Simple Ways to Cut Sugar From Your Diet
By Sara Butler
Here’s the deal: The experts all agree that there’s no benefit to your health by eating a diet with added sugar. That’s just the reality. You need to work to reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet and it may not be as difficult as you think. Here are a few ways you can reduce sugar each and every dayin small simple toward a healthier you!
Just Say No
It’s easy to understand that cookies, ice cream, cakes, and candy need to be given the boot. Even those blueberry muffins have got to be shown the door. The easiest place to start ditching the extra sugar is the really obvious stuff. You’ll no doubt have sugar cravings, but when you do, it’s best to try to understand why you may be having them in the first place. You might be:
- Having hormonal issues – In women, inadequate estrogen or progesterone can trigger sweet cravings because they reduce the amount of happy chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Try eating things such as fruit, or low-sugar dark chocolate to help get you through.
- You have low blood sugar – If you’re skipping meals or going too long without eating, then it can make you crave something to give your blood sugar a boost. Try fruit with nuts for a quick snack.
- You’re tired – If you didn’t get good sleep the night before, then you may crave sugar for a boost. Try to get better sleep or have a cup of tea instead!
Don’t Add Extra Sugar
You can make a big dent in your sugar intake by ditching packets of sweetener. Even natural sweeteners such as honey need to be given a wide berth. Your body handles any source of sugar the exact same way, so try to avoid adding it to anything. To replace added sugars in the places you normally get them, such as your coffee, try:
- Adding vanilla extract
- Add unsweetened toasted coconut
- Caramelized onions
Put Away the Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks are a terrible source of added sugar. Even diet soda isn’t all that great for you. So, stop drinking soda and flavored coffees now. You can replace the habit of soda or flavored coffee with something else, like a walk or a run. Try tea with lemons or dark chocolate. There are a lot of options to help.
These simple tips will help you keep extra sugar out of your diet!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mesa, Ariz.
