Wednesday Weigh-In: The Sugar Edition

Hi.  My name is Karyn and I'm an addict: 

There really should be a 12-step program for those of us with this sad addiction.  Alas there is not and my drug of choice, according to the article below, unlike any other addictive substance, is hidden in almost everything we consume (well, at least ready-made and fast foods.) 

I'm happy to report that I've been working hard over the last couple of months to restrict my sugar intake every chance I get.  I've also stopped using sugar substitutes because from what I've come to understand they actually encourage hunger and sugar cravings.  I've resorted to eating only fruit when I have that sugar craving, and I've limited my fruit consumption to only once a day.  I've also been watching my carbs and eating mostly cruciferous vegetables that further help with sugar cravings.

Thanks to careful eating and my new work schedule, i.e., working the past 14 days straight, half of the time up and moving around (as opposed to sitting on my ever-expanding behind all day long), I lost the equivalent of a 5 pound bag of sugar!  Yay for me! 

Once again, I'm excited about taking this weight off; I think 2.5 pounds a week is pretty darn good, especially since my exercise has been rather sporadic. 

But now, newly energized with my further weight loss, I'm going to make exercise my priority.  Doesn't hurt that the cool weather has finally arrived.  This Vegas heat actually makes me depressed and not want to go out at all.  I'm looking forward to getting to the park for a walk with my daughter, doing some weight lifting and kick boxing in my garage!  Yippee!

Go Ahead, Snarf That 5-Pound-Bag of Sugar
Published by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com

Imagine pouring a 5-pound bag of sugar down your throat … new research shows that this is how much sugar each American man, woman, and child gets each month — and most of it doesn’t come from the sugar bowl.”

– Opening chapter from “The Sugar Solution.”

Now, re-read that statement. Here are the key words:

5-pound bag of sugar

man, woman, and child

each month

Let’s translate for those of you who are shocked right now: Every month you, yes you, eat 5 pounds of sugar.

What is going on here?

Since I have had the pleasure of having gestational diabetes for a second time around I have been noticing even more how hard it is for American’s to not eat sugar. It’s nearly unavoidable.

Sugar is Everywhere You Turn

It’s in that white hamburger bun and in that multi-grain sandwich bread. Unless it’s whole wheat, it’s got more sugar than you think. And, try asking a restaurant if they will serve you a slice of whole wheat bread. Most look at me like I’ve asked to be sent to the moon. Forget about whole grain pasta.

We need to learn more about food and what we are eating. At every meal, we need to think about that 5-pound bag of sugar. What choices can we make to reduce that amount? We need to start learning more about food so that we can prepare more healthful meals for our families and teach our kids how to eat. Make them aware of what they are eating so they will grow up with this information.