
Wouldn’t it be nice if a big pumpkin served as décor and cuisine? Homemade pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, and raw, roasted or candied pumpkin seeds - not too heavy or too sweet. However this is not the case.
What sugar can do
Sugar, in all forms, is the theme for October 31st. Cakes, cookies, candies...we call them treats, though the name is quite misleading. According to the book Get the Sugar Out, "No matter what form it takes, sugar paralyzes the immune system in a variety of ways:"
- Destroys the ability of white blood cells to kill germs for up to five hours after ingestion
- Reduces production of antibodies, proteins that combine with to deactivate foreign invaders in the body
- Disrupts the transport of vitamin C, one of the most important nutrients for all facets to immune function
- Causes mineral imbalances and at times allergic reactions, both of which weaken the immune system
- Neutralizes the action of essential fatty acids, thus making cells more permeable to invasion by allergens and microorganisms
If you have an immune system disorder, sugar becomes even more of a problem. Sugar is known to suppress the immune system, upset digestion, and cause numerous discomforts, disorders and diseases.
What you can do
Choice is power. And an informed choice is the most powerful of them all. Read on for a few choice tricks to help you manage the sweetest day of year.
Minimize Sugar. We’ve all heard the catch phrase "portion control," but here is another approach. If you consciously decide to have a sweet treat, have it…over time. If it’s an average size candy bar, enjoy half one day and half the next. If the treat is larger than average, spread the pleasure over more days. Diluting sugar with time lessens its impact on your body.
Go Natural. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, and that goes for sugar too. The last few years have seen a proliferation of artificial sugar substitutes, most of which taste far worse and do more damage than pure, natural-occurring sugar. Enjoying organically sweet treats like apples, oranges, dates and raisins deter cravings for white sugar and decrease risk of binges on candy, cake, donuts, and the like.
Drink Water. One symptom of mild dehydration is sluggishness, which often results in unhealthy snacking. Seldom does one think of drinking water for energy. Stay hydrated to help avoid over-eating, stave off sugar cravings, and keep body and mind functioning properly. Cool weather makes warm caffeine and sugar-laden drinks very appealing. Remember the priority is to drink at least half your weight in ounces of water everyday.
Stay active. Physical activity is very important, even more so during the cooler months of the holiday season. In addition to the physical benefits of exercise - building bone and muscle while burning fat, it also helps relieve stress and balance mood by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that boost your mood to make you feel happy. Instead of going for that extra piece of chocolate cake, go for a hike. You’ll “feeling good” and look good too.
Colon hydrotherapy. Come in for a session before temptation is front and center. Colon hydrotherapy can help you release yeast, candida, and other stored toxic material that causes cravings for bread an sugar. Many clients report having increased mental capacity, ability to focus, and being more clear-headed after a session: they are less tempted by convenient less-healthful options and actually prefer to eat healthier foods after a session. If sweet temptations prove to hard to resist, a session after a slip up can help get things "cleaned up" per se, flowing smoothly and back on track.