Now that you gave up sugar – what do you eat?

According to this video from Dr. Becky Gillaspy’s YouTube channel, cutting sugar out of your diet is a great way to lose weight and gain health – but it can be difficult as sugar is often hidden in many different types of food.

When going sugar-free, it is important to know which foods to avoid, which ones to eat in moderation, and which ones to enjoy. Eating foods with added sugar causes blood sugar and insulin levels to go too high, leading to inflammation and fat storage. This means avoiding obvious sugary foods such as cookies, cakes and candies, but also includes some foods that you wouldn’t suspect, such as salad dressing, healthy-looking snacks, beef jerky and granola.

To avoid added sugar, it is best to check the ingredients list of packaged foods to see if sugar is one of the first three ingredients. Sugar can also go by different names such as dextrose and high fructose corn syrup, so it is important to be aware of these. As a general rule, avoid foods with more than five ingredients.

The best way to avoid added sugar is to eat whole foods that don’t come in a package, such as fruits, vegetables and proteins like chicken and fish. These foods are naturally low in sugar and are the foundation of a healthy diet.