Sugar and the brain

Do you know you may be eating foods high in sugar without realising it? We are all aware of the main culprits such as lollies and soft drinks but there are common foods we eat on a daily basis that contain similar if not more amounts of sugar.

These hidden sugar items to look out for include:

• Breakfast cereals

• Prepackaged sauces

• Salad dressing

• Muesli/protein bars

• Flavoured waters

• Flavoured yogurts

• Juices

• Tomato sauce

• Dried fruit

A high consumption of sugar has the potential to cause a variety of problems that can lead to eye, heart, and kidney problems. Another lesser discussed problem is the effect on your brain. When sugar enters your body, it triggers dopamine, a “feel good” neurotransmitter that causes a “sugar high.” This may cause an increased tolerance to sugar and jumpstart the cycle of insatiable cravings.

Eating a balanced diet containing adequate amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fat is important. However, it is not to say that you should eliminate all sugars from your diet. Food should be enjoyable and a scoop of chocolate ice cream every now and then won’t hurt.