“I don’t have a problem with sugar. Everyone else is having it. I can’t quit eating sweet foods; I just don’t want to.”
When advised about reducing sugar intake, many people respond this way. Keeping away from sweet foods seems next to impossible for them. Despite knowing the detrimental effects sugar has on their health, they just can’t seem to stay away from the sweet stuff.
The heap of evidenced research about the effects higher sugar consumption on health is escalating more than ever. Excess sugar consumption contributes to obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, destroys the body’s normal metabolism, and hampers the brain function. Ironically, most of us are aware of these consequences but choose to live in denial. The moment you have luscious-smelling brownies or cookies in front of you, the thought it may lead to these diseases is never entertained. Your addiction opens up an easy path for you, i.e. just open your mouth and satiate your craving.
But hold on! Whom are we fooling? Let’s have a look at some statistics. Millions of people worldwide are suffering from the same plight. According to American Heart Association (AHA) the recommended guidelines for sugar consumption includes a maximum of six teaspoons daily for women (100 calories) and nine teaspoons for men (150 calories). However, an average American eats between 22 and 30 teaspoons of sugar each day.
Sugar is the core ingredient used by the food industry to make unhealthy ingredients (processed flour and chemicals) taste good. Added sugars contribute an average of 16 percent of the total calories in American diets. These include high fructose corn syrup, white sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, raw sugar, malt syrup, maple syrup, liquid fructose, and honey. Sweetened drinks and processed foods like pizzas, burgers, french fries, etc. are also major contributors to the increased sugar consumption.
Owing to the sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, such as reaching out for sweet treats and consuming sugar-laden processed foods have become a regular part of the normal routine for people. So much so, that if they miss their daily sugar intake, it triggers a feeling of deprivation and craving.
Wake up! And kick off this addiction NOW! If you have discovered that you are on the “sugar wheel,” caught up in the vicious cycle of cravings, resolve today that you’ll get rid of this addiction to lead a healthier life.
You can get rid of this habit by taking baby steps and tame your mind for sugar withdrawal. Avoiding or more specifically saying “no” to processed foods and sweetened drinks would be the first step towards a healthy life.
Read about how to break your sugar addiction
Resolve today that you’ll get rid of this addiction to lead a healthier life. After all, there is nothing sweeter in life than a healthy body.
Empowering you with credible health Information
IControlMyHealth Editorial Team
References
- Bortsov AV, Liese AD, Bell RA et al. Sugar-sweetened and diet beverage consumption is associated with cardiovascular risk factor profile in youth with type 1 diabetes. Acta Diabetol. 2011 Dec;48(4):275-82. doi: 10.1007/s00592-010-0246-9. Epub 2011 Jan 20.
- Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2010. U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/dietaryguidelines2010.pdf. Accessed August 23, 2013.
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