Taking care of your heart starts with diet and adopting healthy changes. Reducing sugar – which experts say most Americans consume in excess daily – is the perfect place to start. Processed sugars add empty calories to the diet and can disrupt metabolism, making it harder to lose or maintain weight and posing serious health risks.
On average, Americans get about 16% of their daily calories from added sugars, according to a report from the Food and Drug Administration, but USDA dietary guidelines recommend less than one-third of that amount. And it’s not just the usual suspects, like candy, cookies, and cakes, that can lead to excess sugar.
“Foods like white bread and bagels break down the same way as added sugar, so it’s also about the types of carbohydrates you consume. In fact, I would say fats are not making us fat, sugar is,” says Dr. Arthur Agatston, founder of the South Beach Diet.
To avoid extra sugar in your diet and follow a path to better health, consider these simple strategies:
• Shop the Periphery;
• Read Food Labels;
• Learn the Other Names for Sugar;
• Buy Unsweetened Foods;
• Make Sugar Swaps;
A healthy diet and lifestyle are among the best defenses against cardiovascular disease. You can improve your heart and overall health by reducing sugar in your diet.
Source: Statepoint