We all want to control our sugar intake, but it's easier said than done. Between the sweeteners we add to our coffee to the kind we find in all different types of food, sugar is getting harder and harder to avoid. Luckily, there are some small tweaks you can make to your diet to help your reduce your sugar intake–which will in turn make you feel healthier and maybe even cause you to shed a few pounds! Check out these five simple ways to eat less sugar below:
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1. Say bye to sweetened beverages. Some of the biggest sources of sugar are sodas, iced teas, and other sweet drinks. Replacing those with water (which you can flavor up with lemon, lime, mint, etc.) can save you hundreds of calories a day!
2.Trade sweet food for sweet fruit. A simple substition can sometimes make a huge difference! Strawberry jam is made up of all kinds of sweeteners that can easily take you over the recommended sugar intake. Instead, try swapping it out for a healthier, warmed up frozen strawberries or blueberries, etc.
3. Limit yourself. Your daily "added sugar" content shouldn't add up to more than the equivalent of 200 calories. Even better, try limiting sugary treats to once or twice a week so that you can still enjoy your favorite goods, every now and then.
4. Try honey! A little bit of raw honey or even maple syrup can go a long way–and can save you a lot of sugar intake. Just remember that you don't have to use as much. In fact, it should only replace about one-third of your normal sugar additives.
5.Check the ingredients…closely. You'd be surprised at what food products are really sugary, despite that they don't taste particularly sweet. Things like ketchup, bread, and flavored yogurt all have high levels of sugar, even if you might not think so. So make sure to check the labels before buying.
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