Eat less SUGAR - the NEW lifestyle

We all have heard of the effects sugar has, if you are determined to make your life sugar-less keep reading.

Some people choose to cut out sugar entirely but be aware that because sugar is addictive, eliminating it all in one fell swoop can stress you out and drive you back into it. 

I believe more in moderation than limitation, so if you don't want to go that far, a low-sugar lifestyle may be a more manageable option that still improves your health.

Eat whole foods.

Whenever possible, stick to meats, fruits and vegetables in their original forms, which do not contain any added sugar. If it’s not easy to get them fresh, choose frozen ones without added ingredients.

Get your cookbook out.

You'll be far less likely to consume sugar if you prepare most of your meals. You will also find new flavors that can replace sweetness in your food.

Read and compare labels.

Some foods — like yogurt or cereal — come in a vast array of brands and options. If you're going to eat foods that contain sugar, pick those with the lowest amounts and that use nutritious ingredients like nuts or dried fruit.

The soda and juice.

The vast majority of these beverages are little more than sugar water. But if you like to drink them try diluting them progressively: start with one third of water and two thirds of soda/juice and try to get to 50/50.

Don't skip meals.

Eat regularly throughout the day, not more than 4 hours between meals. Skipping lunch makes you more likely to turn to sugar for a quick fix later on. Have some healthy snacks at hand in case you need them.

Stay hydrated.

Thirst frequently manifests as a craving for sugar or other food so keep a bottle by your desk. If you like flavor in your water try putting a tea bag inside your bottle or slices of fruit.

Find natural substitutes.

If you need to use a sweetener in a recipe, replace white sugar with options like honey or molasses whenever possible. If you want to reduce it even more, try a natural sweetener like stevia.

Spice it up.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and other spices are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding sugar.

Select dark chocolate.

When you need to feed a chocolate craving, the darker stuff — like, 85 to 90 percent cocoa — contains less sugar and its healthier.

Give black coffee a trial run.

If you've grown accustomed to sweetening your coffee, give yourself a 7-day trial of drinking it black. Coffee is shown to reduce risk of diabetes and some types of cancer, and it's a proven metabolism booster. Take the time to savor the taste, smell, and warmth of your coffee — the experience itself is sweet enough, no sugar necessary!

See you next week.