Sweeteners Or Sugar

What Is The Healthiest Choice Sweeteners Or Sugar?

Sweeteners are becoming growingly more popular in the UK, and you can find different types of sweeteners in a large range of foods you may not be aware of. Drinks such as juices, flavoured water, coffee/tea and soft teas often contain sweeteners. Alongside baked goods, dairy products, snacks and processed foods. FitFarms weight loss retreat focuses on nutrition and mindset programs cutting out processed foods and chemicals such as sweeteners.

So what are sweeteners and what choice should we make when it comes to sugar or sweetener?

Artificial Sweeteners

When referring to ‘sweeteners’ we mean artificial sweeteners. Natural sweeteners may include honey, sugar or maple syrup which all come from natural ingredients. Artificial sweeteners have fewer calories than natural sugar, but are chemically created substances mimicking the sweet taste of sugar.

People will often opt for lower calorie foods which are still sugary such as diet fizzy drinks, lower calories cereal bars, flavoured water or processed snacks. But often, these foods contain harmful substances. Focusing on the calories of products rather than the ingredients is a key part in maintaining a balanced organic diet and maintaining a healthy body.

Effects Of Sweeteners

Sweeteners don’t only have negative effects on our health but can also effect weight loss. Sweeteners can increase appetite and lead to weight gain. Studies show that sweeteners have a negative effect on our metabolism, increasing our appetite and leading to a increase in cravings and overeating.

Sweeteners can also cause mild to long term health effects including, migraines, unsteady mood, cancer risks and cardiovascular diseases. Ongoing research are progressively representing the impact sweeteners can have on your health.

What To Look Out For

Food and drink products that have labels such as ‘no added sugar’ and ‘sugar free’ labels often indicate the use of sweeteners. Looking out for the ingredient list and nutrition labels are also key. Focusing on natural ingredients that you recognise and can keep in your cupboards will help you become more aware of what your putting into your body and whether it’ll have a negative or positive effect on your health.