So Sweet, It Hurts

Regulating your sugar intake.

Everybody loves to eat foods that have a sweet taste to them. While there is nothing wring with enjoying tasty treats, many people aren't disciplined enough to regulate their diets. However, it's important for a person to moderate what food is put into their body and as usual, drink plenty of water.

Back in October [of 2008], health and nutrition counselor Camille Herbert hosted a 'Sugar Blues" workshop with the intent to inform college students on the negative effects of abusing sugar. She stated that the average adult consumes over 140 lbs of sugar annually; that's roughly 4 lbs a day. Eww! Sugar can also upset and suppress the immune system, contribute to diabetes and obesity, increase body's fluid retention, and contribute to both prostate and ovarian cancer (Appleton). Herbert also suggested that when a person contracts an illness, it's best to avoid sugary foods as much as possible so the insulin won't disrupt the immune system while recovering. Additionally, eating naturally sweet foods, like fruit, on a regular basis can alter artificially sweet cravings.

One helpful tip that was brought out in the workshop was for a person to either drink water instead of soda or drinking both water and soda [not mixed together cuz that's just gross]. Drinking water after the soda [or instead of the soda] can both dilute the carbonation, the sugar going into the body, and subside artificial sugar cravings. Instead of grabbing a handful of cookies after lunch or dinner, grab an apple, on orange, or some other healthier alternative. Replacing desserts with naturally sweets foods can suppress artificial sugar cravings as your body begins to adjust to natural sweeteners. It's a known fact that eating breakfast is essential to good health. This can either prevent of lower one's chances of overeating later in the day.

"Young people aren't watching what they eat and it's a problem," Herbert stated. She also feels that after dealing with her own struggle and improving her diet, she acknowledges that you are more than what you eat. Naturally sweet foods, like honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, and organic molasses are filled with more minerals and cause less damage to the body. There is no doubt that during midterms and final examinations are a stressful time for everyone, but it's no excuse to ignore your health and diet. Creative writing sophomore major Novlette Lee suggests that one should start researching the foods that they are putting into their bodies. you would be amazed to see how what you can can cause a major/minor effect on your concentration and behavior. There is no need to quit cold turkey on food habits. When one is in college, the best joy that they find is in the food.

Freshman Damien Herring stated that junk food is not a main course. " I eat meals that are full of sustenance, I really don't eat a lot of junk food," Herring said.

Media management sophomore Anthony Morris knows how to take care of his health and physique. "I reward myself with a treat when I meet my goals for classes or my fitness," Morris said. "But I choose my foods carefully."
References:
Camille Herbert, http://www.youridealbalance.com/
http://www.nancyappleton.com/