Fitness Friday

Today’s article will highlight the benefits of using less sugar in your diet.

We’re all dipped in honey and rolled in sprinkles and the average person shovels in 300 calories from added sugar every day, this according to  the University of North Carolina.

Roughly 20% of Americans exceed (no study on Canadians) 700 calories of added sugar on a daily basis and that’s an entire cup of sugar.

Not only are we getting added sugar from obvious places like cakes, candy, and soda, but it’s also coming from healthier-sounding packaged products like salad dressing, pasta sauce, and yogurt.

Most of us could stand to cut back on sugar and the American Heart Association suggests women stick to 6 teaspoons or less of added sugar daily.

That’s roughly 25 grams, or 100-calories worth, if you’re checking food labels.

Exactly what you’ll experience when you ditch the sweet stuff will depend on the size of your sugar habit; people on the high end of the sugar-consumption spectrum show “addict”-like withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, restlessness, and even depression.

Here are some facts:

Added sugar chronically raises insulin levels,  increasing blood pressure and heart rate,

By eating 150-calories of added sugar is 11 times more likely to contribute to the development of type-2 diabetes than 150 calories from protein or fat. So swap that sugary granola for a handful of nuts, pronto!

A Columbia University study found that eating a diet high in added sugars and refined grains you are more likely to experience anxiety, irritability, and mood swings.

The crash from a sugar-high leaves you with mid-day sluggishness and an itching need for a nap.

Also, added sugar triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which interferes with your sleep at night.

While you’ll probably replace some of those sugary calories with other foods—like trading a sugary granola bar for a handful of almonds—you won’t be eating as many calories overall.

Scaling back your sugar habit by 200 calories a day could help you drop 10 pounds in five to six months and that’s sweet!

Keep sugar away from kids too. makes for a happier home…

Mark O’Neill and Shelley Donald are both registered Personal Trainers

oneillconditioning@hotmail.com

ww.oneillconditioning.com