Sugar Blues

I have been reading a lot lately on the effects of refined sugar on the body. I was shocked! I am really trying to get my diet right, trying to get ready for a Texas summer where I'll be in training for most of it for my triathlon. My body has to be in good shape to withstand it, and it has to start with nutrition. Just a side note...I am REALLY dreading this summer, it was 101 here yesterday. In. April. That is insane! But...I digress. Refined sugar. Get ready for this. IT is NOT an essential in our diets. HOW disappointing. I guess I just always assummed that it has SOME purpose. It has NONE. Actually, it is more poison than anything to our bodies. I say this is a "poison" because it has been depleted of its life forces, vitamins and minerals. Refinded sugar is really just pure refined carbs, and the body does not know how to break down and use this refined starch. I will try to link the articles that I read, but meanwhile here is something interesting that I read out of it. We all know that sugar is a major factor in dental decay, but did you know that the REMOVAL of sugar from the diet has cured symptoms of crippling and worldwide diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart illnesses??? Amazing. It comes down to the simple fact that if we keep our diet as raw as possible (I think of raw as only eating the things that God intended for us to eat), our bodies will virtually maintain themselves. We have amazing bodies. SO, last night was our grocery store night...and I was telling Curt on the way to the store about the articles I had read and he was almost sick about it! We agreed that we would really be conscientious on what we bought. I will admit that it was SO hard to buy good food. We loaded up on so many fresh fruits and veggies...strawberries, spinach, tomatoes, carrotts, bananas, bell peppers, apples, oranges...so that was the easy part. We start heading down the aisles and when we'd reach for something we normally buy, like fruit snacks for Connor, I would read the label. OH. MY. GAH. The sugar in those things is outrageous. I felt so sheepish for just now realizing it. Good thing is that you can find most things sugar free. We traded our regular pasta for whole wheat pasta, our tortillas and bread for whole wheat also. We skipped the ice cream aisle and loaded up on granola bars for our sweet tooth. It took us 2 hours to shop because we had to stop and read the label for everything. I know it was worth it though, we are fueling our bodies with healthy food, and that will take us a long way. Be aware of the sugar content that is on the label. The articles can be found here and here. Are you so glad I wrote about this? A cookie and a coke will never be the same. :)

Thought for the day, "Life offers many choices, eternity only offers two." Author Unknown.