If you are wondering how to eat less sugar there are a few steps
that you will need to take to be able to come off that white addiction. Sugar
like anything else can be addictive. People will go to extremes to get their
sugar fix.
Sugar is not a necessary nutrient. In other words your body does
not need sugar it is simply empty calories. Some sugar is fine but most people
get all the sugar that they need from a healthy diet WITHOUT adding in the
sugary treats.
Most all natural food contains some sort of sugar but in reality
it is not those sugars that are the problem it is the sugar that we add to our
drinks and our foods that cause the issues and is very addictive (bbc). A diet that has an excessive amount
of sugar is a bad diet that will pack on the pounds. If you want to know how to
eat less sugar continue reading.
Recognize What Sugar Is
Manufacturers can be a little tricky with their labels. If you
want to start cutting out sugar from your diet than you need to be able to
recognize the words that are used to hide some sugar in your food. Words that
also mean there is sugar in your food include:
·
Sucrose, Glucose, High Fructose, Lactose, Turbinado, Sorghum
Syrup, Corn Syrup, Caramel, Carob Syrup, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Barley Malt,
Beet Sugar, Cane Juice, Golden Syrup, Dehydrated Cane Juice Syrup, Ethyl
Maltyl, Glucose Solids
All of these ingredients are sugar. They are commonly found in a
host of pre packaged goods. Understanding what you are eating is half the
battle. Once you get the terms under control it is a lot easier to avoid hidden
sugars.
Read The Label
Now you have the terms that are used by manufacturers to hide
sugar in your food now you have to practice reading the label of everything you
eat. Some things are no brainers. Like cut back on candy, chocolate, watch the
amount of sugar you use in your coffee or tea but somethings are really quite
surprising when you are thinking about how to eat less sugar.
Sometimes things that are supposed to be healthy for you actually
contain a tad too much hidden sugar. Reading the label of everything that you
put in your mouth can help you to keep your sugar consumption in check. The average American consumes up to 64 pounds
of sugar each year. There is no nutritional benefit to consuming sugar and it
can lead to Type II diabetes. Reading the label of everything you eat can help
you get out of the sugar loop. Check out these sites (here and here) for more in-depth info.
Healthy Sugars
There are healthier ways to get your sugar fix. Fruits! Fruits
have fructose (which is an additive in a lot of pre packaged foods) but it is
easily digested by the body and of course it is in the perfect amount because
it is all natural! When that sugar craving hits if you want to know how to eat
less sugar the answer is to grab something that is good for you like fruit and combine it with yogurt as a great evening snack!
