates.” But not all simple carbohydrates are bad. Some simple carbohydrates occur in nature. These “natural sugars” include fructose (found in fruit) and lactose (found in dairy products). Natural sugars are fine when eaten in moderation.

2. Combine these carbohydrates with a protein or essential oil/fat. You can manage your blood sugar and insulin levels by choosing fewer simple carbohydrates, more complex carbohydrates, eating fiber and having your carbohydrates with lean proteins approximately every three hours. Lean protein and essential fats slows the release of gulucose into the blood stream thereby reducing the release of large amount of insulin.

The combination and balance of a protein and carbohydrate trigger the release of another potent hormone, glucagon. Glucagon, like insulin, maintains a healthy blood sugar balance. However, unlike insulin, glucagon promotes fat burning and mobilization of fat molecules.

Advantages to maintaining a stable blood sugar level:

1. Promotes fat loss
2. Consistent energy levels
3. Controls hunger cravings
4. Reduces risk for diabetes

Excessive sugar and insulin can directly affect the strength of your immune and cardiovascular system. For healthy weight loss and to maintain and even increase your biological age, it is important to maintain stability in your blood sugar level.

Do you want to learn more about how to lose weight and keep it off? I’ve just finished a new ebook on how you can get lasting weight loss results, “The 10 Step Permanent Weight Loss Formula”.

Download it free here: Healthy Weight Loss Plan

For the past 25 years Malton Schexneider, PT, MMSc has been a practicing physical therapist, a nationally known educator, a former university professor, a published author, a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, and personal success coach to thousands of people just like you who were seeking lifestyle transformation.

For more information on healthy weight loss programs and products go to http://www.metamorphicweightloss.com

US Sugar Barons ‘block Global War on Obesity’

October 25, 2010
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Leading scientists accused the Bush administration last night of putting the interests of powerful American sugar barons ahead of the global fight against obesity.

Professor Kaare Norum, leader of the World Health Organisation’s fight to prevent millions developing diet-related diseases, has sparked an international war of words with a highly critical letter to US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson. In it he tells of his grave concern over American opposition to the WHO’s blueprint to combat obesity. He accuses the US of making the health of millions of young Americans ‘a hostage to fortune’ because it has failed to take action over the fat epidemic as a result of its business interests, particularly the sugar lobby.

Since 1990, successive US governments have blocked WHO calls for action, claims Norum, professor of medicine at Oslo University.

‘Obesity rates have risen so that now one in three Americans bears the burden of the very high health risks associated with this condition, with the poorest and most vulnerable worst affected,’ he says. ‘Obesity rates among American children have risen by 50 per cent.’

Norum is the most senior scientist involved in an attempt to formulate a worldwide policy to fight heart disease and diabetes resulting from a junk food diet. An estimated 60 per cent of disease worldwide is now due to cardiovascular illness, which causes 47 per cent of deaths.

The letter from Norum will put Bush under intense pressure at home to show that he is serious about tackling the epidemic. More than half of all Americans are overweight, and in some states, including Bush’s Texas, nearly one-third of the population is classified obese.

The President insists fighting fat is a matter for the individual, not the state. But today The Observer reveals how he and fellow senators have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding from ‘Big Sugar’. One of his main fundraisers is sugar baron Jose ‘Pepe’ Fanjul, head of Florida Crystals, who has raised at least $100,000 for November’s presidential re-election campaign.

Norum’s letter is an angry response to the Americans’ decision to submit a 30-page report, criticising the WHO strategy for its lack of sound scientific evidence. It will be discussed at a key meeting of its executive board in Geneva on Tuesday.

The Bush administration, which receives millions in funding from the sugar industry, argues there is little robust evidence to show that drinking sugary drinks or eating too much sugar is a direct cause of obesity. It particularly opposes a recommendation that just 10 per cent of people’s energy intake should come from added sugar. The US has a 25 per cent guideline.

Thompson’s representative at Tuesday’s meeting will be Bill Steiger, godson of George Bush Sr. He will argue there is no evidence that selling junk food to children increases overweight.

Another leading obesity expert supported Norum, describing America’s position as a scandal. Professor Philip James, head of the International Obesity Task Force, a thinktank for experts worldwide said: ‘People are far more tuned into what is now a much bigger obesity crisis and are more aware of some of the dangers such as diabetes. When they begin to see children developing these severe health problems, it brings home to people that this is not some vague risk in the future – it is happening here and now.’

Thompson is also due to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where he is expected to have a private meeting with Douglas Daft, president of The Coca-Cola Company, one of the major users of American cane sugar and sweeteners.

In an Observer interview today, Britain’s Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell urges people who take little or no exercise to start hobbies like DIY and gardening to get active, saying that she wants people to take responsibility for their fitness.

In the UK, nearly 16 per cent of teenagers were found to be obese in 2000 – three times the number reported in 1990.

Why Refined Sugar Is The Most Dangerous “Food” You Can Eat

October 23, 2010
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If you only make one improvement to your diet this year, I hope it is to replace refined sugar with raw food sweeteners. If you do, I can guarantee you that smoother digestion, more relaxed muscles, more peaceful emotions and increased mental clarity are soon to follow.

Before looking at the negative health consequences of eating refined sugar, let’s have a quick look at how it’s made. This will give you some insight into why it affects the body the way it does. The majority of sugar comes from sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) which is a dense tall grass that grows in tropical regions. The juice from sugar cane is traditionally used as a sweetener from India to the Caribbean. And, interestingly, raw sugar cane juice is pretty good for you, being alkalizing and relatively low on the glycemic index.

But in the 1500s manufacturers began refining sugar cane so that it could be more easily transported overseas, especially back to Europe. Over the years, the process has become increasingly complex and dependent on chemicals. Here is what happens between cutting sugar cane in the fields and delivering refined sugar to your local store.

After harvest, machines at a sugar mill wash, cut, shred and press the juice out of the cane stalks. This liquid is then heated to boiling and treated with chemical solvents to remove impurities. Then it is moved to huge tanks and heated again to evaporate the water content. This leaves a thick syrup that is placed in a centrifuge machine to form the syrup into crystals.

These crystals are then transported to a sugar refinery where they are heated to boiling again, treated with bleach and other chemicals and then filtered through bone char, which is a powder made from cow or pig bones. After filtering, the syrup is then centrifuged again to produce refined white sugar. Brown sugar is created by adding molasses before putting it in the centrifuge.

Given the fact that itÕs heated to boiling at least three times, treated with chemicals, filtered through bone powder and forced to crystallize, it’s no wonder that refined sugar has literally had the life force beaten out of it.

Refined sugar, white or brown, literally has zero nutritional value Ð no minerals, no vitamins, no fiber, no enzymes, no fats – nothing of value for the body. Instead it’s toxic to the body. You can live longer on pure water alone, than on water mixed with sugar.

Here is what refined sugar does in the body:

It produces an acidic condition in the digestive system. This drains the body of vitamins and minerals and the consequences can be life threatening. For example the metabolism of sugar requires leaches calcium from the bones and teeth which can lead to tooth decay or osteoporosis. Sugar also depletes the body of potassium and magnesium, which are required for proper cardiac function, and is therefore a major factor in heart disease.

It compromises the body’s immune system and stresses the pancreas by forcing it to produce a rush of digestive enzymes. This can lead to the formation gallstones and diabetes.

It depletes stores of vitamin B, which is our brain food, and can interfere with memory, concentration and other mental functions.

It makes the blood very thick and sticky, inhibiting much of the blood flow into the minute capillaries that supply our skin gums and teeth with vital nutrients. Refined sugar has been shown to increase wrinkles and dry aged skin.

When excess sugar is eaten, it is first stored in the liver. With continued consumption the liver expands like a balloon and begins to function poorly. An improperly functioning liver can quickly lead to high blood pressure, skin disorders and acne to name a few.

In addition, most people consume far more sugar than their bodies can possibly use for energy. When this happens, the liver converts the extra sugar into molecules called triglycerides and stores it as fat, or else produces cholesterol from the by-products of sugar and deposits it in veins and arteries. Sugar is thus a major factor in obesity and arteriosclerosis.

It also negatively effects behavior. Refined sugar consumption has been linked to violent behavior, hypertension, and learning impediments. In one study violence in prisons was remarkably reduced simply by eliminating refined sugar and starch from prison diets. And Singapore in 1991 banned sugary soft drink sales from all schools and youth centers, citing the danger that sugar poses to the mental and physical health of children.

Finally refined sugar is an addictive substance. Abruptly giving up sugar often brings on the sort of withdrawal symptoms associated with narcotic drugs- fatigue, lassitude, depression, moodiness, headaches, aching limbs. This happens as the body eliminates the left over toxins from the sugar and begins to bring itself back into balance.

As you can see, putting processed sugar into your body makes no sense at all. It is something like pouring sugar into the gas tank of a million dollar racing car. Only do it if you want to screw up your car/body for some reason.

Fortunately for all of us with a sweet tooth, there are many natural raw sweeteners that are not only harmless to the body, but actually support it. The highest choice is to use 100% unrefined and untreated sweeteners. These are what I use exclusively:

Fruits
Dried fruits like dates or raisins
Pure cane juice
Raw, unprocessed cane sugar
Agave syrup
Stevia and Stevia extract
Yacon syrup
Raw honey
Mezquite powder

Most of these are available at any health food store. Just make sure to ask if they are minimally processed and raw (meaning unheated).

Whatever you choose, you can be sure of this: eliminating refined sugar from your diet is one of the kindest and most loving things you could ever do for your body. Please pass this information on to anyone in your life who you care about.

Some interesting sugar facts:

Sir Frederick Banting, the co discoverer of insulin, noted in 1929 that among sugar plantation owners who ate large amounts of refined sugar, diabetes was common. Among native cane-cutters, who only chewed the raw cane, he saw no diabetes.

In 1915, the average of sugar consumption was around 7-10 Kg per person per year. Today the average person consumes about 70 kg

In 2002, almost 132 million tons of sugar were consumed worldwide.

Sugar is used in leather tanning, printers’ inks and dyes and even in textile sizing and finishing

Film stuntmen use bottles and plate glass windows made of sugar

Chemical manufacturers use sugar to grow penicillin

Sugar hardens asphalt. It slows the setting of ready-mixed concrete and glue.

About 30% of refined sugar comes from sugar beets. The rest comes from sugar cane

One 12 oz. Cola contains 11 teaspoons of sugar.

Sugar was one of the first pharmaceutical ingredients used, as it still is today, to mask the bitter taste of medicines

Mark Ament is the author of several books and programs on natural health, including his unique introduction to natural healing course called the “5 Master Keys To Ultimate Healing.” To get your free copy and learn more about Mark’s work visit http://www.healingvibes.com

Foods to Lower Blood Sugar Levels – What to Eat and What Not To?

September 23, 2010
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A diabetic’s body does not produce enough insulin to manage the sugar levels within the body. Therefore, it is important that the diabetics strictly follow a charted plan of foods to lower blood sugar strict diet. A diet high in fiber, but low in fat is most often recommended for diabetics. Foods that are high in fiber can help in lowering the level of glucose in the body. Eating smaller meals and eating more frequently throughout the day will help maintain the delicate level of glucose.

Insulin is responsible for changing starches, sugars, and other food into energy inside the body. Decreasing one’s intake of alcohol, fats, and sweets will help regulate this. A diabetic diet should include 2-4 servings of fruit each day. However, since many fruits are high in sugar some of the fruits to add to your diet are banana, apple, mango, orange, raisins and grapes as good food for diabetes.

Fatty foods often contain a lot of butter, cheese, oil or mayonnaise. They are the ones on the menu that are preceded with “fried” or “creamed”. These should be avoided to be free from high blood sugar. Choose instead grilled, baked, roasted, or steamed food. If you must use oil at all in your cooking, replace cooking oil with olive oil or peanut oil, as these contain less fat. Sauces such as barbeque and teriyaki contain high amounts of sugar and therefore are not ideal for the diabetic diet. Try some of the fruits listed above if you’re craving something sweet. Be generous with seasonings (except for salt) to keep food from tasting too bland.

Diabetic diets need to include foods that have little saturated fats and cholesterol, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and skinless poultry. Only 10-20% of your daily calories should be derived from proteins in foods, such as low-fat dairy products , lean meat, and fish. The remainder of a diabetic diet should be carbohydrates from beans, whole grains, beans, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. A diabetic should have 3-5 servings of vegetables a day to lower blood sugar. However, some vegetables such as potatoes, corn and carrots are rich in carbohydrates, so partake of these sparingly. Eat fruit and vegetables gradually throughout the day so your blood sugar level won’t suddenly rise. Red meats, eggs, and whole milk dairy products should be avoided.

Since often an unhealthy, unbalanced diet is what caused the diabetes in the first place, these changes can be hard to implement. However, maintaining proper nutrition will help for healthy glucose levels with the prevention of heart and blood vessels disease, which in some cases has led to very serious consequences like blinding and even amputation of severely affected limbs. Keep in mind that it is not harmful long-term to treat yourself once in a great while. Just be sure to do so in moderation with an intake of foods to lower blood sugar. Eat well, to live well and be well.

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