Health Ideas that Change You

How to be Sugar Free

Before we address the question on how to be sugar free, it is best to answer the question why we should consider a sugar fee diet?  Does this mean you are going on a health craze, jumping on the latest band wagon to lose weight?  If we actually listen to what the medical community is saying, the choice to be sugar free is a matter of life or death.  The fact is, sugar is causing our slow demise.  When you consume an excessive amount of Sugar, you are putting yourself at risk for a number of ailments such as:

·         Insulin Insensitivity - Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

·         Cardiovascular Disease - Clogged Arteries, Heart Attack, Stroke

·         Mental Problems Depression to Alzheimer’s disease

·         Excessive sugar consumption also contributes to Arthritis and Cancer

These are diseases we can avoid by simply cutting down on sugar and paying attention to the sugar content in the food that we purchase in the market.  Incidentally, this is the first few steps on how to be sugar free.  Pay attention to what kinds of foods you are stocking your fridge and cupboard.  Read labels and consult the Glycemic Index chart for fruits and vegetables. Watch out for fructose, maltose, lactose, and glucose, as well as honey and corn syrup.

Next in the “how to be sugar free” plan is to cut down slowly.  Some health specialists consider sugar addictive, and with this particular addiction, its best to slowly wean yourself out of it.  Choose to use sugar substitute on anything you need sweetened. Look for processed food and beverages that has no sugar added or is sugar free such as jams, juices, dressings, desserts and the like. These foods have Isomalt, it is sweet but is not a carbohydrate. The idea is to slowly replace your favorite sweet sugary food with healthy, sweet sugar free food.

            The third step is to never put yourself in a compromising situation.  Bring your own sugar free snack and sugar substitutes all the time.  Giving in to your sugar craving once in a while is not a part of the how to be sugar fee plan. Your quick indulgence may give you a sugar rush you might crave for again and again. 

            It is also a good idea to keep a food diary and a sugar free recipe notebook, it helps us watch what we eat and helps us keep ourselves in check.  Some trainers say that if we forget that we ate, it never existed.