More than likely, if you start thinking about your favourite foods and treats, you will find that they are all packed with lots of sugar. Whether it’s the chocolate bar you grab from the vending machine, the iced coffee you slurp to cool off in the summer, the muffin you munch on for breakfast on your way to work, chances are you are consuming far more sugar than you should.

But why is something that tastes so sweet so bad for you? In fact, too much sugar can wreak havoc on your body long after it’s tantalized your taste buds. The damage begins in your mouth. As we all heard as children, too much sugar can cause tooth decay and also cause gum disease.

Once you ingest the sugar, it can start to wreak havoc with your blood sugar. Too much means your blood sugar can spike and then crash, leading to headaches, mood swings and fatigue.

The sweet stuff can also sabotage your waist line – causing you to gain weight. This increase in mass can lead to higher risks of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Reaching for a sugary snack can calm your hunger, but it doesn’t provide your body with any of the nutrients that you need. Sugar can also make you crave more sugar, which can create a cycle that gives your body none of the nutrients it needs to thrive.

There are healthier ways to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pick up a piece of fruit instead of reaching for that chocolate bar or pastry. Naturally sweet, fruit is delicious and also contains lots of fibre and other nutrients your body needs. You can also look for low sugar alternatives to your favourite foods.

If you just can’t give up your favourite chocolate chip cookie, try at least to stick to one instead of inhaling the whole row!

For low-carb snacks and other healthy foods, visit www.lowcarbcanada.ca.