Nutritionally Speaking By Barbara Beznos, RD/LD/N Integrated Nutrition, 1,1,C Dear Barb #2 How did sugars in the diet become so complicated and difficult to under- stand? Rachel WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SUCROSE OR TABLE SUGAR? Sucrose/table sugar is used: • In cooking for texture, viscosity, emulsifying • As a preservative • To lower freezing point • To cover up bitterness in drugs and medicine • As fermentation in food • As a source of energy just like other carbohydrates • As an additive or sweetener • As a tenderizer • For carmelization • For color • In sport drinks, for instant energy or with electrolyte replacement • In chewing gum, frozen desserts and frosting SO WHAT HAPPENS TO EXCESS SUGAR WE EAT? Excess sugar: • Goes into urine to be discarded • Stores as fat for future use • Is made into fatty acids to become a triglyceride fat which later travels to cells, organs, and becomes stored • Can even be converted by cells into fat, protein and fattening glucose • Can raise blood glucose levels and elevate insulin levels • For those who are genetically susceptible, may contribute to insulin resistance. This sugar then adds to weight gain, diabetes, or Syndrome X (a metabolic condition) • Is oxidized as a glucose molecule and is stored as glycogen in the liver or muscles • Is broken down quickly and then releases blood sugar rapidly. The Glycemic Index number for table sugar is 65; which is a high number — Barbara Beznos Registered Dietitian Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (FL) Contact Barb At: Integrated Nutrition, L.L.C. 31731 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 105 E Farmington Hills, Mi 48334 Phone: (248) 538-8050 E-Mail: rds@integratednutrition.com Web: www.integratednutrition.com 2025750 16 September 17 • 2015 Your Life, Your Legacy Preserving your stories for your grandchildren. S modern stimuli. As you communicate o you're now grandparents — with relish. to your grandkids about your past, you You devour the privileges. offer them alternative roads to their Watching your kids do what you did. future. Spending time with the grandkids. We all want to preserve our legacies Enjoying special moments of intimacy and life experiences for future genera- with each one of them. Seeing them tions. Grandparents, here's your chance. grow through lifecycle events, both joy- Inspired by a simchah coming or just ous and serious — brit milah, simchat past, initiated by your grandchild's bat/baby naming, performances at family roots project, standing on the school and in activities, b'nai mitzvah, scaffolding of memory generated by the graduations, weddings, etc. moment, give your grandkids But what about the respon- the gift of your lives. Your sibilities? Some grandparents grandkids want — and need can't figure that one out. The — to hear you, both now and practical responsibilities of in the future. caretaking — those belong Preserve your story for now to your kids. Are you them and for the generations destined solely to observe, beyond. Record or write it attend, give birthday pres- yourself or with the seasoned ents and — if you live in the help of a personal histo- rian — who will interview same area — to offer spot By R abbi babysitting? you, hear your story, ask the Mark R obbins Far from it. right questions, draw out the Specia I to the formative moments, relation- Jewish News It's A Tradition ships, themes and emotions, According to Jewish tradi- and tie them together. tion, the responsibilities of teaching and A few guidelines: guiding only grow with age, wisdom • Focus on life-changing decisions, and experience. You remain parents, transitional moments, moves, influen- still in the business of teaching your tial relationships, mentors and those children, albeit with wholly different you have mentored. challenges of time, place, style and fre- • Consider your core values and how quency. And you are grandparents, with you have lived them. Discern what your the unique opportunity to take the role life goals have been and whether you of teacher and mentor to an entirely have achieved them. new level. Remember that the goal is not to As grandparents, you become the determine exact history — but rather to main link for your grandkids to the grasp the riches you can from your past past, to lives lived in a different way, to and to reflect on how they made you values highlighted when they are now feel, what impact they've had on your hidden, to traditions less obscured by life and the lessons you've learned that you'd like to pass on to the next genera- tions. • Go beyond and arrange transcrip- tions and written text in a life story book — replete with photos, memora- bilia and other scans that illustrate the life you've led. Create a visual timeline of your life that correlates events in your life with events in the world around us. Frame an ethical will to accompany your estate planning. These are just a few of many options to choose from as you preserve your story for your family. As a rabbi and personal historian, I have had amazing experiences seeing the eyes of grandparents and others like you light up as you explore your past — as you reflect on subjects as diverse as who mentored you as young people, what shaped your key decisions, how life was different in America decades ago and whether you've achieved your life's goals. Your eyes light up with the past and they also peer ahead to the legacy in formation — for your kids, grandkids and beyond. Grandparents, take heart as you reflect these High Holidays—and as you refocus on what's really important. You are not just bonuses to your grand- kids' lives, not just happy observers. You are essential to them — no more so than when you bequeath to them your stories, the foundation for their futures. ❑ Mark Robbins is a rabbi at B'nai Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield. He also records and writes people's life stories, and is the founder of jewishlifestory.com . This story first appeared on myjewishdetroit.org .