Make Digestion Your Friend
Has anyone ever told you that you have a sweet tooth? Most of us know that we should limit our sugar intake, but we may not know truly know how to do it. We know inside what’s best, but we might keep reaching for that sugary soda or that piece of chocolate cake anyway. Then, we just feel guilty afterwards, after that last crumb is gone. So, there has to be a better way! Some of us turn towards sugar substitutes, but this isn’t the answer either.
Sugar in excess can cause weight gain, which leads to other problems associated with weight gain. A diet high in sugar can cause our cells to become less responsive to insulin, creating elevated blood sugar levels, and over time it can increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Sugar promotes growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth which leads to tooth decay, as well as potential damage to the tooth enamel and risk of gum disease. Sugar also contributes to inflammation which is linked to various health conditions like arthritis, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and more. Mentally, high sugar intake also leads to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can negatively affect our mood and energy levels. Sugar can also be addictive, which leads to constant cravings and overconsumption, negatively impacting how our body functions and our state of mind as well, as we navigate this vicious cycle.
Knowing these facts about sugar may have led us to switch to sugar substitutes, thinking it was a better option for our health. If this is something you wish to do, or have already be doing, consider refraining from substitutes. Consuming artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s metabolic processes. There is strong evidence suggesting that these sweeteners can negatively impact our gut by altering the composition of gut bacteria. They can also trigger migraines. Keep in mind, when it comes to our health, everything is connected. What affects our mouth, affects everything else. What affects our gut, affects everything else.
When you’re doing your grocery shopping, take some time to read the labels before you put something in your grocery cart. If sugar is listed in the top three ingredients, it may be something to stay away from eating. Or, if there are other forms of sugar throughout the list, like corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, maltrose, fruit juice concentrate, or molasses. These are all forms of sugar.
If you do have a sweet tooth and are having a hard time limiting your sugar intake, we suggest taking it one day at a time. Be mindful of the foods you’re eating, without beating yourself up over eating anything unhealthy or eating too much. Moderation is key, but it can be challenging to change anything overnight. Cut back on your sugar intake slowly. For instance, if you’re used to putting two spoonfuls of sugar into your coffee in the morning, cut back to just one spoonful. Also, Stevia is a sweetener that became quite popular over the last couple of years. It is actually a peptide, not a carbohydrate, so if you were using sweeteners, try pure Stevia. Opt for other natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Use in moderation.
For more on this, go to our instagram and listen to Jeff Barris, Doctor of Pharmacy and Dr. Arlan Cage, Naturopathic Physician, who discuss how sugar substitutes affect our body. We care about your health, and we’re here to help.
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