By Bronwyn Ison
May we agree the holiday season commences on October 31st, Halloween Day. It’s the official kick-off to excessive sugar consumption, parties, more eating and more drinking. For the next two months you’ll be inundated with home parties and work celebrations. You’ll socialize more and work out less, your stress levels will peak, you’ll feel sluggish and likely less motivated to exercise or do any self care. Is this the trap you fall into each and every year?
This isn’t my first column/blog about sugar. While gathering recent stats, I’m appalled, as usual, by the startling statistics about our consumption and addiction. This is important information that may alter your eating habits. Take a read of these stats from obesity.org, “Added sugars increase excess energy and reduce nutrient density in our diets, often contributing to weight gain and obesity.” The daily sugar in take for woman can be, 6 tsps (25 g), 9 tsps (38 g) for men. Yet, the average American consumes 19.5 teaspoons (82 grams) every day. That translates into about 66 pounds of added sugar consumed each year, per person. Yikes! This is scares the heck out of me.
We know sodas, cookies, candy, processed foods and pastries contribute to our daily sugar intake. However, rule these out and you’ve decreased you sugar grams significantly. I become exceptionally frustrated and terribly disappointed in companies of which market to children. Luring the child, pressuring the parent and contributing to future unhealthy habits… quite frankly… disgust me. While it’s not my style to target a specific business, I simply cannot resist Starbucks massive campaign, targeting children teens and young adults. The Unicorn Frappuccino, colorful, looks fun to drink, and may even taste good. What Starbucks was not marketing was, the grande size had 59 grams of sugar and the Venti, 76 grams. Glance above for what your daily intake should be. Are you kidding me? Needless to say, the Unicorn Frapp was not as successful as they planned. Starbucks was sued, not because of it’s harmful ingredients, rather by another coffee shop who claims Starbucks stole their name and idea.
The US sugar addiction is off the charts and continues to soar at rapid speeds. If only retailers and companies could reconfigure their products to be beneficial to the consumer. Recent studies show and it’s widely thought, sugar acts to the brain in a similar way to cocaine or heroine. A new study has also suggested, sugar addicts be treated the same way as drug abusers. It’s possible a sugar addict needs to go through a detox program so he/she may kick the habit, lose the cravings, and learn to live without or little sugar in their diets.
An over consumption of sugar can lead to serious health concerns and long-term problems. As we approach the holiday season, I’m quite certain you haven’t heard the last of my findings on sugar. To be continued… Goal: eat less sugar this holiday season
Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga in La Quinta, CA & www.bronwynison.com
760-564-YOGA (9642)
