UK men and women are fatter than ever.By Paul Howard

Is diabetes round the corner for you?

Researchers at Imperial College London and Harvard studied body mass index (BMI), cholesterol and high blood pressure data from 1980 to 2008.

Both UK men and women are in Europe’s fattest top ten.

The fact is that there is a direct correlation between our weight increase and the increase in sugars that we eat. It is said that in the UK we eat on average 2 pounds of sugar every week. It is not all sugars that are the problem, it is the simple carbohydrates such as :-

  • Table sugar
  • Cakes, Puddings and Biscuits
  • Chocolate and Fudge
  • Toffee, Boiled sweets and Mints
  • Liquorice
  • Honey
  • Soft drinks
  • Tinned fruits

These create the greatest risk of developing diabetes.  Reducing or avoiding these can really reduce your risks. If you want carbohydrates, try to stick to the following complex carbohydrates which are :-

  • Brown rice and Potatoes
  • Other root vegetables
  • Wholemeal, Granary, Pitta, Bagels and Brown bread
  • Wholegrain and High fiber breakfast cereals
  • Porridge oats, All bran, Wheetabix, Muesli and Shredded wheat
  • Ryvita crispbread and Oatcakes
  • Peas, Beans and Lentils

Complex carbohydrates tend to be better as they release their energy slowly and so the blood sugar level rises slowly over a longer period of time. This slow release of sugar helps to avoid the sudden spike of sugar in your bloodstream, which is thought to be a factor in developing diabetes.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is always advisable and can give you the sweetness you desire without the high level of calories.  They also help you to feel full.

Men in the UK have the sixth highest BMI in Europe while UK women have the ninth highest BMI in Europe. At the Surrey Institute of Clinical Hypnotherapy we help our clients to get a more appropriate eating behaviour where no food is a sin. Our weight control specialists will help you to move back to a normal eating pattern that is healthy, nourishing, tasty and fun.

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