Getty Images We all like a sweet treat every now and then, but our intake of refined sugars has increased dramatically in the past 50 years. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the average adult consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugars daily, far above recommended levels. An ideal diet consists of no more than 10% calories from added sugar, which would be 12 teaspoons in an average 2,000-calorie intake.
There are some ways to have your cake and eat it too if you’re watching your sugar intake. Instead of completely cutting out sugars, you can try out some natural sugar alternatives. The good news is you might already have some of them in your pantry.
Best Meal Kit Delivery Services What are sugar substitutes?
Before we get into sugar alternatives, it’s important to clarify that sugar isn’t inherently bad for you . In fact, it’s vital for your health. Your body turns carbohydrates into glucose, a form of sugar, and this is a primary source of energy to keep your body moving and your brain functioning. Despite what some popular diet fads advocate, without carbs and sugars, you may experience health problems and symptoms such as low energy, sleep problems and brain fog .
The goal shouldn’t be to avoid sugar but to consume the right kinds of sugar . Much of today’s American diet consists of added sugars, which are processed and refined to add intense sweetness without much substance. Ultrarefined white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are common ingredients in sodas, pastries, bread and condiments. These get delivered quickly to your bloodstream without adding other nutritional value along the way. Excessive consumption of these sugars can lead to serious health complications , including high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease.
You can find the amount of added sugars on the nutrition facts label and ingredients list of any food item. The higher up added sugar is on the ingredients list, the more sugar is in the product. Added sugars go by a lot of different names, such as brown sugar, corn sweeteners, corn syrup, […]
Try These 6 Natural Sugar Alternatives if You Want Extra Health Benefits
