How To Stay Healthy (and skinny) Through The Holidays 

We all dread the bulge of the winter season.  You know what I’m talking about; those extra pounds that creep on during the holidays.  Not only do those extra pounds and cause our clothes to feel too small, but they actually make us sick.  That’s right… sick.  If vanity doesn’t persuade you to improve your food behavior during the winter, then the desire to be and stay healthy should.  How can excess weight make you sick you might be asking?  Sugar!

1. Sugar is the #1 killer in the United States.  The reason for that is because over consumption has been linked to not only the dreaded disease Diabetes, but also Cancer, Heart Disease, and hundreds of Auto Immune Diseases.  The problem is that our food supply is bombarded with hidden sugars.  Most people don’t read the ingredient list this article.
on labels.  But even if they did, the food companies use lots of fancy sounding names (like Agave Nectar, Malt Syrup, etc.) to hide the fact that there is added sugar.  For more information about hidden sugar, read

2. Sugar (not fat) is also the #1 cause of obesity.  Any food that raises your blood sugar, like bread (even whole wheat) pasta, candy, baked goods, alcohol, etc. is going to cause an insulin spike.  Insulin is the hormone secreted to take sugar out of your blood stream, convert it to fat, and store it in your fat cells.  That is why insulin is named “the fat storing hormone.”

3. Sugar causes heart disease.  Excess carbohydrates (sugar) in our bodies convert to triglycerides.  High levels of triglycerides are a coronary heart disease warning sign to your doctor. Especially in women.

4. Sugar wreaks havoc in your gut, which lowers your immune system.  70 – 80% of your immune system is in your gut.  If your gut is out of whack from eating too much sugar, your immune system is not going to be able to work properly.

Signs of too much sugar in the diet are…
Weight gain
Fatigue
Acne or skin rashes
Carb cravings
Anxiety/Depression
Frequent Illness

To get through holidays and winter season without weight gain and chronic illness, try to minimize your intake of sugar, alcohol and starchy foods.  Just remember that the more sugar, alcohol, and starchy foods you consume, the more you will crave them.  It’s a vicious cycle.  The reason for that is because sugar is more addictive than cocaine.  I know that sounds shocking, but it’s true.  Imagine a cocaine addict coming out of rehab and having to see cocaine in 80% of the food in the grocery store, at the gas station, check-out lines at Target, etc.  It’s everywhere.  If you have a hard time avoiding sugary food, you are probably a sugar addict.  I am.  It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but something to be aware of.  Your health and longevity depend on taking control of that addiction and doing something about it.  If you think you have a problem with sugar, contact me for a free health consultation.  As someone who has been there, I know how hard it is to give it up, but life is so much sweeter without it!