Too sweet, or not to sweet

From the time we are born, we are introduced to the “sweet” taste. Our very first introduction to fuel is in the form of breast milk, or infant formula, which is sweet. Carbohydrates, fuel, the excess of which is stored in your body as fat, are necessary for life. What are carbohydrates, a source of fuel for your body. For any work that your body does, it needs fuel which comes in two forms, short chain, which is used first for bursts of energy, and long chain which is used for sustained energy. Think of the difference between sprinters, and marathon runners, needs for fuel. The sprinter needs fuel that will burn fast and immediately, for the short race, while the marathon runner needs a slower more consistent form of fuel, for the long run.

Because we have become accustomed to this “sweet” taste from infancy, for most of us, it is a natural part of our diet. Thanks to billion-dollar advertising, we feel we must have that sweet tasting drink, along with our meal. Or better yet, after that meal with the sweet drink, lets have an even sweeter desert. Here is the trifecta, lets have a sweetened vegetable with the meal, along with a sweet drink, followed by the even sweeter desert. Too sweet, any idea what that does to your insulin level? Ever notice how sluggish you are after you eat or drink those sweets. What does that baby do after a bottle of milk, sleep, and you as an adult get sleepy too, accept you have to continue to work, so fight the urge and continue on with your work. The common phrase for what you are experiencing is "spiking and crashing". Your body is reacting to the increase in carbohydrates by releasing insulin into your blood stream, which brings your blood sugar back to a normal level again. It is better for your body to have a natural, consistent sourced of carbohydrates, in your blood stream, for sustained energy throughout your day.

Now, all that's sweet, is not sugar? “Sweet” comes in many forms. The most common form of sweet, that many people relate to is the sugar that we add to our foods, however now there are many different types that can take it's place. We have a grocery store of synthetic sweeteners to choose from. Some of these create sweet sensations on your tongue, while having little to no caloric value. Some are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. They are constantly doing studies on the effects of synthetic sweeteners to our bodies. National advertising campaigns make the choices seem viable, however natural is always better for your body.

Become holistic in your approach to eating. Have a glass of fresh, unsweetened, fruit juice with your morning meal. Taste the natural sweetness in fresh vegetables without adding any sweetener to them, and if you need a burst of energy, eat a piece of fruit. Natural is better, and gives our bodies beneficial nutrients to ward off illness and eliminates potential side effects caused by eating processed foods. You can live a life with fewer complications and more fulfillment's, by eating nature’s sugar, no substitutes.

If you want to cut down on the fat being stored in your body, cut back and clean up the source of fuel going into your body. It really is that simple. Make good choices today, and remain consistent, and you will see positive results.

As always, stay positive, and control your thoughts, because your thoughts, become your reality.

Positive thoughts, create positive realities

Douglas Powell
Motivational Speaker