My handsome hubby and I am embarking on yet another diet attempt.  Over the years, we have tried South Beach, Bob Green’s Best Life Diet, visited a weight loss clinic, etc.  Along the way we have learned a few things and in general, we make much wiser choices than we did when we first got married.  From late 2007 to last June, I lost a total of 40 pounds.  YAY for me, but unfortunately, I have gained about 12 pounds of that back a little at a time.  I’ve been feeling a little sluggish lately, and I know part of that is because I haven’t been working out, but a large part of it is related to my diet.  For the most part, I make healthy choices, I love veggies and I watch my portion sizes.  Yet, the weight gain seems to be most visible around my waist.  Time to get rid of it!  Jorge Cruise, author of the Belly Fat Cure to the rescue.

I’m so glad I ordered this book from Amazon, ($11.66) because it helped me realize that even without eating sweets, my sugar consumption has been way too high.  For example, most days, I eat a Nutri-Grain Cereal Bar for breakfast.  With only 130 calories, I thought I was making a pretty good choice.  WRONG!  These have 12 grams of sugar per bar, leaving only 3 grams for the rest the Belly Fat Diet’s recommended daily sugar intake.

I’ve never been much of a soda person, but for those of you who are, one regular Coca Cola has 39 grams of sugar, 24 grams more than your entire recommended daily allowance on the Belly Fat Diet.  Personally, I would much rather eat my sugar grams than drink them, unless of course we are talking about milkshakes…but I digress.

Sugar is associated with a number of evils when used in excess.  Here are just a few of them:

Taken from www.HealingDaily.com

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, and concentration difficulties
• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can cause kidney damage.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay.
• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.
• Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.
• Sugar can cause depression.
• Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention.
• Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
• Sugar can cause hypertension.
• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind’s ability to think clearly.

Who needs all this extra health trouble?  Chances are, you can decrease your daily sugar intake by just omitting one or two things from your diet.  I challenge you to join me on the road to wellness by decreasing your sugar intake.   What will you give up for better health?