(Food-Beverage-News.Com, October 21, 2014 ) Oakland, CA -- More often than not, people break away from the hustle and bustle of life by rewarding themselves with food. When it comes to that, no reward is as fulfilling as those sweet concoctions lined along bakeries and pastry shops. As comforting as it may seem, the effects of piling on the sugar load may not be so sweet, because the threat of diabetes awaits.
Diabetes is a chronic disease wherein the body fails to produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) branded diabetes responsible for an estimated 3.4 million deaths in 2004 and 2010. Long term effects of diabetes include severe damage to nerves and blood vessels, heart disease, skin problems, stroke, vision imparity, and even amputation.
As diabetes continues to grow as a menace, kitchenware brand Finesseur makes good on their commitment to help build a healthier society by releasing a guide on how to manage sugar consumption.
According to Finesseur spokesperson Allison Montgomery: "A healthy lifestyle includes having a positive attitude, the right information, and the right tools. When it comes to battling diabetes, we must know that we are not helpless. Being vigilant against unhealthy food options is critical. We are sharing this guide to help our customers make healthier choices by managing their sugar consumption. We carry that ideal with us when we create our products, and that is why we believe that the Finesseur food scale perfectly complements this guide. With its four weight sensors, it can accurately measure even small items like sugar."
Tips on Lowering Sugar Intake
1. Check the label. Always make it a point to read the label. To check how much calories lies within the allotted amount of sugar, take the number of grams of sugar in a single serving, and multiply it by four.
2. Snack healthy. The secret to avoiding diabetes is learning to differentiate between natural sugars and added sugars. Natural sugars can be found in fruits, and even in some vegetables. Added sugars, on the other hand, are those that can be found in all of the processed foods available today—like sodas, cookies, cakes, etc. The WHO slashed the initial sugar intake recommendation, leaving normal weighted adults to consume only about 25 grams, or 6 teaspoons of sugar. Choose to snack on natural sugars over added sugars.
3. Create own plate. A big step to managing sugar consumption is changing the way meals are made. To create a balanced meal, divide the plate into 4 imaginary sections. Fill 2 sections with non-starchy vegetables like spinach, carrots, lettuce. Fill the 3rd section with whole grain food like whole grain rice, bread, cereals, or pasta. For the last section, put in some protein like fish or poultry. If red meat has to be eaten, try skimping on it, but skipping it altogether is better.
4. Avoid sugary drinks. Rather than having sugar-sweetened beverages, choose to drink water instead.
5. Personally sweeten drinks or desserts. Buy unsweetened juice or unflavored cereals, then put in sugar according to own needs and taste. When baking, lessen the amount of sugar called for by the recipe.
6. Engage in more physical activities. Balance meals with equal amounts of exercise or any other physical activities. Inject at least 30 minutes of any physical activity in a day like walking, running, biking. What is important is to get moving, since exercise can lower blood pressure by making the body more sensitive to insulin. Make sure to monitor blood glucose levels before and after every workout to know how the body responds.
Any healthy diet always involves careful planning, and a diet for diabetics is no exemption. To manage daily sugar consumption and follow the recommended daily sugar intake, an accurate measuring tool is needed. Montgomery explains: "Today, as processed foods continue to invade our lives, it is important to not only have a discerning mind, but also a proper guide to help manage our sugar consumption and make healthier choices. Together with the information we are providing, people should also have the proper tools, like our food scale, to carry out these healthy practices from the guide."
About Finesseur
Finesseur brings fashion design, precise engineering, and top quality craftsmanship together in American kitchens. Finesseur believes kitchen tools should be not only functional, but also inspirational.
