With Halloween and Thanksgiving on the horizon, and so much information coming out on the harmful effects of refined sugars and most artificial sweeteners, \u00a0I thought I would share some healthier alternatives to the all too common tricks and treats \u2013 which come in the form of hidden refined sugars, and their not so healthy substitutes. Certainly they are a treat for most people, young and old, and certainly we have been tricked into eating too much of it, at the expense of our physical and mental health.<\/p>\n
I have talked and written extensively about sugar\u2019s harmful effects and the fact that excessive amounts have been found to increase risk for a host of serious ailments not the least of which are diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, kidney disease, loss of vision, loss of brain cells, cerebral shrinkage, and to a major extent Alzheimer\u2019s. According to Authority Nutrition<\/a> \u201cadded sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet.\u201d \u00a0And as Dr. Shea noted, it’s “like poison” to the brain.<\/p>\n In June I talked about ways to reduce sugar addictions, here I would like to focus on alternatives, since It\u2019s always easier to avoid something if you have some good alternatives.<\/p>\n Recently in a class I was asked if there were any good sugars, or sweeteners, and in another if there were any healthy \u201cice cream\u201d products. There are now lot\u2019s of good alternatives on the market, and I\u2019ve broken them down to those that appear to be better and best. But first some basics.<\/p>\n Sugar Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n There a are basically three types of sugar, sucrose is a disaccharide (composed of two sugars, glucose and fructose). Glucose is absorbed directly into the blood stream and from there into our cells. Fructose, on the other hand, doesn\u2019t go into the bloodstream like glucose. It has to go to the liver first to be processed. Because it takes longer to be broken down it may not impact insulin resistance so much, but it can also be converted to harmful triglycerides, which may be worse for our vascular system than glucose.<\/p>\n Too much fructose may contribute to unhealthy changes in liver function, triglyceride levels, and insulin sensitivity. Fructose is also harder to digest\u2014especially for people with IBS\u2014than other sugars.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to keep in mind that too much sugar in the form of sucrose, glucose, or fructose, too fast can lead to a host of problems. The health impact they have on you really depends on the quantities and concentrations. When these are bound to fibers as is commonly the case in fruit and vegetables, they are released at a pace the body can handle. Concentrations of these sugars in candy, milk chocolate, deserts, juices, and especially sodas or diet sodas, or other drinks, however, can overwhelm cells, evoke insulin resistance and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are major contributors to aging and age related cognitive decline. .<\/p>\n How Much is Too Much? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Of course it\u2019s hard to set a standard for how much sugar is too much, as every body is different. \u00a0So unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question. Some people can eat some added sugar without harm, while others should avoid it as much as possible.<\/p>\n According to the\u00a0American Heart Association<\/a>\u00a0(AHA), the\u00a0maximum<\/strong>\u00a0amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are:<\/p>\n Men:<\/strong>\u00a0150 calories per day (37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons*). Unfortunately they do not list the maximum amount for children, and of course there is a lot of variance in this population, but it would certainly be much less than the amount listed for women. So when you see a 15 oz bottle of \u201cNaked\u201d \u201cno sugar added\u201d fruit or vegetable juice that has 43 g of sugar you know that has the equivalent of more than 10 tsp of sugar! \u00a0So even though it appears to be a natural healthy smoothie, it is not a \u201chealthy\u201d drink.<\/p>\n The real problem is ingesting large amounts of the wrong kind of sugar. The average American consumes a whopping\u00a022 teaspoons of sugar a day<\/a>\u00a0in the form of refined sugar.\u00a0This wouldn\u2019t be a scary amount if regular table sugar can make people slim and smart. Unfortunately\u00a0it does just the opposite<\/a>.<\/p>\n The best source of whole sugar will always be fresh crunchy fruit or berries. Fruits are rich in water, which dilutes the sugar. They are also high in fiber, which slows down the release of fructose in the bloodstream. Fresh fruit is also loaded with nutrients that are essential to health and healing.<\/p>\n The following sweeteners may not be healthy for you in large amounts, but they are better or less damaging in equivalent quantities than refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), or sucralose (Splenda) \u2013 all of which have been linked to serious health problems when consumed in high amounts over time.<\/p>\n Organic cane sugar (<\/strong>sucrose, fructose, and glucose with some nutrients) –\u00a0is unrefined sugar minus the cancer-causing and environmentally damaging pesticides present in conventionally grown sugarcane. Compared to white sugar, organic cane sugar has the full-bodied taste of sugarcane and is much less processed, retaining a lot of the nutrients present in cane juice.\u00a0Unrefined cane sugar contains\u00a017 amino acids, 11 minerals, and 6 vitamins<\/a>, plus\u00a0antioxidants<\/a>\u00a0that may help reverse oxidative damage. However, too much of this good thing can still cause problems, especially for any who are insulin resistant or pre-diabetic.<\/p>\n Turbinado sugar <\/strong>(sucrose) \u2013<\/strong> is made from sugar cane but is less refined than table sugar, and so takes longer to breakdown in the body, thus it is less likely to overwhelm the cells and cause insulin resistance.<\/p>\n Coconut sugar <\/strong>(mostly sucrose with some nutrients) \u2013 <\/strong>made from the sap of coconut trees is less processed with a more natural brownish color like raw sugar. It can also contain trace amounts of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and inulin, a prebiotic fiber. \u00a0However, it\u2019s still a high-calorie sweetener and causes AGEs.<\/p>\n Raw honey <\/strong>(fructose & glucose) – <\/strong>Honey\u2019s calling card is that if not over-processed it has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, and some nutrients, which is why it can also be used as a cough suppressant or sore throat soother. Manuka and other high-grade honeys often contain more beneficial properties. However, like sucrose it is quickly broken down in the body, and in high amounts can lead to insulin resistance.<\/p>\n Agave<\/strong> (more fructose than glucose) \u2013 generally has a lower glycemic index but this can be misleading. That may be beneficial if someone has diabetes, but not so much if you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n Maple syrup <\/strong>(mostly sucrose with nutrients) \u2013 <\/strong>made from the boiled sap of maple trees. Its flavor and color will vary slightly based on the time of season it was harvested and geographic region. \u00a0Contains small amounts of potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants\u2014up to 54 different types, some of which may have anti-cancer properties, as per one study. But it\u2019s nutrient levels are not as high as most vegetables. Maple syrup’s GI (glycemic index) at 54 is slightly lower than table\u00a0sugar, or sucrose (65), so it may be less likely to cause quick blood\u00a0sugar\u00a0spikes and drops. However, it\u2019s still loaded with concentrated \u00a0sugar\u00a0(and easy to over-drizzle), so try measuring out a portion before pouring.<\/p>\n The following are not known to have a detrimental effect on human health. In fact some of these have properties that may promote aspects of human health.<\/p>\n Stevia <\/strong>– <\/strong>Sugar-free and non-caloric, made from the leaves of the stevia plant. If you\u2019re comparing caloric and non-caloric sweeteners, stevia comes out on top. Because stevia is not metabolized (it’s simply excreted), it has no impact on blood sugar\u2014meaning, no spikes and crashes. \u00a0\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t raise blood sugar and it\u2019s natural and beneficial in reasonable amounts. It\u2019s bio-active, so it could have some anti-inflammatory compounds and can also help cut calories. However, there\u2019s a minor aftertaste that can take getting used to and overusing it could cause you to develop more of a taste for sweets. So even with this, moderation is a wise things to cultivate.<\/p>\n Xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol (sugar alcohols) – <\/strong>The chemical structure of these sugar alcohols gives them the ability to stimulate the sweet taste receptors on your tongue. Although they are generally considered not to have harmful effects in the body, and in fact may have some healthy effects. Xylitol for example, may help to reduce cavities. Too much, however, can\u00a0 cause some digestive issues in some individuals.<\/p>\n Erythritol (sugar alcohol)<\/strong> –<\/strong>\u00a0 This appears to be\u00a0quite different\u00a0from the others sugar alcohols. It has a unique chemical structure that our bodies cannot break down and digest. Therefore, it basically passes unchanged through your system and out with your urine. Compared to\u00a0table sugar which has 4 calories per gram, erythritol has only 0.24 calories per gram. So it is near impossible to consume enough to affect your body weight.And because erythritol is not metabolized by the body\u2019s cells, it does not have any effects on blood sugar or insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides or other biomarkers (7<\/a>,\u00a08<\/a>).<\/p>\n So it has almost no calories and none of the harmful metabolic effects of\u00a0excess sugar. Multiple long-term studies<\/a> on metabolism and toxicity have found no negative effects\u00a0of erythritol consumption, at least not in test animals.<\/p>\n Truvia<\/strong> \u2013 Is not a natural sugar, because it is made almost entirely of erythritol. So even though it is often advertised as a \u201cnatural sweetener\u201d it is not. However, for those who are overweight, diabetic\u00a0or have issues related to metabolic syndrome, Truvia (or plain erythritol) is a good alternative to sugar.<\/p>\n Munk fruit \u2013 <\/strong>is advertised as the only zero calorie, zero glycemic sweetener\u00a0that cooks and bakes like sugar. \u00a0It is not yet as available as some sweeteners but appears to be much better than most.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Date sugar – <\/strong>\u00a0This retains some nutrients from whole dates such as small amounts of fiber, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It contains fewer calories than table\u00a0sugar, and while its GI is unknown, it’s likely close to that of whole dates and lower than table\u00a0sugar\u00a0(39 to 65). However, it doesn’t dissolve in drinks, so it’s best sprinkled on foods<\/p>\n Unfortunately one of our most beloved treats, shown to have an adverse impact on health when consumed in excess, is ice cream.\u00a0 Of course that\u2019s because it\u2019s generally loaded with sugar, There are now healthier alternatives however. Here are a few links to learn more.<\/p>\n The Best Ice Cream and Frozen Treats for People Who Care About Health<\/p>\n http:\/\/greatist.com\/eat\/best-ice-cream-frozen-desserts<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.eatenlightened.com\/?gclid=CKmYtIrt1s8CFRCbfgodQGwH1g<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFortunately the answers are yes and yes!<\/p>\n
\nWomen:<\/strong>\u00a0100 calories per day (25 grams or 6 teaspoons*).
\nGo here for more specifics<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n* Note 1 tsp contains just over 4 g of sugar.<\/p>\nBetter<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
Best<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
Ice cream<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n