Cutting Back vs Cutting Out: Easy Ways to Reduce Your Sugar Intake!

 
We've all heard about the negative effects of eating too much sugar. Still, the average Australian consumes approximately 14 teaspoons of free sugars per day!

So is there any way to successfully manage our sugar intake, without depriving ourselves of the food and drinks we love?

Some weight loss forums and self proclaimed 'health gurus' suggest the only option is to cut out sugar entirely. But for anyone with a sweet tooth, this sounds nearly impossible. Instead, we recommend cutting back rather than cutting out sugar completely.

The key is moderation. It's important to note that there is nothing inherently wrong with sugar. It's only when you eat excessive amounts that it begins to negatively effect your health.

Luckily, here at Hits Different, we have some easy tips on how to cut back:

1. Swap your soft drinks
For many people, a can of Coke with dinner is just as important as a cup of coffee in the morning. But a majority of available soft drinks are so full of added sugar, that just one can will put you over the recommended daily limit.

If you don't want to give up your sweet treat, try substituting you soft drinks with healthier options. For example, instead of Solo, try our PS Organic No Added Sugar Lemonade. Or instead of Coke, try our PS Organic No Added Sugar Kola. Simply swapping one drink a day can make a huge difference in your sugar intake, while still satisfying your cravings.

2. BYO options
Enjoying good food and drinks is a big part of socialising. But when there aren't many healthy options at an event, you can feel like you're missing out. It's no fun going to a BBQ where you can only drink water and nibble at the garden salad!

Next time, bring some healthy drink options to share (we've got plenty for you to try). That way you can enjoy your drinks guilt-free, without having to miss out on all the fun. Plus, your host will appreciate you bringing some different drinks for everyone to share.

3. Do some light reading
Although the nutritional information on the back of your snacks may not be as interesting as a good book, it's important to know what you're actually putting into your body. Take the time to check out the ingredients so you can fill your trolley with low sugar options. But beware! Food companies have many sneaky names for sugar which you may not notice on their packaging. To check out the list of names click the link: https://totalhealthhixson.com/blog/30-names-for-hidden-sugars/

The take away
There's no need to completely ditch the doughnuts and dark chocolate just yet! While sugar is often considered a 'bad' food, it's fine when enjoyed in moderation. Becoming more aware of which foods the majority of your sugar is coming from will allow you to substitute those foods with low-sugar options. To find your new favourite low sugar drink, check out our selection of healthy options!

See 'The Entire Cooler' here

Written by Eliza Wishart - Chief Marketing + Content Officer @ Hits Different