Sugar Cravings

Hello everyone,
I was asked today to write an article for our local newspaper reminding folks about their New Year's resolutions. Most people want to loose a few pounds, but I decided to focus on sugar. Sugar is pervasive in our food supply, addictive and, of course. expands one's waist line.
By definition, sugar addiction is a term for the situation where individuals crave sweet foods and find it difficult to give it up. There is clearly an aspect of psychological addiction (mother’s milk representing love and nurturing is naturally sweet) but recent research has also identified elements of physical dependence. Addictive drugs stimulate receptors in the brain to release natural opiods and dopamine, neurochemicals that trigger feelings of pleasure or well-being.
It’s important to understand what sugar is and how it affects your health before learning how to give up the white stuff. The term sugar refers to sucrose, also called table sugar, a white crystalline solid disaccharide. Commercially produced table sugar comes from either sugar cane or sugar beets. The sweetener High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS,) found in many processed foods has replaced regular sugar in a considerable number of products. It is six times sweeter than sugar and does not act the same way as sugar in the body. HFCS does not stimulate insulin production; it is processed more like fat. Some experts believe that it actually converts to fat faster and easier than regular sugar. Its super sweet flavor could contribute to sugar cravings.
Soon you will learn about how sugar affects your body. More soon!
Patty