Tag: reduce sugar

WHO Recommends Reducing Sugar to Below 5 % of Calorie Intake

The World Health Organization is again urging people to lower sugar consumption.
“We should aim for five per cent [of daily intake] if we can … but 10 per cent is more realistic,” said Dr. Francesco Branco, head of nutrition for health and development for WHO.
Five percent comes to about six to seven teaspoons a day.
Please note that a can of soda probably has more than 10 teaspoons of sugar.)
During a virtual press conference, Dr. Branco discussed the 5 per cent figure. (The independent WHO notes that restricting intake to no more than 10 per cent is also good.)
Please note that these welcome reduce-sugar suggestions are considered only “draft recommendations” — which you can read here.
In fact, these not-yet-final recommendations will probably be contentious. Obviously, food companies won’t like this cut-back-on-sugar advice.
The WHO is inviting public comments until March 31. Then the agency and scientific advisers will finalize the guidance.
The challenge among consumers today, as the WHO points out, is that most sugars consumed today are “hidden” in processed foods and therefore aren’t seen as sweets.
For instance, 1 tablespoon of ketchup can contain 7 grams of sugar. (Divide by 4 to figure out how many teaspoons that is.) “A single can of sugar-sweetened soda contains up to 40 grams (around 10 teaspoons) of sugar,” the WHO points out.
“Sugar … might become the new tobacco in terms of risk,” Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of Nutrition for Health and Development for the WHO, said during the the virtual press conference.
Those sugars you can’t see are, in fact, the biggest cause of alarm for those of us who advocate reducing sugar.
As the WHO observes, these hidden sugars are in condiments, sauces and more.
The WHO has been urging people to limit sugar calories to less than 10 per cent of their daily calories, but the 5 per cent target is new.
Dr. Branco was particularly concerned about pop drinks and children.
“An average serving at a fast food place of sugar-sweetened soda … approaches 30 grams of sugar per serving,” noted Branco. “That already exceeds the recommended daily serving for a child.”
See the transcript here.
Kudos again to the WHO for the superb advice. The research is irrefutable that cutting back on added sweeteners can benefit your moods, concentration, weight, and health, including sex drive.
What do you think? How much added sugars should people have and how much do you have? Weigh in here with your amount.

FDA to Include Added Sugars on Nutrition Labels

Added sugars will be singled out for the first tiarmful sweeteners.
me, according to proposed label changes from the United States Food and Drug Administration.
This is very good news for those of us, who’ve been warning people about sugar’s dangers and who’ve been trying to help people reduce their consumption of potentially hWhat you’ll see are two lines of information for the total amount of sugar contained.
One line will say, “Sugars,” and another line will state “Added Sugars,” according to the FDA.
By offering information about “Added Sugars,” this will help consumers to cut back on their sugar consumption. which the U.S. government now recommends.
It’s reassuring that the FDA is now making efforts to educate consumers about of how much sugar occurs naturally in a product, and how much has been added.
Other changes you’ll see will include:
Updated serving sizes, which will make it clearer for products that are consumed in one sitting. (You’ll find dual column labels that indicate both “per serving” and “per package” calorie and nutrition information for larger packages that could be consumed in one sitting or multiple sittings.)
Calorie information will be provided in a bigger font and bolder. Serving sizes would be bold, too. (The proposed label “would drive attention to calories and serving sizes,” Michael R. Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said in a statement.
The new labels would take out Calories from Fat. (This decision was to show type of fat rather than amount so that consumers can choose products lower in saturated and trans fats.)
Changes Won’t Happen For 2 Years
Unfortunately, consumers won’t see changes right away. Food companies will have two years to comply with the new requirements, according to the FDA.
Even though this will take some time, the FDA’s plans are exciting, because they’re designed to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.
Learn about other FDA food label changes here.
Nutrition-label-fda-140227b-02Special thanks to Karl Tate, who created the above infographic for LiveScience.

Dr. Mehmet Oz Interview with Dr. Sinatra and Me

Join the conversation. What is your biggest A-ah from our interview with Dr. Oz? Post your comment now.
Dr. Oz artworks-000053231724-1txq1z-t200x200I just found this Oprah & Friends Radio Interview from a few years ago, when Dr. Mehmet Oz, along with Dr. Michael Roizen, interviewed Dr. Stephen Sinatra and me about our then-new book, Sugar Shock: How Sweets and Carbs Can Derail Your Life–And How You Can Get Back on Track.
Sugar Shock was my first book, which delves into the dangers of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
In this interview, you can listen to me share:
How sugar addiction is pervasive in this country.
How everyone is affected differently by sugar.
How sugar consumption can dampen your sex drive.
The truth about agave and brown rice syrup.
And more…
In the interview. Dr. Sinatra:
Offers the truth about statins.
Shares the scoop about salt.
Discusses coconut oil.
And more…
New to this Sugar Shock Blog?
Bestseller Beyond Sugar Shock BSBlog founder Connie Bennett is a bestselling author of Beyond Sugar Shock and Sugar Shock, which been praised by such acclaimed health gurus and celebrities as “America’s Favorite Doctor,” Dr. Mehmet Oz; as well as “Tthe Father of Motivation” Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Daniel Amen, Brian Tracy, Bernie Siegel, Marci Shimoff, John Assaraf, JJ Virgin, and Jimmy Moore. Connie’s sour-to-sweet story kicked into gear in 1998, when after reluctantlyly quitting sugar on doctor’s orders, all 44 of her baffling ailments vanished, including brain fog, heart palpitations, mood swings.
Now, 15 years later, the compassionate, self-mocking Connie is acclaimed as The Sweet Freedom Coach, and she has helped thousands of sugar and carb addicts worldwide discover that Life is Sweeter When Sugar Doesn’t Seduce You™. Connie is also an in-demand motivational speaker, a popular blogger (Sugar Shock Blog), a widely published journalist, a certified life coach, certified health coach, and tapping practitioner (now completing EFT training). Subscribe to this Sugar Shock Blog and like Connie on Facebook..
Join the conversation. What is your biggest A-ah from our interview with Dr. Oz? Post your comment now.

Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction With Me – Early Bird Special Available Through April 15

Sugar addicts and carb addicts, have you heard about my upcoming Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program, which I’m offering starting Tuesday, April 20?
If you feel trapped or even imprisoned by sweets and other carbs like white bread, crackers, white rice, pasta and chips (what I call quickie carbs, culprit carbs or much-like-sugar carbs), this program is for you.
See the new artwork from designer Bryan Tuck (to your left).
Why is this Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks Program different from other teleseminar/webinar series?
Because I’ve:
* Spent nearly 12 years creating this program for you — I kicked sugar myself on April 15, 1998;
* Connected online and helped thousands of sugar addicts worldwide in my KickSugar group, Stop Sugar Shock network and Facebook fan page.
* Interviewed hundreds of experts
* Coached dozens of clients to release their debilitating sugar habit in the manner that works best for them (whether it’s removing sugar totally or cutting back drastically).
If you register now, you can get in for the Early Bird, Connie’s 12-Years-Off-Sugar Special. Deadline is Thursday, April 15 at 11:59 pm EST (8:59 pm PST).
In this program, you will:
* Get 50 ways to combat your sugar cravings.
* Find out which color sugar lover you are. (Yes, we’re all different in our relationship.)
* Learn about 100 names for sugars and sweeteners.
* Get the scoop about agave, honey, artificial sweeteners, yogurt, rice cakes and fructose.
* Find out how to use my “7 D’s” to easily top cravings as they hit.
* Have your questions answered.
* Receive instruction from two top experts on how to reduce stress and use self-hypnosis.
* Be able to listen afterward, at your convenience (if you miss the live calls).
* And much, much more.
Get more information now about my Break Free of Your Sugar Addiction in 6 Weeks.

Reader Writes: “SUGAR SHOCK! Changed My Life.” What Are Your Questions?

Often, I receive emails from readers of my book SUGAR SHOCK! Whenever I do, I’m so touched and honored that I’ve been able to help people from around the country and world.
Here’s a comment I received tonight from Ben in Massachusetts:
“Sugar Shock! changed my life. I [finally] got off sugar. For the first time in my life, I only eat non processed foods and no sugar. I feel calm all the time and [I’m] constantly energized. I feel great. It’s easier to concentrate and exercise as well. …God bless you.”
Ben then asked a few questions, which I’m answering soon in a Frequently Asked Questions project that I’m completing.
What would you like to know about sugar’s dangers, quitting sugar or carbs? Please post your questions here.