How to Manage Sugar

Sugar is in a lot of our foods, and it is certainly delicious. However, sugar does a lot of unseen internal damage to us. Sugar is a delightful treat to have occasionally, but certainly not something to be eaten every day. It’s important to understand the consequences of its frequent consumption.

Check Labels

Most packaged foods have a nutrition label on the side that includes serving sizes. Added sugars, often seen as the "bad sugars," are those you would add to treats like cookies and cakes, unlike the natural sugars found in fruits.

The American Heart Association advises teenagers to limit added sugars to no more than six teaspoons (25 grams) daily. By checking nutrition labels, you can become more aware of your sugar intake and make better choices about how often you indulge in sweets.

Balance

Sugar isn’t bad to have if it’s limited and balanced, but it can cause very extreme issues to your physical and mental health if you eat it frequently. Remember to balance out your sugary treats with your good foods like meats, vegetables, and fruits, and limit your sugar intake as much as possible.

Sugar is unfortunately in many things, even things we consider good for us like energy drinks, protein bars, and even savory sauces. It’s perfectly okay to enjoy sugar occasionally, but be mindful of how much you consume and aim to keep it in balance with your nutrient-rich foods.

Limit and Replace

Limiting added sugars is probably the safest way to go. Instead of eating a dessert every day after dinner, why don’t you replace your sugary treats with healthier options like fruits?

You could also strive to have one dessert a week only, to get your body in a more relaxed and balanced state. There are many dessert recipes that use less sugar—or even better, replace it entirely with natural sweeteners like apples, dates, or honey.

Our bodies aren’t designed to handle such aggressive sugars so frequently. That’s one of the main reasons people before the 21st century were often much healthier—they simply didn’t have the constant access to added sugars that we do in today’s culture.

Final Thoughts

Sugar is delicious indeed. And is still an amazing treat to enjoy. We should only be aware of how harmful added sugars can be if over-eaten. Limit your daily intake of added sugars and replace your sugars with healthier treats like fruits. However, still enjoy special treats and desserts occasionally!