The Ultimate List of Low-Sugar Foods to Stock in Your Kitchen
Cutting back on the refined sugar in your diet is a great strategy for disease prevention, losing weight, gaining energy, and overall feeling like your best self.
According to the American Heart Association, American adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day, which is more than 3 times the recommended amount. This adds up to around 60 pounds of added sugar per year–and that’s just for adults. Numbers for kids are far worse.
Refined sugar is incredibly sneaky. It hides in everything from breakfast cereal and yogurt to condiments like ketchup and barbeque sauce. The best way to trim these hidden sugars from your diet is to reduce your consumption of prepared and packaged foods, instead opting to make your own so that you control exactly what goes into your food.
Today we’re going to make your shopping trips way easier with our ultimate list of low sugar foods! These foods are our top choices to stock in your kitchen. They’re naturally low in sugar, high in vitamins and minerals, and easy to find in most grocery stores. Keep these staples around and use them to build nourishing meals and snacks that won’t leave you with a blood sugar crash!
Low Sugar Protein
Protein is a key part of a low sugar diet, as it will help keep you satisfied and prevent cravings. Healthy options include:
Chicken and turkey (breasts, thighs, ground meat, etc.)
Beef
Lamb
Pork (read sausage and bacon labels carefully to avoid added sugar)
Venison
Eggs
Wild-caught seafood
Jerky (look for sugar-free brands, such as Chomps)
Full-fat dairy products (choose plain/unsweetened yogurt)
Low Sugar Fats
Like protein, healthy fats will keep you satisfied and keep sugar cravings at bay. Enjoy healthy fats such as:
Peanut butter or almond butter (look for brands with no added sugar)
Nuts and seeds
Olive oil
Avocado oil
Coconut oil
Avocados
Olives
Butter
Low Sugar Vegetables
The cornerstone of any healthy diet is a plentiful array of vegetables! While you really can’t go wrong with any veggie, here are our favorites to keep around for everyday meals:
Broccoli, cauliflower, and/or cabbage
Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, etc.)
Carrots
Celery
Onions and garlic
Cucumbers
Bell peppers
Sweet potatoes
Summer squash
Winter squash
Green beans
Snap peas
Low Sugar Fruit
Fruit contains natural sugar, but some options are lower in sugar than others. Pair your fruit with protein or fat to help your body absorb the sugar slowly. Great low sugar fruit options include:
Blueberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Apples, especially green apples
Grapefruit
Lemons and limes
With these lists handy, you’ll be well on your way to preparing healthy meals and snacks that are high in nutrients and low in sugar!
