Here you will find tips to help you lower the amount of sugar in your diet along with recommendations for essential lifestyle changes that can support a healthy glucose metabolism. And, for those of you who need a little extra support, we have compiled a list of key supplements and nutrients to help stabilize blood sugar levels the natural way.
Calorie-Free & Low-Calorie Sugar Alternatives
The daily sugar intake recommendation for women is 25 grams (6 teaspoons) and for men is 37.5 grams (9 teaspoons), which many of us easily exceed.
To keep an eye on your sugar consumption, get into the habit of reading food labels. Know that added sugars can be called different things. Sugar hidden in soft drinks and "healthy" juices might surprise you.
If you want the sweet taste, while avoiding the excessive calories and potential blood sugar spikes, there are plenty of alternatives. Artificial sugar-free sweeteners, such as saccharin and aspartame, have a bad reputation for potential health risks. That’s why it's important to look for natural sugar-free options.
Stevia and monk fruit extract are all-natural, plant-based sweeteners with zero calories. Yacon syrup contains minimal-calorie sugars, has a sweet taste and extra health benefits. Erythritol and xylitol are natural sugar alcohols derived from corn with a fraction of the calories of regular sugar.
Calorie-Free & Low-Calorie Sugar Alternatives
The daily sugar intake recommendation for women is 25 grams (6 teaspoons) and for men is 37.5 grams (9 teaspoons), which many of us easily exceed.
To keep an eye on your sugar consumption, get into the habit of reading food labels. Know that added sugars can be called different things. Sugar hidden in soft drinks and "healthy" juices might surprise you.
If you want the sweet taste, while avoiding the excessive calories and potential blood sugar spikes, there are plenty of alternatives. Artificial sugar-free sweeteners, such as saccharin and aspartame, have a bad reputation for potential health risks. That’s why it's important to look for natural sugar-free options.
Stevia and monk fruit extract are all-natural, plant-based sweeteners with zero calories. Yacon syrup contains minimal-calorie sugars, has a sweet taste and extra health benefits. Erythritol and xylitol are natural sugar alcohols derived from corn with a fraction of the calories of regular sugar.
Healthy Diet Essentials
A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber along with vitamins and minerals. Each of these nutrients plays an important role in your glucose metabolism as well.
Strive for a diet full of whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods. When it comes to carbohydrates, look for "complex carbohydrates". Complex carbohydrates - like whole grains - take longer to break down because of their complicated structures, and tend to leave us feeling fuller longer and tend to be more gentle on blood sugar levels.
Healthy fat as well as protein in your diet helps reduce sugar cravings by promoting satiety and slowing down how quickly you digest food.
Including fiber-rich foods into your day-to-day diet is another very important aspect of healthy eating! Fiber is not only important for heart and gut health but it can support blood glucose regulation and can be a great weight-loss support tool, too.
Healthy Diet Essentials
A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber along with vitamins and minerals. Each of these nutrients plays an important role in your glucose metabolism as well.
Strive for a diet full of whole, fresh, and unprocessed foods. When it comes to carbohydrates, look for "complex carbohydrates". Complex carbohydrates - like whole grains - take longer to break down because of their complicated structures, and tend to leave us feeling fuller longer and tend to be more gentle on blood sugar levels.
Healthy fat as well as protein in your diet helps reduce sugar cravings by promoting satiety and slowing down how quickly you digest food.
Including fiber-rich foods into your day-to-day diet is another very important aspect of healthy eating! Fiber is not only important for heart and gut health but it can support blood glucose regulation and can be a great weight-loss support tool, too.
Supplements to Support Healthy Glucose Levels
There are several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are known for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B can curb your sugar cravings, aiding in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Minerals like zinc, magnesium and chromium play an essential role in glucose metabolism as well.
Amino acids like tryptophan, carnitine, glutamine, and lipoic acid, which is a potent antioxidant, can lend a hand in bringing stability to your blood sugar levels.
Additionally, explore trusted herbal remedies like cinnamon, bilberry or gymnema sylvestre, which can actually neutralize the sweet taste of sugar.
Supplements to Support Healthy Glucose Levels
There are several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are known for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B can curb your sugar cravings, aiding in the metabolism of carbohydrates. Minerals like zinc, magnesium and chromium play an essential role in glucose metabolism as well.
Amino acids like tryptophan, carnitine, glutamine, and lipoic acid, which is a potent antioxidant, can lend a hand in bringing stability to your blood sugar levels.
Additionally, explore trusted herbal remedies like cinnamon, bilberry or gymnema sylvestre, which can actually neutralize the sweet taste of sugar.
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Healthy Lifestyle Essentials
Watching your diet isn’t the only way to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. An overall healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and proper rest and relaxation all have a positive impact on your glucose metabolism.
When your body battles periods of stress, a hormone called cortisol is produced by your adrenal cortex, which increases the amount of glucose in your bloodstream to make energy available to your muscles. When chronic stress is experienced, cortisol levels can lead to increased blood sugar levels over time. Inadequate sleep can also impact your ability to metabolize glucose. When you lack proper sleep, you are more likely to indulge in sugary treats.
Keeping your body moving and active is imperative to helping maintain healthy glucose levels. Exercise can help lower your stress levels and keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range because physical activity can increase the ability of the cells to take in glucose and achieve healthy levels of glucose in the blood.
Healthy Lifestyle Essentials
Watching your diet isn’t the only way to maintain balanced blood sugar levels. An overall healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and proper rest and relaxation all have a positive impact on your glucose metabolism.
When your body battles periods of stress, a hormone called cortisol is produced by your adrenal cortex, which increases the amount of glucose in your bloodstream to make energy available to your muscles. When chronic stress is experienced, cortisol levels can lead to increased blood sugar levels over time. Inadequate sleep can also impact your ability to metabolize glucose. When you lack proper sleep, you are more likely to indulge in sugary treats.
Keeping your body moving and active is imperative to helping maintain healthy glucose levels. Exercise can help lower your stress levels and keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range because physical activity can increase the ability of the cells to take in glucose and achieve healthy levels of glucose in the blood.