My wife Jane is a Medical Diagnostic Sonographer. She uses ultrasound to locate abnormalities in her patients. She was having one of those frustrating days that we all sometimes have--too many patients, machines breaking, doctor demands and one interruption after another.
We all can relate to that kind of day.
Normally she'll come home and listen to one of her hypnosis CDs and she'll relax for a while and let the stress go away. Then she's ready to go for the rest of the evening.
Last Thursday it was different. On her way home she purchased a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Peppermint Crunch ice cream. It was like bringing the Devil Lucifer himself into our home. I'll tell you why.
After dinner Jane scooped the ice cream into two bowls and just let it rest for a few minutes. When she served it I hesitated for a moment or two. Normally we don't eat sugar. If we want something sweet we'll have some blueberries or strawberries.
But I must confess the first bite was like heaven on earth. It was so darn good. Because it was slightly melted it was even more flavorful than any ice cream in recent memory.
Of course I ate it. I haven't had sugar in months and I really savored every bite.
But now we have to be careful. Diets high in sugar are strongly linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, elevated triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels and heart disease. Sugar intake has also been linked to depression, migraines, poor eyesight, autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, gout and osteoporosis.
Our brain recognizes sugar as a reward. That makes us want more and more of it. Eating sugar reinforces that reward. That white powdery substance makes us feel good because it stimulates the pleasure centers in our brain. That makes it tough for most people to leave it alone.
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate. It is quickly turned into glucose in the bloodstream. That causes our blood sugar levels to spike. Ice cream, soda, candy and table sugar don't have the fiber content fruits have, which slow the process down.
Sugar is considered harmless in small quantities. In 1700 per capita consumption in America was 4 pounds a year about what it is in China now. In 2010 per capita consumption of sugar in the United States was 132 pounds.
Most consumption is in the form of soft drinks, fruit drinks and sports drinks. The remainder sneaks into our diets in the form of ketchup, sauces and sweets like cookies, candy, cake, ice cream, breakfast cereals and processed foods. Many "healthy foods", such as yogurt and instant flavored oatmeal, can add 20-30 grams of sugar which is 5 to 7 teaspoons of sugar.
The American Heart Association recommends that we limit our daily sugar consumption to 6 teaspoons (100 calories) for women and 9 teaspoons (150 calories) for men. But that adds up fast. Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda contains 8-10 teaspoons of sugar.
What can you do?
The occasional sweet treat won't make or break our weight loss or our health, but many people have trouble stopping after a sensible portion or saying no to sugar. If you feel out of control around sugar, then Hypnosis for Sugar Addiction is the ideal way to reduce your cravings.
Hypnosis for Sugar Addiction is a very powerful program. Most people using stop sugar altogether or are able to control sugar consumption after listening only a few times. Use Value Code "SWEETNESS" and receive a 40% discount when you order Hypnosis for Sugar Addiction this week. Jane and I are listening to it tonight.
Here's to your health!
