Perhaps... the problem is sugar.
Many of us eat too much of it, probably without even realizing it.
The great news is that as soon as you cut out or down sugar, the weight will fall off quickly.
To help you cut out the sugar easily and permanently, here are 5 sweets you will want to avoid eating, and a healthy substitute for each.
1. Avoid this Sweet: Candy
Nothing gets refined sugar circulating through your body quicker than a fistful of candy—and if you’re in the habit of eating candy daily, then your body will crave it.
Candy has virtually no nutritional value, other than caloric energy, and will quickly end up stored on your body in the form of unwanted excess fat. (Not to mention the energy rush and crash that follows.)
Do This: Swap candy out for a handful of raw unsalted nuts, a few pieces of unsweetened, fruit, or a small square of very dark chocolate (at least 72% cocoa content).
2. Avoid this Sweet: Baked Goods
Cake, cookies, brownies, pastries, donuts, and pies are filled with sugar. (And fat- that's why they are so delicious.) While these may not taste as sweet as candy, the combination of refined sugar and white flour will spike your blood sugar just the same.
Very much like candy, regularly eating baked goods may become a habit. Break yourself of this and you’ll find the number on your scale going down rather than up.😃
Do This: Put down the cookie and reach for a piece of fresh, seasonal organic fruit. Fruit is nature’s candy and is every bit as delicious as a slice of cake. Serving a beautiful fruit platter to guests can be as delightful as any baked dessert.
3. Avoid this Sweet: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Nothing makes you feel like a bowl of creamy ice cream…until that ice cream makes its permanent home on your waist. Very much like candy, ice cream has few nutritional benefits.
Do This: Mix unsweetened, nonfat plain Greek yogurt with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder and top with chopped, fresh fruit, sliced almonds or unsweetened coconut. This creamy delight is much lower in sugar than ice cream and tastes amazing!
4. Avoid this Sweet: Soft Drinks
A regular can of soda pop contains the equivalent of 10 packets of sugar. That’s more sugar than you should consume in a full week!
Soft drinks are something that you get into the habit of drinking and then do without thinking. The good news is that a habit can be broken and then replaced with something healthier.
Do This: Take soda pop out of your diet. Period. There are plenty of other, healthier, beverages available. Try the recipes for Spa Water below.
5. Avoid this Sweet: Blended Drinks
Smoothies, blended coffee/tea drinks and milkshakes are all tempting treats, especially in hot summer months. Don’t give in to the temptation!
These items are even more deadly than most treats since they are consumed through a straw and don’t make you feel full. Let me assure you that even though you don’t feel full, like you would after a piece of cake, you’re still taking in a bunch of sugary calories. In fact, most of these drinks pack a whopping 500-800 calories or more.😱
Do This: Make your own healthy blended drinks at home by using natural sweeteners like stevia, or simply by using a little fruit. Blend a delicious protein shake with ice, almond or coconut milk, frozen banana and protein powder.❤️ It is SO YUMMY, and healthy and you won't miss the cost and the calories of those purchased blended drinks!
A great thing to remember is that once you’ve fallen out of the habit of eating sugar, your body will no longer crave it.
This means that each day spent in discipline in the beginning, will bring you closer to the day that sugar no longer has a hold over you. Imagine how much happier and healthier you will be!
Eating healthy is half of the battle when it comes to fitness and wellness. The other, equally important, side is maintaining a regular, challenging exercise program.
Reach out to me to discuss your goals and a safe and effective program that will get you feeling and looking great.
It’s my goal to get you into the best shape of your life. Call or email today to begin your transformation!
Rose
