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Once you learn about artificial sugar and the effects it can have for your health it starts to make you re-evaluate what you are feeding your family.
I was astounded at the amount of sugar we were eating and since it contributes to weight gain, unhealthy attitudes towards food and a host of health problems I have been looking at ways to cut it down!
Remember that it is totally fine to eat cake (because lets be honest who doesn’t love it) but make sure that your not being a victim of sneaky sugar! here’s how…
1. Watch the squash
Some squashes and fruit juices are extra sneaky – this means that they are packed full of sugar that we don’t know about.
2. Bulk up the meals
Protein, healthy fats and lots of veggies are a great way to bulk meals and make the family feel fuller for longer. Feeling full makes you less likely to snack on sweet sugary things!
3. Check the labels
If in doubt, check the label! a lot of things such as ready meals or accompaniments actually contain a lot of sugar although they aren’t actually “sweet”
To make things easier some labels have a color code system where labels have red, yellow or green for each category. If the sugars are red then it’s best to leave them alone.
4. Have a fruit bowl
This is so simple! keep fresh fruit out in a bowl – somewhere accessible – so at snack time everyone reaches for the healthy sugar rather than the additional one!
5. First name basis
This goes hand in hand with point number 2. Some labels won’t say “crap load of sugar don’t eat it” (obviously) therefore it is up to you to get on a first name basis with sugar to spot the sneaky ones. Some of these names include:
- Fructose
- Maltose
- Glucose
- Fruit juice
- Molasses
- Hydrolysed starch
- Invert sugar
- Sucrose
- Corn syrup
6. Get spicy
Add extra spices to your meals to make them extra tasty and tantalize the taste buds! – Cinnamon and nutmeg also naturally sweeten foods so try adding them if you are craving something sweet!
Don’t be afraid to experiment.
7. Clear the cupboards
Now this one goes against my other Bulk-buy instincts but.. if you don’t want them eating lots of biscuits or other sugary treats then don’t buy as many.
Limit the amount of sugar that is physically in the house.
They want biscuits? fine but only buy one pack that has to last, agree to only purchase sweet things once or twice a month so that they make them last and don’t overindulge.
Hopefully these really simple and easy tricks will help your family to cut down the sugar or maybe even stop altogether (although cake is great once in a while).
