Anyone on a diet or lifestyle change knows to not overindulge in sugar. Having too much sugar can drain your energy levels, lead to weight gain, and cause an increased risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

It is important to keep track of how much sugar you are consuming daily. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 36 grams and women consume no more than 25 grams of sugar per day. If you have a sweet tooth, the thought of cutting down on sugar can seem difficult, but it is much easier than you think. Here are some tips to help you cut down on sugar:

Cut back on sugary drinks

A lot of drinks contain a heap of added sugar, such as sodas, sports drinks, premade smoothies, and more. While some of these so-called “healthy” drinks, such as smoothies or fruit juices, act as great alternatives to soda, they usually contain the same amount of sugar, if not more. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to cut down on sugary drinks, including:

• Flavored sparkling water
• Herbal or fruit teas
• Unsweetened tea or coffee
• Fruit-infused water
• Hunger control chocolate shake

Avoid sugar-filled breakfast meals

Most breakfast cereals contain a lot of sugar. There are many different cereal options to choose from, try finding cereals that don’t contain as much sugar as the popular cereal brands, such as cheerios or puffins. At Garcia Weight Loss and Aesthetic Centers, we offer two different types of hunger control cereals, including cocoa o’s and cinnamon.

You can even switch over to low-sugar breakfast options, such as:

• Old-fashioned oatmeal
• Greek yogurt
• Avocado toast
• Eggs

Substitute 

Instead of completely straying away from sugar, try substituting with unsweetened applesauce or even natural sugars, such as stevia when baking. Stevia, erythritol, and xylitol are a few naturally sweet alternatives that taste very similar to regular sugar.

Avoid sugar-loaded desserts

While having something sweet after a salty meal sounds great, most desserts will leave you feeling tired, hungry, and craving more sugar. Cakes, pies, doughnuts, and ice cream have little nutritional value and are filled with an unbelievable amount of sugar. If you have a sweet tooth and can’t give up desserts, try these healthier alternatives:

• Fresh fruit
• Baked oatmeal with fruit on top
• Dates with peanut butter
• Cream crisps
• Strawberry cheesecake protein bars
  

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Searching for a way to lose weight and better your health? Garcia Weight Loss and Aesthetic Centers can provide customized plans, personalized supplements, and constant support to get you looking and feeling your best. Book your no-cost consultation today!