SUGAR = EVIL

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend time with a family that was displaced during the Katrina tragedy. My husband and I have developed a really great relationship with them. The mom is overweight right now, and she knows that I am studying to be a naturopath. Therefore, she loves to get my take on things. And you know it - I love to give my opinion!


She asked me about sugar. This topic always gets me worked up because:

#1 Sugar is a major fuel for cancer growth
#2 Sugar is a major factor behind obesity and diabetes, two major issues that have plagued my family for generations.

Let's get to the reasons for why I hate this sugar. IT IS EVIL - PURE EVIL. Although it may not be a cause for cancer itself, it has been shown in various studies to FEED cancer. It appears that cancer cells use sugar and specific proteins to continue growing instead of dying off. Sugar keeps this growth going, keeping the cancer cells from hearing the message that they are supposed to die.

Okay, if that isn't enough to sway you, let's also add onto the fact that sugar is a major culprit behind obesity and diabetes.

Avoid processed sugars whenever you can. I know. I know. Realistically, we can't possibly avoid it at all times, but you can make some choices:

* Use stevia instead
* Use other natural sweeteners (agave syrup, molasses, maple syrup, and rice syrup for example)
* Avoid white sugar, brown sugar, and corn syrup
* Avoid sources of processed sugars that you DO NOT NEED: regular sodas, candy, baked goodies, sugary cereals (sorry - Captain Crunch is probably not the best choice for you!).
* Watch the sugar in some of these so-called health cereals. If you read the labels, you might be surprised to see that they have more sugar than the ones that you think are bad.

Some people say that sugar in fruit must be bad then if sugar is bad. The difference is that the fruit gives us nutrients along with the sugar, and items with processed sugar don't give us squat. It's also a different kind of sugar.

Do not take this as a reason to head over to the diet sodas or things sweetened with Splenda or Sweet'n'Low. I'll tackle those on another day.

Do yourself a favor. Extend your life. Avoid sugar.