Take a Look at the Sugar in Your Diet

If you don't take care of yourself, the undertaker will overtake that responsibility for you.  ~Carrie Latet 

The Christmas season is now over and I have to confess that I stumbled numerous times in my efforts to maintain healthy eating habits.  Saying no to all that rich and delicious food is a struggle for the strongest among us, and I gave in more times that I intended to.  However, I did a fairly good job of limiting my portions.  This leads to another consideration, and that is an ongoing lifestyle of diet and exercise.  There are hundreds of books that come out every year on the subject, and they have essentially the same message: eat less and exercise more.  These principles are the bottom line to a healthy lifestyle. 

One problem many, if not all, of us face is that of eating unhealthy snacks.  Take a look at your cupboard and see how many unhealthy snacks you have in there.  If you have a box of Twinkies in the house, that’s a strong indicator that some not-to-healthy snacking is going on.  Twinkies, doughnuts, cupcakes, and Oreos are all stuffed full of sugar, and sugar is the constant enemy of weight loss.  If you don’t believe it, try looking at the sugar content in the above listed items.  The sugar content will give you pause (and a spare tire around your middle if you aren’t careful).   

Soft drinks are also a major culprit in unwanted weight gain.  A can of any soft drink can contain anywhere from 20-50 grams of sugar.  We really aren’t safe drinking diet soft drinks either.  What they lack in sugar they make up for in sodium.  Again, look at the labels and you will be shocked at what you find.  These days I drink water more than anything else.  We have a Brita water pitcher which purifies the water right in the pitcher.  These are very affordable and functional.  As you think about your eating habits, consider these suggestions for healthier eating:

• Eliminate soft drinks from your diet and replace them with good old fashioned water.  If you try fruit juice of any kind, be sure to read the labels for sugar content.  Many of them are loaded with sugar.  Learn to drink soft drinks as only an occasional treat.   

• Replace cookies, Twinkies, cupcakes, and potato chips with healthy snacks such as apples, raisins, and almonds.  This last one is a healthy way to snack and fend off cravings for unhealthy foods.
  

• Try drinking a glass of water before a meal.  You will full up quicker and probably eat less.   

• Cook your meals at home more often rather than going out.  When we eat at restaurants we typically eat larger servings than when we eat at home. 

Develop a plan for healthy eating and stick with it.  Your family isn’t on board?  Take the lead and set the example. 

It’s going to be a great day!