Eating the Sugar-Free Way

Perhaps your weakness is pistachio ice cream, brownies with
nuts, or pancakes covered with syrup. Many of us crave
sweets–sometimes throughout the day. Some of us may even be
addicted to sugar. The problem is, large helpings of sugary
foods can lead to substantial weight gain. But eating sugar-free
does not necessarily guarantee weight loss.

A food may be sugar-free and still contain a great amount of
calories and carbohydrates. You may be thinking that you can
lose weight simply by using sugar substitutes. However, this is
a naïve way of thinking, since some sugar substitutes increase
your intake of both calories and carbs. For instance, the sugar
substitute fructose adds calories and carbs to your daily diet.
These types of sugar substitutes are often called sugar alcohols
or polyols.

It should be stated that polyols can be highly beneficial. For
instance, while they offer a sugary taste, they have fewer
calories than sugar. They are particularly advantageous for
people with diabetes and, unlike sugar, they do not cause tooth
decay. You can find polyols in a number of baked goods and
candies. Interestingly enough, they can even be found in
mouthwashes.

Given the fact that polyols are low-cal, they can be helpful in
a weight management program. Fortunately, there are a number of
desserts that are both sugar-free and delicious. For instance,
sugar-free lemon cheesecake is a healthy alternative to the
typical high-calorie cheesecake. You can also make butterscotch
and pumpkin pudding by using sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix.

A sugar-free version of Old-Fashioned Applesauce cake is made
with reduced calorie margarine, Splenda, and unsweetened
applesauce, while light chocolate peanut butter pie can be
created with sugar-free chocolate pudding and fat-free whipped
dessert topping. Meanwhile, sugar-free strawberry pie can be
made with diet Sprite or 7-Up and sugar-free strawberry gelatin.

The American Diabetes Association heartily endorses sugar-free
diets. The organization also recommends consuming at least five
servings of fruits and vegetables each day; a half-dozen
servings of breads and cereals; no more than three servings of
low-fat milk or yogurt, lean meats; and a limited amount of
sweets and desserts.

When you dine in restaurants, the Diabetes Association
recommends that you save half your meal for the next day in
order to avoid calorie overload. You might also consider sharing
a meal or dessert with someone else. Also, you might want to
substitute a salad for potatoes. In addition, you should ask
that your dressing or sauce be served on the side in order to
attempt to control portions.

It is interesting to note that a food can be labeled “no sugar
added” and still contain sugar. The label refers to the fact
that no table sugar is involved; however, the food could still
have its share of natural sugars. As a result, no-sugar-added
food could have as many calories as other types of food. In
addition, the Diabetes Association cautions that eating protein
alone will not enhance your muscles. Rather, you need exercise
to strengthen your muscles.

While eating sugar-free food can be beneficial, the Diabetes
Association offers other tips for attempting to lose weight and
keep it off. In general, the guidelines call for reducing
calories and fat, exercising each day, not skipping breakfast,
and maintaining a food log which indicates everything you have
consumed on a daily basis.

Lessening your dependence on sugar can be an important first
step toward improving your diet. But, as we have seen, simply
eating sugar-free will not guarantee that you will achieve the
weight loss you’re looking for. Weight reduction takes a great
deal of discipline and patience. You did not gain all of your
extra weight in a single day, so you can’t expect to be rid of
it instantaneously.

Before cutting out sugar entirely from your diet, it’s best to
check with your doctor. He or she can also give you some
effective weight management techniques. It’s always best to have
a medical doctor overseeing your weight loss plan. That can help
to ensure that you maintain good health during the weight
reduction process. With dedication and hard work, you can
achieve your weight loss goals. You yourself may be astounded at
your progress, once you begin a sensible diet plan.

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