Many of us keep justifying our actions in different ways; you could be consuming cans of diet Coke, but that doesn’t mean sugar’s absent from your diet. It’s possible you are eating sugar throughout the day without even realizing it. Sugar is added to foods that don’t even taste all that sweet, like breads, condiments, and sauces and it adds up. Some could be
foods that prevent your skin from looking its best. A high-sugar diet boosts your odds of tooth decay, heart disease, and diabetes, not to mention weight gain.
Therefore, slash your sugar intake with these five simple tricks;
1. READ FOOD LABELS:
When you look for it on ingredients lists you’ll quickly realize just how often sugar is added to foods, even things that you don’t think are sweet, like tomato sauce, crackers, condiments, and salad dressings can be packed with sugar. Ingredients are listed in order of how much exists in the product, so if sugar’s near the top, that’s a red flag.
2. GO FOR UNSWEETENED:
You can start making changes once you know where sugar hides. One strategy is this; buy foods labeled “no added sugar” or “unsweetened.” You’ll find unsweetened versions of these common foods in most grocery stories: non-dairy milk like almond and soy, nut butters, applesauce, oatmeal, and canned fruit.
3. THINK PROTEIN AND FAT:
One thing that can cause blood sugar to rise rapidly is unhealthy carbs loaded with sugar. To minimize this rapid rise and fall, pair protein, healthy fats, and fiber with your meal, all of which can slow down the release of blood sugar in your body and keep you full for longer. Fats are a key player because they help keep you fuller for longer, thus helping to decrease your desire for sugar. Focus on fats like avocados, nuts, seeds, and heart-healthy oils like olive oil, walnut oil, and coconut oil.
4. NEVER GO FAKE:
In an attempt to reduce your sugar intake, you may be tempted to switch to artificial sugars for your sweet fix. But resist reaching for the diet soda, sugar-free candy, and packets of fake sugar in your latte. These can mess up your taste for sweet. When you eat something sweet, your body expects calories and nutrition, but artificial sugars don’t give your body those things. That may be why fake sugars are associated with weight gain, not loss.
5. ADD MORE FLAVOUR:
Go for vanilla bean and vanilla extract, spices, and citrus zests to add sweetness to foods without having to use sugar. Order an unsweetened latte and add flavor with cocoa or vanilla powder. Skip the flavored oatmeal and add a sweet kick with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
