Sugar is a huge factor affecting our health these days. It seems as though it is in everything, whether front and center or hidden in long chemical names. If you, like me, spend a lot of time watching cooking shows, you’ll notice that sugar is a main ingredient even in savoury dishes!
We learn more every day about how sugar contributes to many serious health issues like obesity and diabetes – it can even contribute to mental health concerns.
With so much sugar around us all the time, how can we properly control our sugar intake – without depriving ourselves or feeling like we’re missing out?
You’re probably familiar with the obvious ways to control your sugar intake:
Limit your junk food (like candy bars and donuts)
Limit your sugary drinks (like pop and sugar-added juices)
Limit processed and refined foods (boxed and pre-made frozen foods)
1. Eat a balanced meal three times a day.
Your plate should be 1/4 protein & dairy (1 cup) and 1/4 fibre (that’s 1 cup of grains and starchy veggies, with 1-3 Tbsp good fats. The second half of your plate should be veggies (2 cups).
This not only keeps your body happy and getting the things you need to be your best self, but it also keeps you fuller longer (and fighting sugar cravings). I use Epicure’s Perfect Portion Scoops to keep me on track. Perfect Portions
2. Flavour your water with fruit or essential oils.
This is great way to make you feel like you’re having something tasty, but without adding a ton of sugar. You can freeze your fruit so it acts like an ice cube with flavour. One of my favourite fruit-based water drinks is Summer Berry Lemonade. Check out the recipe here.
3. Choose snacks high in fibre, protein, and good fats!
Try nut butter and apples, hummus and veggies, or a homemade granola bar.
My go-to is the Cookie Dough Protein Portion Bliss Bars.
4. Make your own snacks and desserts so you can control the sugar.
I suggest some Stewed fruit, petite brownies, and cookies! Or try making some sugar cane sweetened, gluten free pudding pops (portion AND sugar controlled). Recipe
Overall, when you’re looking for things to snack on follow these key guidelines: Stay away from fake sugar. Instead, eat real, unprocessed sugar in lower quantities. Stick to whole foods, and be aware by reading food labels.
Want to learn more about how to practically make clean eating as part of your lifestyle?
Join me at Happy Healthy Women Etobicoke!
Kandice-Lee Doucette is our Etobicoke Branch Director and an Independent Epicure Consultant.
Her vision is helping people discover that eating clean and healthy can be truly easy and tasty with an array of delicious whole foods without fillers, artificial flavours, MSG while saving you money, time and producing less waste!