Are you committing suicide by sugar?

I’m sure you’ve heard of all the dangers of sugar by now from medics, nutritionists, beauticians, the media, a relative. And that sugar makes you fat, diabetic, acne prone, old, have infections…the list is endless. I also know you might have received some condemnation for having a sweet tooth. Personally, I l♥♥♥♥ve cake (sigh) and I don’t think I’m about to quit the loving anytime soon. However, I’ve been thinking of going sugar free for a while now because I realize the older I get , I need to take care of me more – that’s my skin, my inner balance and weight. Regulating sugar in my son’s diet has also been happening, and he doesn’t seem to mind it either. A bunch of my friends won this battle long ago which led me to discover I can substitute sugar with fruit in my cake baking or honey altogether. Wow!

Here are 5 must know steps to break the sugar habit for good. Remember these small steps really count. But in the long run.

1. Get to know the names of sugar

So you’re more sugar conscious with what you buy. Common names include: sucrose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, corn syrup, dextrose, glucose, honey, organic sugar and maltodextrin. The higher up on the ingredient list, the more sugar it has.

2. Avoid added sugars and sweeteners

Added sugars and sweeteners can create sudden spikes in blood sugar levels which can lead to fatigue, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (I’m no expert, it’s what doctors say). Sugar is also ageing and reduces effort ot losing weight. And the obvious one, sugar has no nutrients you can benefit from except for carbohydrates.

3. Be consistent

Before eating that sugar loaded cookie, STOP & BREATHE. Being more mindful of what you eat is a good step towards achieving a healthier lifestyle. Apply the 80/20 rule in this one (Eat well 80% of the time). That will help you avoid the guilt of having some bit of junk or punishing yourself with a diet.

4. Avoid refined carbohydrates

Foods such as white bread, white rice, and white flour are stripped off the nutrients. So go for the whole grain versions of each. Doesn’t taste the same but you’ll sure feel better. Refined carbs have a similar effect on the body just like sugar since they break down quickly.

5. Swap sugar for whole fruit

If you love pudding, you could try snacking on whole fruit