Thrive State Podcast

EPISODE 29: Sugarproof: How to Protect You and Your Children against Disease

Episode 29: Michael Goran

As a new dad, I’ve been concerned more than ever—alarmed even—about how food companies market food to kids and the way people are eating nowadays.

The most striking reason: America’s childhood obesity problem has reached epidemic levels!

In my years of practice, and as I elaborately discuss in my book Thrive State, I’ve committed to educating people how chronic diseases stem from eating habits that go as far back as our ‘first meal’—breastmilk.

Not that we’re bound to get sick but the fact teaches us a foundational principle in nutrition that we would want to always keep in mind.

We’re naturally ‘sweet-tooth’ creatures!

In this episode of the Thrive State podcast, Dr. Michael Goran, professor and Program Director for Diabetes and Obesity at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, is with us to shed light on this increasingly confusing discourse about obesity and metabolic diseases, especially on kids.

Dr. Goran, author of the well-researched book, Sugarproof, bares sugar as the usual culprit but also explains a whole lot more about how sugar AND sugar alternatives work, giving us a better understanding of sugar intake management.

No sugar overload here—only oozing science-driven data and practical food and kitchen tips from Sugatproof-ing expert Dr. Michael Goran!

Check out more about Dr. Goran’s work at sugarproofkids on Facebook and Instagram and at sugarproofkids.com.

Show notes

The whole nutritional landscape changed for children in the past decades. Sugar is one of the main modifiable factors related to metabolic diseases and many chronic diseases.
Sugar has specific effects on children. Excess sugar can derail the process of growing a healthy liver and brain in children.
We are consuming more sugar and more types of it and in different forms today. Liquid sugar, especially if it involves fructose, is the most problematic.
Babies are born with a built-in sweet tooth. They are born with an innate craving for sweetness which is supposed to be protected from an evolutionary perspective. It favors the liking of breastmilk and avoiding food that has gone spoiled or toxic berries from the forest.
For the first time, the new dietary guidelines released in 2021 recommend zero added sugar for babies aged 0-2 years old.
For children, we’re not saying no sugar at all. We’re about reducing sugar and finding the healthy level; not only of sugar but also of carbohydrates. Maintaining steady blood sugar levels is as important for kids as it is for adults.
Sugar Alternatives: It’s like a fool’s gold. It basically tricks the body into thinking that it’s receiving sugar when it’s not and there’s multiple issues along with it. It does not resolve the craving for sweetness; it sometimes even promotes a craving for more sweetness.
The Real Alternative: Find the hidden sugars in the foods in your pantry. Use products with no added sugar. Offset the sugar with fiber and protein.
The Seven-Day Challenge: Dampen your craving for sweetness by going without sugar for a while. It has huge physiological benefits.
On Intermittent Fasting for kids: Breakfast is important, especially for growing kids. Fasting is recommended only under certain conditions.
Fatty Liver: It can also be caused by too much sugar, particularly fructose.
Dr. Goran’s Best Medicine: Sleep. Green tea. Good food, mostly plant-based.

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