Article Tags: Nutrition | detox | lifestyle | health education | Diet
The Sugar Season
We are coming into what I call the Sugar Season, beginning with Halloween, through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Really, sugar temptations and habits last all year long, but during this last quarter of the year the stores are filled with sugary treats, as are our offices and homes. We all seem to nourish and love one another with sweets.
In the Sugar chapter of my book, The Detox Diet, I address our sweet love language. We call each other sweetie, sugar, honey, etc. We reward our children and friends/relatives with sweet cakes and cookies, sodas and more on birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and almost every party.
Of course, sugar is a major contributor to weight gain and there is an overweight and obesity epidemic in most of the Western world, and this causes a huge cost in health care. Being overweight increases our risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease, along with joint issues and pain from arthritis. Sugar is the biggest invader in our food industry, and we need to learn about where it’s hidden and follow some basic guidelines.
A good place to start is learning about the Glycemic Index (GI) that shows how quickly sugars from various foods are absorbed into the blood stream and body. Most sugars are quickly absorbed, as are rice and breads, and potatoes – the same is true for alcohol. Foods lower on the GI are proteins and fats, and blueberries as an example of lower GI fruits. A quick search for Glycemic Index online will provide you with many options from the simple to the complex. You can find my introductory article on the Glycemic Index HERE
Understanding the use of sugar and its effects on health and weight is important for all of us who want to remain trim and vital. Of course, the wise use of sugar is crucial for everyone, children especially. As parents and support guides for our youth, keeping sugary foods in check is a valuable lesson to learn. Paying attention to the foods that constitute “real food” versus “treats” is important for kids to learn as early as possible. Real foods are fresher and mostly natural, while treats are more typically processed and sugary, such as baked goods, sodas, candy, chips and more.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
TCM views the desire for sugar, or the sweet flavor, as a craving for the mother (yin) energy, a craving that represents a need for comfort or security. In Western cultures, we have turned sugar into a reward system (a tangible symbol of material nurturing) to the degree that many of us have been conditioned to need some sweet treat to feel complete or satisfied. We continue the pattern with our children, unconsciously showing our affection for them by giving them sugary foods. We ideally do not want to unconsciously reinforce this ‘treat’ pattern.
Our problem with sweets comes from the frequency with which we eat them, and the quantity of sugar we consume, about 150 pounds per person per year on average. The type of sugar we eat is also a contributing factor. Refined sugar or sucrose (a disaccharide made up of two sugars — glucose and fructose) is usually extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets, initially whole foods. However, almost all of the nutrients are removed and retained only in the discarded extract called molasses. When the manufacturing process is complete, the result is pure sugar, a refined crystal that contains four calories per gram and essentially no nutrients.
Supplements and Sugar
If you do crave sugar, there are several supplements that can help you utilize the sugar better, as well as reduce your desire for those sweets. These include the B vitamins (25-50 mg of most twice daily), vitamin C (500-1,000 mg twice daily), calcium (250-500 mg) and magnesium (150-300 mg). Chromium helps the body utilize the sugars more efficiently; it is usually supplemented in 100-200 mcg twice daily, in the morning and about 3pm. Also, the amino acid, L-glutamine (500-1,000 mg 2 to 3 times daily) helps to feed the brain and reduce sugar (and alcohol) cravings.
Hydration is Key
Drinking plenty of water is crucial to keep the body balanced and lessen cravings and addictions. An alkalinizing diet reduces cravings as well and helps with detoxification. Also, regular exercise does the same. Don’t be afraid to move that body for fitness with active aerobics and weight training. Yoga stretches can also give you inner and outer strength to be your true self. Walking in nature is another way to get in touch with your inner nature and gain your will power.
Also, there are usually emotional issues around excess sugar and carbohydrate consumption, and being overweight. Be open to explore these areas as you attempt to heal your habits and create a healthier body and weight. A support group or a counselor might help in this healing process.
Good luck and make wise choices!