Tips for staying sugar free at lunch
Drink up
Dehydration can trick us into craving sugar, especially after exercising when your body is especially dehydrated.
To combat cravings and feel fuller, drink at least 2 litres of water each day. To keep it interesting, try adding citrus like lemon, lime or orange slices to your water, or cooling veggies and herbs like cucumber and mint.
DIY dressing
Salads can be a healthier lunch option, but store-bought dressings are often high in sugar to pump up the flavour. Make sure you read the label and look out for hidden sugars like dextrose, honey, glucose and maltose. For a lower-sugar option, prepare a homemade vinegar and olive-oil dressing, or full-fat mayonnaise with little or no added sugars.
Eat more Protein
Protein requires more work for the body to digest and therefore leaves us feeling fuller for longer. Plus, protein stabilises blood sugar levels, reduces cravings, and slows the absorption of sugar during a meal. For lunch, try to include these healthy proteins including lean white meat like chicken or fish, beans, lentils and peas, 100% unsweetened peanut butter, plain Greek yogurt, or eggs.
