Thinking of Canada Immigration? Stay clear of Sugar!

Thinking of Canada Immigration? Stay clear of Sugar!

Most of the Canadians love sweet foods, but often feel worried about the amount of calories intake. Many people rely on artificial sweeteners or other sugar substitutes who want to cut-down on their calorie intake, or cannot eat sugar for health-related reasons. Low-calorie sweeteners are found in a variety of products like table sugar, fruit juice concentrates, and corn syrups. Many of them have also been used as table-top sweeteners, in home cooked food or as additives in processed foods. However, despite its daily usages, the health effects of artificial sweeteners are often conflicting with research showing mixed results, which has led people to think twice about their safety when consumed over a period of time.

As per Canada’s latest Food and Dietary Guidelines, the consumption of low-calorie sugar substitutes is not necessary nor it is beneficial. The study puts a lot of emphasis on plant-based eating, protein sources, and water drinking as a key to live a healthy and balanced life. The Canada’s new Food Guide is backed by a solid research, which aims at improving on our choices of food, and how we eat them to avoid life-threatening diseases like Cancer, Heart Attacks, and Diabetes. In the words of Dr. Gigi Osler, president of the Canadian Medical Association, “the guide is particularly supportive of the evidence-based review and extensive consultation process used to draft the new Guide, to ensure it was founded on unbiased research.”

The guidelines say that sugar substitutes are definitely not required to be consumed on an everyday life. The guide further states that, there are no well-established health benefits associated with the intake of sweeteners, nutritious foods and beverages that are unsweetened should be promoted instead.”

Sugar Substitutes Aren’t the Synonymous of Healthy Eating

Many people use artificial sweeteners as an alternative of regular sugar in a hope of cutting down calories to lose weight. They must understand that there aren’t much demonstrated health benefits in these sweeteners as many of them even ended up gaining weight.

Foods that are flavored with sugar substitutes can make healthy eating more difficult, because of the following factors:

• First, many people use artificial sweeteners as a replacement for healthier foods
• Second, they still taste sweet, so not much difference

What are the Key Findings of the Research?

The officials at Health Canada conducted a very rigorous research to review the best available options to promote healthy living among people. So, below are some of the notable findings of the research:

• The study puts a greater emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins
• Some researches have suggested that usage of excess of artificial sweeteners may increase the chances of Type 2 diabetes, cardio diseases, kidney problems, and even cancer. They also have a negative impact on the mental health of so many people.
• The research has also advised to cut-down the usage of meats and flavored/low-fat dairy alternatives.
• More emphasis on mindful eating, limited screen time during meals, and eating and cooking with others.
• The research encourages Canadians make more fruits and veggies as part of their daily diet, along with whole grains and proteins.
• Cochran, a nonprofit research foundation, conducted a research for the World Health Organization, where it examined 56 studies determining the long-term health effects of sugar substitutes. It found out that there is clearly no evidence supporting the usage of sugar substitutes.
• Include more dairy, meat, and plant-based proteins like beans and tofu in your diet.

Ways to Curb the Intakes of Sugar Substitutes

For anyone who loves sugar or the foods containing low-calorie sugar substitutes, may consider the following pointers while buying them:

• Read the ingredients carefully to know the amount of sugar being used in a particular food or beverage.
• People experiencing stomach problems after consuming them may stop their intake.
• In case you are diabetic, make yourself aware of the role of sugar and its intake in your daily diet.
• For pregnant women, excess of sugar consumption shouldn’t be replaced with foods that are actually necessary for a healthy pregnancy.

To Conclude

The Government of Canada has always been quite active in ensuring overall health and wellness of its citizens. The government goes a long way in ensuring that all of its citizens or residence are safe and must not succumb to any life-threatening diseases. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has also placed a lot of stringent rules in ensuring food standards and labelling laws to ensure proper and appropriate food labeling and listing of ingredients.