People who want to choose low carb foods are wise to learn about the dangers of sugar. Among other problems, sugar suppresses the immune system, quickens the aging process, and is a favorite food of cancer cells. When consumed in excess, it is a substance that can lead to diabetes, contribute to arthritis and promote obesity.

Sugar upsets the body's healthy mineral balance. If you are sticking to a diet of low carb foods and concerned about getting enough of the most important nutrients, this is a great reason to steer cleer of sugar. Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc are crucial to bodily functions. If there is a lack of just one of these crucial minerals, the entire system can malfunction. Just two teaspoons of sugar causes micronutrients in the body to change radically, creating blood chemistry imbalances. Some mineral levels increase, some decline, and delicate ratios are upset. So, all it takes is a little sugar to negate the health benefits of consuming vitamin and mineral supplements while annihilating a diet of low carb foods.

Undoubtedly, sugar is everywhere, except in some low carb foods. Even something healthy, like oatmeai, is full of sugar in those instant flavor variety packs. In addition, look at all the sugar being consumed by children in snack foods, sodas, and other products that are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Watch Saturday morning television for the commercials and it seems that sugary cereals are a necessary element in the typical American diet for children. Bring up the subject of low carb foods to kids, though, and they think you are going to replace their Cap'n Crunch with spinach.

• Reporting for The Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1986, J. Goldman noted in 'Behavioral Effects of Sucrose on Preschool Children', that a dose of sugar equal to that of a 12 oz soft drink did indeed disrupt the performance of children at school. It caused their concentration levels to drop off and their inappropriate behaviors to rise.

When low carb foods make up a large part of the diet, energy levels may go up and down throughout the day. This is another obvious reason for people of all ages to steer clear of sugar. In addition to changes in behavior, sugar promotes hyperactivity, anxiety, and concentration difficulties.

People who are working hard to manage a diet of low carb foods have made the switch to Stevia instead of sugar. It is an herbal, all natural sweetener that is totally beneficial for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. So, it is possible to eliminate sugar for those who plan to keep the spotlight on low carb foods.