Added sugars (that don’t occur naturally in the foods you are eating) can be absolutely detrimental to your health.
I’m talking about diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, digestive disorders, arthritis, and the list goes on and on.
Consuming a high amount of refined sugars is a LEADING cause of inflammation in your body.
Did you know that soda and other sugary drinks are the #1 source of calories in the American diet!? Here are a few not-so-sweet facts about sugar:
- Sugar promotes inflammation in the body – the root cause of disease
- Large amounts of sugar will suppress your immune system. (imagine how your immune systems suffers if you’re eating processed sugars every meal)
- Sugar suppresses the release of HGH (Human Growth Hormone) in the body
- Sugars will raise your insulin levels which over time can lead to a whole host of diseases Sugars have a massive negative effect on energy levels throughout the day
- Impacts your hormones and your ability to deal with stress
- Artificial sugars like Splenda and Aspartame are no better for you, either. They have been proven to have countless negative effects in your body and especially in your brain. Sugar in itself is NOT bad. In fact, we need a certain amount of it to even survive and be able to think straight.
- The problem really stems from the quick rise in our blood sugar levels when we consume large amounts sugar on a regular basis.
When you eat healthy carbs, like a sweet potato or an apple, you’re also eating the fiber that comes along with it. Digestion is slowed down, so even though you’re eating sugar, your blood sugar levels do not raise as fast. Your body can easily handle it.
If you drink a Coke, there’s no fiber or anything to slow down the digestive process, and your blood sugar levels spike to unnatural highs.
So, for this challenge, we’re going to keep it close to nature.
Try to stay away from ALL white and refined sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners.
Acceptable substitutes (in moderation, of course) Green Leaf Stevia and Erythritol. Out of the mention sweeteners , Erythritol is my go to ! Click here to find out why
Green Leaf Stevia is a much less processed form of Stevia and does not have an impact on your blood sugar levels. It has been around for centuries. It’s about 30-40 times sweeter than regular sugar… so make sure you only use the smallest amount! Erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar and only contain .24 calories per gram , but I encourage you to do your own research!
Remember this is a LIFESTYLE approach, not a fad diet. I don’t want you feeling deprived in any way, so it’s all about finding healthier alternatives to what you’re already eating!
