SUGAR = EVIL
But goshdangit, why does it have to taste so flipping good!?!
What makes it even more scary is that even if you think you avoid sugar by not eating dessert or foods that are of the sweet side, you're probably still consuming too much because it's hiding everywhere!!
Ketchup, salad dressings, tomato sauces, granola, "healthy" protein bars, yogurt, bread, peanut butter, jelly, "healthy" juices...the list goes on and on. All hidden sources of sugar.
Whether you're like me and can't say no to that white poison, or could care less for sweet treats, here are some tips about how to be smarter about sugar.
1) Check the labels of your food.
Sounds like a given, but no one should ever be "surprised" about what they're putting into their body. Whether you eat a certain food or not is your choice, but at least be knowledgeable about what you are eating and how it may or may not affect your body. Try to avoid foods that are high sugar, and pick ones that contain less. Just because most peanut butter contains sugar doesn't mean you have to give up peanut butter per say..just find a brad that has less sugar! Make smarter choices...read your food labels!
2) Consider going cold turkey (just for a little while!)
Because I was so addicted to sugar, trying to enjoy it "in moderation" didn't work for me. I'd go nuts and eat copious amounts, thus binging and gaining weight. The only way I could give it up was to go an extended amount of time without sugar to let my body and taste buds readjust. I first did just thirty days, and then another thirty days, and then I did six months with three friends as a New Years resolution. Taking those extended breaks was the hard, but it was the best thing I ever did! I now can control my sugar much better..I'm not saying I'm perfect, but if I notice that I'm getting a little too crazy, I can pull the reigns and get myself back on track really quick.
3) Find substitutions.
Sweet N Low, Splenda, Truvia, Equal...you've probably heard of at least one of these alternative sweeteners. There are ways to substitute almost any sweet treat you're missing out on in your pursuit for health. Check out healthy dessert blogs like Chocolate Covered Katie or Desserts with Benefits to find yummy, healthy, and sugar reduced or sugar free treats! Use Truvia, Stevia, or Erythriol in instead of white sugar, and eat foods that use those ingredients. Eat a Quest bar. Don't settle for garbage - take control!
If you're interested in just how sugar affects the body, why Sweet N Low, Splenda, and Equal suck, and other substitutions, I highly recommend Jorge Cruise's The Belly Fat Cure!
What I Do to Conquer My Sugar Addiction!
Make a yummy protein shake!
Eat a Quest bar! (I highly recommend Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, White Chocolate Rasberry, Apple Pie, and Double Chocolate Chunk) Check out their Facebook page to learn fun and yummy recipes! I love making them into cookies :)
Have an occasional sugar free candy! Uses malitol (a sweetener that makes you fart if you eat too much) but at least there's no sucralose, which I personally try to limit. Good to eat on occasion when you have a really bad craving but you don't want to give in to sugar.
(They also have York Peppermint Patties, Twizzlers, Redvines, chocolate chips, caramel filled, regular)
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