Sweet Deception

I know there are many titles of the same name out there but I hope to enlighten you with my facts on the sweet deception of sugar.  Don't think for a minute now that I in any way have overcome this desire I have for sweets (chocolate in particular), because I have not- yet.  I am always on the quest to educate myself on health issues particularly things that we put into our bodies.  It amazes me that a person can be sick or feel crummy and not think that there is a direct correlation to what they are eating.  

Food and drink nourish and sustain us, however they also deplete and drain us. (my own)

Below are some interesting facts you may or may not be interested in reading regarding that sweet, deceptive stuff so many, like myself crave- sugar.

Sugar is Incredibly Addictive

Another reason we know that people’s love for sugar goes far beyond taste is because of its addictive properties.

Refined sugar is far more addictive than cocaine -- it is one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known. In fact, an astonishing 94 percent of rats who were allowed to choose between sugar, water and cocaine, chose sugar.

Even rats who were addicted to cocaine quickly switched their preference to sugar, once it was offered as a choice.Therefore, the abnormally high stimulation of these receptors by our sugar-rich diets generates excessive reward signals in your brain, which have the potential to override normal self-control mechanisms, and thus lead to addiction.

Contributed by Nancy Appleton, Ph.D
Author of the book Lick The Sugar Habit

Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.

Sugar can cause can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.

Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.

Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.

Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.

Sugar can weaken eyesight.

Sugar can cause premature aging.

Sugar can lead to alcoholism.

Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

Sugar contributes to obesity. YOU DON'T SAY?

Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis.

Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections)

Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.

Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.

Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.

Sugar causes food allergies.

Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.

Sugar can cause emphysema.

Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.

Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide and it can increase the amount of liver fat.

Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.

Sugar can damage your pancreas.

Sugar can increase your body's fluid retention.

Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.

Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

Sugar can cause depression.

Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.

Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.

The info above came from Mercola.com where further references are given

McDonald's 21 oz. Chocolate Shake

Now that you are totally bummed out I thought I could boost your spirit with a few healthy and delicious treats your littles will enjoy.

Homemade popsicles

make with fresh or frozen 100% pear, apple or pineapple juice and pureed strawberries

Honey Peanut Butter Balls

6 TBSP Cocoa Powder

6TBSP Powdered Milk

6 TBSP Wheat Germ

6 TBSP Peanut Butter

6 TBSP Honey

Mix dough well with hands until well blended.  Form into balls.  Roll in coconut (unsweetened).  Eat right away or put them in the fridge to harden a little.  Mmm-enjoy! 

Look for our sunshine smoothie recipe and pics coming soon!