Ask a gastro doctor in Orlando about: Sugar intolerance: Sweeteners

Your Starbucks might have gained complexity throughout the years with new sweeteners hitting the market. With so many trending diets and rules to live by, many Americans are actually acquiring some pretty good habits though. Cutting out sugar entirely may not be necessary, but for a percentage of people, their sugar intolerance holds them back from indulging on Halloween.

Types of sweeteners:

As we all know, we need some sweetness in our lives. However, our bodies may not react to different natural and artificial sweeteners. Processed and natural sugar is no exception.

So let’s talk about what we are all thinking about now. Can people that have a sugar intolerance still eat sugar? Can they have Halloween candy?

There are so many questions you are thinking about. How about we just dive right into answering all of these. If your question is not answered in today’s blog, reach out to Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida for an in-person visit to answer all of your questions.

Sugar has been linked to hindering conditions such as obesity, but most of us still use it on a daily basis. With Halloween approaching, sugar cookies, candy, brownies, and so many more treats are stocked on supermarket shelves.

To make it even more challenging, trick or treating is an American pastime. How would we say no to our children? Well, even as adults, we sneak some Halloween candy when no one is looking.

Let’s not start talking about Thanksgiving dinner and the sugar packed foods there. On average, American eat about one hundred sixty-five pounds of sugar every year. Sugar substitutes are on the rise as well according to Frances Largeman-Roth, RD.

He is the author of two books, Feed the Belly and The Carb Lovers diet. So, are artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives healthier than classic, table sugar? This answer may depend on each person individually. Speak to a gastro doctor in Orlando about your answer.

Sucrose:

This is your average table sugar. There are sixteen calories per teaspoon. Yes, we did not say tablespoon. Sucrose offers a person energy.

This is why adults that do not drink coffee or caffeine reach for sugary drinks instead. However, there are no nutritional benefits. Added sugars are sugars not found in the food naturally.

There is sucrose in fruits, natural jams, and salad dressings. If their labels state there is no added sugars, then, in all of the ingredients, there was no sugar added. In 2003, a study showed added sugar made up about 10% of a person’s diet.

Just to show how severe that is, ten percent of a diet is about twelve teaspoons for a two thousand calorie diet. In 2009, The American Heart Association announced women should have no more than six teaspoons. Men should have no more than nine teaspoons.

Agave Nectar:

If pouring sugar into your cake mixes, you may find that agave is a nicely flavored alternative to sugar. Agave nectar is natural as it is found inside of the agave cactus. Many vegans use agave nectar opposed to honey as it is not made my any living creature, just a living plant.

The texture is similar to honey, and there is twenty calories per teaspoon. Agave is sweeter than sugar, so although agave nectar has more calories, you may find yourself using less compared to sugar. Agave is often found in cereal, granola, and vegan products.

Recent studies have shown agave nectar does contain more fructose than table sugar. This means it is less likely to cause a spike in blood sugar. Unfortunately, that does make it more likely to reduce your metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Chances are, you still eat and drink enough foods that have sugar. Doing so may negate reducing your metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Cutting out sugar in one day may do some minor damage. Speak to the Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida about using agave and sugar in your everyday diet.

Halloween treat safety:

While shopping for Halloween treats, opt for naturally sweetened products and those that do not contain artificial food coloring as many Americans have allergic reactions to honey and food dyes. The same goes for adults.