Are You Fighting Disease, or Feeding It?

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Sugar feeds disease.

I know, sugary foods are so. very. yummy. My Pinterest dessert boards would clearly back up the fact that I have always believed this to be true. I was completely guilty of over consuming sugary treats in the past.

I have always known that sugar was not good for us. I have been wanting to gather some facts that would encourage me and my family to make some changes, so I did… And now I’m sharing them with you!

Recently, when I saw information about the negative effects of sugar from two completely different sources, I took it as a sign from God that it was time to make some changes. One source was from a friend who is an author and health coach, named Cherise Scally. Cherise was able to naturally reverse her Type 2 Diabetes, and then wrote a book to help others do the same. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from a book about reversing Type 2 Diabetes, I highly recommend her book. It can be purchased in paperback or on Kindle. The other source was via another friend, Tricia. She has a very informative Facebook page called Peace Love Food. It is important to keep yourself informed about what you are feeding yourself and/or your family, these are two great resources to help you stay informed.

When I took a closer look at the documented effects that sugar has on the human body, it was eye-opening for me. Everything we eat either fights disease or feeds it, and sugar is one of the most over-consumed foods in the American diet that can be toxic when not used in moderation.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes around 156 pounds of added sugar a year. That is 31 five-pound bags for each of us. Out of the 156 pounds, only 29 lbs. of it comes from traditional sugar, the rest comes from foods. Foods like candy, soda, and junk food. But, if you think that because you rarely or never consume candy, soda or junk food, that you are safe from over-consumption, there is still plenty of sugar hiding in places you may not have expected it.

Sugar sometimes hides behind aliases, so we need to be extra careful when trying to avoid it. For example; some types of crackers, many yogurts, condiments like ketchup, and traditional peanut butter, are loaded with sugar. Most of these foods are made from genetically modified corn syrup, sometimes listed on ingredient labels as ‘high-fructose corn syrup’ or ‘HFCS’.

Many popular name brands have switched from traditional sugar to genetically modified corn syrup to cut costs and make a bigger profit, at our expense. Unfortunately, corn syrup does not go through the normal digestive process that our body is designed to do. It goes directly into our system, bypassing the digestion process, which, in turn spikes insulin and makes you hungry for sweets. Corn syrup is highly addictive and is terrible for us.

The largest percentage of added sugar intake is from sodas, next is prepared or boxed foods that are found in the middle aisles of most grocery stores. You may be shocked to know that most ‘low-fat’ products add sugar to make up for the lost taste when the fat is removed. I don’t know about you, but I do not want scientists messing with my food, I’ll keep the fats and skip the added sugar.

If like me, you do not like these stats and are tired of being the victim of big business profits, here are some ways to avoid sugar:

• Read food labels- avoid anything with sugar, corn syrup, glucose, or pretty much any other word ending in “-ose”are usually at the top of the ingredient list.
• When choosing a product with added sugar, watch your portion size.
• Avoid processed foods, especially sodas and other sweetened beverages.
• Never use artificial sweeteners. They are TERRIBLE for you.
• If you get a sweet tooth, opt for some fresh fruit instead.

10 facts about sugar:

1. Sugar makes us fat, sick, and malnourished (nearly dead).

2. Sugar often causes severe mood swings and behavioral issues in our children.

3. Sugar destroys our teeth.

4. Sugar causes insulin resistance, which most-often leads to type 2 diabetes.

5. Alzheimer’s Disease is very common amongst people with type 2 diabetes. Alzheimer’s disease has been dubbed “type 3 diabetes” by many.

6. Sugar plays a role in many mental disorders.

7. Heart disease is fed mostly by sugar, not by fat in our diet or cholesterol, as many people think.

8. Liver disease is no longer just connected with alcohol. Over the last two decades, fatty liver disease, caused by sugar over-consumption, has doubled.

9. Sugar interferes with your immune system. Do you ever notice how “flu season” coincides with the same time of year that we often over-consume sugar? There’s a reason for that.

10. Cancer feeds off of sugar.

Since making the decision to limit my sugar intake, it’s been a struggle to make the right choices. Fortunately, I am choosing to do what is best for my health the majority of the time.  I remind myself that I do not want to live my life choosing what is easy or what brings me temporary gratification. I want to live without fear of disease entering my life, not live for what feels good in the moment.

I pray that you will also make some changes in your own life. You will feel so much better and will have a better quality of life.