I remember my mother telling me not to eat candy because it was bad for my teeth. She was right! Sugar is still not good for your teeth and now we know it is not good for a whole slew of reasons.

First, how many calories do you have left once you have eaten all your fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low fat dairy you need to stay healthy? It is like asking how much money do you have left after you pay all your bills.

For most of us we are already in a deficit mode. For others there are no calories left for sugar and maybe for a few, who run marathons probably,  there are few calories left for sugar. The problem is there is no nutritional benefit from sugar and if you are over 50 you can no longer get away without that nutrition.

I am amazed at the people who order a venti White Chocolate Mocha with skim milk at Starbucks. With whole milk it is about 600 calories; with skim milk maybe 500? It is sugar like this that make you fat if you eat this in addition to what you are already eating.

If you are an average woman you should be consuming about 1800 calories a day. You would probably need 1600 of those from vegetables, fruits, protein, dairy and whole grains to get the nutrients you need. That leaves 200 calories.  Half of that may come from solid fats like butter or if you eat yogurt and have a couple of cookies which leaves 100 calories for sugar.  If you want a glass of beer or wine, you have just consumed your extra 200 calories.

If you want more sugar then you need, be more active to burn more sugar. This  is one way to solve the problem.

If you have some tips about what you to so you can have that cookie or piece of chocolate let us know. And let us know your tips for staying away from that piece of chocolate or cookie. We are all ears!  Type your tips in the comment area.

Thanks

To your successful health and aging.

Ruthan

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Filed under: Nutrition and Weight

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