Suicide by Sugar: A Sweet Review
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
I’m “sweet” on Suicide by Sugar co-written by a recovering sugarholic and chocaholic (Nancy Appleton, PhD)and a reporter/film maker (G.N. Jacobs). It is probably the most comprehensive book on the dark side of sugar I have read to date.
The authors cover material that I have been somewhat aware of, but not totally familiar. For example, I knew that weight gain and obesity were related to sugar, but I was not aware that man other ailments have been linked to sugar from cancer to epilepsy.
The authors’ arguments are sound, based on extensive research that covers 17 pages of bibliographic notes. I am impressed with the amount and extent of the research, and since Nancy Appleton, one of the two authors, is a PhD, I believe she takes her research seriously.
The book lists 140 reasons why sugar is ruining our health and notes that Americans consume 142 pounds of sugar yearly. The discussion on homeostasis, which the book defines as “the internal balance of the body’s electro-magnetic and chemical systems. This balance permits and encourages proper performance of the internal functions necessary for growth, healing, and life itself. Our bodies heal when we are I homeostasis. ” (p. 21)
Every chapter unveiled information that I found educational and enlightening. After reading the book, my heightened awareness of the dangers of sugar in our bodies, a substance that could be described as closer to a drug than a food, I have a greater appreciation of my own desire to eliminate sugar in all its forms. (On page 10, the authors list 31 names for sugar, starting with agave and ending with white sugar.
Because sugar compromises our immune system, it is a “dangerous substance” that we all need to eliminate from our bodies to remain healthy. But as Appleton notes, removing sugar “cold turkey” is not the way to accomplish this. It’s a gradual process that is explained in the book’s last chapter, called A Practical Plan for Right Now that includes a few easy recipes entitled “Recipes to Tame Your Sweet Tooth.” (See sample recipe below)
I encourage everyone to read this book, because it is a compilation of a great deal of information written in an easy-to-understand manner that will open your eyes and perhaps close your mouth to sugar.
Suicide by Sugar is published by Square One publishers in Garden City Park, NY. It costs $15.95 and is available in bookstores and online. You can click on the icon below, which will take you directly to Amazon.com to purchase this excellent expose of the dangers of sugar in all its disguises.
Below is one of the recipes from this book. I tried it twice and loved it both times, although I did not have to cook it as long as 30 minutes, maybe 20.
Coconut Rice Pudding
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice
14-ounce can coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, mace, or cardamom
Directions
1. Combine all the ingredients in a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for about 30 minutes or until the mixture thickens and the rice is soft and tender. If all the liquid is absorbed but the rice is still chewy, ass more water, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue to simmer until the desired texture is reached.
2. Remove from the heat, let cool a bit, then transfer toa serving bowl or individual bowls. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve chilled.
Adapted recipe from Mil Keregu; Tierra Miguel Foundation (www.Tierramiguelfarm.org)
My Note: I Googled Sugar and Depression and found an interesting article. I emailed the doctor who wrote it and plan to post it as soon as I receive an OK from her, since it is copyrighted.
