ENTERTAINMENT REALM

The Sugar Detox: lose the sugar, lose the weight—look and feel great by Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN and Patricia Farris, MD, FAAD. Publisher: Lifelong Books/DaCapo. Diet/health. Paperback. 268 pages.

Sugar. We consume way too much of it as a nation. That’s why there’s an obesity problem and so many people develop Type 2 Diabetes. It’s an epidemic. I used to have a major sweet tooth but consciously reduced my sugar intake, even cutting out diet soda/soda two years ago. I read labels. Only use one teaspoon of cane sugar in my tea. I feel much better and don’t miss it.

In this book, Brooke Alpert and Patricia Farris, MD outline a one-month sugar detox plan for people to reduce or eliminate sugar from their diets. They tell you what to avoid, what to eat and suggest meal plans. They outline the benefits of consuming various nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. They also provide details on how sugar makes us sick, overweight and lethargic. Sugar affects your skin and many other organs. This books illuminates that in a manner that’s easy-to-read and comprehend.

At least be more aware of what you’re putting into your body.

–according to the CDC 1.9 million people aged 20 or older were diagnosed with diabetes in 2010 and 27.1 million people are currently diagnosed with heart disease

–Americans are eating 39% more sugar than 50 years ago!

–the average sugar intake per person is 32 teaspoons. There’s 4g of sugar in one teaspoon. That’s a lot of sugar.

–according to the USDA Americans’ average caloric intake increased by 25%

–sugar AGES you. “The sugar that builds up in the blood and your body’s tissues has nowhere to go, so it attaches to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid in a process call glycation. These sugar complexes formed by glycation, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs) . . . accelerate the aging process and contribute to age-related illness. AGEs cause cross-linking of such proteins as collagen and elastin that leave your muscles, tendons, and arteries stiff and your skin more wrinkled.”

–A study published in the February 2012 Journal of Nutrition “suggests that fructose consumption might increase cardiovascular risk factors simply because it increases visceral fat (remember that’s the bad internal fat). The study also showed that fructose consumption contributes to inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes.”

Some of the positive things to consume:

Flaxseeds– healthy impact on cardiovascular health and ability to lower cholesterol, “there is also new evidence that flaxseeds can improve blood sugar levels.” (I throw flaxseeds into my salads.)

Chia seeds– high in protein, high fiber and omega-3 fatty acids

Pistachio nuts– “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming about 2 ounces of pistachios along with high-carbohydrate foods significantly lowered postmeal blood glucose response.”

Thyme– anti-inflammatory

Blueberries– anti-aging properties

RATING: ***/5

–review by Amy Steele

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for review from DaCapo Press.