Modern life is so fast-paced that it can be difficult to keep a healthy balance of nutrients in the food you eat. Sugar is one of these nutrients, and the cells in the body would die without it.

The term ‘sugar’ usually refers to what we know as table sugar – the type of sugar that we use in cooking or add to our tea or coffee.

All ‘sugars’ are carbohydrates and along with starch is our body’s main source of energy. We rely on sugar for energy – be it for our brains, bodies or nervous system. In fact, it has been part of our diets for thousands of years. Sugar is found naturally in most foods like fruits, vegetables and milk as well as being an ingredient used in a wide range of foods and drinks.

Consuming too much sugar, however, raises the risk of several dangerous health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, increased pressure on the heart and blood vessels, and dental decay.

Indian food is carbohydrate-based and the basic unit of a carbohydrate is glucose. Large portion size and improper meal timing are our two major problems and, if we correct this, problems associated with sugar can be prevented.

 

Fast facts on sugar content

  • Chocolate bars, sweet cereals, and soda often contain high levels of added sugar.
  • Fruits contain natural sugars that are less harmful than the sugar found in processed food.
  • Regularly consuming too much sugar increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

 

Diabetes is when your blood sugar or glucose levels are higher than normal. It’s carbohydrate foods like breads, cereals, rice, pasta, fruits, milk, processed foods and desserts that can cause this rise …

 

Here are few foods that can help keep your blood sugar in check and make you happy and healthy:

  • Raw, Cooked, or Roasted Vegetables
  • Greens
  • Melon / Berries
  • Whole-grain, Higher-fibre Foods

 

Alternatives to White Sugar:

While avoiding sugar in our food is always advisable after certain age, you can consider following alternatives to white sugar (which is the most unhealthy of all)

Brown sugar : Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It has low caloric value than white sugar. Molasses contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.

Palm sugar : Highly nutritious, vitamin B12, low glycaemic index, safe for infants, does not make children hyperactive, contains medicinal properties.

Sugar free : Sugar alternative. Formulated with natural stevia and erythritol, a naturally occurring low-calorie sugar form found in some fruits.

 

Natural healthy supplements :

Try these natural fruit based supplements to maintain your sugar levels. While it is advisable to consult a doctor, they are obsoletely harmless.

Jamun Juice : It is also known as black plum and contains significant amounts of vitamins, iron, and dietary fibre.

Karela (Bitter gourd) Juice : It contains insulin like compound that helps control diabetes.

Triphala Juice : It purifies blood and controls sugar levels.

 

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