Sugar is our number one aging enemy as it attacks skin cells and collagen fibres causing elasticity loss... saggy skin.... the process is called glycation. Sugar acts as an incentive for us to eat more and is in most foods. Even if you opt for an organic muesli bar over chocolate cake or fresh orange juice rather than the coke your healthy choices are frighteningly low on vitamins and minerals while disturbingly high in sugar. Yes, even diet food can be a trap. Average Australian women eat 31 teaspoons of sugar a day. The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest 10 teaspoons or 50g a day is plenty. Cut your sugar intake to this and you will take 10 years off your skin age. Read labels when shopping.

Some common foods and their sugar content:
Can of coke (340ml) - 10 teaspoons
Orange juice( 340 ml) - 8 teaspoons
Milo and Milk - 5 teaspoons
Weet-bix (2) - 1 teaspoon
Tim Tam (2) - 7-8 teaspoons
Vegemite sandwich - 1 teaspoon
 
LOWER YOUR SUGAR INTAKE IN FOUR STEPS
1. Drink water instead of soft drink and fruit juices, which are major contributors to excess sugar
2. Eat more whole foods, snack on high fibre, low GI carbs, nuts, low sugar yogurt, wholemeal crackers and fresh fruit in modest amounts
3. Keep chocolate, lollies and cake treats for special occasions only
4. Don’t add sugar. Slowly reduce the amount of sugar you add to your coffee, tea, and cereal. Or choose a substitute, such as a small amount of honey, or a healthier sweet alternative such as Stevia, agave syrup or Sucralose.