It’s an exciting time of year with the vibrancy of crisp autumn leaves floating to the sidewalks, while passersby sipping on fall-inspired lattes crunch them on their way to work, dreaming up holiday plans and parties.
But before you get a sugar rush thinking about all of the holiday treats that will be in attendance, we have the spoonful on your sugary guests.
SUGAR
Benefits – White sugar is acquired from sugar beets and sugar cane. Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses and contains higher water content with slightly fewer calories. White and brown sugars tastes great, bake well, and are quick energizers.
Negatives –Sugar is calorie-rich with 60 calories per tablespoon and no nutrients. Sugar also gives you a quick high, with an even quicker comedown that will have you wanting more, but feeling empty. High consumption of sugar also leads to mouth bacteria that turn into cavities, and no one wants that when they’re standing under the mistletoe.
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
Benefits – High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) extends the shelf life of foods and is cheaper than white sugar, so it’s great if you’re on a budget, but terrible in the long-run with all of the health issues it’s infamous for causing.
Negatives – HFCS is becoming the most common sweetener in our food supply. A recent British study suggests that HFCS may multiply fat cells in children and lead to obesity.
HONEY
Benefits – Honey is sweeter than sugar, has throat-soothing properties, is a minor antioxidant and provides digestive benefits that have been found to keep blood sugar levels consistent when compared with other sugars.
Negatives – Honey is slightly more calorie-dense; 64 calories versus 60 calories per tablespoon. But really, who’s counting? As long as it’s natural, feel free to stick your head in a jar of this nutritionally sweet stuff.
SUCRALOSE (SPLENDA®)
Benefits – Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, has no calories, and is considered to be as safe as an artificial sweetener can be. The yellow packet is also good for cooking and baking.
Negatives – Sucralose is corn and wheat-based which contain bulking agents, dextrose and maltodextrin. It also contains aspartame which is an attribute linked to brain cancer.
ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET®, EQUAL®)
Benefits – Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and FDA approved except for people with phenylketonuria or PKU.
Negatives – The tiny blue packet doesn’t work well in cooking or baking. Thus it’s best for just sweetening drinks, cereals or berries. And did you already forget the previous note on aspartame being linked to brain cancer? See, we told you.
SACCHARIN (SWEET ‘N LOW®, SUGAR TWIN ®)
Benefits – Saccharin is non-caloric and maintains blood sugar levels.
Negatives – The pink packet has been linked with bladder cancer according to early 1970s research. Since 2000, saccharin is no longer on the U.S. National Toxicology Program’s Report on Carcinogens list of products to avoid but it is better to be safe than sorry.
STEVIA (PUREVIA® , TRUVIA®)
Benefits – Stevia is a sweet herb and the FDA rates it as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
Negatives – Though Stevia is arguably the safest sugar substance on the market, it is still an early contender on the market.
Overall, read the ingredients on sugar packets. If you can’t pronounce it, it didn’t come from Mother Earth’s kitchen and she probably wouldn’t want you to harm your body with it. The American Heart Association recommends women limit their daily sugar intake to an average of 100 calories which is just over a tablespoon. One tablespoon of sugar has 60 calories. For men, it is 150 calories of sugar per day. And we know that one cookie contains more calories than that. So why not bake some natural treats to bring with you? This way, you’ll be loved at every event, and stay healthy.
The holidays are just around the corner. It’s now clear that it is okay to eat your sweets in moderation. While you are taking care of your body, Facial-Flex® will take care of your face. Trim, tone, and tighten your face with Facial-Flex®. In just 8-weeks you will arrive at your holiday party not only sparkling in that little black dress but have glowing, firmer skin. Our mission is to provide you with the guidance, tools, and know-how to stay looking and feeling your best. Get started now and order your Facial-Flex® device online at www.facialflex.com.