I'm reposting this blog from last August because I think it's a good reminder how we shouldn't take what we're eating for granted. Just being more aware of what exactly we're putting in our bodies is the first step to a healthier life.
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One of the biggest contributors to our poor state of health these days is sugar. That’s not to say our bodies don’t need sugar – they do, just as we need salt, fats, carbs, proteins, minerals and vitamins. The key is to get all of this in a BALANCE that is best for how our body functions.
Studies show that the average North American intake of refined sugar is somewhere between 15 tsps (60 g) and 25 tsps (100 g) a DAY or 120 lbs a year! Keep in mind that is only sugar we get from processed and fast foods. It doesn’t include naturally-occurring sugars from wholesome foods . To maintain good health we should try and stay under about 40 grams of refined sugar intake per day. Less than that is even better. And don't make the mistake that many people do by thinking that artificial sweetners are better for you because they absolutely ARE NOT unless they are from a naturally-occurring source like stevia, xylitol or agave.
Too much sugar in our bloodstream or sugar overload can cause sinus congestion, frequent colds, migraines, asthma, backaches, hypoglycemia, sleepiness, bloating, immune system dysfunction, indigestion, loss of short-term memory, water retention and yeast infections, to name a few. And if that isn’t enough, sugar is empty calories meaning it has absolutely no nutrient value. None of us would knowingly eat 120 lbs of extra sugar a year, would we? I don't think so. The problem is we don’t realize that a lot of what we’re eating has high amounts of sugar. It’s time we found out.
I bring up this topic because since I’ve learned this I’ve started reading food labels to keep track of how much extra sugar I’m getting each day and it has astounded me! I’m not one who craves sweets and I’m trying to eat healthier these days but I am blown away by how much sugar I’m getting from foods I never would have suspected. Let me give you some examples:
- Honey Nut Cheerios: 9 g/serving
- Flavored yogurt: approx 10 g/100 grams *depending on brand and flavor
- Whole kernel corn, canned,: 5 g/ 1/3 cup
- Tomato soup: 13 g/1/2 cup
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal: 13 g/1 packet
- Ketchup: 4 g/tbsp
- Wheat Thin crackers: 4 g/serving


See how fast seemingly “healthy” food adds up? Now let’s look at an example of what a teenager might eat for, say, breakfast and lunch:


- 1 bowl of Frosted Flakes: 13 g
- ½ c. 1% milk: 6 g.
- Big Mac: 9 g
- Medium Coke: 56 g !!


This kid is already at 84 grams of sugar and it's only lunch time! Is it any wonder today’s kids are overweight, diabetic and being diagnosed with ADHD? As adults let’s set good examples and try to provide children with healthier choices just by being “informed consumers”. Teach kids to read labels and make a game of keeping track of the sugar (and fat and sodium) they might be getting by making certain choices. If we make them more aware at a young age they will, at least, be armed with knowledge to make that choice. As it is now, they assume (as I did) that what we’re feeding them or what they’re choosing to eat must be good for them because, after all, it’s “food”.
Just for the heck of it, track how much sugar you’re eating on an average day. I think you will be surprised. Read the labels of everything, even things that aren’t sweet just to see how many empty calories you might be getting. And if you have some of the symptoms of the health problems previously listed, maybe try to cut back on your sugar intake or ever quit sugar completely for a day or 2 and see if you feel any better. If you notice a difference that might be the clue you need to get on the road to improving your health.

 Mary-Lou
www.seawellness.myforevergreen.org/CAN_Products.html
www.seawellness.versativa.org

Let Food Do the Work

Ron Williams, President of ForeverGreen said something recently that resonated with me. He said "Let the proper food do the work in your body instead of making your body do the work on the food". He was talking about how when we put dead, processed and man-made foods into our body, our body doesn't know what to do with it and has to work harder than it normally would to try and extract any kind of useable nutrition from such "food". If, on the other hand, we put natural, pure, raw foods into our body it can easily take that nutrition and nourish us as we were meant to be nourished and that results in a body that works better, has less disease and is balanced. Makes sense.

ForeverGreen is a natural health and wellness company that's starting to make a big impact as people become more interested in maintaining and regaining their health in a natural manner. It has a product line-up that's unique in the marketplace for its emphasis on natural, organic whole-food products. Products that include healing marine phytoplankton; immune strengthening and nutritional support using ingredients from Nature; the soon-to-be-released Versativa (http://www.seawellness.versativa.org/EatDrinkandBeMerry.html), a hemp-based product second to nothing out there; targeted products like Pulse8 specifically supportive of heart health as well as an entire line of essential oils.

I'm very happy that I made the choice to "open" my own ForeverGreen store almost 2 years ago. Now, instead of having to run to the pharmacy for cold medicines or prescriptions (which I don't need anymore thanks to "Immunize") or even toothpaste, I shop in my own store. I purchase my nutritional supplements, my organic chocolate, my skin care and my organic, whole food products from my own store where I know what I'm getting and I can vouch for the effectiveness of the products and my health has never been better.

If you're someone who's becoming more interested in natural wellness products or are curious about how such products could positively affect your health I invite you to try any of the ForeverGreen products. I personally haven't been disappointed with any of those I've tried. Visit http://www.seawellness.myforevergreen.org/CAN_Tree.html or contact me for more information - I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.