North Shore Children & Families
15
In Good Health
Sweet Nothings by Andrea Cohen, M.Ed. A common adage among food activists states: “Just because it’s edible, doesn’t mean it’s food”. This pithy saying is never more accurate than in the dialogue concerning refined sugar. By now, most of us have heard the news that sugar is a growing concern in the standard American diet. We have read about the medical links to obesity and diabetes, not to mention possible links to hyperactivity, anxiety and depression. So why is sugar so menacing and how do you know if your children and families are getting too much? The vast majority of the refined sugars in the United States food supply come from high fructose corn syrup, sugar cane and sugar beets. The refining process strips away all enzymes, vitamins, minerals and fiber – leaving nothing but flavor, empty calories and a substance with a powerful impact on your body’s health and wellbeing. When you eat foods made up of carbohydrates (sugars and starches), your body responds with a rise in blood sugar and your pancreas is alerted to release more insulin. If your body is working in balance and you eat a small amount of sugar, the rise in your blood sugar and the amount of insulin released are in healthy relation. If not, a large insulin response can make your blood sugar level drop too low or too quickly. At first, it’s terrific – these
shifts in blood sugar can make you feel energetic, stimulated and happy! Soon, however, your levels plunge and you will feel tired, overwhelmed and irritable. Continued on page 16