What's wrong with Sugar? Convince me it's poison, please?

Part of the reason that sugar is so prevalent, is that it is anaroebic. It acts as a preservative. Put enough sugar in something, the bacteria cannot grow to spoil it. It cannot live on it (white flour, btw, is the same). But the same thing that has allowed us to ship massive quantities of food from one side of the country to the next, and have such a long shelf life, is killing us. At one time, white flour and white sugar were God-sends. They were *so* convenient, and the food didn't spoil, which meant less death and hunger. And, when you have a family of 15 children you need to feed, and the bugs just ate half your garden and the lack of rain took the rest, you don't ask. . .. .you just eat. There is just sooooooooo much more to the story! Politics. Economics. Slavery. Convenience. And, *I* think, most of all? Fulfilling the *PUBLIC'S* demands.

[Tuesdayschild]

Originally Posted by MommaCat

I'd love to do a challenge and/or have an accountability partner about being sugar free....but I need to wait until the day after Valentines Day because I know I won't be able to say no to the desserts then. But after that I'll be ready.

how about first three days of March?

Originally Posted by Chris3jam

Refined sugar (BTW, white flour has the same effect as white sugar, according to your body) is an extremely fast absorbed simple carb., which is one reason your body goes into "panic" mode. Too much, too fast. It can cause diabetes, trouble with the liver, trouble with the pancreas, suppress the immune system (for longer than 4 hours, btw. . . it's closer to 7, I think). The "unrefined" sugars, depending on what they are, are different in that they may contain pectin, fiber, other sugars, etc., that slow the absorption. Diabetics can have tupelo honey, because of its sugar makeup, for instance. The more complex the sugar, the less of a negative impact on the body it will have.

When you say white flour, do you mean bleached flour or white wheat flour that is unbleached?

When you say white flour, do you mean bleached flour or white wheat flour that is unbleached?

Both. I guess what I mean is "processed flour". Flour that has had all the germ and fiber removed. Even the "whole wheat" flour you buy at the store can have the same effect (usually it doesn't contain the germ, and if it does, it's rancid).

Originally Posted by organiquegal

Jenn, do you have any research material to support these statements, or is this something you have found based on personal experience? I have PCOS, and they have found a connection to insulin regulation that helps the symptoms. These points you make are really fascinating! My fertility specialist recommended the south beach diet, but can't really provide any supporting information other than "it seems to work the best for people with PCOS". Interesting that the #1 thing they are cutting out is simple carbs, sugars, white flour, white rice, etc...

In addition, my stepmother is studying to become an herbalist, and they recommend a liver cleanse to improve fertility.

Have you checked out books/movies fromy our library on the Raw Foods Diet? I've been watching stuff on it and I'm totally convinced...it cuts out all that bad stuff...and they go on to explain why it's so great for your health.

Originally Posted by Tuesdayschild

Anyone want to do a mini challenge? Three days sugar free... Will s/o if anyone is interested...

I'll TRY...I eat a ton of sugar and it's taking an extreme toll on my body, my moods, my health...

Originally Posted by Tuesdayschild

how about first three days of March?

I'm in!

Originally Posted by Chris3jam

Both. I guess what I mean is "processed flour". Flour that has had all the germ and fiber removed. Even the "whole wheat" flour you buy at the store can have the same effect (usually it doesn't contain the germ, and if it does, it's rancid).

Ok so I just went to my HFS and got some flours. I got barley flour, white spelt flour (unbleached white), and oat flour. Are any of those ok to eat?

ETA, I also got chickpea flour

Originally Posted by HummusDip

Ok so I just went to my HFS and got some flours. I got barley flour, white spelt flour (unbleached white), and oat flour. Are any of those ok to eat?

ETA, I also got chickpea flour

*Anything* that has been processed to remove certain components of the whole food from which it was processed has a danger of being a "dangerous" simple carb.

How do you know if they've been processed like that? Or are *all* flours processed unless you do it yourself?

[Garland]

Originally Posted by Tuesdayschild

how about first three days of March?

I'm in! I think I'll start the week after Valentines Day, so I'll have a bit of a head start.

Originally Posted by organiquegal

Jenn, do you have any research material to support these statements, or is this something you have found based on personal experience? I have PCOS, and they have found a connection to insulin regulation that helps the symptoms. These points you make are really fascinating! My fertility specialist recommended the south beach diet, but can't really provide any supporting information other than "it seems to work the best for people with PCOS". Interesting that the #1 thing they are cutting out is simple carbs, sugars, white flour, white rice, etc...

In addition, my stepmother is studying to become an herbalist, and they recommend a liver cleanse to improve fertility.

I would recommend reading a couple of books.

Dr. Melvin Page wrote Your Body is Your Best Doctor

He was a follower of Dr Price and the book is realtively short and talks about the effects of sugar and other modern foods on the body.

Gary Taubes wrote Good Calories, Bad Calories

He is a journalist who worked to compile tons of studies regarding sugar and refined carbs along with other modern foods. The book is huge and covers a lot of research that has been done in that area.

[April G]

I started compiling some info on my blog and will add to it as I learn more. http://meandmypcos.blogspot.com/2009...ar-poison.html

Feel free to add more info to the comments.

[ArmsOfLove]

My mother had advanced arthritis in her fingers when she was in her early 20's. She completely gave up sugar and it completely went away. She knows when she's eating too much because the arthritis returns.

Originally Posted by HummusDip

How do you know if they've been processed like that? Or are *all* flours processed unless you do it yourself?

Good question!