A little chocolate or a few gummy bears here and there can't be that bad. That's probably the thought of many people as they indulge in a handful of gummy bears or a few pieces of chocolate. Besides, snacking makes you happy. The reason why food makes us happy is quickly explained. While we eat, the body releases the happiness hormone dopamine. Eating sugary foods releases particularly high amounts of dopamine, making you feel "especially happy" when consuming sweets.
However, everyone should be aware that this feeling doesn't last forever. As soon as the sugar is digested in the body, the happiness fades.
Consuming too much sugar not only makes you happy but also sick. Overweight is just one consequence of excessive sugar consumption. As a result of being overweight, serious illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, vascular and kidney damage, cavities, fatty liver, and much more can occur later on.
That's why it's important to prevent excessive sugar consumption from happening in the first place. Here are some tips on what you can do to enjoy snacking without risking too high a sugar intake:
- Cook for yourself: Many ready-made products contain a lot of sugar, so you should primarily cook for yourself, as this allows you to keep a better eye on the ingredients and know exactly how much sugar is in your meals.
- Avoid fast food and ready-made meals: Sugar is often found in ready-made products where you wouldn't suspect a high sugar content at first glance.
- Pay attention to the sugar content in drinks: Many sweetened beverages are real sugar bombs. Try to mainly consume water and unsweetened tea.
- Try healthy snacks: Instead of chips or chocolate, have a handful of nuts or a piece of cheese.
- Sugar substitutes for sweetness: There are plenty of sweets that are now sweetened with sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar, offering a healthier alternative. Feel free to browse our shop for this!
- Listen to your body: A sudden withdrawal from regular sugar can lead to symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, and fatigue. More about this in our blog post “Giving up sugar – what happens”.
- Check the ingredient list: Take your time in the supermarket and compare products and their sugar content with other products.
- No panic with sugar consumption: If you do "give in" and consume foods with high sugar content, it's not a big deal. Exceptions are completely normal!
- Fresh fruit: When cravings hit or you feel like something sweet, you can eat fresh fruit. This gives you a healthy yet sweet snack.
- Focus on a fiber-rich diet: Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes help you achieve a longer feeling of fullness. Additionally, fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels.
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