Benefits of Reducing Added Sugar Consumption

Added sugar is sugar that isn't found naturally in a food. That is to say, it's the amount that is artificially added during the creation and processing of the product. To protect our health, it's essential that we reduce our consumption.

Sugar has become an essential part of most foods, although we consume a much higher amount of this ingredient than recommended. Reducing the consumption of added sugar has a positive effect on your body. That’s why today, we’ll tell you how to eat less sugar, while explaining the changes that you’ll notice in your body.

Are we aware of the added sugar that we consume?

With this added ingredient, the food we consume is more palatable, and it has a better flavor. In recent times, added sugars have invaded the food products on the shelves of all supermarkets.

No matter which section of the store we are in- meats, sausages, snacks, pastries, dairy– added sugar is present in virtually all foods. So, the question we may often ask ourselves is important. Are we aware of all the added sugar that we consume? The answer is a definitive NO!

Most of the time, when we eat sugar, we aren’t even aware of it. Therefore, we encourage you to do an experiment! Open your fridge and check the ingredients of all the foods that are in it. You’ll be surprised to see how many products include this added ingredient. Also, that includes salty foods that we assume are sugar free.

How can we reduce our consumption?

Once we are aware of all the added sugars that we eat, it’s time to reduce their consumption. As you have now seen from the ingredients in your own food products, most of the food we buy includes added sugars. This fact means that eliminating them from our diet, or at least reducing them, feels like an impossible mission.

To reduce your consumption of added sugar, go to your usual supermarket and check the food labels. Only buy foods that are labeled as free from added sugar. At first, you may find it difficult to find these foods, and it may take longer to buy groceries. However, after a couple of visits, you’ll soon know which foods are suitable, and which are not.

Grocery shopping may be slightly more expensive, but it really is worth it. Even if you have to spend a little more money, your body will appreciate it. In addition, you will immediately begin to notice the benefits, as a consequence of reducing your consumption of added sugar.

Reasons for decreasing your consumption of added sugar

If you are still doubting whether you should reduce your consumption of added sugar, here are the reasons why you should banish this ingredient from your diet:

• It contributes to weight loss. Added sugars are responsible for a large number of calories found in most foods. If you are dieting and want to lose weight, you should avoid foods with a high sugar content and exchange them, for those that only contain natural sugars.
• Avoid obesity. Added sugars not only increase your calorie intake, they also do not contain any beneficial nutrients. This means that they don’t bring any positives to your body and makes them one of the main culprits responsible for weight problems and obesity. Don’t forget, fast food also includes a large amount of sugars, which makes it an unhealthy choice.
• It decreases the risk of having diabetes. Diabetes is an increasingly widespread disease. Diabetics see how it’s becoming more and more difficult to feed themselves without consuming added sugars. A diet without these sugars prevents insulin resistance.
• Avoid binge eating or cravings. Sugar is a highly addictive food. That is why when we are hungry, nervous or sad, we crave sweet foods. Avoiding sugary foods will reduce cravings and prevent the need to binge. This is very important for people with anxiety or for people who are on a diet.