Sugar

I’ve been wanting to give my daughters a chance to guest-blog here; Nelia is game (post will be forthcoming), Lourdes is not. She did, however, give me permission to share one of her recent revelations concerning sugar. I was such a proud WFPB-Mama that day.

We were sitting around the dinner table, tummies full from wholesome whole grains and vegetables, talking about making healthy choices. Then, Lourdes says, “Mom, you know, whenever I eat sugar now my tongue feels funny.” I could hear the lightbulb click on in her head.

Why is that? Well, sugar and white carbs create a cycle of addiction in your body. Sugar, for example, rushes through the digestive process, much like a race car, spiking blood sugar and reaching the finish line before you’ve taken your last bite (this is my rough translation of what happens). Then, you quickly find yourself hungry again. This is why whole grains are better; they act more like a turtle on a racetrack. 

I’ve seen evidence of the race car in our girls. I would inevitably find them eating out of a cracker box in the family room, happily entranced in front of the TV. Soon, the box would be empty. A short time later, they wander into the kitchen claiming hunger. What? You just ate a box of crackers! 

(Nelia and her cousin, Serena, preparing to indulge in a baked good, loaded with sugar, at a really great bakery in Queens, NY.)

This was the simple carbs cycle working at its best. I’ve already shared our Outback experience and my Blizzard addiction. Yesterday, I had lunch with my dad at a Chinese buffet, his favorite. I tried to make good choices: sushi, noodles and veggies, all of which tasted really good. But I could feel a layer of sodium just covering my mouth and insides. My mouth was extremely dry the rest of the day. When I got home, I immediately downed 32 oz of water and had an apple. Sometimes it’s worth it; sometimes it’s not. But I wouldn’t trade a lunch with my dad for anything. Next time, I might just have the sushi without any soy sauce and skip the noodles and veggies.

That’s what the learning process is all about. If my children can have epiphanies about how food is working, they will (eventually) begin to make healthy choices on their own, and when I’m not in the picture (like at school or a friend’s house).

David Zinczenko, from Men’s Health and coauthor of the books “Eat This, Not That,” wrote an article recently entitled “15 Shocking Food Industry Secrets.” He offers interesting insight into healthy foods, as well as the sugar-addiction phenomenon. Check out his article, and, whether you think there’s a conspiracy on the part of the food companies or not, consider what you can use from his list to make healthier choices for you and your family.