Goodbye sweet tooth, hello summer body
Dietitians and health experts all have one thing in common: a low or no-sugar attitude – and their bodies thank them for it.
The way to a healthy body is finding a balance and controlling your cravings.
Summer begins in a mere two months’ time and many people are hoping to achieve a healthier lifestyle before they go on their Christmas holidays.
The Healthy Living Alliance (Heala) has proven that sugar puts consumers at an alarming risk of obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and some cancers.
“A person should only consume six teaspoons of sugar per day and not exceed that amount,” according to Heala.
The six-teaspoon sugar guideline may seem like going on diet for people with a severe sweet-tooth, however, you can get there by setting realistic goals you can stick to and reach.
The following alternatives are a healthy start to eventually ending your sugar craving:
• Yoghurt: If you like yoghurt, try eating a plain variety with a small amount of fresh fruit of your choice, like orange or pineapple. Mix the yoghurt with the fruit juices, or cut the fruit into small pieces and add them to the plain yoghurt.
• Coffee or tea: If you take five sugars in your tea or coffee, start by cutting down to four. Once you get used to four sugars, it will be easier to cut down to two, and eventually none, and you will find that you no longer crave sugar in your cuppa.
• Oats: If you usually start your day sweet with flavoured oats, try plain oats and decide if you want them savoury or sweet. Add some salt, any other seasoning you fancy, or honey to your oats instead of using the artificially flavoured oats.
• Chocolate: Chocoholics can have a fruit, or dried fruits or raisins instead of chocolate.
Zann-Marie Dittmer, a healthcare practitioner specialising as a dietitian in Krugersdorp, said it is all about balance, the right amount of fruits and vegetables every day and not indulging in foods that are unhealthy.
“Discover different ways of preparing your food, because you are in full control of what you put into it,” she said.
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