Nutrition Questions and Answers
Vital Health Zone is proud to announce Anastacia Sampson , who is our resident naturopathic expert and who is available to answer questions about nutrition and health.
Anastacia Sampson has a private practice and is available for consultation in a number of ways.
Anastacia Sampson will answer your nutrition-related questions.
Q: I cut sugar and processed foods out of my diet completely, but now when I treat myself to a cake or something sweet on a special occasion I end up feeling sick with swollen glands and feeling very dehydrated.
Can you please tell me what causes this?
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A: What has happened to you is relatively simple. Your body has become used to more natural foods. Natural foods have a natural sugar content. As we add refined sugar to foods, especially in processed form our bodies struggle. You have adapted to a natural healthy lifestyle and when you eat these foods your body now screams, 'hey what are you feeding me?' To understand why you develop swollen glands requires that you answer some questions from a health care advisor. Generally I guess that with the cake, the salt content with those sugars are leading to an imbalance. This effects your hormonal system and other immune regulators (then you can get swollen glands).
Remember there is a high salt content in the usual common baking powders (sodium bicarbonate). The imbalance caused by the salt and sugar can lead you to feel dehydrated. Also check with your doctor if you have a sugar imbalance - do you notice you have to urinate more after the cake? I recommend that next time you wish to treat yourself on a special occasion that you try something else. Take a fruit or type of chocolate soya bar. Otherwise have a bakery product that is made with more natural ingredients. If you are at an event and there is only cake, try to preplan by bringing your own 'delights' or requesting the host/hostess to cater for sugar sensitivity.
While it is natural that your body does not like those foods, there is also the possibility that you are having a delayed immune response as you may have a food intolerance to specific ingredients in the cake or the other sweet foods which is bringing about a reaction. You are welcome to contact me and I will happily answer you if I can look further into this. This is a general answer as I do not have access to your medical history.
Well done on the healthy options!
Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.
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Enjoy better health!
