Sugar is indeed an important nutrient needed for the body. Completely striking it out from your diet is nearly impossible. However, to stay healthy and fit, omitting refined sugar is the best thing to do. Why? Because refined sugar is nothing but empty calories.
Added sugar has been associated with many serious diseases, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The major reason for this is that most people consume way too much sugar than necessary and are most likely unaware about doing so. No matter how addictive sugar is, it can act as a slow poison.
Cutting out this harmful ingredient from your diet can work wonders for your body, like reactivating and boost your immune system, reduce stress, slow down aging, as well as help you lose weight.
In the case of diabetics, it is important to carefully monitor sugar intake. It is vital with diabetes because it further helps to manage the blood glucose levels as well as the sugar levels. On the other hand, if you decide to completely cut out on sugar, your blood sugar levels are lower and medication may drop them even more, which can lead to hypoglycemia that may result in you feeling shaky, pass out, or even go into a coma.
Fortunately, there are many ways to sweeten foods without adding sugar. Sugar substitutes are a healthy alternative for people suffering from diabetes, or people trying to cut down on their sugar consumption, or just following a low-carb recipe.
Let’s have a look at the various amazing alternatives that you can add to your diet, today!
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that’s extracted from the leaves of the shrub that’s scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia is 100% natural, contains zero calories, and has no known adverse health effects. It has been shown to lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Coconut sugar
Made from the sap of the coconut palm’s flower bud stem, this natural sugar is super low in calories and carries most of the benefits that coconuts do. It’s unprocessed and has some amount of nutrients, which makes it a great sugar substitute.
Maple sugar
Made from the xylem sap of the maple trees, this is a naturally occurring sweetener that tastes divine. Other than that, they also carry loads of vitamins and minerals and are low in calories as compared to refined sugar.
Honey
It contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, as well as an abundance of beneficial antioxidants. The phenolic acids and flavonoids in honey are responsible for its antioxidant activity, which can help prevent diabetes, inflammation, heart disease, and cancer making it a good sugar substitute.
Yacon syrup
Harvested from the roots of the yacon plant, native to the Andes mountains in South America, yacon syrup is a fiber-rich sweetener. Yacon looks and tastes a bit like molasses, with a deep, caramel sweetness that lends itself well to baked goods, sauces, and desserts.
Along with the sugar substitutes, it is also important to look at some crucial lifestyle changes involved while dealing with diabetes. Let’s have a look!
Eat responsibly and healthily
Focus on eating only as much as your body needs. Get plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Choose nonfat dairy and lean meats. Limit foods that are high in sugar and fat. Try to keep proportions about the same from meal to meal. This is even more important if you take insulin or drugs to control your blood sugars.
Add some exercise
Opt-in for 30 minutes of activity that makes you sweat and breathe a little harder most days of the week. An active lifestyle helps you control your diabetes by bringing down your blood sugar. It also lowers your chances of getting heart disease and can help you lose extra pounds.
Manage stress
When you’re stressed, your blood sugar levels go up and you may not manage your diabetes well. You may forget to exercise, eat right, or take your medicines. Find ways to relieve stress — through deep breathing, yoga, or hobbies that relax you.
Quit smoking and alcohol
If you smoke, your chance of getting major health problems is even higher. Smoking also can make it harder to exercise. Alcohol can make your blood sugar go too high or too low. Thus, it is advisable to keep both at bay.
To conclude, diabetes can be tackled by the above-mentioned tips. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor and only then go ahead with other remedies.
