Do you know how much sugar is in the foods or drinks you consume? Do you know that foods that are claimed to be “healthy” have tons of sugar in them? Whether you knot it or not, there are hidden sugars in almost all food & drink items even if stores claim them to be “organic” or “natural”.
Some things to be aware of:
Flavoured products such as oatmeal, yogurt or other dairy products have tons of added sugars. Although oatmeal has many health benefits, the difference between plain oatmeal and flavoured oatmeal is significant in terms of the sugar content. I always get plain oatmeal and flavor it up myself with fruit or maple syrup!
Now it’s important to know that not all sugars are the same. Fructose, which is found in fruits, is not to be much of a concern. Fruit has antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, which slows down the release of insulin. It’s the highly processed foods that contain high fructose corn syrup that we need to cautious of. These types of food have little to no fiber, which doesn’t slow the release of insulin.
Why do we need to worry about our consumption of sugar?
When we have sugar, we release certain endorphins, which lead us to crave MORE.
Sugar gives us a quick swing of energy followed by a crash. This is due to the large spike in insulin that comes right away once we have consumed sugar. This plays a huge role in your mood, energy and focus.
Sugar is linked to obesity and a variety of different chronic diseases.
How to make healthier choices:
In moderation, opt for natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey . Eat more healthy fats. Fats help to keep you full and can assist in reducing your cravings for sugar.
Start your day off with a healthy breakfast. Most people consume the most sugar at breakfast due to the options they choose. Juices, sugary cereals, waffles, pastries etc.
Limit snacking or make healthy options. Most snacks are processed and convenient. Choose some raw veggies and hummus or some fresh fruit with almonds.
Choose your drinks wisely. Instead of consuming sugary juices or sodas, stick to teas, black coffee or water.
Instead of telling yourself that you can’t give up sugar, give it a try. It’s always hard at first but by limiting your intake of sugar, you will soon start to feel the difference & notice that you may not have those craving you thought you would have.