Importance of Normal Blood Sugar
Sugar is a big factor in many of the foods we consume in society. Sugar is
something added to many things you may not even realize have sugar, like bread, condiments, and many other things that may not be sweet. For some of us, sugar must be monitored due to diabetes. Others may want to avoid sugar to lose weight and live a healthier life. Regardless of your reasoning behind living a low sugar lifestyle, here are some helpful tips to help you on your path.
Read Labels – Consider reading labels to learn what is actually in the things you eat on a daily basis. Remember that sugar found at the beginning of the list is not a good thing, since ingredients are listed from the highest amount to the lowest in the product.
Sugar Aliases – Sugar can masquerade under other names and it is important that you understand all of the other aliases. Some of these names are high fructose corn syrup, dried cane syrup, invert sugar, sucrose, molasses, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and honey. If several sugars appear on the label, put the item back. This is very important in regards to yogurt and cereals, which can look deceivingly healthy at times.
Buy Unsweetened – Look for products that have an unsweetened versions 
like applesauce, non-dairy milks like soy and almond, nut butters, and canned fruit with juice and not syrup.
Go Slow – Don’t switch to unsweetened and no sugar products all at once. It is a better idea to go slowly and integrate a reduction in sugar naturally. If you use two packets of sugar in your coffee, put in one packet instead. Mix a sweetened yogurt with an unsweetened yogurt to reduce half of your sugars.
Protein and Fats – To minimize the rise and fall of your sugars, it is a good idea to pair your foods with proteins and fats. They will slow down the release of sugars in the blood and make you feel fuller for longer. This is a great way to lose weight and maintain a healthy balance.
Don’t Go Artificial – Many people go to artificial sugars, but this plays tricks on your body and causes it to believe it will gain calories and nutrition from the sugar it is tasting. That may cause your body to react in the opposite way and cause weight gain.
Add Flavor – One great way to forget about the sugar is to add natural flavors to your foods. Consider vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, nutmeg, and ginger to provide great flavor to oatmeal, coffee.
Protein Powder – To get two benefits at once, consider protein powder additions to shakes that contain vanilla or another spice that gives it a natural flavor without any sugar. The protein will help curb your appetite and regulate your sugar spikes. Nutiva makes an Organic Hemp Protein with natural vanilla flavor. It also includes all of the amino acids and is a great source of fiber.
Managing your sugar intake with these healthy tips can be a great way of regulating your blood sugar levels and providing a balanced and healthy lifestyle.