In our quest to live healthier lives, sugar is something we need to pay closer attention to.
According to the American Heart Association, excess sugar raises triglycerides, which triggers inflammation and contributes towards obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Try these ideas to reduce sugar in your diet without compromising taste:
• Spice up your condiments: While we often enjoy dressing up our food with condiments, sauces and spreads, it is important that we be mindful of how much we add, as they can add extra calories, sugar and sodium to our diets. Add some excitement to your meal without the extra sugar and calories by using hot sauce, garlic, cumin, lime or any of your favorite spices. When eating out, ask for dressings on the side so that you can add just enough to enjoy the taste.
• Try low calorie sweeteners: If your sweet tooth just can’t be tamed, be mindful of how much sugar you are adding. As an additional way to help reduce calories, try low calorie sweeteners. However, be careful when buying products with sugar substitutes. It may be a good idea to talk with your doctor about allergic reactions.
