A Spoonful of Sugar

With summer around the corner, I have been thinking a lot about what foods I want to enjoy. Summer is as tempting as Christmas in some ways – ice cream, freezies, marshmallows by the campfire, and all the fancy drinks by the pool. This summer, I have committed to avoiding sugar. I do not bake with sugar generally, I use substitutes. What can you substitute for sugar? Agave syrup, applesauce, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup and monk sugar. For the most part, I even reduce the amount of these sweeteners that I add to baking, or preserving.
In the long term, eating sugar regularly can contribute to the development of the following symptoms:

• obesity
• Diabetes
• Acne (increased insulin causes an increase in androgen secretion, oil production and inflammation)
• Increased blood pressure
• Fatty liver
• Elevated triglycerides in your cholesterol panel
• increased inflammation (causing such things as joint and muscle aches for example)
• tooth cavities (the bacteria that feed on sugar left behind in the mouth cause cavities)
• more rapid aging of skin by glycation of proteins that damage collagen and elastin, causing sagging skin)
• suppressed immune system
• increased cortisol levels (caused by fluctuations in blood sugar)
• people that tend to eat high sugar diets are eating sugar instead of high nutrient foods and so can be deficient in vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health)

There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet treat – maybe once a week but, too much sugar is dangerous. The more you reduce it, the more you enjoy foods that are less sweet. Sugar and combined carbohydrates (like pasta and white bread) cause constipation in children. Removing things from your home that tempt you to eat badly is the best way to avoid eating badly (or just stuffing things in your mouth) – filling your fridge with berries, vegetables, apples, pears and making sure that you serve a balanced plate is a step in the right direction. What you eat not only feeds your body, it also feeds your brain. When you are feeling overwhelmed or your child is having a meltdown, think about what they or you have eaten. It makes a BIG difference. So, consider reducing or almost completely eliminating sugar.