SUGAR: Part I
I've seen a lot of posts lately about cutting out sugar (yay!), some of the side-effects we are experiencing with that cut (headaches at first, increased energy eventually, craving sugar less and less, etc.), and so on and so forth. I wanted to get more discussion and knowledge going around this topic... (RD's, this is where you can feel free to jump in and help me out here!) I am certainly not a Registered Dietician, nor am I the expert on Sugar Addictions, but what I do know that I learned a few years ago when cutting back on my sugar intake has been some of the most valuable and long-standing information I've taken with me on my 28-year-weight-loss journey, and I think it will help everyone. I will post these in 3-4 part journal entries… hopefully, you will all be enlightened and can piggy-back with more facts, information, your own experiences, etc.!!! Here goes:
1) History of Sugar, "Death by Sugar"
In the 1850’s sugar came in a cone. It was kept in the dining room, not in the kitchen, in case of fire. Slivers were sliced off and crushed for teacakes or used to sweeten tea. Sugar was only for aristocrats in the 1800’s.
· In 1850 – 4 oz a year for the rich.
· In 1900 – 4 oz a year for everyone.
· In 1950 – 5 pounds a year per person.
· In 1998 – 152 pounds a year per person.
· In 2000 – 172 pounds a year per person.
· Today it is easily >240 pounds a year per person (WHICH is much more than the body was meant to handle! In fact, there’s no daily recommended amount for sugar because other than in its natural forms (e.g. fruit, etc.), your body doesn’t NEED it.)
This is riveting, I know... stay tuned for more! You're hanging on to the edges of your seats, I can just tell. ("After these messages, we'll be riiiight back!" Imagine this being sung in that little sing-songy ABC-cartoon-bumpers-jingle-voice from the 80's and early 90's-- you know the ones I'm talking about? No? Just YouTube it, you'll remember once you hear it! OK, nevermind, I'll go back to my sad little world of "inside my own head" now...)
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