Wellness

[Susan Louise]

This info is for those either not 'in the know' or who are still on a learning curve and need to be more mindful of their sugar/carb intake for their health.

If you personally don't think you have an issue, you can still pass this info onto a family member or friend it can help.

Nowadays one needs to scrutinize the ingredient list on processed food labels now more than ever. Food manufacturers are not your BFF's. No matter how they decorate the front of the package with hype and hoopla to get you to buy the product...using words like 'healthy', 'high protein', 'low sugar' or 'no sugar', 'organic', etc...do yourself a favor and take the time to become a smart, knowledgeable individual for your own health. This is especially true for those who must watch their blood sugar...those that are diabetic, pre-diabetic, insulin resistant and/or are a care provider for a friend/family member who is.

Side note: Just because a product states it is low or no sugar, it could be processed using a bad sugar subsitute. There are several BAD sugar substitutes that actually raise blood sugar just as much as cane sugar! Nearly 99% of processed food products that state they are low or no sugar, the sugar substitutes food manufacturers use are the unhealthy ones because they are cheap and don't effect their bottom line...profits. There is lots of info online on all the sugar substitutes...the good ones and bad ones.

Also, for those that have been trying to count their daily sugar/carbs, this is an aspect one needs to be mindful of. Your carb count #'s could actually be double, triple or more of what you think they are on a daily basis IF you are not doing your homework...so to speak.

Add on any 'guessing' you may be making on your own will add on even more carbs to your daily count if you are not careful.

For those who are already mindful of their sugar/carb intake but haven't really paid that much attention to food labels other than to just gravitate to those products that actually say low or no sugar, this is a must watch short 12 minute video....

Google the following:

7 'Healthy" Foods with HIDDEN SUGAR (Sugar-Filled Healthy Foods) 2021

[phoenixbrd]

Thank you @Susan Louise   Processed Foods ....rare that we indulge.  The combo of sugar, salt, oil is additive and the companies who manufacture processed foods are well aware of these three magical ingredients.  The insulin spike from sugar is wicked.  We do eat fruit as we need natural sugar to fuel our brain.  Processed foods rarely find a place on our shelves.  The weight you have loss is an inspiration.  Thanks for the healthy reminder.

[Susan Louise]

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@phoenixbrd wrote:

Thank you @Susan Louise   Processed Foods ....rare that we indulge.  The combo of sugar, salt, oil is additive and the companies who manufacture processed foods are well aware of these three magical ingredients.  The insulin spike from sugar is wicked.  We do eat fruit as we need natural sugar to fuel our brain.  Processed foods rarely find a place on our shelves.  The weight you have loss is an inspiration.  Thanks for the healthy reminder.

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@phoenixbrd  I disagree with you on one part of your post and it relates to fruits.

Sugar on any level is bad for us...even those which you put under the header of being 'natural'.

Cane suger is 'natural'.

Corn syrup is 'natural'...I could go on.

Even though DH and I live a keto/low carb lifestyle, we do indulge in fruits once in awhile (even grow one of them ourselves...strawberries)...but they are the ones with the lowest sugars/carbs. We are very restrictive on how often we eat them.

With the strawberries, we'll have keto waffles about once a month with strawberries & keto whipped cream...and a couple of times a month we'll have jello with sliced strawberries on top, but we don't eat fruit every day. We average 2 servings of fruit every other week in our menu plan. The opposite weeks only have 1 fruit serving.

Those weeks we have an extra serving of fruit, we will share an apple or a Cutie serving (which 2 are 1 serving). However, we make sure we arrange our meals that day to account for it...even those small portions!

The only fruits we allow ourselves...and NO fruit juices!

Berries...strawberries, blueberries, blackberries

Cuties or Halos...1 or 2 times a month depending on our menu plan. One bag lasts us about 3 months and sometimes a few will get thrown out because they go bad before we can eat them.

Apples...we only buy 1 or 2 apples a month depending on our menu plan

And any vitamin benefits in the fruits do not outweigh the sugar content. For those that don't know, besides fruit juices, bananas are one of the worst when it comes to sugar content.

Sadly for those like DH & myself who must watch their sugar/carbs intake, fruits are not our friends, but an occasional treat. The vitamins like vitamin C can easily be replaced through adding more greens into our salads like spinach and kale. DH grows those for us hydroponically

[phoenixbrd]

@Susan Louise   You are keto....so I understand your point of view.  We are ok with fruit. Respect your dedication and success and appreciate your posts.  Love that your husband is growing greens hydroponically....will have to look into that!  smileywink:

[4kitties]

Goodness, I eat fruit every day.  My blood numbers and weight are just fine.

Guess we all have different metabolisms.  

[candys mine]

LOW FAT.  check the ingredients carefully.  Many times they cut the fat but increase the sugar conent. Got to put the flavour back in with Something,  so, yummy, addictive Sugar it is. 

[Trinity11]

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@4kitties wrote:

Goodness, I eat fruit every day.  My blood numbers and weight are just fine.

Guess we all have different metabolisms.  

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@4kitties , as a Type 1 diabetic, I have extensively researched the metabolic impact of refined sugar in the diet. Fructose/fiber burns slower than white sugar and flour, having far less impact on blood sugar. Eaten in moderation fruit can be a valuable source of vitamins and fiber. The interesting part of keto diets, is that even protein foods are converted to sugar with the absence of carbohydrates. Scientific fact.

BTW, Dr Berry (on video suggestion) has lost his license prior) Beware.

[ID2]

This is where I waste most of my time at the grocery store! Reading labels. I must know the sodiium and sugar in each procerssed food I may buy. I pretty much buy foods fresh but there are times I resort to canned and pre-packaged. 

[4kitties]

@ID2 

I strive to eat few processed foods too.  I find that the sugar, fat, salt and flavorings they add just boost my appetite and I over eat!  But I would be lying if I said I never eat some of them.......🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I try to eat lots of fresh or frozen veggies, lightly dressed salads and lean proteins.  But sometimes I just have to eat a bit of candy, chocolate, ice cream or a chip!

[Duckncover]

You also can't judge how much sugar something contains based on how sweet it tastes. Bottled salad dressing, bbq sauces, and ketchup can be loaded with sugar but taste spicy, tart, or smoky. The amount of sugar sometimes varies widely depending upon the brand.  I try and check labels online before I go to the store or I feel like I am in the store forever! I have to watch sodium very closely.....wish companies were more open about sodium content than they are. ." Low sodium" is a relative term....