Trick or treat? As Halloween approaches, consider boosting your health and wellness by skipping the treats this spooky season.
Halloween originated from an ancient Celtic festival, Samhain, where people lit bonfires and wore costumes to keep ghosts at bay. Costumes are still at the heart of the holiday, but celebrations have evolved, and Halloween is now synonymous with sugary sweets and candy.
While indulging in a sugar rush is par for the course on Halloween, you should be aware of the negative impact of excessive sugar consumption on your health. We’ve got the scoop on the potential risks associated with too much sugar and can offer some practical advice to help you manage your sugar intake during this festive time of year.
What Happens When You Eat Sugar?
When you consume sugar, it’s broken down into glucose, which is absorbed into your bloodstream and prompts the release of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells of the body, where it’s used for energy or stored for future use.
Sugar occurs naturally in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which are important components of a balanced diet. These healthful foods digest slowly, and the natural sugar gives your body energy. While natural sugars are good for the body, added sugar poses a problem. Food manufacturers add sugar to processed food to make it taste better and stay fresh longer. Some common sources of added sugar are sodas, flavored yogurt, and other processed food. The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
Consequences of Too Much Sugar
Consuming too much sugar can lead to several health issues. It can cause spikes in blood glucose levels, leading to energy crashes and mood swings. Over the long term, it can contribute to weight gain, increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by causing insulin resistance, and lead to dental problems like cavities. Nearly 40% of U.S. adults are obese. Too much added sugar also puts you at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation, and liver disease, according to Harvard Health.
How Any Lab Test Now Can Help
Any Lab Test Now® has tests to help you manage your general health, as well as chronic conditions that may be the result of a genetic predisposition or a diet with too many processed foods and added sugar. Many conditions often go undiagnosed, because of the high out-of-pocket cost of healthcare — one in five Americans do not know they have diabetes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, careful monitoring is the key to maintaining your health. We provide a number of lab tests that help you manage diabetes, like our DIABETES MAINTENANCE PANEL. This panel consists of four tests that provide essential data to help you and your healthcare provider monitor your diabetes treatment.
How to Reduce Sugar Intake this Halloween
Stay on track this Halloween by taking steps to reduce your sugar consumption. Moderating sugar intake doesn’t mean you have to miss Halloween fun. Here are some strategies to help you enjoy the holiday while keeping your health in check:
- On Halloween, eat a nutritious meal to avoid overindulging. Eating fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Read labels to be aware of hidden sugars in processed foods. Sugar can appear under many names on ingredient lists, such as sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, and dextrose.
- Keep your house stocked with healthy alternative treats such as fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate.
- Choose quality over quantity. Opt for a small amount of high-quality chocolate instead of large quantities of less satisfying, sugar-packed candies.
- Mitigate the effects of sugar consumption with exercise. Take a post-trick-or-treat walk or play a fun, active game to get your steps in.
Take Control of Your Health
With the support of Any Lab Test Now® you can keep calm and scare on this holiday season. Visit Any Lab Test Now® to check your blood glucose and manage your diabetes like a pro. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
