Lose Sugar, Lose Weight

How to Cut the Habit in 8 Steps
Sugar pouring

The human body only needs about two teaspoons of sugar in the bloodstream at any one time. Indulging in sugar stimulates the appetite and strengthens cravings. Given how addicting sugar is, is it any wonder overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in this country?

Sugar has been linked to almost every health problem: cancer, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia, and impaired immunity, as well as adrenal gland exhaustion, behavior problems, candidiasis, fatigue, hyperactivity, faulty digestion, mood swings, and tooth decay.

Cutting out sugar and artificial sweeteners will not only make you feel better, it will quickly flatten your belly, says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS. “You will be motivated by instant, measurable results.”

Here are eight simple ways to help you reduce or even end your sugar habit.

8 Quick Tips for Ditching Sugar

  • Don’t Add Sugar to Cereal or Drinks

    If you don’t enjoy unsweetened foods, use a touch of the sweet herb stevia (naturally low in calories). Stevia is 250 times sweeter than sugar—and calorie free, so it won’t spike blood sugar or cause dental decay. Caution—a little goes a long way!

  • Go Easy on The Carbs

    Avoid processed carbohydrates such as white bread and white pasta. These are quickly converted to sugar in the bloodstream, disrupting the body’s metabolic balance and fat-control systems.

  • Eat Whole Foods

    Fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains contain some naturally occurring sugars, but they also offer dietary fiber and important nutrients to help balance blood sugar. The more natural, the better. Choose an orange, rather than orange juice. Not only will you get less sugar, but you’ll benefit from more nutrients. Eggs, poultry, and fish are also healthy choices.

  • Increase Fiber Intake

    For the body to function well, it needs at least 25 grams of fiber daily. An easy way to boost fiber intake is to mix one teaspoon of psyllium to a glass of water with a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice a half hour before breakfast or retiring for the night.

    “Psyllium is a naturally occurring bulking agent with no side effects—unless you have a rare allergy to the plant,” says nutritionist Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD. “Because it contains no artificial sweeteners, sugar, or potentially harmful chemicals, it’s safer than other over-the-counter bulking agents.”

  • Dilute Your Juice

    If you must drink juice, dilute it with water.

  • Beware of Fat-Free Labels

    These foods actually contribute to health and weight problems. What the labels don’t tell you is that these products contain more sugar—sometimes two or more times that found in the “regular” versions!

  • Consider Supplements for Cravings

    Relieve sugar cravings by supplementing with chromium and L-glutamine, which help stabilize blood sugar (and may also contribute to healthy weight loss).

    The Ayurvedic herb gymnema (known as “the sugar destroyer” because it inhibits your enjoyment of sweets) balances blood sugar levels, while supporting weight loss.

  • Learn Alternate Names for Sugar

    Become a food detective. Keep an eye out for other names you might see on a label:

    • cane juice
    • caramel
    • corn syrup
    • dextran
    • dextrose
    • fructose
    • fruit juice (and concentrate)
    • glucose
    • high-fructose corn syrup
    • invert sugar
    • lactose
    • malt syrup
    • maltodextrin
    • maltose
    • mannitol
    • molasses
    • raw sugar
    • refiner’s syrup
    • sorbitol
    • sorghum syrup
    • sucrose
    • yellow sugar

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The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.