Coping with the Holidays Part 2 - Sugar
Following on the theme of alcohol we will talk about sugar. The sugar I am referring to is refined white sugar found conventional cookies, baked goods and related recipes. White sugar is a powerful substance the product of refining which strips the minerals from the original sugar cane. White sugar actually causes a deficit when consumed where as most things we eat add to our nutrient profile. To learn more about the effects of refined white sugar check out a previous post 76 Reasons to Avoid White Sugar.
But we all like a little sweetness in our life and what is the holiday season without a cookie or related treat? Baked or raw fruits with almond butter make a nice treat as does honey, cinnamon and tahini. There is always the low glycemic but satisfying coconut sugar which can be used in tea, coffee or baked goods.
With all that said some people can handle eating sugar just fine. If you are going to eat sugar it is safest eaten after or with a meal. This allows it to absorb slowly and cause less fluctuations in blood sugar levels, a major pitfall of sugar consumption. Eating it during or after a typical holiday meal may not be ideal from a food combining perspective, but that’s a another topic.
Besides blood sugar fluctuations another serious concern is sugars effect on our internal microbial balance. By microbial balance I am referring to our gut flora but it also relates to other microbes that call us home. Sugar consumption can be a big deal for those with microbial imbalances in the digestive tract (i.e: overgrowth of yeast, harmful bacteria, etc.). Sugar will exacerbate this complication as it feeds unfriendly bacteria and yeast, while also stirring up any viruses or parasites that may be present. If you know this is a problem for you or suspect it is , a probiotic (or extra from what you normally take) may be needed for extra support.
Zebra Organics offers a variety of probiotic supplements, top among them is Dr. Friendlanders and Premier Research Labs. Using extra probiotics during the holiday season may be a wise choice regardless of sugar consumption because it offers support for our entire system. Supporting a healthy microbial balance in our bodies make us more resilient in the face of seasonal health challenges.