|
Author: Tracie Johanson Article source: http://www.letspickupthepace.com/. Used with author's permission.
Cursed by dieters everywhere, and loved by children around the world, sugar is one those substances we 'love to hate' and 'hate to love'! It can make bland foods tasty and can make the dentist rich. Americans love sugar in all forms, from pure white granulated to liquid to fluffy cotton candy. As a nation, it's fair to say that we've developed a love affair with sugar!
But at what cost? Our ever-expanding waistlines are due, in part, to our sugar infatuation. Many of us try to eat healthier, only to be pushed into consuming even more sugar! Take for example the low-fat craze of the 1980's and '90's, pushed by the federal government's proclomation that FAT IS BAD. As soon as Americans started demanding low-fat products, the food manufacturers responded by flooding the market with low-fat, high-sugar foods.....and we loved it. Honestly, how many of us have chowed down an entire box of Hot Tamales candy and justified it because they're 'fat-free'? Cotton candy, that staple of the county fair, is also fat-free! Hard candy, jelly beans, licorice and oh so many more foods found their way into our mouths - all justified because of their fat-free status.
But at what cost? Common sense, reinforced by our expanding size, soon reminded us that it's EXCESS CALORIES THAT MAKE US FAT, and that SUGAR HAS CALORIES! It took us only a decade or so to figure out that just because a food is fat-free, doesn't mean that it's good for us!
Again, the food industry responded (and is still responding) by giving us loads and loads of sugar-free food. From ice cream to candy to soda, sugar-free is fast replacing fat-free as the new standard of 'healthy'.
Our scientists have created many different sugar substitutes for us to enjoy: DiabetiSweet, Splenda, Equal, Sucralose, Xylitol, Stevia, NutraSweet, aspartame, tagatose, saccharin, and many many more. Even the Pepsi Slushie, that icon from our youth, now has a sugar-free version!
But at what cost? Do we really know everything we need to know about the sugar replacements on the market today? Take saccharin for example. Saccharin has been used to sweeten foods and beverages without calories or carbohydrates for over a century. Its use was considerable during the sugar shortages of the two world wars, particularly in Europe.
Later, however, we find some experts debating the safety of saccharin: "In a joint letter, the scientists told the National Toxicology Program, a division of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, that declaring saccharin safe would 'result in greater exposure to this probable carcinogen in tens of millions of people, including children (indeed, fetuses). If saccharin is even a weak carcinogen, this unnecessary additive would pose an intolerable risk to the public.'". (Source: www.cspinet.org)
Now, citing new research, some scientists are claiming that sugar-free foods may not help us lose weight! As with many topics, the experts don't agree on this issue. What's important to note, however, is that some doctors believe that the sugar-free craze might be just a bad case of deja vu similar to the fat-free craze of decades past.
So, when the year 2030 rolls around, will we all be looking back in disbelief wondering how in the heck we ever believed in that sugar-free nonsense? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we need to know that BALANCE IS THE KEY to everything. Balance a healthy diet (eating foods in moderation) with a regular exercise program. Let the experts debate all day long about what to eat and what not to eat.....while they're trying to figure out the 'magic formula' for the perfect diet, we'll be maintaining a healthy weight through exercise!!
* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link: www.letspickupthepace.com.
* The information in this article and on this site is for general reference purposes only and not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information in this article or on www.letspickupthepace.com should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com for more information.
The History Of Aviator Sunglasses
Have you ever wondered how aviator shades began? Read this article and find out.
Why Should I Consolidate My Bills?
So, why should I consolidate my bills? For starters, there are many different ways to proceed with bill consolidation and debt consolidation. In the grand schem...
American Singles and Online Dating!
Writing a personal ad and responding to one is something that only a handful of people did in an age when personals were strictly offline. You probably didn't e...
Getting Things Done: A Guide To Next-Action Lists
Next-Action lists are a powerful (yet very simple) concept from David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD) sytem, that can increase your productivity dramatically....
Finding A Thin Credit Or No Credit Motorcycle Loan
This article explores the challenges of finding motorcycle loans for people with thin or no credit. The article also explores what a person with thin or no cre...
Tips for Better Love Making - The Top 5 Erogenous Zones of a Female
If you're floundering in the bedroom and your girlfriend is moaning for all the wrong reasons, these tips will point you in the right direction.
Universal Thought Systems #4
To begin to change your life experience begin to include keywords as you learn to think in terms of Universal Thought Systems.
The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - The 6th C: Changing Vision
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble. The 6th C: Changing Vision In order for a business to be ...
Then My Boss Said, Take That Fear And Shove It!
Hey gang; Ok it's time to create some good habits. You know, like eating a pork barrel full of Ben and Jerry's ice cream at 3 am in the morning. Nah......that's...
Golf Club Shafts: So Important to Winning
Information about golf club shafts
Surprise — Public School Class Size Doesnt Matter Very Much
It turns out that smaller class size does not guarantee that children get a better education in public school. Rather, teacher quality and instruction methods a...
3 Keys to Fulfill Your Wildest Dreams
If you'd like to fulfill your long-held dreams, try a radical approach. Radical people create their own breakthroughs for getting the job, love and health they ...
Why Your Network Marketing Efforts Are Failing
Many online marketers at some point recognize network marketing as having excellent potential. Unfortunately, too many join programs that doom them to failure b...
The Brightest Light!
Are you a bright light in this world of ours, if not please read this article and shout unto glory, I'll bet back give me more, I am a bright lite and I will sh...
Pro Anorexia Websites Increase in Popularity
A commentary on the increase in popularity of pro anorexia websites.
Creative Writing Tips - Have You Established Your Main Character At The Start?
In the beginning of your story you have to grab your readers' interest and sustain it till the end. Our hook is our character. Readers keep on reading to find o...
Best Cell Phone Service Plans - Choosing The Best Wireless Service Plans
Once upon a time, decisions about telephone service were easy - you either wanted it or you didn't. Those fairy-tale days are gone for good since the advent of...
Zero Sum Game
Most people think the stock market is a zero sum game because there is a buyer for each seller and seller for each buyer so each cancels the other and everythin...
Ten Healthcare Fields That Cant Wait To Hire You
Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America today. The aging and retiring of the largest population segment in the country, known as "baby boomers...
What are Pug Puppies?
Pug puppies make wonderful pets. Pugs are very affectionate and loyal, and are happy to curl up at your feet. If you're looking for pug puppies for sale, you c...
The Touch of Tiffany - Unsurpassed Quality and Excellence By Dale Tiffany Inc.
Dale Tiffany Inc. has set out to bring the "Touch of Tiffany" back into the world. The mere mention of the word Tiffany will immediately call to mind an idea o...
New Parents Rely on Other Moms & Dads to Prepare for Baby
When most new parents are preparing for the arrival of baby this Spring, more often than not, they will not be sure what they will need as the dizzying array of...
How An Idea Can Lift You
In the privacy of your mind, you can think original, stirring thoughts. You can find what stirs you. When you find what moves you, you can determine the directi...
Teamwork in the Workplace: A Definition
From our observation and studies on teamwork in the workplace, we have found three primary conditions that have to be met in order to attain higher levels of te...
|
Print this page