Sugars vs. Sugar Substitutes

Clint Monfort, Co-Founder of Evolve

If you find yourself confused by the many different types of sugars found in processed foods, you’re not alone. Processed foods contain multiple forms of sweeteners which can make it really hard to determine just how harmful they are to our bodies, our energy, and our moods.

Whenever possible, it is best to opt for foods that are naturally sugar-free. If we are going to eat foods that contain sugar, a good rule of thumb is to choose foods that contain natural organic sweeteners like honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and monk fruit sweetener. Although I try to avoid added sugars, monk fruit sweetener is a personal favorite because I’ve noticed when wearing a continuous glucose monitor that it doesn’t cause a significant blood sugar spike. The lower the blood sugar spike, the less likely we’ll experience mood swings, loss of focus, and energy crashes.

As far as artificial sweeteners go, I try to avoid them at all costs. More and more evidence is emerging linking them to everything from neurological disorders to inflammatory bowel disease to seizures and even cancer. Another concern with artificial sweeteners is how they impact our ability to gauge how much we have eaten. Providing sweetness without calories also confuses the body’s normal digestive process. This can lead to intense cravings, overeating, storage of extra calories as fat, and metabolic diseases and disorders.

If we want to feel amazing, energized, and capable of performing our best work, the best bet is to ditch the sugar altogether. But we want to really be on high alert for artificial sweeteners.

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