Are You Eating Too Much Sugar?
Do you have a sweet tooth? While some people find themselves constantly craving something sweet, others prefer the savory route. Unfortunately, regardless of whether you like ice cream and cookies or spaghetti and marinara sauce, sugar is a common ingredient found in most of our favorite foods.
From salad dressings to cereal, sugar is hiding practically everywhere! But if not everything tastes sweet, how can you know if you’re eating too much sugar? And what can you do to reduce your sugar intake? We’ll share with you some indicators that could help you identify if you’re having too much sugar.
Noticing an Increase in Acne
There are so many factors that could contribute to acne breakouts, sugar being one of them. Excess sugar may spike your blood sugar levels and cause inflammation, which could make an appearance as acne. While there are many other things that could lead to acne, including hormonal changes and personal hygiene, the foods you eat are a major contributor to skin health. If you’ve noticed more acne than normal, try cutting out sugar and see if it makes a difference.
You Get Easily Irritated
Sugar can disrupt the neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your mood. It particularly causes a spike in serotonin, the feel-good hormone. While serotonin is typically a good thing, unusual spikes in serotonin may cause you to crash later on, which could make you feel moody and irritable.
Difficulty Sleeping
The cliche of the sugar-high kid unable to go to bed is true for adults as well. Sweet snacks like cookies or cupcakes (or that 3pm caramel latte) can spike your blood sugar and give you a jolt of energy that you’ll pay for later. This can make it harder to relax, fall asleep and stay asleep; you may wake up feeling extra groggy as your blood sugar dips during the night.
Frequent Cavities
It’s no secret that sugar is a major cause of tooth decay. This is because plaque bacteria feed on sugars, which eventually wears away enamel and may lead to cavities. Foods that combine sugar and acid like sodas are especially problematic, as they simultaneously destroy tooth enamel.
Feeling Constantly Hungry
Sugar may give you temporary energy but it doesn’t fill you up. What’s even worse is that the spike in blood sugar caused by having too much sugar could make you feel hungrier and crave even more sugar! Try substituting sugary foods for foods high in protein and fiber, like keto-friendly granola bars, that will make you feel full for longer.
You’re Experiencing Joint Pain
Having a diet with too much sugar may cause inflammation in your joints. Studies show that consuming refined sugar from sources like desserts and sodas tend to make individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis experience worse symptoms.
You’re Constantly Bloated
Foods that are high in sugar may cause you to experience bloating, which is something no one wants. If you’re worried about excess bloating, try reducing the amount of sugar you consume, especially if it’s coming from fructose and lactose, to see if that makes a difference.
