Isn't it Harmful to Completely Restrict Sugar when on a Diet?
Our patients often ask if sugar restriction is harmful when dieting. Many people falsely believe that sugar in our food is very essential, because it provides the energy, and if we will not eat sugar, our organs (brain is named as the most common one) will suffer tremendously.
This is very common misconception fueled, perhaps, by food advertising industry that tells us how this yogurt or that cereal has so much carbohydrates needed for energy.
The truth is that sugar is not the only source of energy. Our body is a fine mechanism that has its sneaky ways to make it's own sugar from fats or proteins. Converting sugar to fat and fat back to sugar is so common for our body, that it routinely stores sugar leftovers to our "rainy day funds" in form of fat deposits under the skin. (Converting proteins to sugars is a process reserved for survival when fat resources are depleted and this should not happen when on a diet.)
Sugar restriction on a diet is not harmful. Quite contrary, it is essential for a diet to restrict sugars. If we want to lose fat we have to make sure our body turns to stored fat for energy needs because dietary source of energy (read sugar) is scarce. So, let it convert the fat into sugar and then use it for energy.
We invite you to talk to us about how we can help to change your weight in a healthy and effective way.
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