The Sugar Slump

Sugar is called a drug by many in the health community. It has been given this label because the refining process strips sugar of all nutrients. Also, sugar has addictive qualities and can effect our brain chemistry.

Sugar in the form of glucose is our body's primary energy source. We need glucose in order for our bodies to perform properly, and we get this needed glucose from a natural diet consisting of plant foods and grains. Our bodies don't require the extra glucose found in refined and processed foods. In 2003, the World Health Organization stated that only 10% of your total diet should come from sugar. This means that a 2,000 calorie a day diet would allow for no more than 200 calories (50 grams) to come from simple sugars. However, in today's American society, the average person consumes his or her own weight in sugar plus 20 lbs. of corn syrup each year. We're eating way too much sugar!

Eating sugar everyday causes our bodies to become over acidic. This condition happens because our bodies are not able to use excess sugar properly. Since sugar is void of any vitamins and minerals, it "steals" these vital nutrients from our healthy cells in order to metabolize. In turn, eating large amounts of sugar leads to the depletion of vital nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. When these nutrients are no longer available, incomplete metabolization of sugar occurs; and its waste products accumulate in the brain, nervous system and red blood cells.  Yuck!

Not only can the consumption of sugar lead to large dental bills due to the depletion of calcium, it can also lead to the following:

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Hypoglycemia
• Osteoporosis
• Mental Illness
• Suppressed immune system
• Weight gain
• Memory loss
• Consitpation
• Varicose veins
• Cancer
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gallstones
• PMS symptoms
• Fatigue

Sugar has so many harmful effects that I couldn't list them all, but this should give you a good idea.

While on this cleanse, I've been surprised at the "hidden" sugars found in grocery list items. I've really had to scrutinize the ingredients in all processed foods such as pasta sauce, cereal, canned soups and spices. Our kitchen is now stocked with alternative sweeteners including stevia, honey, maple syrup, molasses and agave nectar. We kicked sugar to the curb for 3 weeks, and neither David or I misses it. Sugar seems to have been the easiest of the Big Five for us to give up; all it took was a little tough love.

Friday's Menu:
Breakfast: Oatmeal doctored up with almond milk, cinnamon and stevia
Lunch: No time for lunch today.  I snacked on a few corn chips.
Dinner: Take-out from Willy's. We had veggie bowls with rice, black beans, tofu, sauteed veggies, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, corn, guacamole and fresh jalapeno.

Saturday's Menu:
Breakfast: Vegan french toast topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries and drizzled with agave nectar
Lunch: Artichoke and spinach hummus with brown rice crackers, cashews and tangelo. (This was more of a big snack than a lunch.)
Dinner: My girlfriends took me out to celebrate my birthday at Seasons 52. I had the Spring Market Vegetable Plate which was delicious and a glass of Pellegrino, sparkling water. For dessert, I chose the fruit cup even though  as the server described each of the delectable choices he stated that no one ever chose the fruit cup.  I look forward to going back to this restaurant when I'm not following such a strict diet. http://www.seasons52.com/

Sunday's Menu:
Breakfast: Toast with vegan butter and Pero to drink.
Snack: Vegan protein shake with soymilk and almond butter.
Lunch: Amy's Bowls - Tofu, veggies and brown rice
Dinner: Tempeh salad sandwich