Importance of a Healthy Diet

When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use; when diet is correct, medicine is of no need.

Sugar Dangers

Do you notice how much sugar you consume on a daily basis? Sugar is added into so many of our foods and we hardly realize it. I was not aware until my nutritionist brought it to my attention. It can be mind blowing once you start counting your daily sugar intake. It’s found in breads, pasta sauces, sodas, yogurt, and salad dressings to name just a few.

Did you know that sugar is one of the most dangerous TOXINS in our diets? It can rewire your brain’s pathways and increase depression risk by 58%. Sugar increases inflammatory cytokines into your bloodstream, which can exacerbate arthritis and other inflammatory autoimmune conditions. Sugar inflames the linings of arteries thus increasing your risk of stroke and heart attack. When you eat too much sugar it can alter your skin structure causing wrinkles.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that men consume no more than 37.5 grams and women consume no more than 25 grams of sugar daily. One can of Coke has 44 grams of sugar….. The average American consumes 88 grams of HIDDEN SUGAR DAILY! Yes! In addition to the sugar you are knowingly ingesting!! It truly is problematic!

I challenge you to keep a food log for a week. Just a week. Write down how many grams of sugar you consume daily. It will be eye opening as to how much sugar you are consuming. Once you see how much you are consuming you become mindful of your intake. Each day set a goal for yourself to decrease your sugar intake. Instead of reaching for a candy bar grab an apple, grapes, etc. It will help curb your sugar cravings. Before you know it, you will not miss that candy bar!