When it comes to eating better, most people wonder where their sugary favorites fit into their diet. Most weight loss programs will tell you to eliminate them from your plans, but could there be a way to eat healthier without quitting sugar?
If you control the quantity and portions there is no reason that you can’t treat yourself here and there. This is why it’s important to stress moderation when incorporating more healthy alternatives because no one wants to give up the good stuff.
Summer is right around the corner and it isn’t too late to start leading a smarter and more beneficial lifestyle. If you’re straining to find new ways to feel good, these are some of the important things to remember when you feel that sweet tooth creeping up.
Hydrate Yourself
First and foremost, drinking enough water is a crucial to any dietary plans. Hydrating has been proven to do wonders for your body, but it can also help you curb your cravings.
You may think you have a sweet tooth, but really it could be that you are dehydrated. Drinking water before meals may help you to feel more satisfied, which can help prevent overeating as well as replace high-calorie beverages that have added sugar and don’t quench hydration.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
If you’re seeing more green on your plate, you’re doing it right! Fruit has a lot of natural sugar — sometimes more than you would find in candy bars — but it has more beneficial nutrients and fiber.
Foods like spinach, kale and broccoli balance blood sugar levels and leave you with tons of calcium and more energy — something you’ll need when finals creep up. Nutrient-dense food is needed when ingesting treats with more added fats and sugars. This is where moderation comes back into play. Balancing healthy food and sugar may be a difficult feat, but if done correctly it can end in great results.
Be Mindful of Hidden Sugar
This may not come as a shock to you, but alcohol is full of sugar and fat-loss hindering agents. Not to mention the drinks that mix with alcohol, such as soda and lemonade. Avoiding mixers is one way to drink and be on your way to your goal weight.
How will you balance your food between healthy and sugary? Tweet us @VALLEYmag!
