Reducing sugar in your family’s diet can be challenging! It can be addictive, but it’s also in almost everything. So, how do you keep your family healthy and cut back on the sweet stuff?
This article will share some of our top tips for reducing sugar and implementing healthy alternatives into your family’s lifestyle. Let’s dive in!
Why is Sugar So Addictive and Bad?
Before we can talk about how to kick it, it’s important to understand why your family might be struggling with sugar in the first place. Sugar intake releases dopamine in the brain, making it a “feel-good” addiction for your body.
That means you aren’t just trying to cut back on something unhealthy; you are actively working against some of the chemical processes in your brain throughout the process.
In addition, too much sugar can lead to health complications like heart disease, tooth decay, memory loss, obesity, weight gain, diabetes, acne, and so much more. So, while it may feel impossible to beat, reducing sugar in your diet is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.
Tips For Reducing Sugar Intake
With that in mind, let’s focus on reducing sugar in your diet together as a family.
1. Work Together
Like any healthy lifestyle habit, you’re more likely to stick with it if you have support. By working together, you and your family can aim to reduce sugar in certain areas of your diet.
For instance, you may choose to cut out sugary drinks. Or you may skip dessert except for a few nights a week. However, committing to a goal together helps everyone stay accountable if you decide to tackle it.
2. Understand Those Labels
Sugar is in almost everything nowadays! If you’re trying to kick sugar to the curb, you should become acquainted with food labels and understand what you’re looking at.
However, some foods have sneaky sugars in them, such as:
- White bread
- Condiments
- Cereals
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Soft drinks
These are just a few on the “watch out” list, but they’re important to consider as you reduce sugar in your family’s diet.
3. Eat Real Foods
As often as you can, eat natural, whole foods. This keeps your body more nourished and full and helps re-wire your taste buds so they don’t crave sugar in the first place! Packaged foods often have some of the highest sugar content.
While it may take some time to stop craving the sugary foods and drinks you are used to, sticking with a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and other healthy proteins and fats can reduce sugar.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can also worsen a sugar addiction because it increases cravings and your desire to overeat. A good night’s sleep is vital for keeping your body healthy and your tastebuds happy!
Sugar Alternatives
On your journey, you may still want to indulge in a treat or two or need some sugar for a family recipe. Here are some of the best sugar alternatives out there:
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of a South African plant. It is one of the most common alternatives at the grocery store.
Monk Fruit Sweetener
This sweetener is a fruit extract from a native Chinese plant and is about 300 times sweeter than traditional table sugar, but it doesn’t have calories, making it a great alternative!
Honey
Honey has many wonderful health benefits when used correctly. It contains some vitamins and minerals, is naturally anti-inflammatory, and provides antioxidant benefits.
Swerve
Swerve is another natural sugar alternative that doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. It is made with powdered erythritol and has a lower glycemic impact than traditional sugar.
Reducing Sugar One Step at a Time
Reducing sugar is no easy feat! And if you’re trying to get your whole family on the same page, finding something that works for everyone can be challenging.
As you start your journey, work on cutting things out gradually. For example, start with items that are your family’s biggest offenders, such as soft drinks or sugary desserts.
Instead of going cold turkey, slowly work on increasing whole foods, like fruits and veggies, and decreasing packaged foods and white bread/cereals.
Small incremental changes can have a significant impact on your family’s health! And when you all work together, you can eliminate the poor health outcomes that sugar brings.
With these tips for reducing sugar, you can say “goodbye” to sugar addiction and “hello” to happy, healthy bodies! You can do it.
