Helpful habits include:
-
brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
-
cleaning between teeth
-
limiting frequent sugary snacks
-
drinking water after sweet foods
- Your Triglycerides Are High
High intake of added sugars can contribute to elevated triglyceride levels in some people.
Triglycerides are a type of fat measured in blood tests.
High levels can also be influenced by:
-
alcohol
-
excess calories
-
obesity
-
diabetes
-
genetics
-
certain medications
A blood test is the only reliable way to know your triglyceride level.
- You Feel Thirsty and Urinate Frequently
Persistent thirst and frequent urination can occur when blood sugar becomes significantly elevated.
This is important because it can be a symptom of diabetes.
Other possible signs include:
-
fatigue
-
blurred vision
-
unexplained weight loss
-
recurrent infections
These symptoms should not simply be blamed on “eating too much sugar.” If they persist, a healthcare professional can check your blood glucose.
- Your Skin Seems to Break Out More Often
Diet is only one factor in acne, but high-glycemic eating patterns may worsen breakouts in some people.
Foods that rapidly raise blood glucose may influence hormones involved in oil production and inflammation.
Acne is also affected by:
-
genetics
-
hormones
-
skincare products
-
medications
-
stress
Reducing highly processed sugary foods may help some people, but it is not a guaranteed cure.
- You Have Trouble Concentrating When You Haven’t Had Something Sweet
If your eating pattern relies heavily on sugary snacks, you may become accustomed to frequent quick sources of energy.
Long gaps between these foods may leave you feeling distracted, tired, or irritable.
A better strategy is to build meals around slower-digesting foods such as:
-
vegetables
-
whole grains
-
beans
-
eggs
-
fish
-
yogurt
-
nuts
This can provide more sustained energy.
- Your Diet Is Crowding Out More Nutritious Foods
This is one of the clearest warning signs.
If sweets, sugary drinks, pastries, and desserts are taking up a large part of your daily intake, there may be less room for foods that provide:
-
protein
-
fiber
-
vitamins
-
minerals
-
healthy fats
The problem with too much added sugar is not only the sugar itself. It is also what those foods replace.
How Much Added Sugar Is Too Much?
Health organizations generally recommend limiting added sugars rather than trying to eliminate all sugar.
Naturally occurring sugars in:
-
fruit
-
vegetables
-
plain dairy products
come packaged with useful nutrients and are different from large amounts of added sugar in processed foods.
Added sugar may appear on labels under names such as:
