The average American consumes about 156 pounds of added sugar each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If you think you’re not one of them, just ask yourself: How long does that box of holiday candies last in your house?
Addiction to sugar doesn’t just mean an overload around the holidays. Research shows nearly a quarter of our daily caloric intake --325 calories on average--comes from sweets like baked goods, soda, and fruit juices. If you believe you might be addicted to sugar, here are seven ways to take control of this not-so-sweet situation.
1. Drink lots of water. Besides replacing soda, water helps clear toxins like sugar from the body.
2. Nix juices. Even 100% fruit juices are essentially sugar and water in disguise.
3. Say no to artificial sweeteners. Try a natural, herbal, low-calorie sweetener like stevia in your morning coffee.
4. Opt for more healthy proteins (poultry and fish) and healthy fats like omega-3s (fish, walnuts, leafy vegetables). These help regulate blood sugar levels.
5. When you crave something sweet, have it after a meal. When consumed this way, the reaction with your blood sugar level is less dramatic.
6. Watch what you imbibe. Alcohol is made from sugar and acts like sugar in the body.
7. Eliminate empty stuff. White flour, white rice and white potatoes react the same way sugar does in our body.
Bonus Tip: If you’re finding it really tough to conquer the craving for sugary stuff, substitute honey. It has plenty of natural sweetness but also offers real health benefits.
