While at lunch the other day with my dad, who is an avid coffee and diet coke drinker, we began talking about what constitutes a "healthy" cup of coffee. Claiming that he adds milk and 1 / 2 of a sugar packet into his medium sized morning brew, he wondered if he was on the right track to "wellness." When we discussed his concerns further, I found out that his uncertainty centered around the sugar vs. sugar substitute debate, a debate that has been widely publicized in the news lately.
Having discussed the benefits of quitting sugar in a previous post, I was not surprised to read a recent report released by NBC News. The report detailed the declining popularity of Diet Coke because of its artificial sugar ingredient, aspartame. Aspartame is a "diet" sugar substitute that contains phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol; three well recognized neurotoxins. When ingested in large quantities, aspartame has been associated with causing headaches, fatigue, heart arrhythmias, gastrointestinal disorders, extremity numbness, etc.
Coincidentally enough, opting for sugar substitutes in conjunction with weight loss plans is actually a hindrance, not a helper. This is because artificial sweeteners alter the way the body metabolizes sugar.
Knowing the negative implications of sugar substitutes and the importance of moderation, I was still at a loss as to how to instruct my dad on how to "drink better." Would he be better off ingesting pure sugar? The answer of course was NO!
Sugar is incredibly toxic and is to blame for the increase in obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in America. What individuals should reach for when a sugar craving hits are whole foods, such as sweet fruits or sweet vegetables. Other options include foods sweetened with dates, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses or honey.
As for an ideal morning pick me up, a cup of coffee is best taken black. If that seems less than desirable, topping the drink off with unsweetened soy or almond milk will provide the added "umph" that you might be missing!
For more tips on how to start eliminating sugar from your plate, check out this terrific article!
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