You thinking of losing weight? Consider cutting sugar

Sugars, more often than not, get a bad reputation by us. We tend to penalise sugars and make it the core reason for our weight gain and our unhealthy life approach. In reality, that is not all true.

Sugars, just like any other food group, are much needed by our body. Although the testament is true : too much sugar is a bad thing. It applies for everything else as well. Too much fat, too much protein is a bad thing as well. But sticking to sugar : the question remains : what would happen to use if we eliminate sugars from our diet?

I would just like to start off by saying that it is physically impossible to completely, and 100%, eliminate sugars from our diet. This is because sugar is in most foods that we eat, even if it does not taste sweet.

Sugar is in rice, noodles, vegetables, fruits, proteins and more. Sugars are essential building blocks of macro-nutrients therefore, it is impossible to not consume them. It is also important to note that sugars are what help our body with metabolisation and it is brain food (meaning that it is required for the brain to function).

But what an individual can do is to completely eliminate  “added” sugars into their diet. This means removing foods that require you to add sugar into them, more known as processed foods. This is from soft drinks (soda)s to candies to syrups and to sauces etc.

Added sugar can really be found in almost all processed foods and that is because it is integral to making the food taste good or the structure of the food.

Now let’s say that we actively remove all foods with added sugars. What will happen to us then? This will exponentially improve one’s physical and medical well-being.

1) Within one week, you will start to lose weight.

2) You will start to notice that you are passively losing weight without even exercising.

3) You will notice that you are fitting into clothes better.

4) Then within a month, you will actually see a difference in your weight from before.

To add onto the weight loss, with a significant reduction in added sugars in your foods, your body also lessen it’s extra work load. Making you less likely of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and all those medical conditions.

Your body reciprocates by returning back to a pure and organic state when it is metabolising know macro-nutrients as opposed to foreign nutrients (like the chemicals and artificial flavourings in processed sugars.

To add onto the weight loss, and reduced risk of developing disease : you feel better. With a positive change in the body, the mind also reaps the benefits. You start to feel more energetic and less sluggish.

You start to see improvements in your skin, in your physical activity, personal activity and more. This could also help with sleep. With less added sugars in your system, you can sleep better now, with less disturbances or nightmares.

All in all, sugar is not a bad, evil culprit. But in excess, it definitely can be your worst nightmare alone with all the risks that come with it. Therefore, it is important for one to be actively aware in how they consume their sugar and how much sugar they consume.

For with healthy doses of sugar, your body will actually thank you for it and you will significantly improve your life and well-being.

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Article is written by: 

Fatin Najwa binti Daud, is a medical student studying at IMU Malaysia. She is a freelance writer of this blog at Zaahara. Interests include music, art, sports and travel.

-Photos are taken from google images

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