Remember the children’s poem about little boys being made of snails and puppy dog tails? Then little girls are sugar and spice and everything nice. Yes, sugar is sweet and taste nice! However, sugar is not necessarily nice to your body. But, I hear you say, “The body needs sugar to function properly.” You are correct! Therefore, I’m giving you a new tool, the truth about sugar.

Sugar is Sugar. Right?

I bet you don’t know there are ten different kinds of sugar. Take a look at these different sugars and keep your mind open.

• Granulated Sugar: is refined, white, or table sugar, granulated sugar it’s the most common type of sugar and is used everyday.
• Caster Sugar: a common baking ingredient used in the U.K and Australia, caster sugar is a white, refined sugar popularly.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: known as powdered sugar, confectioners’ sugar is the type of sugar that is finely grounded into a powdered form. Confectioners’ sugar has the ability to dissolve easily which is why it is ideal for frostings and icings.
• Pearl Sugar: is produced by breaking big blocks of regular sugar and is hard.  It’s used for baking purposes such as sprinkling crushed pearl sugar on top of pastries.
• Cane Sugar: is produced solely from sugarcane and comes from either sugar beets or sugarcane.
• Demerara Sugar: demerara sugar is light brown, minimally refined, and produced from the crystallization of cane juice. The cane juice is crystallized, then the particles achieve caramel color and are known as demerara sugar. Demerara sugar is commonly produced in countries like Hawaii, India, and Mexico.
• Turbinado Sugar: often referred to as raw sugar, turbinado sugar is naturally grown and possesses a caramel flavor. However, the FDA states that turbinado sugar isn’t raw because raw sugar is never intended for consumption as it contains contaminants like sand and other impurities. Therefore, turbinado sugar is refined mechanically which makes it a type of processed sugar.
• Muscovado sugar: a deep brown, unrefined cane sugar that contains organic molasses.The molasses present in muscovado offer antioxidants like gallic acid and polyphenols. These antioxidants prevent cells from damage by eliminating free radicals.
• Brown sugar: produced when white sugar is mixed and flavored with molasses. In light brown sugar, the quantity of molasses is less giving it a light brown color to it.
• Dark brown sugar: comes in its darker version having more molasses added to it.

Our Body Knows The Difference Between Sugars. Correct?

Not really. There is two main kinds of sugar, monosaccharides and disaccharides. Monosaccharides or single sugar molecules include fructose, galactose, and glucose. This sugar takes the fast track into the bloodstream. Hence, the sugar rush!

Disaccharides are two single molecules linked together. This is known as glucose and fructose. These get broken down by the liver into single glucose molecules before entering the bloodstream. As a result, they raise your blood sugar a little more slowly. It’s known as, slow and steady.

Therefore, while the nutritional value of a peach is totally different from a piece of chocolate cake, your body can’t tell the difference between a molecule of fructose, glucose, sucrose, or any other sugar molecule. Our body will digest them all the same way.

But, What About Fruit and Vegetable Sugars?

I’m glad you asked! We just determined that your body doesn’t know the difference between sugars. So, why worry about it? I agree, we shouldn’t worry! Worry stresses the body and mind! However, having knowledge helps us make better choices.

Glucose is the primary fuel to generate energy. We need glucose for the body’s cells to carry out metabolic and biological functions. Glucose is essential for the brain, red blood cells and muscle cells during exercise.

Fruits and vegetables are a great source of providing beneficial glucose. What do you mean beneficial glucose?

Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy sugars. When you include vegetables and fruits in your diet, you are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.

Processed sugars provide no health benefits. In addition, they provide empty calories! Glucose from fruits and vegetables not only provides the glucose our body needs to function properly, but adds vitamins and minerals. Fiber is found in these foods as well. We know the importance of fiber in the body!

Time to wrap it up!

As, you’ve just learned, the body does need glucose to maintain health. However, the source of the sugar is important. Remember, moderation in everything! Don’t over do it on the fruits and vegetables high in natural sugar. No, I’m not going to list the foods naturally high in sugars. You need to take an active role in your health. You can research which foods need to be eaten in small amounts.

In conclusion, enjoy the holidays and family gatherings. Instead of reaching for the fourth chocolate chip cook, grab a handful of grapes.