Reducing the amount of sugar we consume on a daily basis can have
a dramatic effect on our overall health and how we feel. Sugars and sugar substitutes like Splenda,
Equal and Truvia as well as corn syrup are found in a lot of the foods we buy
at the store. To know exactly what and
how much requires that we read the food facts and ingredient listings on the
labels.
Carbohydrates or starches such as bread, rice and pasta also turn
to sugar and are stored in our bodies as fat for use later when we need
them. This is probably why low carb diets have
become a popular way of losing weight for a lot of people.y
I personally have no desire to completely eliminate sugar and
carbohydrates from my diet. I have a
serious sweet tooth and love my breads, rice and pastas. However, I can always tell when I've overdone
it on the sugar. I don't feel
right. In fact I feel rather sluggish
and sometimes downright sleepy. So moderation,
for me, is key.
Here are a few ideas to reduce sugar consumption:
Simply add less. If you add sugar or sweetener to your tea or
coffee you can try adding a little less each day.
Instead of always reaching
for something sweet like a cookie for dessert consider fresh fruit or berries.
Switch out a dish of ice
cream for a dish of yogurt.
Cut the pre-sweetened
cereal with a non sweetened cereal like plain cheerios, rice crispies or bran
flakes
When making cookies bake
only one third of the dough, divide the rest in half, wrap and freeze. You'll be less tempted to binge.
Limit your juice
intake. Avoid soda. Drink more water.
Watch less TV. Commercials tend to make us hungry, even when
we aren’t.
Take a walk or start an
activity.
Experiment with ways to reduce sugar in your diet. You will feel better and your body will be
happier too. You may even lose a little
weight in the process. I really like
that idea.
I am not a big sugar person but chocolate candy is a real treat. :-p
ReplyDeleteMmmmm chocolate.
DeleteYou are so right. I cut out lots of sugar a little over a year ago. No more sodas and candy. I pay attention to how much sugar I am eating a day and control the amount. I did this for health reasons, but I have lost almost 20 pounds. Doesn't sound like much for a year, but I feel better and the lab work from the doctor's is doing great. Because I didn't cut out everything, it's very sustainable for me and has become a life style change and not a diet.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I don't believe in diets, but I fully support lifestyle changes. :)
Delete