How to Cut Sugar Out
Excessive sugar consumption can lead to a variety of negative health consequences. In addition to raising the risk for heart disease, cancer and diabetes, it also contributes to hyperactivity and an accelerated aging of the body's cells. While many foods contain more sugar than a person should consume, there are ways to cut sugar out of one's diet.
- Take it slow. Don't try to cut out all sugar at one time.
- Remove items from your home that contain sugar. Replace them with the no sugar versions if possible. For example, remove juices and iced teas. Replace the beverages with non-sweetened iced tea.
- Look over ingredients carefully for sugar that it contains. Even foods that do not clearly list sugar may contain it. Look for words that end in "ose." These are also sugar. For example, ingredients such as sucrose, fructose and glucose are all forms of sugar.
- Use sugar substitute instead of sugar in your recipes and even in your coffee.
Replace candy and other sugar-laden foods with natural snacks, such as fruit and vegetables. - Drink water instead of soda. Soda contains an extremely high concentration of sugar.