Now that Valentine's Day is approaching we seem to see nothing but a smorgasbord of sweets everywhere we go. They come from thankful customers or colleagues at the workplace, generous friends and loving families; and let's not forget the countless kiosks of goodies offered throughout the malls and plazas.

Who can resist the chocolates, cookies, candy hearts and, ahhh, the sugar-coated peeps. As tempting and tantalizing as they may all be, inside many of those little innocent looking goodies is a culprit. A danger and a menace to society. It is SUGAR.

Sugar has been the cause of health problems and serious diseases such as gum disease, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Obesity is now a global epidemic, with the International Obesity Task force estimating that one billion people are overweight or obese. In all but the poorest countries obesity and its consequences—rising rates oh heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and so on—are overtaking malnutrition as major health problems.

What happens when you eat sugar? It causes the glucose to become unstable. It is a simple carbohydrate, which means it raises the blood sugar to a higher-than-normal level, then drops it down fast, causing one to feel “hungry’ again and eat more. Sometimes more sugar. This becomes a serious yo-yo effect until consequently it can cause fatigue, headaches and mood swings.

When this happens, the body releases hormones to bring the sugar level in our blood back to optimum level, and these hormones include the stress hormones: adrenaline, cortisol and epinephrine. They make us irritable and stressed out; cortisol also causes us to pack on the pounds much faster. Too much sugar in the body also affects our mind's ability to learn and recognize.

So what are the alternatives? Can we indulge in a sweet thing here and there and not feel guilty with the refined sugar? Yes. But just because these are natural alternatives it does not mean you can consume more. Some alternate choices are molasses, barley malt syrup, fruit juice concentrate, and honey. Other alternatives are Stevia, (which is not yet approved by FDA, so heed caution), saccharin and Splenda. Although the FDA has approved the latter keep in mind they are chemically altered.

So what is there to do when scrumptious satisfying sweets, the comfort food that makes us smile and giddy seduce our weakness? Abstain altogether? Not necessarily. It has been said that if you deprive your cravings completely you will only find other ways to try to satisfy. When you realize that doesn’t work you end up indulging in excess for the one little thing you craved in the first place.

My solution: Everything in moderation. Instead of eating a massive chocolate bar, buy a bag of the mini versions. Take one mini with you to work or school, or anywhere you might get a craving. Limit yourself to one a day, if needed. This way you can have what you are craving without cutting it from your diet completely, just not in over-excessive amounts.

The key here is proportions. This also applies to cookies, cake, or boxes of chocolate. Eat one cookie—not four or six or nine... Eat one piece of chocolate, not five trying to find that "flavor" you are looking for. Got cake? Try one very thin slice of cake for special occasions—not a four-inch thick slice with a mountain of icing—you know who you are!

No matter what the age or waist size, loading up on sugar is not good for your body. If you can minimize your sugar intake with smaller portions, and balance your physiological system with consistent exercise and gradual migration to a healthier diet (veggies, protein, grains), you will be well on your way to a healthier you.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."