Foods with No Sugar
For various reasons, sometimes people want to remove sugar from their diet altogether for a period of time. Not all sugars are the same, though. Sugar that we find in refined foods is not the same as sugar found in fruits or whole foods. Some people will argue that sugar is sugar, but the body uses these sugars differently. Regardless of the difference, sometimes people want to cut it out altogether, so we put together this handy list of foods that contain no sugars and no carbs. Sugar has been linked with a wide range of health concerns ranging from obesity to heart disease and just about everything in between. Cutting processed foods out of your diet will go a long way toward reducing your total sugar intake, but it often isn’t enough. This is because many fresh foods also contain a lot of sugar. Fruits, for example, are loaded with natural sugars. While fruit should certainly be a part of your diet in the long run, for anyone seeking to remove sugar from their diet for a time, they need to avoid fruits. Fortunately, there are lots of delicious foods that you can add to your diet that doesn't contain any sugar at all. Take note that these foods don’t just have no sugar added, but are actually sugar-free!
Organic
Many of the foods below are animal source foods. Whenever possible, go for organic, grass fed or anything that contains a label that there were no antibiotics used. Grass-fed beef, for example, is higher in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, leaner and more antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E.
Poultry
Chicken and turkey are completely sugar-free and include many essential nutrients including protein, zinc, iron, vitamin B3 and more. Consuming poultry (ideally without the skin) has been shown to be a healthy part of your everyday diet. One of the best things about poultry is that it is such a flexible option. You can grill it, cook it into other dishes, slice it up for sandwiches, add it to salads or just about anything else.
Lean Meats
Poultry is not the only type of meat that is sugar-free and good for you. Virtually any lean meat is going to provide you with a lot of high-quality protein that will keep you going for hours. Many people think red meat is bad for you, but when it is a lean cut it is perfectly healthy to enjoy from time to time. Any type of unprocessed lean meat is an acceptable part of a
healthy overall diet, and since lean meats are naturally sugar-free they can be enjoyed without hurting your diet.
Eggs
Eggs are another great tasting sugar-free food that contains a lot of protein. While eggs once had a reputation as being unhealthy, all the recent studies have shown that the opposite is actually true. Consuming eggs on a regular basis is an excellent way to get lots of healthy fat, vitamins A and D, folate, protein and iron. Eggs are also a flexible food that can be cooked in many different ways to add diversity to your meals. If you’re also looking to reduce your fat intake you can opt for egg whites, which have most of the nutritional benefits with less fat.
Fish
Fish are another excellent food that is sugar-free. In addition to being sugar-free, fish contain lots of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for fighting cancer and many other diseases. Over the past decade, there have been dozens of studies showing a wide range of health benefits for those who regularly eat fish so make sure to add this to your diet. Keep in mind, however, that not all fish is created equal. Some fish may have higher levels of mercury, for example, so the number of servings should be limited.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is sugar-free and is a great option for cooking with or adding to other dishes. You can even make delicious salad dressings with olive oil. Olive oils are high in saturated fat, but this is one of the healthy fats as long as you consume it in moderation.
Garlic
Raw garlic has less than .03 grams of sugar in an entire clove, which is an extremely negligible amount making this an excellent option for those looking to limit sugar intake. Of course, garlic is an excellent ingredient to be used for cooking. Many people who are trying to cut sugar from their diets find that their foods taste bland, but if you add in some garlic you certainly won’t have that problem. Garlic has also been shown to be a natural antibiotic that can help keep you healthy.
Careful when Cooking
As you can see, there are some great food options available that have no sugar in them. One important thing to remember, however, is that even if you buy no-sugar foods from the supermarket, you need to make sure you are cooking them properly to keep them healthy. If you cook meat and add bar-b-que sauce, for example, you will still be consuming massive amounts of sugar. Cooking with oils, garlic and other sugar-free ingredients will help ensure you are able to enjoy your meals without loading up on sugar. While it may seem difficult or even overwhelming at first, you will quickly find that switching to a low or no-sugar diet isn’t as bad as it sounds once you know what foods to work with.
