Introduction to Sugar

Scientifically speaking, sugar is defined as a class of molecules made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen arranged in a ringed structure. It is a part of a grouping called carbohydrates which also include starches, celluloses, and gums produced only by photosynthetic plants. Simple sugar molecules, called saccharides, are the building blocks that form carbohydrates. They are an essential structural component of living cells and the source of energy for all animals, including humans.

Usually when people speak of sugar, they are talking about common table sugar. However, sugar has many names and forms. It is also necessary in the diet. The brain depends on it. So does our level of energy. Unfortunately, mankind is now inundated with the wrong kinds of sugar, as evidenced by skyrocketing heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

There are dozens of different kinds of sugar under a variety of names:

barley malt
brown sugar
cane sugar
corn syrup
dextrose
fructose
fruit sugar
glucose
high-fructose corn syrup
honey
icing sugar
invert sugar
jaggary
lactose
maltose
maple syrup
molasses
powdered sugar
raw sugar
rice syrup
saccharinose
sucrose
sugar beets
turbinados
and more….

There are sugar alcohols as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, to name but three; gum sugars, which are complex polysaccharides found in various vegetables; and sugar substitutes, which are designed for the diabetic and dieter but which can be very harmful to the body. But, we are still not finished.

There are essential sugars, just like there are essential fats. People are consuming too much of the wrong kind of those too. Although vital to health, the types of fats and sugars chosen for us by the food industry are destroying our bodies. It is time to take back the control of our own health and find out just what sugars (and fats) we need to maintain health and which ones we need to avoid.

Alternatives
Using less sugar or using alternatives is not as hard as it sounds. Many resort to commercial sugar substitutes, but these are proving just as harmful as the substance they are trying to eliminate. In fact, in some cases, those substitutes cause more harm than sugar. The following are some healthy alternatives to satisfying that sweet tooth.

organic apple or pear sauce as part of the sugar and liquid in a recipe
organic apple or plum butter
mashed bananas
sweet spices, as vanilla, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, anise seed
organic fruit juices instead of water or milk
almond flour instead of a portion of wheat flour
reconstituted dried organic fruits
sugar pumpkins instead of regular
ground nuts instead of wheat in pie crusts
frozen grapes, raspberries, blueberries, instead of hard candy snacks

Ann Louise Gittleman, in her book called Get the Sugar Out : 501 Simple Ways to Cut the Sugar Out of Any Diet states,
"Even if you incorporate only one-tenth of the tips in this book, you're sure to reduce the sugar in your diet and change your life in a positive and noticeable way."

This page was updated in December 2005.