Do me a favor...before you read this post, just put on "Sugar" by Maroon 5.
(I would automatically play it for you but I've had those automatic sounds put me in awkward situations one too many times...)
(I asked you to listen to it because I wanted something positive in this post! Yikes!)
Sugar. Is. Everywhere.
Its even on our radio.
Consider the following:
1 in 3 born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
18.8 million people are diagnosed with diabetes.*
7.0 million people are undiagnosed with diabetes.*
79 million people are prediabetic!!!!*
The total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the US in 2011 = $245 billion.*
The average American ate 196 pounds of sugar in 2005.
* = Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet (released January 26, 2012)
People ignore damages, symptoms, and warnings.
They would rather search for an excuse than a solution.
We are told diabetes is genetic, high blood pressure is heredity...and that diet has nothing to do with it...the biggest lie of all. Unfortunately, even diabetes.org is providing TRAGIC information to their readers. I refuse to reference the article as I do not want to encourage the spread of this information. We have dug ourselves into a deep, deep, sick hole.
What do soup, yogurt, baby food, baby formula, bread, vegetables, peanut butter, salad dressing, all low fat and fat free food, prescription medications, and cigarettes have in common? Yup, you guessed it. SUGAR!
The best way to protect yourself is to educate yourself! Save this photo to your phone, tablet, computer...where ever! Use it to help you stay away from foods that have copious amounts of these ingredients.
How much is "a lot" of sugar?
It is a simple division problem. Look at the amount of sugar in the product and divide by 5. This will tell you how many teaspoons of sugar is in that product.
Here is a powerful statement concerning the amount of sugar you should consume in a day: "If you consumed your fructose only from vegetables and fruits (where it originates) as most people did a century ago, you'd consume about 15 grams (3 tsp) per day ~ about equivalent to 1 modern apple."
Just as a reference: {Remember, these are for ONE serving}
Coke = 39 grams ~ 8 tsp
Yoplait Yogurt = 27 grams ~ 5 tsp
Protein Bars = 11 - 18 grams ~ 2 - 4 tsp
Granola = 16 grams ~ 3 tsp
Spaghetti Sauce = 9 grams ~ 2 tsp
Raisin Bran = 19 grams ~ 4 tsp'
Barbecue Sauce = 16 grams ~ 3 tsp
Milk = 11 grams ~ 2 tsp
If sugar or a sugary ingredient is listed as one of the first three ingredients, it is likely that the product is high in sugar.
Many people try to justify their sugar consumption. "Well, I only use agave or honey." The truth is your blood sugar spikes no matter what you use. What about fruit's fructose? The reason fructose from fruit is a better source is because it comes naturally packaged with fiber, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients to help slow the metabolizing process (...not as appealing as those Eggo commercials!)
In an effort to end my rant, I won't cover Artificial Sweeteners in this post. But did you ever stop and THINK about the word ARTIFICIAL??
WE ALL have to start caring about sugar consumption...for ourselves, our families, our children.
Keep track of the food you eat for the day. Then, tally the amount of sugar. See where you stand. I guarantee you will be surprised. Try to eat better (aka LOWER) the next day. Sugar is HIGHLY addictive (another reason why they lace it in cigarettes!) It is extremely difficult to quit all at once. However, little by little, one travels far!