Tips on Fats and Sugar

In the UK the average person consumes about half a pint of milk a day, and is considered one element of a staple diet. Milk is versatile, and an excellent source of calcium and the vitamins A and D. Adequate calcium in the diet will help to prevent osteoporosis later in life. Young children should be given whole fat milk as the vitamins are fat-soluble and therefore removed during the skimming process of skimmed milk. Research suggests that drinking milk will also help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

It is difficult to avoid sugar in our diets; it is labelled under a number of names. Of course in milk it is known as lactose, and is a naturally occurring substance. However, sugars added to our foods are considered empty calories as they do not contain any useful nutrients just added calorific amounts. The amount of sugar in the diet will have an effect on the liver and pancreas. Unnecessary sugar in the diet can be stored in the liver and build up over time when the liver cannot excrete it. The pancreas will need to work very hard to remove the sugar from the blood stream, and can even leave the pancreas tired, thus resulting in diabetes.

Artificial sweeteners may be a useful short term alternative to sugar. Yet, do we need to have our foods sweetened; it is considered we are just covering the taste of the food with the taste of sugar. Why not reduce the use of sugar and sweeteners in order to taste the food as it should be tasted, in its natural state. Let’s not forget sweeteners are food additives. Low fat alternatives are likely to contain a higher level of sugars to compensate for the reduction in taste.

CONTENT SOURCES:

Health and Fitness Advice by FitFarms Editorial Team

Image Credit to FennFitness.com