The Trick of Treats

The Trick of Treats

Trick or Treat! This cheerful greeting will ring in many ears this week as we open our doors to costumed youngsters with bags or buckets held out for a sugar-laden sweet treat. It seems so innocent. The children are so cute and we like to make them happy. So why does everyone –parents, teachers and the children themselves usually have such a terrible week after everyone has been so nice and given them so much candy? Are the children really the little uncontrollable monsters they seem to be after Halloween? What about the parents who are sneaking some of the treats? Are they normally so short tempered?
The trick is in the treats. Refined sugar was once restricted from sale in the United States, much as a drug is today, according to William Dufty, author of Sugar Blues. Refined white sugar is stripped of the nutrients needed to help the body efficiently and safely digest and utilize sugar. Some of these nutrients include: fiber, calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc, vanadium and the B-Complex vitamins. Since the body must have these nutrients to process the sugar, they will be robbed from the body tissues if they aren’t present in the food when it’s eaten. This causes valuable nutrient reserves to be depleted and deficiencies to develop. Eventually, in many cases, refined sugar consumption can lead to cardiovascular problems and diabetes.
When sugar is delivered to the body without the controlling helper nutrients, blood sugar rises quickly. This rise in blood sugar signals excess insulin production, which quickly lowers the blood sugar farther than normal and the person craves more sugar. Talk about a roller coaster! This scenario can lead to hypoglycemia, a disorder where the blood sugar chronically runs too low or spikes and crashes.
If that wasn’t enough, all this reaction to sugar can also lead to mental and emotional symptoms. ADHD, hyperactivity, irritability, impatience, anger and depression all can be caused by the roller coaster ride of sweet treats. Barbara Reed, author of Foods, Teens and Behavior, writes about her experience as a parole officer for juvenile delinquents. She discovered that most of these children were hypoglycemic. When she helped them get off refined sugar, white flour, alcohol and caffeine, they never got into trouble with the law again. Many parents have discovered that it is much easier to raise a child who does not eat refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white flour and other refined grain foods). They have also discovered that their children aren’t as susceptible to colds and flu. Sugar lowers the body’s immune function so that a person is less able to resist illness. One candy bar can lower immune response by 50% for five hours!
So what can be done? First of all it is important to start the day with protein and fiber. If a person can resist the urge to start the day with simple carbohydrates (sugar, white flour,(doughnuts, bagels) or refined grain products (cold breakfast cereals) and eat protein and fat for breakfast the blood sugar will have a better chance of staying more balanced all day. Eggs, avocadoes, hemp hearts, organic meats, unsweetened yogurt or coconut oil with protein shakes are all examples of high quality protein and fat choices.
Generally, fruit is a healthier choice when something sweet is desired. Berries tend to have a lower glycemic index, meaning that they affect the blood sugar less than many other fruits. The natural sweeteners of stevia, xylitol, sucanut, grade B maple syrup, honey and agave nectar are all healthier choices than refined sugar for moderate use.
So when can everyone safely indulge in all that Halloween candy? Probably (if you must) the best time would be after a dinner (supper around here) containing protein and vegetables so that there would be some fiber, fat and protein to help minimize the effect that the refined sugar has on the body. Even at that, someone may wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
For a free personalized body system analysis email herbsnwhey@cebridge.net


For Your Natural Health,
Jeanette Barcus, Natural Health Consultant
http://www.mynsp.com/herbsnwhey