Tips To Cut Down Sugar Intake

Diabetes is a rising health problem worldwide. It is no more a health condition of adults. Even young kids are becoming victims of diabetes. We all know that excessive consumption of sugar increases the risk of diabetes. Sugar cravings for both diabetics and non-diabetics can be really unhealthy and harmful for the body. Excessive consumption of sugar has bad impact on health as it increases the blood sugar levels which in turn can raise the chances of diabetes, heart diseases, osteoporosis and cancer.

There is no doubt to the fact that most of the people are addicted to sweets and other sugary delicacies, still the sweet cravings has no limits. However, you need to limit the consumption of sugar to stay healthy and avoid health issues especially diabetes. Well, if you think that leaving sugar suddenly is going to help, then you are wrong. You need to slowly cut down on sugar and then control your sweet tooth. You need to follow few steps to cut down on sugar intake slowly and effectively. The sugar cut down must be replaced with healthy and nutritional alternatives. Here are few tips to cut down sugar intake.

Tips to cut down sugar intake:

Cut slowly

Cut slowly

As mentioned earlier, you cannot cut down on sugar immediately. So, go slow! Reduce the consumption of sugar food items. For example, if you eat 2 chocolate bars every day, then cut it down to one.

Avoid sugar beverages

Avoid sugar beverages

Most of the beverages including fruit juices have sugar in it. Avoid adding sugar to your beverages. It is a very important tip to cut down sugar as liquid sugar is more harmful because it directly goes into the bloodstream.

Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners

Cookies, candies and other artificial sweeteners are really harmful. To cut down sugar intake, exclude artificial sweeteners from your diet.

Preservatives

Preservatives

Jams and jellies are preservatives that are very rich in sugar. Cut down the intake of sugar preservatives.

Avoid flavoured yogurt

Avoid flavoured yogurt

Flavoured yogurt is rich in sugar which can increase blood sugar levels. Avoid flavoured yogurt and prefer skimmed plain yogurt.

Fruit juice

Fruit juice

Fruits and fruit juices have natural sugar in it. However, many people add more sugar to make it taste better. Keep it natural and avoid adding sugar in your fruit juices.

Dry fruits

Dry fruits

You can control the sweet tooth cravings by adding some healthy dry fruits like dates, apricots and almonds in your diet.

Ween teaspoons of sugar

Ween teaspoons of sugar

We love to add sugar in coffee, tea, yogurt and milk. Initially, reduce the intake of sugar by adding less teaspoons of sugar. Slowly, ween it completely.

Avoid ice cream

Avoid ice cream

You might love having ice cream after every meal, but ice cream is rich in artificial sweeteners which can increase blood sugar levels. Moreover, artificial sweeteners can lead to mouth odour and tooth problems.

Neem & bitter gourd

Neem & bitter gourd

Both neem and bitter gourd are healthy alternatives which stabilises blood sugar levels and controls cravings. They might taste bitter but are the best natural medicine for diabetics.

Story first published: Monday, June 3, 2013, 18:37 [IST]
Read more about: health diabetes