A nutritionist reveals the signs that prove that we have gone too far with the consumption of sweets
A sweet here and there, will not take us out of the program of a balanced diet. But if you can’t imagine your life without sweets, and if this is a compelling need, then maybe you should worry about the consumption of sugars.
Shyla Cadogan, nutritionist, lists five cases that prove you’ve gone too far with sweets and should cut back.
You constantly crave something sweet
A diet high in sugar has been shown to increase appetite and cravings for foods that are not normally as nutritious. Therefore, overconsumption could derail blood sugar levels and send them on an upward trajectory. A vicious cycle of eating sweets in response to this desire is thus created.
You notice differences in your activity levels
Sugars may initially provide a burst of energy, but in reality this is short-lived. So if you eat a slice of cake for breakfast, you’ll probably feel energized at first, but then after about 30 minutes or an hour, you might start to feel tired. This is because your energy levels have likely plummeted and your body is waiting for you to fuel it with more sugars.
You never feel full
A meal rich in fiber and protein intensifies the feeling of satiety, while, on the contrary, when a meal contains more sugars and less of the other two ingredients, you will not feel full for a long time. This is why breakfast cereals and other sweets that we usually eat for breakfast are not the best way to start your day with energy.
You have gained weight
One of the most obvious signs that you’ve gone overboard with your sugar intake is changes in weight. Adding extra sugars can significantly increase levels of ghrelin, which is known as the “hunger hormone.” Additionally, too much sugar can affect the role of insulin in the body, which is the substance that helps remove sugars from your blood and into your cells to be used for energy. Insulin resistance occurs when your body’s ability to do this is compromised, leading to high blood glucose levels and weight gain.
You have high blood pressure
Although the first thought for the cause behind high blood pressure would be salt, high consumption of sugars can lead to similar results. In fact, some studies have concluded that higher sugar intake could be more harmful than salt. The proposed mechanism to explain this is that added sugar affects nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide helps relax blood vessels, and reduced function can lead to tension in the blood vessels, which leads to high blood pressure.