We won't sugarcoat it! Why should you give up sugar?

You have already overcome all your weaknesses, you have learned to eagerly reach for water, you know how to take care of regular training, but you are losing to your favorite chocolate? You don't even know how well we understand that... If an uncontrollable craving for sweets drives you crazy, and you would rather eat bars, ice cream, and gummy candies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we have good news. You don't have to give them up! Read our tips and find out what and how to replace your favorite sweets. Painlessly and just as sweet!

Girls, let's be honest. Even though sweets improve our mood and help drown our sorrows, they are not the healthiest or most sensible choice. However, there is nothing wrong with that, because nowadays we have plenty of delicious, healthy, and equally sweet snacks at our fingertips.

The best solution for our health would, of course, be to completely give up white sugar. We can talk and speculate about “what if it were…” but the truth is that parting with sugar is not the easiest thing. This is due to our brain, and more specifically serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that take care of our mood and well-being. It’s no coincidence that we call them happiness hormones. A sugar-rich diet increases their secretion, making us feel simply better.

Believe me, white sugar is not our ally. Despite being undeniably the easiest mood booster to access, it is also the cause of unpleasant changes occurring in our bodies. This includes insulin resistance, diabetes, body acidity, obesity, as well as faster skin aging, extra pounds, and cellulite. Although we could go on listing endlessly, that is not our task. We believe that thanks to these tips, you will significantly reduce sugar in your diet.

Easy to say, harder to do, right? However, the truth is that when your favorite sweets are not in sight, you won’t reach for them. Instead, you’ll grab a healthier snack, and it will be good for your health.

2. Give up sweetened drinks

Soft drinks, flavored water, and even juices or smoothies are really packed with sugar! We’ll repeat it, but - easy to say, harder to do. However, in this case, it’s worth opting for water. If you’re missing a specific flavor, add mint, cucumber, lemon, mango, or other favorite fruits to it. It’s probably a matter of habit, but believe me - soon you won’t want to look at colored drinks!

3. Get familiar with natural sweeteners

You can easily replace sugar with natural substitutes. The most popular ones are xylitol, erythritol, and stevia.

Xylitol, or birch sugar, contains 40% fewer calories than traditional sugar (240kcal/100g). Moreover, it is incredibly healthy! It positively affects dental health, stimulates saliva production, which has a good effect on cavity prevention, increases collagen production in the body, and may work preventively against osteoporosis. Sounds encouraging?

Erythritol, on the other hand, is a practically calorie-free option. It contains only about 20 kcal in 100 g. Its glycemic index is 0, making it an ideal substitute for diabetics. Like xylitol, it is safe for teeth and has antioxidant properties. In practice, this means it helps in removing free radicals, thus slowing down the aging processes of the body. Perfect!

Stevia, on the other hand, is a completely plant-based equivalent of sugar. Like the other sweeteners, it has exceptionally low calories and offers a range of benefits. It lowers blood pressure, has a soothing effect on the digestive system, and has antifungal properties for the entire body.

Convinced? Choose your favorite sweetener and don’t give up on sweetness! 

4. Choose healthier alternatives

There are plenty of them! Starting from easily accessible nut and dried fruit bars, oatmeal cookies sweetened with xylitol, to the healthiest alternatives, such as sweet dates and dried and fresh fruits. Get to know them!

5. Read the ingredients

Sugar is hidden everywhere! Salty snacks, chips, pretzels, frozen vegetables, bread… That’s why you should read the ingredients. Choose products that have the least sugar, or none at all. It’s not as difficult and time-consuming as you think, and it’s worth it.

6. Start making your own sweets!

Cakes, muffins, cookies - all of these are at your fingertips. You just need to make them yourself, in a healthier version, using your favorite sweetener. Click here for the recipe for the best plum cake, here if you are looking for delicious, quick fit cookies, and here if you feel like Italian tiramisu!

Conclusion: you don’t have to give up sweets to give up sugar. Use the tips above and take care of your health!