Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Nov/Dec / Holiday Issue 2016 | Page 43

HEALTH CHECK
type 2 diabetes rates have skyrocketed worldwide . The most dangerous and highest consumption of sugar is in soda , flavored coffee and flavored tea drinks . A 12-ounce soda contains around 10 teaspoons of sugar , far exceeding the daily allotment of sugar ( six teaspoons for women and nine for men ). Flavored coffee and tea contain 5 teaspoons .
Research by the University of California-Davis reported that LDL cholesterol , the classic risk factor for heart disease , can be raised significantly in just two weeks by drinking sugary beverages at a rate of what many Americans consume daily – four 12-ounce glasses of sugary beverages . For the first time in history , obese people outnumber those underweight . Liver disease that used to be primarily for alcoholics is now being directly related to our increased super-sized sugar appetite .
Sweet Prevention Even though the United States does not have a nationwide soda tax , many states and cities are passing laws for one in order to bring awareness and encourage reduced consumption of the beverages . In response , The American Beverage Association and has focused on reducing the sugar consumed from beverages . Some major brands like Pepsi have promised to do so by 2020 .
The Food and Drug Administration is also helping to make aware of what people are actually consuming . A new nutrition facts panel on the back of packaged food and beverages has been enforced . Companies must list how many grams of sugar and artificial sweeteners ( which are just as bad ) have been added and what percentage of the recommended daily maximum that represents . In addition , the labels will reflect actual consumption and a larger size font in serving sizes , such as ice cream going from 1 / 2 a cup to 2 / 3 a cup , and calorie content .
Research on the effect sugar has on our body is an on-going study and new information will most likely be discovered . For now , take what has been shared so the next time your body is craving a sugar high , you can resist . If you can ' t , cure it with a piece of fruit or a different natural food . If that doesn ’ t help , just ask yourself is that sugar worth your life ?
Way to reduce or eliminate the consumption of sugars in your diet
Reduce carbohydrates intake Net carbs are the total grams of carbohydrates minus the total grams of fiber consumed . Keeping net carbs below 50 grams per day will reduce sugar cravings .
Eat whole foods Whole foods provide your body with the nutrition you need to function with natural sugars bound to fiber reducing your carbs intake .
Try Fermented foods They will stimulate your digestive health and the sour taste helps with sweet cravings .
Fresh fruit instead of canned fruit The average amount of sugar in canned fruit is 19 grams
Spices instead of sugar Replace sugar with spices such as cinnamon . It will not only add flavor , but it will speed up your metabolism instead of slowing it .
Check the label : Foods that boast low in sugar , non-fat or low-fat could mean high level of artifical sweetners or sugar alcohols , which is just as bad as refined sugar .