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Page 27
| Sugar: Friend or Foe? |
| Sugar isn't just the white stuff you spoon onto your shredded wheat. Sugar also occurs naturally in the body during carbohydrate breakdown, and it's a component of many nutritious foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, cereals, breads, and grains. |
| Even if you wanted to, you probably couldn't eliminate all sugars from your diet. Nor should you try. Sugar, despite its bad reputation, is not innately bad for you. Although you should monitor your intake of sugaras well as other empty caloriesto avoid weight gain, you don't need to eliminate it for the sake of good health. A little sugar can be good for the soul. |
| And despite much suspicion to the contrary, scientific evidence indicates that sugar does not cause any of the following: hyperactivity, criminal behavior, diabetes, heart disease, acne, or obesity (although sugar can contribute, fatty foods are the main cause). |
| But sugar does cause tooth decayso be sure to brush thoroughly after eating sugary foods. |
| The Micronutrients |
| Fat, protein, and carbohydrates play the most tangible role in your body, providing the energy that keeps you moving. But it's the behind-the-scenes playersvitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and waterthat enable your body to turn those nutrients into energy and function effectively and smoothly in your body; and that's just one of the myriad functions they serve. Researchers are learning more every day about what these noncaloric nutrients do for your health. |
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