Sugar Causes Inflammation SO, If it doesn’t walk, swim or grow, DON’T EAT IT!

sugary pink drinkSimple rule of thumb: If it contains sugar (or other sweeteners) it causes inflammation

Sugar wreaks havoc on our health.  It destroys our immune and gut health leading to damaging inflammation and weight gain.

In 2020,  the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar in one year (or 20 teaspoons per day)! This may sound like a lot but consider:

  • 1 Mountain Dew contains over 19 packets of sugar
  • 1 Cranberry Juice contains over 17 packets of sugar
  • 1 Vitamin Water contains 8 packets!

The American Journal of Medicine states that consumption of sugary beverages may be the single largest driver of the obesity epidemic. But obesity isn’t the only problem. Consuming added sugar and refined carbohydrates causes several changes in the body, which help explain why a diet high in sugar can lead to chronic inflammation, and other chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, liver disease, mental decline and more.

What’s up with High Fructose Corn Syrup?

Processed sugars are on par with unhealthy fats. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is the worst culprit and is showing up in many of the foods and drinks we consume, including foods that don’t taste sweet. HFCS is found in condiments like ketchup, salad dressing, crackers or even bread.  The main problem is that it contains mainly fructose which is processed in our liver where it gets turned directly into FAT!  These high increases of sugar overtax the liver and prevent it from doing it’s real job, creating issues for us like fatty liver disease, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

HFCS-90 is a new term being used for high fructose corn syrup and is even worse –  it has 90% concentration of corn syrup not 42-55%.  The best way to avoid added sugar and HFCS is to avoid processed food and eat only whole foods.

Green Guy with cupcake

Sugar is also a carbohydrate – the more processed and refined the carbohydrate, the faster it breaks down in the digestive system and the bigger the sugar rush we get from it.  That’s why refined sugars, flours and processed foods cause such a problem. Our bodies can’t process these things fast enough to keep up so we store it in our yellow fat stores, which becomes like that junk drawer or closet that holds everything we might need later.

Carrying excess fat further prevents our body from processing sugar.  Unlike honey, our body has no automatic cut off for sugar. You can’t overeat honey, you can overeat sugar.

Bottom Line: Sugar is commonly added to processed foods. Manufactures often use several different kinds of sugar so they can hide the real amount. Beware when you are reading food labels and look for the following: 80 Names for Sugar

 

lemon slushy

Lemon Slushy

Want to make a simple lemon slushy to sip on by the pool or while watching your favorite TV show?  Try this simple recipe, no sugar added! This is my favorite drink. I will often just use ice cubes instead of crushed ice and enjoy it as lemonade.  Prepare for YUM!
Course Beverages
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 16 oz water
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 10 drops lemon drop flavored stevia or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Beverages, Stevia

 

 

Homemade Applesauce

Homemade Applesauce

Are the kids looking for some applesauce but you don't want the sugary kind? Have them help you in the kitchen. This recipe is so simple yet delicious. But don't let the kids have it all -- help yourself to this sugar free treat as a healthy snack or a side dish with your meal.
Course Side Dish, Snack
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 apples peeled, cored and chopped
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • Stevia to taste
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon or apple pie spice blend see recipe below

Instructions
 

  • In a sauce pan, combine all ingredients.  Cover and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until apples are soft.
  • Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or puree lightly in a blender.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Apples, Side Dish, Snack, Stevia

 

 

apple pie spice blend

Apple Pie Spice Blend

Course Spice Mix

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup ground nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp ground cardamom

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Keyword Anti-Inflammatory, Spice Mix

#sugariskillingus #thinkofyourhealth #walkswimgrow

 

Want free anti-inflammatory recipes, downloadable resources and efficiency tips and tricks from a professional chef?  Of course you do!  Click here for the secret sauce! 

 

Get The Official Anti-Inflammatory Foods List Here