Sugar and refined carbohydrates (these have the same effect as sugar) are found in biscuits, sweets, cakes, pies and ice cream as well as products like salad dressings, tomato sauce, meat seasonings, and even some medications and Vitamin Supplements, making it one of the most overused and addictive additives in the World.
When we put sugar into our body, it is broken down into its simplest form, glucose. Eaten in small amounts, sugar products aren?t harmful, but with a full day of toasted sandwiches, hamburgers, jam doughnuts, fizzy drinks and chocolates, the pancreas struggles to release enough insulin to keep the body?s blood-sugar levels at a healthy level.
Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat foods high in sugar, you're allowing for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular or heart disease.
By eating more foods that have a Low Glycemic Index we can help to promote a slower release of glucose and insulin in the blood and therefore keep energy levels on an even keel. These include oatmeal porridge, sweet potato, whole-wheat spaghetti, apples, pears, lentils and chickpeas.
The Glycemic Index is a measure of how a certain food product affects the blood-sugar levels in the body, with each food being given a numbered rating. The lower the rating, the slower the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. A high rating means that blood-glucose levels are increased quickly, which stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin to reduce blood-sugar levels. Lentils have a low rating of 40 on the Glycemic Index, and white bread has a high rating of 100 on the Glycemic Index.
You can also reduce sugar cravings by adding more proteins like fish, chicken and meat to your meal. Eat regular meals to prevent blood-sugar fluctuations. Cinnamon aids blood sugar regulation. It tastes naturally sweet and is the perfect seasoning when you're trying to reduce your sugar intake.
However, the best source of sweetness must come from fruit. There are so many varieties of sweet fruits; enough to satisfy the sweetest tooth. If you can make up 80% of your diet with fresh fruit and vegetables, you should be able to get all the sweetness you need naturally without any additives.
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