By Joen Lane, Certified Weight Loss Consultant
The saying actually came to us via a Frenchman and was translated as, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are.” In the 1920s and ‘30s nutritionist Victor Lindalahr wrote, “Ninety percent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs. You are what you eat.” It is true more so today than in any time in our history.
Food trends and conveniences over the past five decades have created changes in the lifestyles of our nation’s population. The quick food mentality pushes us toward foods containing higher levels of sugar. This single fact has resulted in the skyrocketing statistics of obesity, diabetes, inflammatory and intestinal distress, and much more. The “healthy eating” movement with organic produce and meats is rising in popularity. This is mostly in response to the new population of people with food allergies and sensitivities, digestive disorders, candida, and other disorders. However, until we take a serious look at the sugars we’re consuming in our foods, we will never win the game of healthy weight and healthy lifestyles.
There is a film out by Stephanie Soechtig produced by Laurie David and Katie Couric called “FED UP: It’s time to get real about food.” Log on to www.fedup.com. This documentary addresses sugar in the American diet. Dr. Mark Hyman, chairman of the Institute of Functional Medicine, talks about over 600,000 products on the shelves that contain sugar under a variety of different names. Another study, using MRI scans, found that sugar causes the area of the brain to light up the same way as cocaine. David Kessler former FDA Commissioner called the overuse of sugar one of the great public health epidemics of our time. Katie Couric weighs in on the staggering statistic that by 2050 one out of every three Americans will have diabetes. This film is a good beginning in our understanding of the impact of sugar in our lives.
When we think of sugar the image of white refined sugar is what we reference, yet there are other sugars by different names which food manufacturers use. Kelly Hayford, CNC, wrote an informative group of articles called, “If It’s Not Food, Don’t Eat It.” Her food articles are designed to educate the general public. Kelly calls sugar, THE BEAST, noting we may be “sugarholics” and not realize it. She advises when checking food labels, we keep in mind that one teaspoon=4 grams. So, if a snack bar contains 24 grams of sugar, for example, this would be the equivalent of six teaspoons of sugar. Would you sit down and eat 6 teaspoons of sugar at one time? Also, not to be fooled by processed foods we find at a natural health food store — some foods are sweetened with refined sugars such as brown sugar or cane sugar. Their names may convey a healthier image and may seem a better choice than white refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. But these are all still concentrated processed sugars and should be kept to a minimum.
What is the best sugar? Fruit (nature’s sweet treat) and Stevia (a natural herbal sweetener) are healthier choices to begin with. If you feel like you and your family are eating healthy but still struggling with weight or health issues, you may need to look at the food you’re consuming. Processed food, no matter how healthy the message on the package, is just that — processed. Begin there and work your way back to fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Get educated, get healthy!
Joen Lane is a certified weight loss coach with Ideal Family Weight Loss & Life Balance Center, offering Ideal Protein, the medically developed, sensible weight loss protocol. You may reach her at 309-661-3235.The center is located at 2103 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. Their mission is to help people take control of their weight and keep it off. Classes are offered on a variety of food and lifestyle topics. If you’d like to learn more about Ideal Protein, they hold informational classes the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month beginning in July.