Sugar, a Super Villain
Let’s not get crazy, I love my doughnuts more than certain family members, but we are all eating too much sugar and it is keeping us from seizing the freaking day! Sugar is a carbohydrate and when your body breaks down food sugar is turned into glucose which raises your insulin levels. (This is that awesome psychotic energy kick you get after a candy bar or frappuccino at the beginning of the shift only to be followed by the dark disparity of the inevitable crash). When these levels spike it increases inflammation in the forms of bloating and often times breakouts. Too much sugar damages your skin, packs on the fat, and in more extreme terms can lead to obesity, diabetes, and therefore raised cholesterol and heart disease. DAMN YOU TREATS!!!
Sugar is what many call “empty calories”. It has no protein, essential fats, vitamins, or minerals and with too much can lead to major nutrient deficiencies. Shame on you sugar you succubus! If that weren’t enough, when’s the last time you treated your liver to a nice vacation? A gift basket of clean foods? A thoughtful card?!? Sugar is high in fructose (we all know this trigger word!) and constantly overloads our livers. Fructose in fact is not produced by our bodies (unlike Glucose) and there is no need for it. When the liver gets backed up on its metabolizing to-do list, that poor little guy starts loosing its touch and will turn everything into fat. Your body also does not register sugary treats as food and so the signal to your brain to turn off the “feed me” sign never happens, causing you to feel hungrier! I know what you’re thinking….NO ME GUSTA! I feel ya peeps but don’t fret there are ways to cut out the crap and still be a functioning human. How you ask?!?!?
EAT MORE NATURAL SUGARS! Don’t go cold turkey we sometimes enjoy this torrid affair, but cut out the juices, soda, energy drinks, sugary alcoholic drinks, and don’t get me started on the pounds of sugar in your coffee! Even white bread is packed with sugar so switch to healthier whole grains that will fuel you instead of making you lethargic. Enjoy dark chocolate and fruits, berries especially are packed with antioxidants that fight off free radicals and are super low on the glycemic index. Raw honey, pure maple syrup, and cane sugar? Don’t mind if I do! As a health and wellness consultant for Arbonne International I also love our Energy Fizz Sticks packed with green tea, ginseng, guarana, and B vitamins instead of that extra cup of coffee or soda. And finally, always always ALWAYS aim to drink more water. You will be feeling like a spring chicken in no time.
Sugar is a treat in moderation, but most of us need to say goodbye to this monstrosity that is wreaking havoc on our bodies and our sexy groove. READ YOUR LABELS because sugar is lurking in the most unexpected of foods! If you cut out this gremlin, in only a week you will be feeling lighter and have more energy. Get that groove back babes!
Dark chocolate and berries,
Julia