The Problem With Sugar And What To Use Instead

You've probably heard that too much sugar in your diet is bad for your health. But why is that and what can you eat instead? Find out in today's article.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Sugar and more sugar

Most of the food we eat turns into sugar and enters the bloodstream. Some foods cause your blood sugar to rise faster after you eat them. Sugar does not fill you up but encourages you to eat more, and eating added sugar is worse than the sugar in fruits and vegetables.

Too much sugar can put you at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. You may take insulin when your body cannot use or store glucose (sugar) as it should. To avoid this, you must eat balanced meals to keep your blood sugar under control and stay healthy.

How does sugar harm you?

Any food with sugar will cause your blood sugar to rise faster. The rise in blood sugar after a meal signals the pancreas to release the hormone insulin. When blood glucose levels rise, the body makes extra insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal. Your pancreas works overtime to produce enough insulin. After years of your pancreas working extra hard, it gets tired and can no longer keep up. Insulin supply goes down, and blood glucose levels go up; this is when Type-2 diabetes is diagnosed.

Insulin is needed to move glucose into the blood cells. Even eating too many fruits can affect your blood sugar level.

Health problems caused by sugar include heart disease, tooth decay, depression, weakened eyesight, cataracts, diabetes, dehydration, making your skin age, and contributes to obesity.

How to live healthily and eat less sugar

• Use water as your main drink. Your body consists of roughly sixty percent water, and it’s the best source to beat thirst. You use other sugar-free drinks like crystal light with water.

• Carbohydrates are found in starches, fruit, milk, yogurt, and sweets. These foods raise your sugar, so it’s best to eat them in smaller portions. Moving more and burning carbs is also an excellent way to keep this in check.

• Eat plenty of high-fiber foods. Choose fresh fruits, fresh and frozen vegetables, beans, legumes, lentils, and whole grains. High-fiber means food with three or more grams of dietary fiber per serving.

• Talk to your doctor about insulin treatment.

  • Learning about how to live with diabetes will help you keep your blood sugar levels controlled and stay healthy in the future.

  • Things you must know – how to test your blood sugar, eat healthy balanced meals, exercise duration, and take medicines if needed.

  • Check out my book Positive Affirmation - Fear No More: Memoir for some suggestions on reversing Type-2 diabetes.

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