For those of you trying to cut down on sugar, I wanted to let you know a few things just in case you didn’t know already! Added sugars to things like canned soups, sauces, prepared foods, flavoured yogurt etc. are the ones you should really avoid. These sugars have no nutritional value for your body at all. It just adds calories, potential weight gain and increased riskk for health problems. However, there are naturally occurring sugars that can be ingested, however with some moderation. All fruits have naturally occurring sugars called fructose. Banana, mango, pineapple, kiwis are higher on the sugar list, while strawberries, papayas, watermelon, grapefruit and peaches are amongst the lowest. That being said dairy products also have naturally occurring sugars, called lactose.
One cup of white milk (250 ml) contains 12 grams of naturally-occurring sugar called lactose. It gives milk a slightly sweet taste. The body breaks lactose down into glucose and galactose (most of which is later converted to glucose). This process is important because glucose is the primary source of energy in the body and the sole energy source for the brain. Lactose is also a good way to support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as acidophilus.
So, make sure you are eating as natural as possible, read those labels, but understand where the sugar is coming from before you freak out! Knowledge is power. Fuel your body the right way.
