The truth about Artificial Sweeteners

Now a day’s every Health food/ Diet food counter in supermarkets boast of diabetic or sugar free biscuits, cookies, cakes, ice-creams, beverages and more.

Sweeteners that most of us use when we are trying to lose weight or if we are a diabetic make our foods and beverages zero or less on sugar calories. When we consume these foods we confuse the body because we are depriving it of the energy it demands. Also when we indulge in a bag of sugar free cookies for example we are thinking “diet food /healthy food”, forgetting that we are actually taking in high glycemic index carbohydrates, trans-fats and additives. These in turn make us crave for more calorie dense foods immediately because a demand was created but not met with.

When we are avoiding calories from sugar why are we forgetting the fast carbohydrates from the refined flour, the creams, butters, shortenings used in these foods?

Using a sweetener once in a while never did any harm but using it on a regular basis “thinking it is healthy” is harmful for your body. Regular use of sweeteners can cause certain type of cancer, hormonal malfunction and yes even obesity.

 The brain very smartly wants real food (nutrition), but when we eat “diet or sugar free” foods we are eating empty calories. So, you finish that sugar free cookie or ice-cream or tea and your brain says, "Keep going until you get real nutrients".

The only way we can lose weight or unwanted fats is to eat right and exercise. And when you reach out for the sweetener or a sugar-free food the next time remember replacing sugar with a sweetener will not burn body fats but replacing unhealthy eating habits with a healthier lifestyle will.

SUPPLY YOUR BODY'S DEMAND FOR BETTER NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

When you eat food, you take food energy into your body. All of these food calories- whether from proteins, carbohydrates or fats will make you fat -if your body does not use that energy for a specific purpose it is meant to.

What your body does with the food you eat depends a lot on what kind of demand you create by the amount and type of activity/ training you do. Aerobic training tends to burn a lot of calories, and therefore depletes your body of glycogen- which is the primary source of energy for physical activity. As a consequence, when you eat carbohydrates after an endurance training session, the body turns that carbohydrate into replacement glycogen as quickly as it can, and little of that carbohydrates is likely to be diverted to become stored body fat.

On the other hand, intense weight training- working your muscles against heavy resistance- creates a major demand for replacement protein. Protein eaten soon after a workout, or on the same day as an intense gym workout, will be used by the body to rebuild muscle tissue at a much higher rate than on days when you are not doing that kind of training. Again, when the body is in the high state of demand, it is unlikely that non-excessive amounts of ingested protein will be stored as body fat to any great degree.

So, in general, when your goal is to direct protein into your muscles, you need to train with weights. When your goal is to burn off excess energy, you need to do increased amounts of aerobic training.

Also, when a right kind of demand is created the utilization and assimilation of nutrients is balanced and there is very less chance of deposition of unwanted body fats. Eating at the right time and in the right amounts and when the body needs it is the best way to stay lean and toned.

WOMEN- NURTURE YOURSELF

When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care far more profoundly about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be towards others. ~Eda LeShan

Most women have been taught since childhood to put their family‘s needs first. In fact, in our society one of the main qualities of being feminine is being selfless. Women have not only become comfortable with looking into other family members needs but also perfected the art.

When women are asked to bring themselves back into the picture, it very often feels as if we are asking them to break some rule of womanhood or doing something forbidden. But think about it for a moment, if you do not take time to nurture yourself and refresh your energy stores, how can you truly care for others?

You wouldn’t send your child off to school hungry or send your husband off to office without his lunch Tiffin. Yet you are continually pushing yourself past the breaking point and ignoring the fact that there will be negative effects due to the continual denial of your body’s needs. Think back to the last time you had a disturbance free breakfast or a relaxed lunch or dinner with your family. The reality is, you have to come first- at least some of the times. This may seem an uncomfortable thought, but think about it this way: Only if you can take care of your health, can you take care of others.

Taking care of your health and wellbeing is an essential part of creating a healthy life that you can love. When you make yourself a part of your family equation, you create a healthy balance in your family’s health.

Some tips for you to relearn how to take care of your health:

·         Don’t start your day on an empty stomach. At least have a fruit or a cup of milk within 15 minutes of getting up in the morning. You need the energy to make the breakfast for your family and yourself.

·         Avoid long gaps in between your main meals. Carry some healthy mini snack with you always in case you are working out of home or are in office.

·         Avoid finishing your child’s left over meals. Over eating like this will not help anyone.

·         Avoid always being the one to eat the leftover meals. Try to learn to cook a moderate amount so that there is not food left over for the next day.

·         Try and make a habit of drinking water regularly.

·         Try to prepare a dish you love at least once a fortnight. It’s not always about what your husband or child love to eat. Treat yourself too with the foods you have always eaten as a child.

·         Eating your meals before at a certain time before your husband does is not a crime. Or at least eat your meals with your family and not alone after everyone else has finished their meal.

·         Try and keep regular sleep and exercise timings.

·         Learn to say “no” when you can’t.

·         Always ask for help when you need it.

·         You are a wife or a mom not a superwomen or supermom. Learn to be realistic with your expectations of yourself.

·         Love your body the way it is and don’t indulge in mindless “crash diets”.

·         Practice and you won’t have to preach. Remember your child will learn by observation so if you follow healthy habits your child will do the same as an adult.

·         Don’t feel guilty about being compassionate and kind to yourself.

Remember Health is a relationship between you and your body. Nurture this relationship.