I’ve never been a big fan of sugar. While I enjoyed an occasional dessert, I never craved sweets the way some people do. Yet, sugar still found its way into my diet through sauces, breads, and packaged foods. One day, I decided to take control and cut out added sugar for 14 days. At first, it seemed easy—no candy, no soda. But as I read food labels, I realized just how sneaky sugar is. The first few days were a rollercoaster of cravings, but by the end of two weeks, I was shocked by the transformation in my body and mind.

Cutting out sugar doesn’t mean eliminating all forms of it. Natural sugars found in fruit, dairy, and vegetables are part of a healthy diet and provide essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The real culprit is added sugar, which is incorporated into foods during processing and offers nothing but empty calories.

Added sugars come in many forms, including white and brown sugar, corn syrup, honey, and even seemingly healthy alternatives like maple syrup. No matter their source, they contribute to excess calorie intake and pose serious health risks, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommend that no more than 10% of daily calories come from added sugars. However, many people far exceed this amount without even realizing it.

First Few Days: Withdrawal and Cravings

The first few days without sugar were a challenge. My usual breakfast choices, like flavored yogurt or granola, were off-limits. I replaced them with plain Greek yogurt and fresh berries, but my taste buds weren’t satisfied.

By mid-morning, my body was confused. I experienced mild headaches, mood swings, and a noticeable dip in energy. My usual mid-afternoon slump hit me harder than usual, and I found myself craving something sweet. It wasn’t hunger—it was pure addiction. Studies show that sugar triggers dopamine release, similar to addictive substances, which explained why I felt irritable and restless.

A Shift in Energy and Focus

By day five, something unexpected happened: my energy stabilized. Without sugar-induced spikes and crashes, I felt consistently alert throughout the day. My concentration improved, and I was able to focus for longer periods without feeling fatigued. Research confirms that excess sugar contributes to brain fog and sluggishness, so it was no surprise that cutting it out led to mental clarity.

Another surprising effect was my sleep quality. I used to struggle with falling asleep, often tossing and turning late into the night. But within a week of eliminating sugar, I noticed that I was sleeping deeper and waking up feeling truly rested.

How My Body Changed

By the second week, the physical benefits were undeniable. Here’s what changed:

Less bloating: Processed foods and sugary drinks often cause bloating due to inflammation and water retention. Without them, my stomach felt flatter and more comfortable.

Better digestion: Without sugar feeding harmful gut bacteria, my digestion improved significantly. I felt lighter after meals and experienced fewer stomach issues.

More balanced appetite: Without sugar highs and lows, my hunger cues became more natural. I ate when I was actually hungry, not when I craved a quick fix.

Clearer skin: Sugar has been linked to acne and inflammation. My skin, which was prone to breakouts, started looking brighter and healthier by the end of two weeks.

Mental Shift: No More Sugar Control

Beyond the physical benefits, the biggest transformation was my relationship with food. Before the challenge, I never considered myself addicted to sugar, but I now realize how much control it had over my eating habits. I had previously reached for snacks mindlessly, craving sweet flavors out of habit rather than hunger.

By the 14th day, I felt empowered. I no longer felt the same urge to grab something sweet after meals. My taste buds had adjusted, and I found natural sugars in fruits much more satisfying than before. Even a handful of berries felt indulgent.

What This Means for You

If you’re thinking about reducing sugar in your diet, here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Be mindful of hidden sugars. Read labels carefully. Sugar lurks in everything from salad dressings to bread.
• Expect withdrawal symptoms. The first few days might be tough, but they won’t last forever.
• Embrace natural sweetness. Fruits, nuts, and even cinnamon can satisfy cravings without added sugar.
• Focus on whole foods. The less processed your diet, the easier it is to control sugar intake.
• Notice how you feel. Pay attention to changes in energy, digestion, and mood. The benefits go far beyond weight loss.

Eliminating sugar for two weeks was one of the most eye-opening health experiments I’ve ever done. While I won’t cut out sugar completely forever, I’ve learned to be more mindful about how much I consume. The mental clarity, sustained energy, and physical benefits were worth the initial struggle. If you’ve ever wondered what life would be like with less sugar, I highly recommend trying it—even for just two weeks. Your body (and mind) will thank you.

Diabetes may seem like a non-issue, however each year we see an alarming rate of increase in the number of people who have diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people who had diabetes rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022. An alarming rise as such has prompted many people to call it a silent health epidemic. As more and more people start taking it more seriously, researchers have also found ways we can reduce the risk of it. What if they told you that your morning coffee could be a way too?

For many, coffee is an essential part of the day. In the UK, it has even become the nation's favorite hot drink, with people consuming around 98 million cups daily. While it's a great morning pick-me-up, new research suggests that this popular brew could also offer significant health benefits, especially in lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Link Between Coffee and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects millions of people, and new findings suggest that a daily coffee habit could help prevent it. Researchers in South Korea analyzed data from 149 different studies to explore how coffee affects the body's metabolic processes that are connected to the development of this condition.

According to their findings, drinking about three to five cups of coffee per day may provide benefits from natural compounds called polyphenols. The researchers specifically looked at five types of these compounds found in coffee and studied their effects on key organs like the small intestines, pancreas, liver, and other tissues.

How Coffee Protects Your Body

The study discovered that drinking black coffee every day can give you several health boosts. These good effects include:

• Keeping your blood sugar steady.
• Calming down swelling in your body.
• Making your body better at using sugar, thanks to improved insulin sensitivity.
• Protecting your cells like a tiny shield, because it acts as an antioxidant.
• Helping your body handle sugar more effectively.

What's really interesting is that both regular coffee and decaf coffee showed similar good results. This tells us that the benefits, like lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes by 20% to 30%, come from special parts of the coffee itself, not just the caffeine. The scientists think these unique coffee ingredients hold a lot of promise for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Expert Opinions and Cautions

Other health experts agree that coffee naturally offers good health benefits and can fit into a healthy way of living. One professor pointed out that coffee beans have about 200 different natural substances. Some of these are good on their own, and sometimes they work together to create even more helpful effects.

However, some experts also give a word of caution. While lowering the risk by 20-30% is a very big deal, this study mainly looked at past research done in labs. This means it might not fully consider everything that happens in real life, like how healthy coffee drinkers are overall or what their other habits are.

The most important message is that coffee's benefits come from drinking it black, without adding sugar or cream. While people who drink coffee regularly can enjoy these possible health advantages, it's still smart to be careful about how much caffeine you have, especially if you have heart problems. If too much caffeine makes you feel jittery, decaf coffee is a great choice because it removes the caffeine but keeps all the good stuff.

If you are dealing with high cholesterol, there are two breakfast favourites you need to watch out for. In fact, you should consider cutting them out of your diet immediately. Health experts have identified these processed meats as some of the worst offenders when it comes to raising levels of LDL, or “bad”, cholesterol.

According to health experts, sausages and bacon are two of the “worst” offenders when it comes to raising cholesterol, Express.co.uk reported. That is because these processed meats are packed with saturated fat, which is one of the main contributors to high levels of LDL cholesterol, the type that clogs your arteries and increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes.

While cholesterol is not all bad, your body actually needs some of it to function properly. But the trouble starts when the amount of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in your bloodstream gets too high. This type of cholesterol is often dubbed “bad” because it can build up inside your blood vessels, harden over time, and eventually form blockages.

And what is one of the biggest contributors to this blockage? Your diet. Eating foods rich in saturated fat can push those LDL levels higher, which is why some everyday favourites are now on the cholesterol watch list.

Saturated Fat

According to UK guidelines, men should aim for no more than 30 grams of saturated fat per day, while women should cap it at 20 grams. But one pork sausage alone can contain up to 10 grams of saturated fat. Add two rashers of bacon to that plate, and you are likely already tipping over your recommended limit before mid-morning.

Processed meats like bacon, sausages, and salami are particularly high in saturated fats. A single serving of these can provide a quarter (or more) of your daily allowance. That is without counting the butter on your toast or the full-fat milk in your tea.

It is Not Just the Meat

Bacon and sausages may be bad, but they are not the only ones stirring trouble. Writing for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), senior dietitian Tracy Parker says these are the other cholesterol-boosting foods:

• Butter, lard, and ghee
• Coconut and palm oil
• Full-fat dairy products
• Cakes, biscuits, and pastries
• Chocolate

These items are high in saturated fats and sneak their way into our meals more often than we think. A few chocolate biscuits here, some buttered toast there.

A Smarter Start to the Day

What should you eat for breakfast if you are trying to keep your cholesterol in check? Go for fibre-rich foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Porridge oats, wholegrain toast, eggs (in moderation), nuts, and plenty of fruits are good choices. Avocado on toast might be trending for a reason.

Of course, it is not just about ditching certain foods. The NHS recommends a holistic approach to lowering cholesterol: eating less fatty food, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and cutting back on alcohol. All of which can help get those cholesterol numbers back in the safe zone.

Rethink the Fry-Up

That full English might be tradition, but it is also a cholesterol bomb for many people. Sausages and bacon might look and smell delicious on your plate, but their saturated fat content can quietly nudge your heart health in the wrong direction. If you are already dealing with high cholesterol, it might be time to give your breakfast a heart-friendly makeover. It does not mean giving up flavour, just shifting it. Swap the greasy meats for grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans. Try a veggie sausage if you are craving the texture, or go continental with yoghurt and fruit.

It’s a familiar feeling: you sit down with your favorite food—maybe samosas, biryani, or something sweet, and before you know it, you’ve eaten far more than you intended.

Then comes the guilt, the bloating, the uneasy stomach, and a promise to “never do that again.” Sound familiar?

Overeating, especially when indulging in comfort or festive foods, can lead to digestive issues like gas, heaviness, and acidity. While enjoying food is a wonderful part of life, many of us struggle with portion control—especially when it comes to the dishes we love most.

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, known for her relatable approach to food and fitness, recently shared a simple trick to stop this cycle.

In a video posted on her Instagram, she introduced what she calls the “Jordan Formula”—a mindful way to enjoy your food without overdoing it or feeling guilty later.

What Is the Jordan Formula?

The concept is surprisingly simple, yet effective. Rujuta explains it using an example most Indians are familiar with: sabudana vada.

Here’s how it works:

• Take one sabudana vada and eat it.

• Before reaching for the second one, ask yourself honestly: Can I also eat a third?

• If the answer is no, then don’t eat the second. Stick to just one.

Similarly, if you’ve eaten three vadas, pause and ask: Can I eat a fourth or even a fifth comfortably? If not, stop at three.

This approach trains you to check in with your body before continuing to eat, helping you stop just short of feeling full, when your stomach is still comfortable and your mind still in control.

Why This Works

This small pause creates a moment of mindful eating, something that’s missing in most binge-eating episodes.

According to Rujuta, this method allows you to enjoy every bite without feeling deprived. You’re not saying no to the food, you’re just saying yes to your body’s signals.

In her Instagram caption, she writes:

“If you are guilty of eating mindlessly, the Jordan formula can help. An easy way to enjoy every bite without guilt or gas.”

This formula encourages a more thoughtful relationship with food—one where you're present with each bite rather than rushing through it and paying the price later.

Eating Mindfully in Changing Seasons

Rujuta also reminds us that our appetite changes with the weather. You may notice that you're less hungry during scorching summers or harsh winters, and that’s completely natural. In warmer months especially, our digestive systems tend to be more sensitive, making it important to:

• Increase fiber intake through seasonal fruits and vegetables

• Stay hydrated with water, nimbu pani, or buttermilk

• Choose lighter meals that are easy to digest

This helps support digestion, prevent bloating, and maintain energy levels without overeating.