It’s hard to believe how fast this year has gone, school is back in session and the holiday season is already approaching.  For a lot of us in the health care industry we have a very different name for it…sugar season! It starts with Halloween and doesn’t really end until after the New Year.  Our routines tend to be put on pause as we just try to navigate ourselves and our kids through the busy time and make it to every social engagement we can. Clean eating tends to be the first thing that disappears as the demands increase. 

In case you are unaware of just what sugar does to our body check out this list of interesting (and maybe slightly disturbing) facts about sugar.

  •         Sugar is grown and/or refined in 17 of the states in the US. 
  •         A teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories
  •         The only taste humans are born craving is sugar. 
  •         Worldwide, people consume 500 extra calories a day from sugar, which is roughly the number of calories needed to gain a pound a week.
  •         Sugar and alcohol have similar toxic liver effects.  Additionally, liver damage can occur even without the excess calories or weight gain.
  •         Sugar can be hidden in foods you would never imagine.  Examples include tonic water, marinades, bread, fat-free dressing and tomato sauce. 
  •         The average American consumes 53 gallons of soft drinks per year. 
  •         There are at least 115 names for sugar in its many forms and for the other types of sweeteners.  To avoid listing “sugar” as a first ingredient, food manufactures may use a different name. 

So, before “sugar season” begins start to set some intentions so that your healthy habits do not get neglected.  Set boundaries for yourself and your family, come up with fun and sugar free options during the holidays, and live by the 80/20 rule so you don’t drive yourself crazy.  Share some of your sugar free ideas below!

If you want to learn more about sugar, check out our Sugar Webinar on October 9 at 6:15 pm. Join us LIVE on Facebook, and feel free to send us any questions you’d like Dr. Jen to answer!

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