Harmful Sweets for the Human Body: A Health Overview
Sweet Sins Exposed: Dr. Zuhra Pavlov's Guide to Friendlier Desserts
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Dr. Zuhra Pavlov, an acclaimed diabetes expert and author of "Deception in Substances," approaches sweet indulgences with a balanced, down-to-earth perspective. On her Telegram channel, she advises moderation over abstinence when it comes to sugary treats.
To help you make smarter dessert choices, she's compiled a rankings of sweet products - from the sugary sinners to sweet sympathizers.
SUGARY SITTERS: THE ULTIMATE SINTHS
Junk Food Alley "Living the Farm Life: A Moscow Entrepreneur's Quest for Natural Produce"video**Junk Food Alley - Soda, packaged fruit drinks, and energy drinks.
- Quick bite sweets: Candy, lollipops, caramel.
- Pastries from the bakery, cake shop goodies.
- Breakfast sweets extravaganza (sugary cereals, granola bars).Anything on this list will spike your blood sugar levels in 5 to 10 minutes, even for health-conscious folk.
Sweeter Replacements:
- A glass of lemon water, chilled herbal tea without sugar.
- Homemade, sugar-free treats like stevia-sweetened cheesecakes, or baked apple with cinnamon.
CONDITIONALLY GOOD: MODERATELY SWEET PRODUCTS
- Dark chocolate (70%+).
- Dried fruits like dates, figs, raisins.
- Natural yogurt with fruits.
- Bananas, grapes (limited servings).
These sweeties should be enjoyed sparingly as they still raise blood sugar but at a slower pace. They're best controlled for those with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
Alternatives with More Benefits:
- Berries like strawberries, blueberries (less than a cup daily, preferably after breakfast or as a snack with cottage cheese).
- Nuts or seeds.
- Sugar-free yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and a sprinkle of berries.
SWEETIES WITH HEALTH PERKS
- Berries, pear, and apple.
- Baked pumpkin, carrot.
- Pumpkin seeds, unsweetened coconut.
- Sugar-free desserts based on cottage cheese or avocado.These fruits, seeds, and vegetables release glucose gradually, keeping you full and fiber-rich.
Reminder: Don't chase the "perfect sugar substitute." Change your taste preferences and eating habits over time. It's more than just a myth - the craving for sweet things decreases after you adapt!
BRIEFLY:
Is sugar the real villain behind diabetes?
- No, sugar itself isn't the sole or primary cause of diabetes. Diabetes, often referred to as "the sugar disease," is actually brought on by prolonged metabolic imbalance.
- Overeating, obesity - especially abdominal, and insulin resistance are the key factors. Although sugar may cause a sudden spike in glucose and insulin release, it won't lead to diabetes unless it's overconsumed alongside unhealthy weight gain or sedentary lifestyle.
- Even for healthy individuals, sugary items in drinks (soda, juices, sweet tea) and products with "hidden” sugar ( yogurts, ketchups, "fitness bars") are not daily staples, especially for people with prediabetes or diabetes.
Therefore, sweet treats are not to be consumed daily, especially for those with diabetes. For the healthy, it's essential to maintain a balanced diet and monitor weight.
- Dr. Zuhra Pavlov's Telegram channel advises enjoying dark chocolate, dried fruits like dates, figs, and raisins, and natural yogurt with fruits sparingly, as they still raise blood sugar but at a slower pace.
- According to Dr. Zuhra Pavlov, quick bite sweets such as candy, lollipops, caramel, pastries from the bakery, cake shop goodies, sugary cereals, and granola bars should be avoided as they will spike your blood sugar levels quickly, even for health-conscious individuals.
- The sugar-free desserts based on cottage cheese or avocado, baked pumpkin, carrot, pumpkin seeds, unsweetened coconut, berries like strawberries, blueberries (less than a cup daily, preferably after breakfast or as a snack with cottage cheese), and nuts or seeds are the sweeties with health perks, releasing glucose gradually and keeping you full and fiber-rich.
