Why are processed sugar foods bad for your health?
We live in a convenience-based society, and the presence of processed sugar foods is yet another example of how consumers have become accustomed to on-demand pleasure. Unfortunately, these very same substances can lead to serious health problems over time. Does sugar cause belly fat? The resounding answer is that artificial flavorings are known to increase levels of visceral fat.
However, this is only the beginning. Processed foods which are high in sugar may lead to glucose imbalances (a precursor to adult-onset diabetes), acne, cellular ageing, and even some forms of depression. Of course, weight gain is another very real concern. This is why appreciating the health risks of a high sugar diet is the first step towards making healthy lifestyle changes.
While sugar can be the greatest guilty pleasure, its effects on your health can be drastic. It’s estimated that adults can intake 15% of their calories from added sugar alone.
Examples Of Processed Foods
From a general perspective, any food considered to be “processed” has been changed from its original state. Longer shelf lives, a more attractive visual appearance and enhanced flavours are three typical ways in which many natural foods have been modified. Some common examples from the list of processed foods are:
- Some breakfast cereals
- Many types of store-bought cheeses
- Meat products including bacon and sausages
- Microwaveable meals
Now that we have taken a look at some common products that are likely to be encountered on a regular basis, it is important to appreciate how sugar in processed foods comes into play.
Examples Of Sugar Foods
Please note that foods containing natural sugars are generally considered to be healthy. However, a problem arises when artificial flavourings and preservatives are included. These are normally denoted by an ingredient which ends in the suffix “ose” (such as fructose, sucrose and dextrose”). Some foods high in processed sugar can be seen below:
- Pre-made beverages
- Condiments and artificial salad dressings
- Pastries, cookies, cake, and candy bars
- Flavourings such as caramel, high-fructose corn syrup and molasses
These and similar processed sugar foods have become a nearly ubiquitous portion of our lifestyles and yet, there are plenty of strategies to employ if you hope to make positive changes.
Tips to avoid the health risks of a high sugar diet
By reducing the amount of sugar and processed foods you eat, you can lower your risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Transitioning to a healthier diet will lead to your body receiving more vitamins and minerals and can even help you lose weight by cutting out added calories. Here are some tips to help you during your journey with your weight loss balloon:
Eliminate Sugar Processed Foods Gradually
Your weight loss journey can be tough, and cutting sugar out completely can seriously add to your struggles. By slowly eliminating sugary products from your diet, like cakes and cookies or sugary drinks, you can transition to a sugar-free diet in no-time. Remember, your weight loss results will be sweeter than the sugar!
Check Product Labels
Once you eliminate the apparent sugars from your diet, you can begin searching for the “hidden sugars” that are negatively affecting your health. Ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, glucose, and fructose are all different sugars you can try and avoid. Quick tip – any ingredient that ends in “-ose” is sugar – always check the labels.
Take the terms “healthy” and “homemade” with a grain of salt. These are often nothing more than marketing ploys in order to increase sales. In fact, the chances are high that such products contain numerous processed ingredients.
On the other hand, beware of the fruit juice trap. Many individuals believe that juices are healthy and yet, the majority contain less than 20 percent natural fruit content. Choose sugar-free alternatives or simply drink water.
Avoid Artificial Sugars
While artificial sugars are a debate in the diet industry, they can actually trick your body into thinking you’re eating sugar, which will only make your journey to being sugar-free more difficult. By avoiding artificial sugars, you can drastically change the difficulty of transitioning to a sugar-free diet!
Try to frequent local health food stores and vendors who specialise in organic products. These sellers appreciate that their reputations are based upon providing all-natural alternatives to processed foods. It is also likely that the products being offered are extremely low in sugar.
Plan Meals
Without a meal plan, sticking to a diet can be difficult. When you’re hungry, you’re much more likely to reach for a sugary snack that will just add to your calorie count. An easy way to avoid this habit is to meal prep once a week so that you always have a healthy meal prepared for when you’re hungry. Remember, a nutritious meal is the greatest snack.
Add A Little Spice
When you transition to a sugar-free diet, your palate can begin to miss the flavor of sugar. By adding some spices to your foods and drinks, like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla, you can give your body the flavor it wants. Quick tip – you can never remove spices from your food or drink; add your spices slowly, taste as you go, and give your palate the taste it deserves.
One worthwhile suggestion involves supplementing artificial flavourings (such as those found in dressings and condiments) with natural alternatives. Even if this involves making a salad dressing at home and bringing it along if you plan on eating out, it is a worthwhile strategy.
Cutting Out Sugar and Processed Foods in The Spatz Treatment
Here at Spatz, we believe taking the first step towards your battle with being overweight is super important, and cutting out sugar is a great place to start. While transitioning to a sugar-free diet can help in your weight loss journey, you can truly start seeing incredible results by maintaining a more holistic approach.
Countless individuals have already leveraged the benefits of the Spatz3 adjustable gastric balloon and yet, these very same effects may be negated if they fail to reduce their intake of processed sugar foods. Always take into account the observations outlined above in order to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Our goal is to keep you happy with your body long after your balloon is removed. By working together to develop habits that will help you continuously drop excess body weight, we believe you will become a success story of the Spatz3 weight loss program. Remember to eat healthy, stay active, and keep up an overall healthy lifestyle!
