The latest edition of Men’s Health Journal has interesting and refreshing take on sugars in our diets. How come sugar makes us fat when it contains zero fat, provides instant energy, and makes almost any food taste better.
The sugar is located everywhere, not just in sodas, desserts and cakes. It is hidden in refined carbohydrates like bread, rice and pasta and even in beer and milk. Your body absorbs all these sugars into your bloodstream as glucose.
Because sugars are everywhere, this means that most of us eat high-sugar diet, even if we are staying away from sweets. Article illustrates the point by explaining how during digestion one slice of white bread is converted into the same amount of glucose as 4 tablespoons of sugar. Now, that is scary!
Eating sugar gives signal to your body to start storing fat. Every time you eat sugar your blood-glucose level rises quickly. In turn, this stimulates the release of insulin, a powerful hormone that signals your body to store fat. And the more sugar you consume at one time, the more insulin your body produces and the longer you remain in fat-storage mode.
But the cycle doesn’t stop there. The insulin surge is followed by a drop in insulin level that leaves us feeling tired and hungry. When hungry, we seek more food. The unfortunate result of this scenario is that it makes us want to eat something else with a high sugar content and the cycle continues.
Research indicates that keeping blood-glucose levels in check decreases appetite and reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Be careful with “fat-free” products. Sugar is often used to replace flavor taken out to remove fat.
Be careful with products labeled "no sugar added." It doesn't mean that the product doesn't naturally contain a lot of sugar.
Bottom line is this: By regulating blood sugar level in your body, you are maintaining your fat-burning capacity at its best. Never skip a meal and eat healthy snacks between meals. Eating frequently prevents hunger, provides consistent energy, and maintains metabolism at its best.
