Here's the long-awaited Part 3 of my "Read the Label" series! Sugar Sugar how you get so fly.....
Ask anyone, and they'll probably agree that eating too much sugar is bad for your health. It's common knowledge. But just how bad is it? and why?
Ask anyone, and they'll probably agree that eating too much sugar is bad for your health. It's common knowledge. But just how bad is it? and why?
- Sugar contains lots of empty calories. Calories are good when they come in the form of energy (like protein, and good carbs) - but when calories come from fast-digesting sources like sugar, those calories turn into fat very quickly. Specifically that fat likes to hang out in your belly.
- Sugar doesn't contain vitamins or minerals. It is literally not benefiting your body in terms of nutrition.
- Eating too much sugar causes insulin resistance, which can lead to obesity. Insulin removes sugar from your bloodstream, and takes it to your cells (excessive sugar in the bloodstream is toxic).
- Sugar is addictive, therefore makes you more likely to binge eat even more empty calories.
Or how about Apple Juice - it's a fruit, so it's healthy - right? Take a look at this...
Apple Juice has the exact same amount of sugar per ounce as Coke. Think before you drink!
So I know some of you are saying "Ok Faith - but sugar is found naturally in fruit, so it can't be bad." Fruit also has a good amount of fiber in it which limits the sugar absorption into the body. Naturally occuring sugar is good for the body, it's the added processed sugars that are killing us. Sugar is ok in small quantities. But don't get crazy.There is even sugar in some vegetables like carrots. Here's a carrot stack to prove the point:
How to stay away from hidden sugars? READ THE LABEL
Did you know… ingredients are listed in descending order by weight of ingredient in the product. Maybe you did know this and you’ve read the ingredients on your granola bar. It probably says the first ingredient is some time of rolled oat, which is great. But keep reading. Food companies will often use multiple forms of an ingredient so they can list it separately on the label without having to put that ingredient first. For example, sugar is a huge offender here.
Sugar, Also known as:
Did you know… ingredients are listed in descending order by weight of ingredient in the product. Maybe you did know this and you’ve read the ingredients on your granola bar. It probably says the first ingredient is some time of rolled oat, which is great. But keep reading. Food companies will often use multiple forms of an ingredient so they can list it separately on the label without having to put that ingredient first. For example, sugar is a huge offender here.
Sugar, Also known as:
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Now, I’m guilty of eating a lot of sugar. We all are. Here’s an example of one of my favorite granola bars, Nature Valley Crunchy Oats and Honey. Let’s read the ingredients…
Whole grain oats, sugar, canola oil, yellow corn flour, honey, soy flour, brown sugar syrup, salt, soy lecithin, baking soda, natural flavor.
More sugar than i'd like to admit... but knowledge is power! At least I know to cut back on other added sugars if I eat a package of these bad boys.
Take a peek at your nutrition label – how many different types of sugars can you spot?
Whole grain oats, sugar, canola oil, yellow corn flour, honey, soy flour, brown sugar syrup, salt, soy lecithin, baking soda, natural flavor.
More sugar than i'd like to admit... but knowledge is power! At least I know to cut back on other added sugars if I eat a package of these bad boys.
Take a peek at your nutrition label – how many different types of sugars can you spot?