Love is in the Air

Sugar, Sugar Everywhere

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet,
But – is it good for you? 

1 teaspoon of white table sugar = 20 calories
3.5 oz. of white table sugar = 400 calories
1 Rolo piece = 22 calories
2 Twix bars = 270 calories

The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), are being processed into so many foods such as: bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a multitude of microwave meals.

One of sugar’s major drawbacks is that it raises our insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones, which in turn depresses our immune system. This is not something you want to take place if you are looking to avoid disease.

An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to keep blood-sugar at a constant and safe level. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar, you’re making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.

The Benefits of Berries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berries without chocolate, sugar, whipped cream are sweet enough. Berries provide some of nature’s more powerful antioxidants, phytonutrients, and flavanoids not present in isolated vitamins.

One cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. We need vitamin C for immune system function and for strong connective tissue. Strawberries also add a bit of calcium, magnesium, folate and potassium, and only 53 calories.

For a sweet snack, make an afternoon berry smoothie, add them to your spinach salad, or enjoy your strawberries on a dollop of almond butter. Of course the natural flavor can be enjoyed simply in a beautiful bowl alone or with other mixed berries and a touch of mint.