Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Why sugars are so bad for you!


 
So, I'm reading this book, and I finally understand why eating so much sugar (which I don't do anymore) was so bad for me! In order to understand food and weight, you have to first understand what happens inside of your body when you eat. When you eat carbohydrates, glucose is formed, and is carried through your bloodstream and used as energy throughout your body. The level of glucose in your bloodstream at any given time should remain between 80-100 mg/dl. Now, in the book, she mentions carbs, so I'm not sure what happens when you eat healthy foods. I'm sure it probably still goes up...maybe just not as much?


When you eat foods that are high in carbs, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, most words that end in -ose, etc., your blood sugar levels spike to over 100. When this happens, your body produces insulin, which is used to regulate the blood sugar level and return it to a normal, safe range. The more of these foods you eat, the more your blood sugar levels spike; and the more insulin your body produces. It is a vicious cycle. If your body continues to receive these foods, it will produce more and more insulin, almost to the point of resistance. This is why diabetics need insulin injections; because their body no longer produces enough insulin, on its own, to regulate their blood sugar levels. NOW, I see why doctors try to get you to eat less carbs, sugary foods, etc., when you are younger. You never want to spike your blood sugar levels up and down repeatedly.


I also learned, that caffeine and artificial sweeteners do the same thing as sugar. So although that diet soda may not add any extra calories to your diet, it is adding caffeine and artificial sweeteners, and it IS causing your blood sugar levels to spike.


Please note: I am not a doctor; nor do I play one on television. I do, however, attempt to relay the information I read in the best, and most accurate light as possible. We are all in this together!

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Here is a good breakdown I found on a website:

Carbohydrates are your body’s primary energy source, and they’re a crucial part of any healthy diet. Carbs should never be avoided, but it is important to understand that not all carbs are alike.
Carbohydrates can be either simple, “bad”, or complex “good”, based on their chemical makeup and what your body does with them. Complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and legumes, contain longer chains of sugar molecules; these usually take more time for the body to break down and use. This, in turn, provides you with a more even amount of energy.

Carbohydrates in the Diet: The Detail on Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates are composed of simple-to-digest, basic sugars with little real value for your body. The higher in sugar and lower in fiber, the worse the carbohydrate is for you.
Fruits and vegetables are actually simple carbohydrates, still composed of basic sugars, although they are drastically different from other foods in the category, like cookies and cakes. The fiber in fruits and vegetables changes the way that the body processes their sugars and slows down their digestion, making them a bit more like complex carbohydrates. 

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