Did you know? The typical American eats about 22 teaspoons of added sugars every day (that jumps to 34 teaspoons for teens), which adds up to some 64 pounds of sugar per year!
Lately I’ve been talking to many clients about their sweet tooth, and how to help manage it. There are lots of ways to reduce those sugar cravings, which I’ll likely write about in more detail at a later date. In the meantime, here are some easy everyday changes you can make to cut down on that powerful powder:
- Focus on breakfast. When you start your day on the right track, it’s easier to stay that way throughout the day. Love oatmeal in the mornings? Buy a plain variety and add your own lower-sugar toppings, like nuts and seeds, berries, ricotta cheese, nut butters, cinnamon, unsweetened coconut flakes, a sprinkle of raisins and stevia or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
- Choose yogurt as a snack? Opt for plain varieties and add your own toppings: that will make it lower sugar than purchasing a pre-sweetened kind.
- If you eat bars on a regular basis, make sure they’re sweetened naturally. Aiming for 5 grams of sugar or lower is ideal…Kind bars have lower sugar options with 5 grams of sugar, and Primal Kitchen bars (which I’ve highlighted in a previous newsletter) has just 3 grams of sugar.
- A little chocolate every day is something I would have a hard time giving up. But brands like Taza have just 7 grams of sugar for half a bar and still hit the spot. Lily’s is a brand that uses stevia in their chocolate. Sweet, right?
- Make sure to read the ingredients in your condiments, tomato sauces and dressings. They often contain hidden sugars, but don’t need to. Choose brands without added sweeteners whenever possible. They do exist!
- If you’re adding cream and sugar to your daily coffee routine, try carrying some packets of stevia with you, and use that to make that cup of joe just right.
Have any other tips to add to the list? Email me at [email protected] and let me know!
