I am a sugar addict. I know most girls love chocolate, but I am more of a fan of really sugary candies. So you can imagine how difficult it is to have to drive by this bad boy every day on my way to work.
Because it tastes so good to me, I really had to have a justifiable reason to cut down on it. After doing a lot of research on sugar, I have been doing my best to cut down on it as much as possible. Which means no Pez munchin’ for me. 
No Pez = Sad Jen. Anyway, I wanted to share what I learned about this yummy dangerous substance.
Why is refined sugar bad for you?
Simple. Because it raises the insulin level in your blood and it contains no vitamins and minerals.
What does this do?
Depresses the immune system which weakens your ability to fight disease.
Can cause weight gain (insulin promotes the storage of fat).
Because it lacks vitamins and minerals, the only way for your body to metabolize it is to pull those nutrients from your body’s reserve of them. When these “reserves” are depleted, it can contribute to high cholesterol, obesity, and more.
Do you love sugar like I do? Have you cut down on it or removed it from your diet?
Jennifer is a 27 year old personal trainer living in Connecticut. She is "Coach Jen" at 
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey there! Yes, I avoid sugar as much as possible! Sugar definitely hides EVERYWHERE: drinks, teas, condiments, etc so I make sure to read labels. It is addicting and sends your insulin levels on a rollercoaster! I use stevia for my stubstitute and only have sugary desserts when I really feel like it, but I make sure to eat plenty of healthy foods that day to balance it out!
Tina´s last [type] ..Organic- Seasonal- Local
Twitter: inquiring_mind_
August 12, 2010 at 10:31 am
I LOVE sugar myself, I have a big sweet tooth. I’ve had to cut down myself, too. Sugar is just plain no good for you. I haven’t been able to give it up in my coffee though….yet!
Cheryl´s last [type] ..Twitter Friend Thursdayand a mini-rant!
I definitely eat too much sugar — I just can’t give up my nightly dessert! I’m trying to cut back (plain yogurt, low sugar granola bars, etc.) but you need a little sweetness in life, right?
I’m also trying to quit artificial sweeteners. Orbit gum is my other weakness!
Lisa @ Endeavorous´s last [type] ..The top 3
Twitter: barbara_dilisio
August 12, 2010 at 12:39 pm
The Pez factory!
Barbara´s last [type] ..A Perfectly Normal Dinner Conversation…at Least for Us
Twitter: JoannaSutter
August 12, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I have an impressive sweet tooth, if I do say so myself. I am all about using stevia and honey as my sweeteners of choice…they get me by without the guilt trip.
I love sugar too! Mainly baked goods like brownies. I definitely need to cut back.
Twitter: AMYSRANDOMNESS
August 12, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Well… I have a thing for chocolate. And not always the purest of chocolate. And there are definitely other snacks I consume that have a bit of sugar in them for sure! But I’ve cut it out in other parts of my diet, so hopefully that’s helped- such as I don’t add it to things such as iced/hot tea or coffee or brown sugar to oatmeal.
I can’t cut it out completely (it’s the little things sometimes that make me oh so happy!), but I do monitor it better than I have in the past.
Amy B @ Second City Randomness´s last [type] ..Getting it done in the AM
Twitter: robynrosstvg
August 12, 2010 at 4:17 pm
For the most part I’m good about avoiding fake sugar, but I do have 3 spenda a day in my coffee. I’d love to cut it all out completely one day.
Twitter: amapeli
August 12, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Personally, I’m all about the salt! Chips, crackers, i put seasoning salt on a bunch of things, etc, etc. Its hard to cut that down, especially when where theres salt theres usually bad carbs! I try to reward myself with a mini bag of chips here and there, or something similar. Its tough sometimes. Just writting this I want chips!
I love sugar, so much.
I will never cut it out my diet, but I know I need to reduce it.
Ashley@thehungryscholar´s last [type] ..Ginger Ale- please
No No No! I do not love sugar because sugar is what KILLS! Instead I use stevia. Stevia is great and lowers blood sugar levels!
Twitter: lauryannraik
August 12, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Always been a sweets person, way more than savory! Sugar is SO evil though, I have been able to cut back and enjoy the natural sugars in fruits and veggies with the occasional treat!
Have SO much fun this weekend! Network your tooshie off! Can’t wait for the report!
I am a sugar addict too! I work hard to not eat it every day! When not contest prepping or dieting, I am using fruits as my sugars. BUT I have to keep it all out of the house!!
I do love sugar and sugary stuff in moderation but salt is my big weakness. I need to really try harder to cut that out more and more from my diet.
Twitter: DesignerWife
August 13, 2010 at 1:15 am
I used to be a strong believer that “Sugar Is The Devil” – seriously, I wrote a dissertation on it in college, haha. But now, I don’t think it’s *quite* as evil as I had once thought. Now when baking or things, I opt for raw, organic, fair trade non-bleached sugar. It’s much sweeter and you only need a small amount in anything. I found that if I stick to the “everything in moderation” rule, it keeps my sugar lovin’ in check. I’ll have one cupcake a week and a splash of raw sugar in my latte every now and then.
I do like sweets….but once I started eating more protein….I didn’t crave it as much…and getting rid of diet drinks.
Twitter: lisaeirene
August 13, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I am a sugar addict as well. I had to stop eating it (as best I could) because I was crashing so hard afterward. I wasn’t eating a lot of refined sugar, but a piece of candy here, a few Gummy Bears there…I’d feel okay and then my blood sugar would crash and I’d be tired, moody and HUNGRY! My doc said to cut out sugar. It was a struggle but I try to avoid all candy now. Chocolate I eat in moderation once in awhile.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Veggie Pasta Salad Recipe
oh yeah, i’m definitely a sugar addict. i did a sugar detox for 3 weeks (absolutely none, excecpt fruit.) and it’s amazing how EVERYTHING has sugar in it! that’s the worst part i think: it sneaks up on you. food doesn’t have to be sweet for it to have sugar in it, but most people don’t know that. i actually felt pretty good on my detox, but you wouldn’t believe how much fruit i ate to fill that void. (7 pieces a day!)
Twitter: FITori
August 22, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I love this! So true!
I started to write an entire “Series” on the effects of Sugar, and also taught a course. I don’t buy anything with sugar added, and read ingredients and labels inside out. It’s in everything- especially in deli meat (love turkey/smoked chicken breast slices!), some mustards, canned fish etc. It’s ridiculous!
Barbara
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