Summer Time Hoops

By LaRissa Johnson

October 21, 2025

Sugar is everywhere, and it can be found in just about anything, from instant oatmeal to white bread, and even ketchup. It’s hard to avoid, and even when you try, it can be a challenge to stop partaking of it. The temptation of sugar is everywhere. So, what’s the deal with sugar? In this article, you will learn what refined sugar is, where it can be found, and whether refined sugar is bad for you and your health.

What is Refined Sugar?

Refined sugar is a processed form of sugar. You may know it as table sugar. When you’re in the grocery store, you can identify it by its appearance. It is usually white, crystallized, and easily soluble in liquid. It’s often labeled as granulated sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or confectioners’ sugar. Refined sugar is usually added to processed, nutrient-poor foods.

Refined sugar is made by extracting the juice from sugar cane or sugar beets. The juice is then clarified, evaporated, and crystallized. Then, the molasses is removed by spinning the sugar crystals in a device called a centrifuge. Afterward, they are filtered with carbon to remove impurities and make the sugar whiter. Finally, the sugar crystals are dried and packaged.

As you can see, the sugar is processed and goes through a series of steps that change the sugar from it’s God-designed form. Refined, processed sugar is devoid of it’s natural, God-given “impurities” and substances, like molasses.

There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

Is Refined Sugar Bad for Your Health?

The simple answer is yes, refined sugar is bad for your health. Refined sugar is often compared to drugs because it is addictive and can release dopamine in the body, causing it to want more sugar. Refined sugar is also linked to excess belly fat, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Foods sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup can cause the body to be resistant to leptin, a hormone that is responsible for appetite control and tells the body when it’s time to stop eating.

Refined sugars can impair memory and contribute to dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It can trigger acne and premature aging. It can cause gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Refined sugar triggers low-grade chronic inflammation in the body and can cause gout and kidney stones. 

It worsens joint pain and stiffness, and can contribute to arthritis. It can disrupt the gut microbiome and suppress the immune system, making illness frequent. It can also cause leaky gut, which is when there is an increase in the permeability of the intestinal barrier, allowing harmful substances to pass into the bloodstream triggering systemic inflammation.  

Refined sugar can contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, as well as liver disease, depression, possible ADHD, and even certain types of cancer. It can also impact eyesight and contribute to cataracts, glaucoma, and damage to the retina (Diabetic Retinopathy). 

As you can see, refined/processed sugar can actually cause more harm than good in the human body. It is a man-made substance, not something that God created or intended for humans to consume. The great news is, however, that God designed our bodies to heal, so removing refined sugar from your diet can play a part when it comes to reversing or reducing symptoms caused by sugar. Combine this with the healing power of Jesus, and you are good to go!

 …who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [a]stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Foods That Have Refined Sugar

There are many foods that contain refined sugar. Breakfast cereals, flavored yogurt, instant oatmeal, and pastries are some places you’d find sugar at breakfast time. Sodas, sports drinks, and juices are common beverages that contain sugar. Processed meats, white bread, and pasta are common American staples that contain refined sugar.

 Most bagged, boxed, or frozen prepared foods will contain sugar. You most likely know that there is processed sugar in cookies, cakes, pies, candy, and ice cream, but beware of ketchup, salad dressing, pasta sauce, and BBQ sauce because they also often contain sugar. Check spices like your Lawry’s seasoned salt, too.

You may realize that most of the foods in the Standard American Diet contain some kind of refined and processed sugar. You are right! So, what can you do? Focus on whole foods that God created and eat them as close to the way He designed them as possible. This means you focus on whole fruits and vegetables and fresh meat that hasn’t been precooked or preseasoned, or breaded. Include nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, etc. Focus on what God made and prepare it yourself so that you know what is in your food. Avoid processed foods because they are the common culprits for harmful ingredients. Be sure to read labels when you go grocery shopping. This will allow you to make informed decisions before you purchase the food. Whole fruits and raw, unfiltered organic honey are the sweet treats that God has given us, so try replacing refined sugar with God’s natural sugars.

Wrapping Up: Is Refined Sugar Bad for Your Health?

Refined sugar is everywhere. Sometimes it’s obvious and easy to spot, but there are other times when it’s hidden in plain sight. Refined sugar is harmful to the human body and can contribute to many diseases and health issues that are common in the world today. Fortunately, we all get a choice and you get to decide what is best for you. Remember that many health issues stem from substances like refined sugar, refined flour, and seed oils, so begin by removing these things from your diet as you seek God for healing. Removing or simply reducing the amount of processed sugar in your diet is a great first step in the right direction on your health journey.

Whether you desire to break a sugar addiction, remove sugar from your diet, learn to read labels, or if you are seeking healing in your body, remember that nothing is too hard for God. He will help you if you ask Him. 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

By LaRissa Johnson

September 30, 2025

Have you noticed the inconsistency in recommendations about healthy eating? It can feel overwhelming when you are trying to improve your diet, but you don’t know where to start. Some doctors say to eat vegetables, and others say they are harmful. Some say don’t eat red meat, while others tell you that it’s a superfood. So, what is the truth, and how can we confidently implement the right dietary changes for optimal health? This article will help you get on the right track as you embark on your journey to eating healthy and honoring God with your body.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

You Are What You Eat, But What Are You Eating…REALLY?

Have you ever heard of the phrase, “You are what you eat?” This is true in a much bigger sense than the mere cliche speaks of. The first thing you need to do to begin eating healthy is to learn what you are eating exactly. When you consume food, it enters your body and can produce either life or decay. 

For example, eating a nutrient-dense meal of protein, vegetables, and a small amount of healthy carbs will fuel your body, provide nourishment, vitamins, minerals, and energy. However, a cheeseburger with fries and a milkshake from your favorite fast food restaurant is often full of artificial and chemically induced flavors, dyes, and ingredients that cause negative impact on the human body over time because they were never intended to go into the human body.

Many people deal with illness, joint pain, allergies, and other health challenges because of the foods they’ve been consuming. This is why it is important to learn what you are really eating. Just because the label says “gluten-free” or “no additives” does not automatically mean that it is safe to eat. It can be easy to think your frozen breakfast sausage is a healthy option, but it’s important to do a little more digging before putting it in your mouth. Let me show you how.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

How to Eat Healthy for Beginners

Here is a simple guide to help you eat healthily. These tips will allow you to make informed decisions about what you are eating. If you are just getting started, take it slow. This can be an informative and fun experience, so don’t allow it to be stressful.

Get Rid of the BIG 3

The first thing you want to do is take an inventory of your pantry, fridge, and freezer. There are three main things that you want to get rid of today, and once they are removed, you will drastically notice an improvement in the way you feel in time. Throw out anything made with refined (white) flour. Get rid of anything made with refined (white) sugar and remove any seed oils. 

Seed oils include canola oil, vegetable oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, etc. If you have these oils, trash them and replace them with extra virgin olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and even avocado oil occasionally. Also, check the ingredients of your prepackaged foods because most of them do contain these oils.

These three things are very low in nutrients, which means they don’t add anything good to your body, and they cause inflammation, weight gain, chronic diseases, and an unhealthy gut microbiome.

Focus on Whole Foods

You may find that those 3 things make up a large part of your diet, so you may be asking, “What can I eat then?” Great question! Start with whole foods. These are the foods that God created, and He called them good. This includes whole fruit, vegetables, and fresh meats that you can prepare (avoid breaded or seasoned). This can also include legumes, nuts, seeds, and high-quality dairy. Try to purchase these things in a minimally processed state, and as close to the way that God created them as possible. 

And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Genesis 1:29

Learn to Read Labels

Learning to read labels is going to be your greatest ticket to success when it comes to learning how to eat healthy. When you flip over a package or a box, let your eyes drift immediately to the ingredients. This is one of the most important things to check for. Choose items that have ingredients that you recognize, and ideally, you want to select items that have a very small number of ingredients. For example, if you are buying heavy cream, you only want to see one ingredient, and that is cream! 

If you enjoy learning about foods and what goes in them, consider looking up certain ingredients that you see in foods frequently. I often noticed natamycin was put in shredded cheese, and when I researched it, I learned it is an anti-fungal eye medication. Having this knowledge gives you a greater incentive to read labels so that you can be informed, know what to avoid, and shop smart.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… Hosea 4:6

Wrapping Up: The Truth About Food: How to Eat Healthy

The journey to eating healthy does not have to be discouraging. As you begin, pray and ask God for wisdom. Ask Him to help you as you are learning, and He will teach you and show you what to eat and what to avoid.

Remember, just because a box or bag says that it’s a healthy and wonderful product, it doesn’t mean that the claim is true. Instead, flip it over and read the ingredients and be the judge of that for yourself.

Remove refined flour, refined sugar, and seed oils from your diet because it is the quickest win and a huge boost to your health. Replace these things with whole foods, and read the ingredient label on the products before you buy them.