SUGAR: What's the real story? Is it so bad?

We keep hearing that sugar is bad for you. But why is it bad? And how can we reduce cravings?

First of all, it is known that white sugar is filled with many additives and chemicals that wreak havoc in our bodies because our bodies are expecting food and this is not food!

Of course, it can be difficult to avoid sugar entirely because we do have friends, family, birthday parties, and social lives. But it can be kept to a minimum. The key is moderation, and to enjoy it when you do have it, and not to feel guilty. Of course, "moderation" means different things to different people. To some, moderation is having only one sugary product a day. One a week is perhaps more reasonable. (Provided the "sugar" is organic and has other health benefits, such as honey or maple syrup, it can be taken more often.)

What exactly is sugar and what does it do?

Sugar (sucrose), or table sugar, is composed of one molecule each of fructose and glucose. It is hidden in most processed foods such as ketchup, salad dressings and condiments, and baby foods. In fact, the average North American ingests about 150 pounds of sugar per year! What a scary thought! It contributes to obesity, diabetes and hypoglycemia, tooth decay, and many mental and emotional problems (including PMS and the inability to deal with stress).

Other problems and risks associated with sugar intake include:

• increased risk of cancer (cancer cells thrive on sugar)
• nutritional deficiency, including mineral deficiencies
• digestive problems
• immune system dysfunction
• acid/alkaline imbalance (sugar causes excess acidity in the body)
• yeast/candida overgrowth, and the many problems associated with this.
• difficulty concentrating
• hyperactivity and stress
• heart disease
• mood swings, anxiety, depression
• the growth of parasites, many of which thrive on sugar and acidic conditions

But what about natural sugars such as organic cane sugar? Although they aren't as bad for the body as chemically processed sugars, they should still be taken in moderation. Honey and maple syrup are wonderful and have their own benefits, but they still feed candida and can contribute to blood sugar imbalances and other problems if taken in excess. Stevia and Xylitol are two sweeteners that are natural and do not feed yeast or alter blood sugar levels. (Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, can cause gas in some people if taken in large quantities.)

If you have any doubts about the "evils" of aspartame and its relatives (nutrasweet, saccharin, etc.) just do your own research. Poison! Stay away from sugar-free "diet" drinks and sodas; they are even worse than sugar and can actually cause weight gain.

So, what do we do about sugar cravings and addictions? Make a plan! Start by having fruit when you crave sugar, or add one of the more healthy sweeteners mentioned above. Reduce cravings by taking extra B-vitamins, Vitamin C, chromium, and/or the amino acid l-Glutamine. Instead of having a sweet snack between meals, have a snack high in protein such as almonds or other nuts. Eat complex carbs instead of simple carbs (for eg. whole grains in place of refined grains).

Let's beat those sugar cravings and be more conscious of the foods we are ingesting. Then when we want a piece of pie or cake on occasion, don't feel guilty because that emotion can be just as harmful as the sugar itself. Let's just enjoy it!