American’s are currently in the grip of a sugar addiction. According to research, we ingest 23 teaspoons of the stuff each day. That equates to over 150 teaspoons of added sugar each week. Which basically means we consume 600 a month.
That’s pretty incredible, but our collective habit shows no signs of stopping because we simply dismiss the very notion that we’re addicted to the white stuff. Yet how many times have you felt an uncontrollable urge to reach for the cookie jar before bed, the ice cream tub after dinner, or the bread bin before work? These are things we don’t think about when we’re doing them, but they’re habits.
Bad habits
And they build up. You might not realise it, but if you were quizzed on how much you snack on sugary treats each week, you would probably say “a few times.” The correct answer would surprise you.
It would be a heck of a lot of times. Because you love sugar! You’re probably seeing the white background on this screen and thinking about sugar right now.
But why do we consume so much sugar? Why do have a sugar habit? Is it down to a lack of will power? Ignorance? Carefree attitude? Or is it denial?
Whatever it is, habit-forming attitudes are very difficult to kick, which is why we’ve come up with a few inventive ways you can remove sugar from your life without it becoming duller in the process.
Sweeten Your Yogurt Naturally
If you purchase a fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, it comes with added sugar.
About 30 grams of the stuff.
Wow.
To save yourself from sugar-related diseases, we recommend buying a plain yogurt and sprinkling it with cinnamon.
Snack On Whole Foods
And grains too.
Normally, we snack on candies and cookies. But these are full of sugar and snacking is when our sugar craze peaks. Indeed, snacking is the bane of the American diet. It’s the bit where all the problems start.
To ensure that snacking becomes healthier, replace these sugary treats with whole foods and snacks.
Dilute Your Juice
Did you know that fruit juice accounts for about a tenth of the added sugar in your diet? Remove this evil and you’ll feel so much better.
You could dilute it, or you could just eliminate it all together.
Change Your Cereal
Cereals like Frosted Flakes are bad for you, end of story. They’re just not cool, man. Whilst your neighbour is preserving his life for another ten years because he’s eating oatmeal for breakfast, you’re plotting your self-destruction before you reach 70 with your sugar-coated cereal.
Is it worth it?
Swap the sugar for protein, bud.
Try A New Dessert
We know you love cakes. We know this. But fruit can taste oh so good too, you know. And it’s super healthy. Just try swapping that sugar-laced cream cake for peaches or watermelon and see what you think.
