Two reasons why people watch their sugar intake is to manage weight and diabetes. In recognition of National Diabetes Month this November, the physicians at Weight Success Centers are highlighting ways to reduce sugar consumption for better health.
First, it is important to consult with a physician for comprehensive disease management programs. There are often numerous actions and medications needed to manage diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, which is a chronic condition that develops due to insulin resistance and persistently high blood sugar.
The causes of Type 2 Diabetes may include a combination of factors. Obesity, a poor diet, lack of exercise, and even genetics may all play a role.
At Weight Success Centers, our physicians stress the importance of full medical exams and tests before determining effective programs, nutritional plans, treatments, or weight-loss medications. Generally, requirements to manage weight and diabetes will include reducing your intake of sugar.
Limit Intake of Added Sugars and Check Food Labels According to nutrition experts and the American Heart Association, it is important to limit intake of added sugars each day. For men, this means eating less than 36 grams of added sugar. For women, 25 grams is a recommended limit.
If you want to watch your sugar consumption to manage weight or diabetes, you will need to check food labels for nutritional information. U.S. labels are usually based on a 2,000-calorie diet. The total number of “added sugars” are listed with a percentage and grams for most products, including sweets, candies, canned foods, frozen foods, packaged items, and beverages.
For healthy adults, natural sugars from fruits like apples, oranges, and other natural sources may not need to be counted; however, diabetics should discuss nutritional intake with a physician.
Nutrition and Maintaining a Healthy Weight In addition to daily exercise, nutrition is a key component of maintaining a healthy weight and managing diabetes. The actions you take to watch sugar will coincide with watching calories for weight loss.
For example, avoiding high-sugar foods with empty calories will help you shift focus to eating healthy foods with higher nutrients. This may include replacing junk foods with better options like fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, seeds, nuts, and lean proteins. Also, there are many sugar substitutes and low-sugar foods available to provide sweetness without causing a blood sugar spike. Adding a nutritious variety to your diet could support weight loss.
Importantly, consult a physician for personalized recommendations to manage weight, diabetes, or other medical conditions. For targeted results, Weight Success Centers offers one-on-one support to help patients watch their sugar intake and shift to a healthy diet. Ask us about medically supervised programs for nutrition, weight loss medications, and medical solutions for improving overall health.
Do you need help losing weight and managing your health? Contact one of our Weight Success Centers near you for a consultation.