There is a lot of confusion around cutting out sugar from your diet, and I’d like to clear a few things up about it.
Reducing your sugar intake is recommended if you regularly consume processed foods or refined sugar such as:
- Soft drinks
- Chocolate
- Lollies
- Biscuits
- Sugar in your tea/coffee
- If you add sugar to cereal
HOWEVER, it isn’t necessary to cut out sugar completely from your diet – in fact, our bodies require some sugar every day to function!
Our main source of energy comes from carbohydrates (think bread, rice, pasta, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables). These carbohydrates, which also provide many important nutrients to your body, are eventually broken down into sugar.
Many of my clients report feeling a “slump” at around 3pm, which is when they resort to refined sugars (lollies etc) to get some energy. However, this kind of sugar will only provide a temporary boost.
Including a low GI, slow-releasing carbohydrate (such as sweet potato or a slice of grain bread) with your lunch will result in you avoiding that 3pm slump and the need to resort to refined sugars. See if you notice the difference.
So that’s how you can cut back on refined sugars. However, I’d like to suggest something else:
Why not have some sugar in moderation?
If you’ve been following me via my blog or through Instagram/Facebook, you will know that I am a passionate advocate for moderation – that is, not depriving yourself of anything; instead allowing yourself to have a little bit of everything so that you don’t feel like you’re missing out and set yourself up to fail.
I know for myself that if I tried to cut out ‘sugar’ from my diet completely, I would crave it even more. If you tell yourself you are not allowed ‘sugar’, how could you now possibly keep your mind off your favourite chocolate?!
Research shows that completely restricting sugar from your diet will only lead to eventually bingeing on the high sugar food, and that’s not healthy.
WHAT IF you instead allowed yourself to have the chocolate /biscuit if you truly felt like it, if it would really satisfy your cravings? Then it’s not such a big deal, is it?
Pay attention to how your body is feeling when you want that biscuit. It is normal and natural to have some sweet foods if that is what you really feel like.
Smaller quantity, better quality.
Why not give it a try?
A dietitian can help you begin to eat more mindfully and truly enjoy the amazing variety of foods we have today. If you would like to speak with me in more detail about improving your health, get in touch.