Go easy on the Sugar

By Live Healthy Africa Reporter

Fat has always been viewed a evil and the cause of heart diseases, but in recent years the focused has shifted to sugar and its contribution to obesity especially in developed economies.  

Earlier this year reports emerged with headlines screaming “Sugar is the new tobacco”. This was partly because of a report by the organization Action on Sugar which warned that Sugar is  “a major cause of obesity”, and contributor to the increasing cases of  “type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver”.

We eat sugar not only as an addition to our tea or coffee but also in things like soda, juices, bread, in fruits like bananas and pineapples and  vegetables like carrots. Nutritionist are particularly concerned about sugar added in food flavuors, bread, juices, cakes, cookies and soda. The sugars found in fruits and vegetables are by and large deemed healthy.

 Sugar can be white, raw or brown sugar, honey or corn syrup. Too much of it can lead to health problems including obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.Nutritionists’ advice that people should eat refined sugars, such as those found those in cakes and soft drinks, in moderation.  The recommended amount is about 10 per cent of the total energy intake per day. Easy ways to adhere to this recommended amount is by for instance reducing your consumption of Sweetened drinks like soda and juices, chocolate, biscuits and cakes.

Healthy habits worth adopting include drinking water instead of sodas, and snacking of fruits and vegetables instead of chocolates and ice cream.