More Reasons To Tame The Sugar Monster

A report came out yesterday from the American Medical Association, stating that people who eat more added sugar are at higher risk for heart disease. Of course this makes sense, since diabetics are more likely to develop heart problems. Seeing this article, though, makes it clear that even if you never develop diabetes, if you have too much sugar in your diet you can still be at risk.

Diabetes runs in my family. Both of my grandparents (my dad's parents) had it, and my dad and all of his brothers wound up with it as well. Out of 8 boys, 7 of them were diabetic...and the one who wasn't died in the Korean War at a young age, so he didn't live long enough to see if he would have had it too, although it's most likely he would have.

My dad is the last one standing in his family. All of his brothers are gone, and my dad has outlived them all. I truly believe this is because he is the youngest brother, and we've learned more about how to handle diabetes in more recent times. My dad just turned 78 last month...and God willing he will have many more birthdays as he takes care of himself. He did have to have triple bypass a few years ago. His blood pressure and cholesterol were excellent...but the diabetes caused the heart problems. This is a good example of how sugar can affect your heart.

I do not have diabetes, and hopefully I will never develop it. I constantly remind myself that I really have to watch my gigantic sweet tooth so I can prevent those problems. The new article is the reminder I needed that it's about my heart as well as my pancreas. I eat a lot less sugar than I used to, but I still have the urge at times to down half a bag of M & M's or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I don't keep them in the house, because if I did they would be calling my name. If I have a taste for a little sugar, I walk up to the corner store and buy a single serving pack of the candy. That way I'm not tempted to eat beyond what I should. I also limit those little treats to once a week or less, because I do not need to be putting that much sugar in my body everyday. Even if I do not become diabetic, that much sugar is still not good for me.

If you would like to read the article, it's at www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63J66220100420. Remind yourself why you are losing weight, and why you need to eat healthy foods. It will help you keep your perspective on the days the sugar monster calls out to you!