Fat v.s Sugar- How Fat Helps You Lose Weight

March 4, 2011 - PRLog -- There has been much debate about fat and if it is good for weight loss or if it is destructive towards weight loss? Most people who are dieting are eating a low fat diet. And how successful are they? The chances are not very. That is because they are eating products that are usually low in fat, but (or rather, and) packed with sugar. Just look at a container of yogurt. A low fat container of yogurt compared to a whole fat container of yogurt, usually has a higher amount of sugar, and if it doesn’t, chances are the low fat yogurt is sweetened with an artificial sweetener.

The problem with artificial sweeteners is that they are extremely harmful for the body and mind. For example, Splenda (Sucralose), the yellow package, is made by chlorinating sugar. That chlorine is absorbed into the body and does heavy damage to the bodies insides. Equal, also called NutraSweet (Aspartame, Saccharin), is made from two amino acids that are isolated from bacteria. Saccharin is manufactured using a combination of ammonia and methyl anthranilate. The fact is that these artificial sweeteners do a lot of damage to the body, mind, nervous system and even on the environment. Sound promising? Not something people generally get excited about. Especially after had just finished their cup of coffee sweetened with their choice of poison, er, sweetener.

So with artificial sweeteners eliminated from the diet now, that leaves regular sugar. Well, at least in the case of sweetened products, because there are healthier options out there besides table sugar (Stevia, Raw Organic Honey, Yucca Root Syrup, even Organic unbleached sugar is a healthier option to regular sugar). Most products today contain hidden sugar and because of that, a lot of people are eating far more sugar than they realize. How much sugar is being consumed exactly? In 1938 the per capita consumption of hidden sugar was 16.3 kg. An equivalent study, in 1989 (more than 20 years ago, keep that in mind), showed the per capita consumption of refined sugar at about 48.3 kg. Over that time frame, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease had sky rocketed to astronomical numbers. The scary thing is that that study was over 20 years ago. How much have those numbers grown since?

Some people are in denial about how much sugar they actually eat. But when forced to read the labels of all those soft drinks and fat-free products, people begin to see how easy it is to consume that much sugar. What products are most to blame? Many Chinese foods contain up to 90% of added sugar. Also many products labeled as low fat, or non fat. Fruit juices usually have upwards of 20 grams of sugar per serving, while sodas are usually higher. But probably the biggest culprit is high fructose corn syrup. This artificial sweetener doesn’t activate the switch in the belly to tell the brain that the stomach is full. This is why so many people can drink a 2-liter of soda a day, and sometimes, in one setting. Drinking that much sugar is never a good thing, but why is sugar all that bad?

By consuming large amounts of sugar daily people put stress on their bodies. What happens is the body continuously releases the hormone insulin. Insulin’s primary job is to regulate and store sugar, also known as fat. This excess sugar can also cause tooth decay, arthritis, digestive problems, nutrient deficiencies and, yes, weight gain.

So why is dietary fat better than sugar? Even though fat does contain higher amounts of calories than sugar, the nutrient content is greater in healthy fats. What are some healthy fats? Raw organic nuts are a great source of healthy fats, but they are also high in protein. Avocados are fantastic in salads but are also great for the skin and nails. Extra virgin olive oils and coconut oils are great for adding to salads, and dishes, but are also great for the memory, absorption of fat soluble vitamins, and hair and skin vitality. And finally organic seeds are great for snacks and are usually loaded in macronutrients. All these healthy fats are great snacks because they help with the feeling of satiety. Which means you will ultimately eat less, not necessarily fewer calories, but you will be eating less bad foods and more healthy nutrient-dense foods.

Don’t forget these good fats are natural foods that help you lose weight, but allow for better focus and brain support. They also protect vital organs like the heart. Also remember sugar is more addicting than fat. When people eat sugar, they are usually doing so to try to feed their sugar addiction, or in some cases fill a hole. It is important to know why one is feeling the need to eat sugar and to dig to the bottom of the issue. The decision may not be easy, or even easy to accept, but the fact is healthy fat helps with weight loss, and brain function, while sugar and artificial sweeteners do the opposite. Remember there are healthy alternatives to those addicting sugar bars, drinks, and sweets.
And they are actually easy to find. A popular organic snack that has been getting big buzz is the GoodOnYa Bar. They offer three flavors, and each one is loaded in healthy nutrients like protein, fiber, and yes, healthy fats. They also use natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup.

You can shop for their products online at http://www.ecoHealthyLivingShop.com
For more information on eco friendly products, health products, and more you can also visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eco-Healthy-Living-Shop/176...

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