Wondering How to Reduce Sugar Intake? Let Berries Be Your Go-To Fruit
If you are watching your sugar intake, then you probably know to look for “hidden sugars” when you shop and plan meals. You read labels, and you know that whole food is your best bet when it comes to your diet. You also know that fruits, while natural and full of vitamins, are also sources of sugar. Don’t be discouraged, though. While it’s essential to limit even healthy sources of sugar, regardless if you have diabetes, you can still indulge yourself – in the right ways! Knowing how to reduce sugar intake while still enjoying sweet treats is an important part to living a balanced life. What is one way we can achieve this?
Berries Are the Answer
When it comes to a fruit that not only packs in the nutrients but also boasts a lower sugar content than that of other fruit families, such as citrus and melon, berries are superstars. One way how to reduce sugar intake is implementing substitutes – and berries are a great substitute when you are wanting something satisfyingly sweet!
What Makes Berries So Special?
The easy answer is they are tasty and versatile. Ripe berries are a juicy, delicious treat that you can eat plain by the handful. You can bake them into muffins, tarts, and pies or preserve or freeze them for later. You can blend them into tasty smoothies or layer them with plain yogurt and granola.
Investigate further, and you’ll see that the benefits extend beyond their taste. In addition to the high concentrations of vitamins and other nutrients, berries are full of antioxidants. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are unusually high in bioactive compounds (BACs) such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavanols, which make them your allies in combating oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders, and the outward appearances of aging. Berries promote healthy, glowing skin and help slow the breakdown of collagen.
What About Berries and Blood Sugar?
For those on low-carb or low-glucose diets, even fruits are off limits. Berries may be the exception, however. Not only are they ideal for people with diabetes or for those who want to reduce sugar and calories, but they are also high in fiber.
So go ahead, indulge in that berry smoothie. If you are looking for low-sugar desserts, a quick internet search will yield a wealth of sweet treats and tasty beverages to help satisfy your sweet tooth guilt-free. Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh berries, but you can find them frozen or preserved year-round. For the best, ripest and most flavorful berries, purchase them locally at farmers markets.
