Working in the fitness industry there is always one topic that comes up daily and is never changing and that’s sugar. Why is sugar so bad? Why when we eat sugar, we crave more sugar? How can we decrease or eliminate the “bad” sugars in our diet?
Not all sugar is bad. Sugar that we find in soda is not the same as the sugar we find in fresh fruits like berries. Natural sugars that are in bananas and berries are not the same as sugars that are added to foods by you or by manufacturers. Sugars that are added increase caloric intake as well as pose health issues such as obesity and high cholesterol. You can even see added sugars in breads and many condiments such as ketchup.
So how can we help to reduce the refined sugar to and start to see a change in our health and fitness? It’s as simple as reading labels. Just remember that some labels don’t always say sugar. You may see high fructose corn syrup, glucose or even maltose. Hiring a health coach, who is knowledgeable can also help to direct you by suggesting foods to steer clear from or food to add in place of those foods that contain high sugar amounts.
Did you know sugar is addictive? The more sugar you eat the more you crave it. Why?
Sugar activates the opiate receptors in the brain and affects the reward center, which leads to compulsive behavior, despite the negative consequences, like weight gain, headaches, and hormone imbalances which then leads to eating more sugar and craving more sugary foods.
Most people struggle with sugar, and it is always a great conversation to have with a health coach to start that tract onto a healthier you! Did you know that there is a link between sugar and cancer? Sugar is known to cause inflammation in the body and chronic consumption of sugar can lead to certain types of cancers. That leads me to another point. Cancer and fitness!