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Let's get off Sugar!

  • Writer: x Nish
    x Nish
  • Apr 19
  • 3 min read

In the 1800’s, the average person would have had about 10 pounds of sugar per year, whereas the average American today eats around 150-180 pounds of sugar per year. I believe this increase in sugar has had a negative impact on the nation’s health.

Sugar is made up of 50% glucose and 50% fructose.  When the glucose enters the blood stream, it sends a signal to your pancreas to release a hormone called insulin.  Insulin acts like a key and allows the glucose to enter the cells. When your child’s diet is made up of sugary foods, a lot of glucose enters the blood stream very quickly.  The pancreas works hard to release more insulin to deal with the excess glucose. In some cases, the cells already have enough glucose and they will not let any more in. So, what happens to this extra glucose?

This extra glucose is converted to glycogen, and stored in your liver and muscles.  The liver controls the blood sugar levels in the body.  If the cells use up their glucose (in the form of energy) and blood sugar starts to drop, a signal is sent to the liver to release the stored glycogen. This glycogen will be converted back to glucose and transported to the cells so it can be used to stabilize the blood sugar, and also be used as fuel for further activities.

Just like the cells, you can only store a certain amount of glucose in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles. What happens to the rest? Any excess glucose that is not used up as energy or stored in the liver will be converted to fat.

When your child eats a lot of sugary food, the chances that a lot of it will be converted to fat is very high.



The other element of sugar is fructose, which the body handles differently from glucose.  When fructose hits the body, it doesn’t send a signal to the pancreas to release insulin, instead the fructose goes straight to the liver where it is known to potently stimulate lipogenesis (the production of fats).

When the fructose hits the liver, the liver is consumed with 100% of the burden to break down this fructose. The fructose is converted to fat and it starts to build up on the liver and other tissues as body fat; typically the abdominal area. If you continue to eat foods high in fructose, especially the worse kind of all—high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), then fructose might promote non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This condition was rarely seen before the 1980’s, and I believe it is not just a coincidence as HFCS was introduced in the United States in 1975.


How to reduce the amount of sugar your child is eating 

  • First, focus on blood sugar balance.  Be mindful that your child will need breakfast, lunch, dinner and a couple of snacks in between.  If you ensure that you cover these meals with wholesome foods, then your child’s blood sugar should remain stable and they are less likely to crave something sweet.

  • Then, look at each meal and snack, and see where sugar is coming from.  Remember those hidden sources.  By recognizing where the sugar is coming from, you can actually add up to see how much your child is eating.  You may be shocked to discover the answer.

  • Once you have highlighted the foods, then make simple gradual changes. For example, switch out that biscuit for a lower sugar alternative. However, be aware of added sweeteners as this will have a worse effect on the body.  Even if you swap out a biscuit that has High Fructose Corn Syrup as an ingredient to one that only has 2gm of sugar, then you are still making a positive change.  After your child adjusts to this change, then you can go for a healthier option.  Sometimes, if we go from bad to good in one swoop, your child may resist the sudden change.

  • Be the change.  If you eat less sugary foods and eat more nourishing foods, your children will see this and it may be easier to make the change.  Also, if it is not in your home, then they are not likely to eat it. ‘Out of sight, out of mind.’


It can be very difficult and time-consuming to figure out what is healthy and what is not. Large corporations use clever marketing tactics to fool most people. By implementing the changes now, you can have a positive impact on your child’s future well-being. Giving them the tools and knowledge at a young age is the best gift you can give your children.  This may give them the leverage they need to protect themselves in the future from the many illnesses that adults are faced with today.


 
 
 

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