Do you think you could stop eating sugar for the rest of your life? Those who have done so extol its many benefits – from weight loss to having clearer skin, increased focus, better sleep, and more.
Do you think you could stop eating sugar for the rest of your life? Those who have done so extol its many benefits – from weight loss to having clearer skin, increased focus, better sleep, and more.
I had gestational diabetes during my four pregnancies. It’s a condition that causes some women to develop higher than normal levels of glucose in their blood, and can lead to birth complications.
To keep my blood glucose levels steady, I was put on a no-sugar, low-carb diet and advised to eat frequent small meals. For months, until I gave birth and was declared free of the disease, I drank unsweetened iced tea, loaded up on green, leafy veggies, ate lots of lean protein, and stayed away from refined carbohydrates (even brown rice caused a serious blood sugar spike).
Not being able to eat chocolate was hard, and my sweet tooth often cried out in despair. I even stopped baking as it seemed pointless to torture myself over cake that I couldn’t enjoy.
Of course, I griped and whined a lot about not having anything to eat, but I ploughed on. Gestational diabetes can have serious consequences for babies and I didn’t want to take the risk.
Post-pregnancy, I continue to be hyperconscious of my carb and sugar intake. A woman who has had gestational diabetes is at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes when she’s older. So I have to be careful.
Although I don’t abstain from eating carbs as strictly as I did during pregnancy, I’ve made it a habit to avoid them as much as possible. I also make it a point to find out where the hidden sugars are in food – ketchup, chilli sauce, salad dressing, granola bars, pasta sauce and fruity yogurt, to name a few.
I can do without sweet drinks, and I love good quality dark chocolate, but it’s hard for me to say no to cake – the baker in me wants to taste everything to see how it compares against my own recipes.
Still, it’s definitely time to take a good look at my sugar consumption – and to think about cutting down a lot more. If you’ve contemplated doing the same, read how our writer gave up sugar overnight and learn what sugar does to your body (pg 68).
Also be sure to read our Beauty Insiders’ Guide, where we asked industry pros to tell us which skincare products and treatments they love (pg 28). If you need more retail therapy, turn to pg 76 for the best online stores in Singapore that sell everything from handmade soaps to quirky homeware, jewellery, and kids’ books.
Don’t miss the exclusive stories in the digital edition of Simply Her, too. We review new dim sum restaurants, ply you with tips on how to make concealer last all day, and share beauty essentials you need to stash in your office drawer to look beautiful throughout the day. Enjoy!
PS. Thanks for all your lovely letters. E-mail us at magsimplyher@sph.com.sg or write to us at 82 Genting Lane, Level 7 Media Centre, S(349567), and keep sending in your wonderful ideas.
