Seven essential tips to breaking up with sugar - a refined carbohydrate

[AussieNeil]

I was amazed at how sugary foods dominated the Christmas grocery store catalogues, so obviously our societies love sugary treats during the festive season. While it's a common myth that sugar feeds cancer, a much better reason to reduce our sugar intake is to improve our overall health! (Our body cells and cancer cells actually preferentially burn carbohydrates, which includes the various sugars: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo... )

Alessandro R Demaio, Global Health Doctor and Assoc. Researcher, University of Copenhagen provides seven tips on how to 'Understand sugar, be aware of it, minimise it and see it for what it is – a special treat for a rare occasion'.

theconversation.com/seven-e...

Take particular note of point 7 as you welcome in the New Year...

Be okay with sometimes

The final but crucial message in all of this is that eating or drinking sugar is not a sin. Sugar is still a part of our lives and something to enjoy in moderation. The occasional piece of cake, or late night chocolate – despite the popular narrative painted by industry to undermine efforts for true pricing on sugar – these occasional sweet treats are not the driving challenge for obesity. The problem is that sugary drinks, and sugar in our foods, have become every day occurrences.

With this in mind, let’s not demonise sugar but instead let’s see it for what it is. Enjoy some juice or bubbles from time to time but make water the default on an everyday basis. With the average can of cola containing 39 grams or 9 teaspoons of sugar, be OK with sometimes.'

Previous posts on sugar:

healthunlocked.com/search/s...

Neil

Photo: Australian natives, such as these eucalyptus (gum) blossoms, know how addictive sugars are to birds, bees and ants...

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Thank you, Neil, for this article. While I have for years pushed sugar aside, I have recently begun nibbling on a bit of sweets daily.

No time like the New Year to make a resolve to stop the nibbling.

I hope you are doing well--as I hope for all. Your consistent support on this site is much appreciated. Happy New Year.

[sandybeaches]

I have noticed that I am consuming more sugar the past few months, so thanks for the reminder. Although I don't drink soft drinks or juice, and take teas and coffee black, I have been eating a few more cookies than I should be - and a few pounds have crept on the body. I bake my own low fat muffins with whole grains and lots of good things, but sugar, honey, or molasses is needed for the recipe to work with usually about 3 teaspoons per muffin.

I recommend that you read labels, as there are sauces, salad dressings, etc, that don't contain sugars but you may have to look for them. In my opinion, I think it best to stay away from artificial sweeteners.

Just cutting down a bit at a time will make it much easier to eliminate unhealthy sugars in the diet - aim for over the next year. Stopping all at once will probably set up a severe sugar craving.

Hmmm, now to start thinking about my real vice - potato crisps, as my British friends call them.

It is an hour into the New Year of 2017 here on the west coast of Canada. May it be filled with joy and love of family and friends, and the hope of better health for our CLL friends requiring treatment.

Sandy Beaches

[kitcat49]

AMEN ! Can we start a 'site' on here for sugar addictions. I am so plagued by this, it seems to be all or nothing for me, leaning to the 'all' and my weight shows it. Some people scoff at this and say it isn't an addiction (obviously not to them). It's time to take this seriously.....Cat

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to kitcat49]

Cat, there are many HealthUnlocked communities that support members that wish to change their diet. Check if any interest you here: healthunlocked.com/find

Despite the scoffers, as you can see from the list of relevant communities, you have plenty of company with others who can honestly state that they consume more sugar than they'd prefer and find if very difficult to reduce their intake...

[splashsplash]

With more energy from being on Ibrutinib in the last year I became more aware of the extra weight I'd put on over the previous ten years of being bed bound with various immune compromised illnesses. As I wanted to run around more I no longer wanted to drag around the extra pounds so I was advised to cut down on sugar. The weight dropped off surprisingly quickly and has stayed off.

My pallet seems to have also adjusted to the no sugar taste, everything in processed foods now tastes way too sweet for me. Without sugar in the equation I now want to eat fruit instead of sugar although not in excess.

Looking after a grandchild makes me realise how early our sugar addiction begins. All the foods specifically for children are all laced with sugar even when 1 in 3 children in the UK are leaving primary school obese - scary stuff...