LET'S DO THE MATH

     Research has shown that the average American consumes - are you ready? - 130 pounds of sugar each year.  Of course, WE'RE not average, but be aware that sugar in its myriad forms is found in almost everything we eat.  Yes, even carrots or cauliflower or onions and in all fruits.  

     If we stuck to veggies and fruit they would provide us with all the sugar we require, and the accompanying nutrients and fiber are just (excuse the pun) the icing on the cake.  But what is life without an occasional scoop of ice cream or a slice of birthday cake?  Man - or woman - does not live by produce alone.

     Back to sugar, let's do the math.  If the average person does indeed consume 130 pounds of sugar each year, then

               I pound of sugar = 2 cups, so 130 pounds = 260 cups/year (WOW)
               365 days into 260 cups =.71 cup/day or a little less than 3/4 cup
               1 cup of sugar = 768 calories
               768 calories x .71 = 545 calories/day
               545 calories/day x 365 days = 198,925 calories/year
               Since 3500 calories = l pound of body weight
               3500 calories into 198,925 = 56.84 pounds of weight/year

                                                HOLY FLAB, BATMAN

     Too much sugar causes the pancreas to produce too much insulin which leads to insulin resistance (cells cannot absorb any more insulin) and here comes diabetes.

     At almost 57 additional pounds per year, how come we're not all grossly obese?  This is 57 pounds if you never moved a muscle.  This is 57 pounds if you ate nothing but sugar.  This is 57 pounds if you never (ahem) used the bathroom facilities (and then you'd have a lot more than 57 extra pounds to worry about). 

    Fortunately, most of us are active enough and eat enough protein, fat, fiber, etc to offset such a huge weight gain.  But next week when you bite off "just the ears" of that chocolate Easter  bunny, think twice before you follow it up with a handful of jelly beans.  Remember, dinner is coming soon - and that luscious Key Lime pie.

     

FIBROUS FACTS

Want the scoop on fiber and its role in a healthy functioning body?  Check out the story in this month's Life-Style magazine.http://www.rstylelife.com/

A SPRINKLE OF SALT

Is there nothing to which we can't become addicted?  Probably not.


We covered food addiction in general in the April edition of Life-Style, but now we would like to cover salt addiction.


Eating too much salt changes how your body makes and metabolizes fat.  Studies have shown that a high salt diet can boost the production of insulin, the hormone that tells the body to store fat.


Even if you don't salt your food, be aware that 80% of the sodium in an average diet comes from processed food, i.e. cereals, baked goods, soups, frozen dinners, pasta sauces, etc.  And you don't want to know how much is in fast food and restaurant meals.

Note: Sea salt is still salt

The 'RDA' for sodium is 2630 mg, per day, but this is based on a 2000 calorie diet; however, we need only about 2/3 teaspoon a day.  That is 1573 mg. of sodium.  Any more than that alters your brain chemistry.  Consuming salt triggers the release of dopamine, the Dr. Feelgood neurotransmitter in your brain's pleasure center.  Rack up another addiction.


Physicians tell their patients with high blood pressure to cut back on the consumption of salt - which is a good idea except that unless you remove all processed foods from your diet and never or rarely patronize a fast food establishment - it is almost impossible.  Those who have carefully watched their sodium intake will tell you that they now find most foods much too salty for their taste.


Eating whole foods will supply all the sodium you need.  For instance, a small stalk of celery has 49 mg., a medium carrot has 42 mg., a cup of  chopped spinach has 63 mg., a medium tomato has 5 mg., a cup of chopped curly kale has 29 mg.  If this all sounds like a salad - you're right.  Just add some low sodium salad dressing or salsa and you have a satisfying snack.  Toss in some beans and you've got lunch.