Is Your Diet Full Of Hidden Sugars?

Share Button

By Alison Aldridge

healthyjunkMany people are now making a conscious effort to try to cut out cut down on their sugar consumption, but this is easier said than done as a lot of foods have hidden sugars. One of the major reasons for cutting down on sugar is to lose weight or at least maintain weight, but another really good reason is to help improve oral health. A diet high in sugars will increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease as the sugar provides plenty of food for plaque bacteria which in return will produce toxins that increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.

While it’s pretty obvious that certain foods contain high amounts of sugar, others can come as something of a surprise. That healthy breakfast cereal you tuck into each morning could be one of the worst offenders. A consumer organization in the UK tested 50 different breakfast cereals and worryingly found 32 had high sugar contents, including many of those designed specifically to appeal to children. It’s the same story with as many low-fat or fat-free products that are frequently bought by people trying to watch their weight, or by those who are simply more health conscious.

A lot of people who are health conscious exercise regularly, and may use energy drinks after a heavy session at the gym. These can contain up to 13 spoonfuls of sugar, while some of the flavored vitamin waters can contain more than 10 spoonfuls of the sweet stuff.

Getting Into the Habit of Reading Labels

foodlabelIf you’re worried your diet may contain more hidden sugars then you’re aware of then it’s worth getting into the habit of reading the labels and choosing unsweetened versions of foods wherever possible. One typical example might be muesli. It can sometimes be quite tricky to adjust to eating something less sugary, but it’s worth persevering to see if your taste buds will accept the change! It can also be worthwhile trying to finish a meal with something less sweet and more tooth friendly such as crunchy vegetables or a small piece of cheese.

If you do want to have something especially sweet then try to eat or drink it as quickly as you can, as sipping a sugary drink over the course of a few hours is the worst thing you can do for your teeth. Obviously one solution can be to switch to diet versions of popular drinks, but these can also contain a lot of acid and may damage your teeth. Another solution is to try using a drinking straw when enjoying these beverages.

Gum Disease

The reasons for trying to switch to a less sugary diet are compelling, especially if it helps to lessen the risk of developing gum disease. It’s estimated up to four fifths of the population will develop some degree of gum disease at some point during their lifetime, and this risk can increase with age. Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in the world and is an extremely serious condition. It’s often called a silent disease as the initial symptoms can be very easy to miss, and is an excellent reason for visiting the dentist at regular intervals. It’s much easier to treat when caught early enough. Having a healthy, tooth friendly diet may help you avoid this serious condition.

– Alison completed her training at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, England, and she is registered with the General Dental Council in London, England. She has over twenty five years of experience working within the dental industry and currently writes for http://findmydentist.com/.