How sugar effects your weight:
Sugar is one of the leading causes of weight gain. While it contains the same number of calories per gram as other healthier foods, there are a number of reasons that eating sugar makes you more likely to put on weight.
First, sugar is a highly addictive substance and stimulates the areas of your brain that cause cravings. This makes you much more likely to overindulge when eating sugar and consume excess calories which then cause weight gain. Studies show sugar is as addictive as cocaine.
Second, processed sugary foods often contain very little if any other nutrients. As a result, eating sugary foods rarely satisfies your appetite but still adds calories to your waistline.
Finally, sugar is often added to drinks and consumed in liquid calories. This makes it too easy to consumer excessive harmful calories without thinking.
What to eat instead:
Cutting down on sugar is a fantastic way to start losing weight and you should start to see improvements in your waistline within just a few days. However, if you want to accelerate your weight loss efforts further, try adding the following five foods and drinks to your diet:
Brown Rice: Brown rice is a tasty, versatile and filling food that can be used in many different meals. It’s one of the best food sources of complex carbohydrates which are slowly released into your bloodstream.
Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are rich in healthy fats, protein and fiber. The nutrients in chia seeds regulate your appetite and make it easier for you to eat in moderation.
Chili Peppers: Chili peppers are a great way to give your food a hot, satisfying flavor. They also stimulate your body’s fat burning processes which helps burn fat quicker.
Soy Beans: Soy beans are packed with fiber and protein. These two ingredients have a satiating effect and help you to feel fuller longer which makes you less likely to overeat and gain weight.
Water: Water contains zero calories, which makes it perfect for weight loss. By drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated you also maximize your body’s fat burning processes and lose more weight.
2. You Will Look Younger
How sugar affects your looks:
Many people aren’t aware that sugar accelerates the aging process. Sugar speeds up the rate at which you age both internally and externally.
When you eat sugar, it causes a surge in your blood glucose levels. This spike in blood glucose is harmful to your blood vessels and vital organs. Over time, this damage causes blood vessels and vital organs to deteriorate and become less functional.
These elevated blood glucose levels also lead to inflammation which cause your skin to become dehydrated, stiff and inelastic. This results in your skin having a dull, dry and aged appearance.
By eating less sugar or avoiding it completely, you can ensure that you remain healthy, vibrant and youthful internally and externally.
What to eat instead:
There are many foods that may slow down the aging process and help you look and feel younger. Here are a few to try:
Beef: Beef isn’t a food that gets mentioned very often when it comes to anti-aging. However, this red meat is loaded with healthy fats, protein, selenium and zinc which promote healthy aging. These nutrients collectively provide your body with the fuel it needs to produce youthful and healthy cells, support your vital organs and protect against harmful free radicals which speed up the aging process.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that can be used to flavor your foods and enjoyed in the form of cinnamon tea. It promotes healthy blood flow within the body which helps to reinvigorate the skin and also slows down the aging of your internal cells and vital organs.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is a brilliant source of monounsaturated fats. These monounsaturated fats help to strengthen the heart and keep it youthful. They also promote skin cell regeneration and protect against age related chronic diseases.
Green Tea: Green tea is filled with powerful antioxidants which can help to reverse the aging process. These antioxidants boost your brain and help it to remain functional as you age. They may reduce your risk of contracting age related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Kale: Kale is one of the healthiest foods and one of my personal favorites. It contains extremely high levels of the antioxidant vitamins A, C and K. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy vision as you age while vitamin C keeps your skin young and elastic as you get older and vitamin K promotes healthy aging.
2. You Will Be Healthier
How sugar affects your health:
Sugar is extremely harmful to your health and can damage many areas of your body. It rots your teeth, destroys your blood vessels and can overload your liver. It’s also one of the leading causes of weight gain and obesity which further harm your body. In addition to this, sugar has been associated with various chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. By reducing sugar in your diet, you are creating habits to improve your health.
What to eat instead:
Eliminating sugar from your diet is a great way to improve your overall health. I believe in crowding out by increasing healthy foods:
Avocado: Avocado is a preferred food source of monounsaturated fat and also contains glutathione. The monounsaturated fats help to regulate the levels of cholesterol in your body, reduce inflammation and protect against cancer while the glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radicals from harming your body’s cells.
Broccoli: Broccoli is a versatile green and is an excellent source of fiber, B vitamins, manganese, phosphorus and vitamin C. These nutrients are known to help support digestion and eye health and protect against certain cancers.
Eggs: Eggs are rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. The protein in eggs helps to build, maintain and repair your body’s cells while the other nutrients boost your brain, regulate your blood cholesterol levels, strengthen your eyes and much more.
Garlic: Garlic is a great cooking ingredient when used in moderation. It’s also packed full of powerful nutrients which fight cancer and reduce inflammation in the body.
Spinach: Spinach contains high levels of over 10 different vitamins and minerals and fiber which enhance your health in various ways. Some of the main health benefits of spinach include a lower cancer risk, a healthier heart and stronger bones.
My biggest tip for quitting sugar is to start the day with a healthy breakfast. My preference is a smoothie. Watch the balance of fruits, greens, fats & protein.
Join my Women Entrepreneurs Health & Nutrition Community for more tips. https://www.facebook.
I am here to help you learn what your body needs to gain energy and focus, AND to feel good in your body.
Blessings,
Coach Peggy
I help women in their 40's - 60's who are overwhelmed by what to eat, feel exhausted, lost in yo-yo dieting and desperately want a health blueprint for their body in the midst of information overload. I created a 3 step approach to help women discover their divine blueprint so they have more energy for life, have better sleep and less belly bloat when they eat. Are you ready? 