How to Cut Down on Sugar
By Lana Bandoim
From candy bars in the vending machine to baked goods in the conference room, sugar seems to follow people at work. However, the problems do not stop once the day is over. At home, sugar is often at the top of the menu. Whether it is hiding in a cup of tea or sweet chili sauce, sugar is hard to avoid. However, the following tips can help you reduce sugar.
Change Drinks
Sugar tends to hide in many popular drinks. Not only is it in soda, tea and coffee, but sugar is also in vegetable juice and some types of flavored bottled water. It is important to read the ingredient lists on all beverages and stop drinking the ones that have high levels of sugar. Consider switching to unsweetened tea or coffee. Plain water is also a safe option that will not add extra calories.
Avoid Canned Fruit
Fresh fruit usually has less sugar than canned fruit. It is better to eat a fresh peach than one from a can. However, if buying fresh fruit is not always an option, then change the type of cans you purchase. Avoid canned fruit with syrup and focus on products with no added sugar.
Pay Attention to Sauces
Many people are surprised to learn how much sugar is in some sauces. Ketchup, barbecue sauce and salad dressings can have a lot of sugar. Read every label and pick sauces with no sugar. Another option is to make sauces at home so you can control all the ingredients and skip the sugar.
Avoid Low-Fat Food
Low-fat food tends to have more sugar because brands use it to control the taste. Without the normal amount of fat, the flavor can be very different. In general, the low-fat versions have more sugar and calories than the regular versions.
Skip Dessert
Skipping dessert may be the best strategy to cut down on sugar, but it is also the hardest one to follow. It is not easy to say no to brownies, muffins, cake or candy. However, if you are serious about reducing the amount of sugar in your diet, then learning to avoid dessert is essential. Consider eating fresh fruit with nuts and seeds instead of ice cream and cookies.
Try to cut down on sugar by focusing on these tips. It is possible to make positive diet changes that reduce or eliminate sugar. Eventually, the cravings for sugar will disappear.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.