Nutrition How-To: Low Sugar Diet
We’re bringing you a mini-series to introduce and examine some of the top nutrition trends. We’ll explore what’s hot, where we’re seeing it, why it’s gaining popularity, and what’s in store for the future. In this post, we’ll go through the trend of the low sugar diet, benefits and how you can try it on your own.
Added sugar has been in the spotlight lately, especially as research continues to emerge linking excess sugar to a host of metabolic dysfunction and disease.The average American consumes more than 20 teaspoons of sugar daily. Comparing that figure to the recommended daily limits of 9 teaspoons for men and 6 teaspoons for women shows the impact that food manufacturers truly have on our sugary bottom line.
Journalists and health advocates alike have taken food manufacturers to task in recent month calling for a reduction in the sweet stuff and the importance of educating people on a low sugar diet. Celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, has outright declared a ‘War on Sugar,’ and numerous highly regarded commercial publications have been raising awareness of the health impacts of added sugar.
So, what’s this mean for the future? As focus on the added sugar issue grows, expect to see demand for (and, subsequently, the supply of) “reduced sugar,” “no sugar added,” and “alternatively sweetened” products to rise. Look for food manufacturers to make the move towards less refined, natural sweeteners like dates, honey, and agave.
There will also be an increase in products made with “all natural” sugar substitutes like Stevia, Truvia, Sweetleaf, Whey Low, and Xylitol. Expect to see one nutrient benefit from this sugar crusade: fat. When the low-fat craze hit in the 1980’s, food manufacturers replaced fat with sugar to keep our taste buds happy (and our wallets open). It’s a safe bet that many companies will offer product lines, especially dressings and dairy that return normal-fat content and reduce the amount of added sugars.
Related: register to talk to a dietitian and receive a free 30-minute nutrition consultation at FFC!
Low-Sugar Recipe Hack: Make Your Own “Added Sugar” Flavored Yogurt Substitutes
Greek yogurt is all the rage right now, and rightfully so – it packs a high-protein punch. But not all yogurts are created equal. With some commercially prepared flavored yogurts containing as many as 22 grams of sugar for a measly 6 ounces of yogurt, it’s buyer beware in the yogurt aisle. So skip the stress and the worry – make your own! Below are a few recipes to make your yogurt flavorful and nutritious.
Fruit On The Bottom Yogurt
Each of the fruit + honey combinations below is approximately 12 grams sugar, total, cutting approximately 5-10 grams of added sugar from commercial yogurt brands while adding more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and overall volume to your yogurt.
Step 1: Pick one fruit option from the list below
Step 2: Mash or dice your fruit to your preference
Step 3: Mix in ½ TBSP honey, if needed (optional)
Step 4: Add 6 oz plain nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt
Step 5: Enjoy!
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 6 medium strawberries
- ½ cup blackberries
- 2/3 cup raspberries
- ½ small peach
- ¼ cup pineapple chunks
Flavorful Low-Sugar Combos
Not a fruit-in-my-yogurt person? Fear not! There are plenty of other options out there that are high in flavor and low in sugar. Add any of the following options below to 6 oz of plain nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt:
- 1 TBSP peanut butter + cinnamon (speaking of cinnamon, here are 3 other ways to use it, plus 5 other spices you need in your life!)
- 1 TBSP almond butter + cardamom + dash of vanilla extract
- 1 TBSP shredded coconut + cocoa nibs
- 2 TBSP pumpkin + pumpkin pie spice + dash of maple extract
Post written by an FFC contributor.
