Coca Cola made with REAL Cane Sugar!
But...it...a...well...it's still sugar. Connections are being made between sugar consumption and our health. Words like toxic, poison and regulation are entering the debate. And many scientists agree that sugar can be considered as unhealthy and addictive as cigarettes. This might seem extreme and new age-y but watch an episode of Mad Man next Sunday and consider what our philosophy was on Pall Mall non-filters a generation ago.
Enter Dr. Robert Lustig. Dr. Lustig is a controversial pediatric endocrinologist from the University of California San Francisco who has been outspoken against sugar and the way we are eating it in the western world. He claims it's addictive and contributing to the rise in childhood obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease. His theories are finally entering the mainstream with many of his colleagues initiating their own research and a recent 60 Minutes segment reporting on his findings. He might go a little too far for some by demanding that sugar be regulated like alcohol in this country but I imagine this is because he's angry. He has personally seen through his patients how avoidable these pandemics can be through proper diet. Though I agree that sugar is toxic and definitely addictive, I feel it is the responsiblity of the consumer to regulate what ends up in their kitchen cabinets.
And here's where you come in.
Begin by reading about what you're eating. If the ingredients list takes up more than 2 lines chances are there is going to be sugar added in some unpronounceable form or another. That's the trick - sugar sneaks into almost all processed food. Sauces, peanut butters, fruit juices and even yogurt are all loaded with sugar. It's time to recognize this and find alternatives. If you don't have the healthy mega-marts like Whole Foods or Real Foods around you, pay a visit to your local health food store. Not only will you find peanut butter that is actually comprised of nothing but peanuts but you can explore all sorts of better-for-you foods. It might take a little extra time and might cost a few extra dollars but the value of your health should trump all that! Because, seriously, sugar is a toxin and it is addictive. Heed my advice and the advice of professionals with medical degrees, and you'll probably go through withdrawals similiar to those experienced by drug addicts. It sucks. The cravings, the headaches, the crankies will try to make you change your mind. Stick with it. Once you get over 'the hump' you will feel more energetic, stronger - both mentally and physically - and chances are, you'll lose a bunch of weight.
But let's be realistic. It's next to impossible to cut out all the sweetness of life. The key is to avoid the sugars when you're not looking for them. Shop for natural products without added sugars when buying bread, peanut butter, tomato sauce. Consider offering your family sweets that come in there own package - grapes, oranges, etc and drive by the McDonalds instead of driving thru.
