Lifestyle School Podcast

Episode 40: The Sweet Truth - How Different Sugars Affect Your Body

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Episode Summary
Sugar isn’t just sugar. Your body digests and processes different types of sugar in very different ways, and those differences matter when it comes to energy, cravings, weight gain, and long-term metabolic health. In this episode of Lifestyle School, I break down the major types of sugar—glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, galactose, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, and natural alternatives—and explain how each one affects your blood sugar and your body.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why fruit doesn’t equal soda, why some “sugar-free” foods may not be as harmless as they seem, and how to make smarter choices to stabilize your blood sugar and support your health.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • What sugar actually is, and the difference between monosaccharides and disaccharides.

  • How your body processes glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose—and why maltose shows up in foods you might not expect.

  • The five main categories of sugars: naturally occurring, refined, sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, and natural low-calorie sweeteners—how they’re made, how they work, and how they affect your body.

  • A deeper dive into glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL): what they mean, how they differ, and why they matter for your cravings, energy, and long-term health.

  • How to spot hidden sugars in everyday foods and why they keep your insulin levels elevated.

  • Practical strategies to swap refined sugars for whole-food alternatives without feeling deprived.

    • Resources & Links Mentioned

    • Learn more about Lifestyle School for Weight-Loss and how we use real food and fasting to restore metabolic health.

    • Related podcast episodes:

      • Episode 33: What Is Insulin Resistance and Why It Matters

      • Episode 28: The Perfect Diet: Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work

      • Episode 31: Autophagy - Your Body’s Natural Clean-Up Crew

        • Episode Challenge

        This week, swap one refined sugar for a natural, whole-food option. For example:

        • Replace soda with sparkling water and lemon.

        • Swap candy for a piece of fruit.

        • Use raw honey sparingly instead of white sugar.

        • Pay attention to how your body feels—your energy, mood, and cravings.

          • Let’s Stay Connected

          If you loved today’s episode, please share it with a friend who’s confused about sugar. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. And if you’re ready to go deeper, join me inside Lifestyle School for Weight-Loss where we take these concepts and put them into action in your everyday life.

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          Lifestyle School PodcastBy Hope Plack