Selecting Sugars for Healthy Eating

Simple sugars are simple sugars. Some people believe that "natural sugar, such as honey, is "better" for them than sugar from corn syrup or white sugar. Not so. Your body doesn't distinguish between sugar from maple syrup and sugar from granulated white sugar. Most all sugars are "natural", because they're processed from beets, sugar cane, corn, and dates.

Remember, your body is looking to take every type of carbohydrate it can get its hands on and break it down into glucose. If it makes you feel better to get your sugar high from "natural" sugars, such as turbinado (raw sugar) or date palm sugar, so be it. Your gut doesn't care.

There's a difference between sugars from syrup or honey and sugars from milk (lactose) or fruit (fructose). Maple syrup, honey, and corn syrup are nothing but simple sugars; i.e. they have no redeeming nutritional value. When you obtain sugar from an orange or from yogurt, you're also getting proteins, minerals, vitamins, fiber, and all those other good nutrition things. In addition, when you obtain sugar from what nutritionists like to call "whole foods", such as fruit or juice, it takes your body a little longer to extract the sugar. This means that there's a steady, gradual release of sugar into your bloodstream, providing even amounts of energy over a longer period of time.

As you know, when you get sugar from concentrated sources, such as soda or candy, you get the "soar-and-crash" effect. Lots of sugar is released into your bloodstream all at one time. It's used quickly and then disappears. Anyone who's ever had a sugar rush and the ensuing sugar "crash" knows what I mean.

The next time you snack take the opportunity to replace your sugary treats with healthier options such as yogurts, fruit and juice. You'll have much more energy throughout the day and won't feel like taking that afternoon nap at your desk!