Eating and living in moderation are key to living a long and healthy life. Reducing your sugar intake can keep other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues amongst many. Studies have also shown that a higher intake of carbohydrates and sugar in older adults has been linked to increased risks of mild cognitive impairment. Our loved one’s health is of importance to us, and we want them to live a good and long life. Helping them make sure that they reduce their sugar intake with these sugar diet tips can be the first step in doing so.
Your Daily Sugar Intake
Instead of cutting sugar out completely, you should stick to your recommended intake. Which would be six teaspoons or 100 calories for women and nine teaspoons or 150 calories for men. However, you are greatly implored to talk to your physician to get a better understanding of what your personal intake should be. As this is just a general guide it might not work for everyone especially those who already suffer from underlying health conditions.
Read the Fine Print
Commercially packaged food is probably where we get the most amount of our sugar. And a lot of the time an unnecessary amount is chucked in. Even everyday items like ketchup, mustard and jam all have exorbitant amounts of sugar in them. It’s good to learn how to read labels properly and understand what each component means so you can better understand what you are putting into your body.
Sweet as Sugar (Substitutes)
Artificial sweeteners may be a good option on occasion. However, while they don’t have any sugars in them, they also don’t have the healthy sugars needed for our bodies and a complete switch may do us more harm. Instead, look into natural sweeteners to replenish our sugar needs with something sweet and healthy.
- Coconut sugar – as it is unrefined it keeps all its vitamins and minerals and does not affect blood sugar levels. Diabetics are still cautioned to consult their doctor before using coconut sugar
- Raw honey – has many healthy properties as it’s an antioxidant and helps fight colds and infections. It can be used in numerous things from drinks to oatmeal.
- Applesauce – for those that like to bake, applesauce only has 100 calories per cup and is a good substitute for white sugar
Don’t Skip Meals
Skipping meals causes our bodies to not receive the right amount of carbohydrates. This then makes us crave sugar. Having a balanced meal with all the proportional amounts and healthy snacks throughout the day will keep us feeling full and stop us from craving unhealthy foods. It is alright to eat unhealthy foods occasionally as a treat as this also helps cut down cravings by giving our bodies what it is asking for. However, portion size and control are important.
Our loved one’s health is of importance to us, and we want them to live a good and long life. Helping them make sure that they reduce their sugar intake with these sugar diet tips can be the first step in doing so. Our health and wellness programs are designed to aid your loved ones in being the healthiest they can be. Feel free to contact us to find out more about our programs.
