Enough With the Sugar!

By Donna Stark

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you. That's right, you are sweet, but hopefully your sweetness isn't based on the amount of sugar you consume. Because, as you probably already know, eating large amounts of sugar can have serious effects on your overall health and wellness. But cutting sugar out of your diet can be hard at times, can't it? Especially since sugar is found in practically everything you eat. Ugh! So what can you do? Well, you can start by making these few simple changes in your daily routine.

Start With Breakfast

Starting your day with a sugar-kick may not be the direction you want to take. Sure, it may give you that initial boost of energy, but it will also give you a serious crash later in the day. The best way to keep that from happening is to avoid cereals, oatmeal, protein bars, and yogurts that are pre-sweetened. Instead, you should reach for unsweetened options and top with an assortment of fresh fruit for a natural energy boost.

Choose Beverages Wisely

If you love starting the day with a sweetened coffee creation, consider ordering it with sugar-free flavored syrup. And if the soda machine at work knows you by your first name, it may be time to try something new. Try adding some fresh-squeezed orange juice to seltzer water or skip the fizz and choose fruit-infused water in its place. You may be surprised by how satisfying it really is!

Read the Labels

If you want to stay on top of how much sugar you are consuming, you need to read the labels of everything you eat. Added sugars can go by many different names, so educate yourself on what to look for and be sure to double-check the labels before your purchase.

You Are Sweet Enough

Eating large amounts of added sugar can eventually lead to significant health issues down the road. Your brain can suffer, your skin can age faster, and your risk of complicated diseases may increase. These are things that should never be taken lightly so it is vital that you understand the importance of reducing your sugar intake. The good news is that there are so many different options for you to choose from that can help make the transition a lot easier. So what do you say? Don't you think it is time to eat less sugar? After all, we have already determined that you are sweet enough.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Pooler, Ga.