Say A Sweet Farewell To Sugar

There’s no doubt about it, sugar is the ultimate diet sinner of 2015. Relegated to our ingredient black-list, the sweet stuff has been publicly cast aside by celebs from all over the world, and just last week, Hollywood megastar Kate Hudson revealed that cutting sugar is the secret to her healthy lifestyle and enviable looks.

She revealed: “I would say cutting sugar, or at least being aware of how much you are ingesting in a day and limiting it was an eye opener for me. I realized I was craving it like an addict around 4pm every day. I would crave something sweet and it hit me how much sugar we really eat.”

But cutting out sugar without a personal chef at your disposal can be harder than it sounds. Recent research from dental payment plan specialist Denplan revealed that one in five (21%) of snack-lovers don’t believe chocolate contains sugar, with almost the same amount (22%) believing biscuits are sugar-free too. Really?!

Drinks are not immune from sugar ignorance either, with almost half (47%) of respondents thinking that neither wine or beer contain sugar. Perhaps more worryingly, over a third (38%) of people asked did not know that fruit juice contained sugar, despite warnings from Action on Sugar that many juices contain at least six teaspoons of sugar – that’s more than your average cola!

Other food and drinks that those quizzed thought sugar-free included:

–       Sweets (20%)

–       Hot chocolate (30%)

–       Fruit (40%)

–       Spirits (58%)Fizzy drinks (20%)

–       Sports drinks (26%)

–       Energy drinks (28%)

But is a life without sugar even in the realms of possibility for the average Belle? The one like you and I who can’t afford to stock their cupboards with coconut nectar and quinoa essence? We asked the dental experts at Denplan for their advice for sugar savings on a budget and this is what they said:

–       It sounds simple, but try to only eat or drink things you’ve made yourself so that you know exactly what’s in them

–       Even though they contain fructose, a natural sugar, don’t avoid fruit altogether. The sugar in whole fruits is naturally-occurring in its original state, and fruit is packed with fibre

–       However, steer clear of fruit juices and smoothies because juicing or pureeing fruits removes their beneficial fibre value

–       The same applies to dried fruit too – although they contain a fair amount of fibre, they’re high in sugar and calories and can stick to your teeth which can cause tooth decay between meals

–       Though they might seem healthy, pasta sauces and soups can contain sugar, make your own for a better taste and fewer calories

–       You can still have desert and stay sugar-free! Ditch ice creams for plain yoghurt and fresh fruit

–       Stock your desk up with vegetable sticks, hummus, nuts, cheese and plain rice cakes, so you’re not reaching for the biscuit tin at work

• For more advice and tips on how to go sugar free, see www-sugar-free-september.co.uk