Most of the time those fat free snacks you nosh on taste so sweet because they're actually made with a lot of extra sugar. Fat free cakes, cookies, breakfast bars, power bars and cereals that claim to be healthy often contain incredible levels of sugar or high fructose corn syrup. When you shop for food, it is important to read the ingredients listed on the label carefully. Avoid buying those snacks that have extra sugar because it ultimately leads to fat ? which is exactly what you don't want!

Excess sugar in your body that can't be burned off builds up in your blood and insulin is released to store it. Only a bit of the sugar that is not burned off is stored as glycogen in your liver and muscles. The rest of the accumulated sugar is stored in your body as saturated fat.

Increased insulin levels can cause serious health problems besides storing fat you don't need, such as insulin resistance, diabetes and osteoporosis. Also, too much sugar in your system causes sodium retention. Excess levels of sodium in your body can cause water retention. Retaining water will make you look and feel bloated. Further, water retention can lead to high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.

Sometimes people choose sugary snacks to give them a ?boost?. A ?sugar rush? is an unnatural, temporary burst of energy that ultimately leaves you feeling sleepy, foggy, stressed, anxious and even depressed. Add to that the potential health problems that result from too much insulin in your body, and clearly sugar is not the answer to energizing yourself. Rather, you can realistically attain increased levels of energy through nutritious food, exercise and self-awareness.

Sugar is alluring because it tastes sweet, but eating too much is detrimental to your health and body. Choose what you eat carefully, read the labels on everything you buy and stick to wholesome foods with few additives.

By replacing those sugary snacks with nutritious alternatives, you will look better, feel healthier and have plenty of energy everyday.