It’s easy to get confused when it comes to what is
healthy for you and what is ultimately going to
derail you from being on the path towards living
your healthiest life.
With so much advice out there regarding
health and nutrition, you may find yourself
stumbling around trying to create a plan dedicated
to your health only to end up overwhelmed and
frustrated.
And to make matters worst, even experts and
qualified health professionals often have differing
opinions!
Yet all of this aside, there are many health
and nutrition tips that are proven to work because
they are backed up by extensive research.
In fact, health experts and dietary professionals
both agree that this one toxin, consumed by us
daily, is one of the most harmful substances we
can put into our bodies.
This culprit is often responsible for heart disease,
liver disease and obesity but it also wreaks havoc
on our brain and heart’s ability to function at its
best.
Can you guess what that toxin is?
You probably figured it out: SUGAR!
It should come as no surprise that eliminating sugar
from your diet brings many different benefits. Not
only will it help you shed weight if you’re trying
to trim down or tone up, but it will decrease your
risks of heart disease, diabetes and liver disease.
In fact, the American Heart Association recommends
limiting your daily sugar intake to just 6-8 teaspoons
rather than the 22-25 teaspoons typically consumed
by Americans (per an extensive report that took place
between 2001 and 2004).
Sugar also affects the pH levels in your body which
will impact the way your heart and brain work. It
offers no nutritional value and instead is calorie dense.
In fact, studies have shown that people who consume
high levels of fructose are in great danger of developing
fatty liver disease because of the way excess sugar
ends up stuck to your organs rather than being eliminated
from your body.
And if you’re struggling to lose weight, sugar will
mess with your chances at staying on track with your diet
because it leads to intense cravings!
When sugar enters your system, it triggers your sweet
receptors which sends a signal to your brain in the way
of a “feel good hormone” (like serotonin and dopamine).
This signal messes with your chemical pathways and
causes intense cravings, which often triggers us to want
to eat more sugar. Ultimately, this cycle can lead to
sugar addiction.
So do your best to minimize your sugar intake so that
you’re able to prime your system to run at its very
best while reducing cravings and minimizing the many
risks that sugar brings.
Take it one day at a time. Here are a few ways to get
started:
- Read all packaging carefully.
Sugar comes in many different forms and under many
different names, including glucose, maltose, sucrose,
fructose, raw sugar and corn syrup. - Replace sugary drinks with water and lemon.
Start replacing the number of sugary drinks including
fruit juices with lemon water. It’ll keep you hydrated
while quenching your thirst and reduce cravings. - Eat raw fruit
Instead of loading up on sugar-heavy foods and drinks,
eat raw fruits like apples, strawberries or grapes.
Fruit is naturally sweet, but they also carry a lot of
beneficial nutrients and fiber that will help you get
your fix without risking your health.