Easy Ways to Cut Back on Sugar
Halloween kicks off "the holiday season" that is associated with social gatherings and lots of food. Ironically it's also a time when we tend to become more sedentary as the days get shorter and the temperature drops. Both conspire to have us eating more and exercising less.
- Read food labels when you shop. Nutritionists recommend foods that have 6 grams of sugar or less and at least 3 grams of fiber.
- Track how much sugar you eat for a few days. You may be surprised how quickly it adds up.
- Learn the many names manufacturers use to disguise how much sugar is in their foods. This website lists 56 different names for sugar.
- Reduce or eliminate sugar in your coffee or tea.
- Avoid sodas, fruit juice and other beverages high in sugar.
- Avoid diet sodas and other foods with artificial sweeteners. They are known to cause cravings.
- Don't skip meals. In fact, having frequent healthy snacks can actually reduce sugar cravings. Some nutritionists recommend eating every three hours. Healthy snacks include:
- fresh fruit
- a hard-boiled egg
- hummus
- carrot sticks
- raw, unsalted nuts
- plain, unsweetened yogurt with fresh fruit
- For a quick pick-me-up have a glass of water and take a walk around the block instead of grabbing coffee and something sweet. You may actually feel more energized.
- Beware of sugar-free products that make up the difference in added fats.
- Meditate to help reduce stress.
If you start now to improve your diet and increase exercising, you may not have "lose weight" as your number one New Year's resolution.
Did you know that acupuncture can help with food cravings?
If you're trying to eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet,
Acupuncture also helps reduce stress, a common trigger for overeating.
