Sugar has been a lifelong treat for most of us. But, is all sugar bad sugar? 

There are two things we know about sugar for sure. 

Number one – it tastes great!

Number two -  Consuming a natural source of sugar is better than consuming added sugars. 

What Sugar is Bad for Me? 

Many years ago, sugar was a rare commodity, and today – it is in almost everything we eat.

When sugar is contained naturally within food, such as in fruit, you’re taking in a lot of fibre, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, which slows the digestion and causes less impact on blood sugar. Refined sugars are where the problems are.

When you eat sugar or sugary foods, the food is digested quickly, and you will have much higher glucose levels in your blood.

An excess of sweetened foods and drinks can lead to weight gain, blood sugar problems, tooth decay and an increased heart disease risk.

Consuming sugar can also increase your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. 

What Types of Sugar to Avoid? 

Get into a habit of reading labels. To see if a food has sugars added, you will need to check the ingredients list. 

Here are some types of sugar to avoid:

• Sugar-filled drinks, such as energy and sports drinks; also check the amount of sugar in store-bought smoothies and fruit juices 
• Sugar-loaded desserts, such as cakes, doughnuts, cookies, and ice-cream 
• Sauces with high levels of sugar, such as some ketchup, barbecue sauce and sweet chilli sauce 
• Canned foods can contain high levels of sugar
• Check for sugar in “healthy” snack foods, such as granola bars

Is Sugar Ageing you

Did you know sugar can make your skin lose its elasticity and plumpness? This is all down to a process called glycation. Glycation is the bonding between sugar and protein in the body, making proteins like collagen and elastin less effective.  

What is a Healthy Sugar Alternative

Where possible, it is always better to rely on the natural sweetness of foods themselves. An apple a day is a better choice than a cookie. An apple is packed with vitamins and nutrients, while a cookie is a processed food filled with sugar. 

If you’re making sweet treats yourself, think of ways other than sugar to add sweetness. You could add carrots, raisins, dates or figs. 

Artificial Sweeteners are low-calorie or calorie free chemical substances used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks.

It has been suggested that the use of artificial sweeteners may have a stimulating effect on appetite and, therefore, may play a role in weight gain. However research into sweeteners and appetite stimulation is inconsistent. Also, there is little evidence from longer term studies to show that sweeteners cause weight gain.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings? 

If you’ve found that munching sugary snacks makes you crave more sugary snacks, you’re not alone.

To keep your blood sugar balanced and avoid the dips that will send you racing off to get a quick fix with a bar of chocolate, eat little and often—stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. 

Take out of your diet all the foods that contain added sugar. 

Stop adding sugar to your tea and coffee. 

Think about the types of alcohol and which have lower sugar content. 

Many people turn to sweet foods when they're stressed or angry, but food doesn't solve emotional issues. Ask yourself – do I eat when I’m stressed? 

Bring awareness of food nutritional values to the table and start eating mindfully. 

Lastly, go easy on yourself. The choices you make will impact your life and how you feel, so take your time and do it right.