Welcome to Eat Less Sugar, Week 1

The first question, I imagine, that went through your head when you signed up for this program was “What will I have to give up?”

Or “What am I going to be eating for these next 4 weeks?!”

Well, don’t you worry, this article is going to explain EXACTLY what to include and avoid this week in order for you to eat less sugar.

This Week is About…

Cutting Back – but not removing sugar completely.
Awareness – how much sugar we’re consuming, where it’s coming from.

Below you’ll find the things you need to ditch this week, we know it may seem like a lot, but trust us, even by removing these things you’re probably eating more sugar than you realize…

Kick These Not-So-Healthy Products:

Soda pop (regular AND diet)
All salad dressings at restaurants (ask for olive oil on the side)
Coffee beverages, you can still have black coffee if you must
Dried fruit, as a snack
All fruit juices
Cereal sweetened with anything other than honey, fruit juice, maple syrup or coconut sugar
All bread (unless the recipe is an SD Recipe, here is a link to our Bread, Biscuits & Muffins Section)
All energy/protein bars (unless sweetened with fruit (like dates), coconut sugar, honey or maple syrup)
All dairy-based desserts (ice cream, cakes)

Kick Not-So-Healthy Products w/ These Ingredients:

Dextrose
Corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup
Maltodextrin
Fruit juice concentrates
Malt syrup
Invert sugar
Sorghum
Agave
Alcohol (includes, beer & Wine… these are full of sugar & refined carbohydrates!)

Include Products That Contain These Ingredients:

Coconut sugar (found at most health food stores & online)
Maple syrup
Honey (make sure it’s raw)
Stevia
Monk fruit
Fresh fruit
Dates

Make Time for Cooking

You may find that eating out or grabbing something quick from the grocery store doesn’t really work with these new guidelines.

We suggest making your own food, that way you’re never in a situation where you have to eat something you don’t feel good about.

Eat Less Sugar Tips:

Make sure you’re checking labels. This is so important if you really want to eat less sugar. It’s hiding in foods you never would think to look in, like salsa, olives, bread and so on.
Cut sugar in half when baking. Most recipes found online or in cookbooks contain too much sugar. We suggest cutting the sugar in half. *This rule doesn’t apply to The Seasonal Diet recipes; those recipes already take advantage of this tip.