If you're like most people in the US, your sugar consumption levels may very well be through the roof, and you may not even know it. However, it's quite possible to lower your sugar intake without taking a lot out of your palate. Plus, for some, quitting sugar by incorporating healthier food options in their diet has helped make their eating habits more enjoyable. In light of this, we're going to talk about some reasons why you should stop eating sugary foods as well as discuss some strategies you can use to quit your sugar consumption altogether.
Powerful Factors Associated with Quitting Sugar
It's Going to Help Enhance Your Cognition
One of the best ways to boost your mental health and cognition is to quit sugar. Just try saying no to sugar for a couple of days and you'll notice a change in your levels of focus. Plus, you'll also notice an increase in cognitive clarity. You see, eating a lot of sugary foods can be detrimental to your brain health as made evident by a 2014 research posted by Nutritional Neuroscience. The study determined that eating a diet high in fructose can lead to hippocampal insulin resistance, which inadvertently causes memory deficits.
So, if you wish to have a clear mind and healthy cognition as well as boost your focus levels and motivation, (all of which become even more important as you age) then you should probably reduce the amount of sugar you consume or kick the habit completely.
Lowers Chances of Getting Diabetes
It's no surprise to know that sugar is also linked to causing type-2 diabetes. What this means is you have a lot of control in steering clear of the risks and symptoms associated with diabetes. Just stop eating sugar.
You see, consuming too much sugar causes your natural blood sugar to elevate, which is what gradually leads to insulin resistance. Moreover, insulin resistance doesn't just cause diabetes but is linked to a variety of health issues concerning your vital organs such as the pancreas, liver, heart, and much more.
You'll Be in High Spirits and an Even Better Mood
We'd be lying if we said eating a piece of double-fudge chocolate cake or strawberry ice cream doesn't make anyone happy. However, the happiness you feel is pretty short-lived. You need to see the bigger picture, which is going to be grim if giving up sugar is not on your agenda. Not only does a high sugar intake wreak havoc on your brain health, but it can also cause a slew of issues such as chronic inflammation.
According to a study posted in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2015, it was determined that women who consumed plenty of sugary foods, specifically items that ranked high on the glycemic index, were more susceptible to developing symptoms associated with depression.
3 Excellent Strategies to Quit Sugar
1. Stay Far Away from Sugary Beverages
Soft drinks and colas, fruit drinks, iced tea, etc. are all beverages that contain an ungodly amount of sugar. But what's even crazier is the fact that these types of drinks also include added sugar. For example, it's absolutely staggering to know that one can of a carbonated beverage contains up to 9 teaspoons of sugar. That's way more than the daily recommended value. The alternative? Well, stick to drinking water, seltzers, and unsweetened teas.
2. Give Whole Foods a Try
The best way for quitting sugar for a month is by switching to whole foods. Not only will they help keep you fuller for longer, but whole foods are not processed in any way. This means that you won't have to worry about any artificial additives, flavourings, etc. Whole foods include things such as whole grains, leafy greens, meat, fruits, and legumes.
On the other hand, ultra-refined food items such as breakfast cereals, fast food, and sugary drinks contain a lot of sugar along with other additives such as salt and fat. Sure, they do taste pretty good, but it quickly becomes impossible to control the amount of these things you can eat in a day.
3. Always Nutritional Labels or a List of Ingredients
This is essentially where things get a bit tricky. Food companies use different forms of sugar and label the ingredient under a variety of names, which often makes it too difficult to notice. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't read the label at all. It is now mandatory for food companies to list the amount of added sugars in their products under the "carbohydrates" category.
So, the next time you go out to do some grocery shopping keep an eye out for the following ingredients:
· Dextrose
· Maltose
· High fructose corn syrup
· Invert sugar
· Caramel
· Molasses
· Rice syrup
Bottom Line
And there you have it, an in-depth look into why you should consider quitting sugar and a good understanding of how exactly you can do that.
