Hi. My name is Rachel and I’m addicted to sugar. I have a wicked bad sweet tooth.
This post is sponsored by Quest Nutrition. All opinions and reviews are my own.
As I mentioned on Monday, I’m in the throes of making a major effort to reduce my sugar-intake yet again. I know it’s not good for me and I’ve vowed to be sugar-free before. While I know going 100% sugar-free isn’t realistic for me, I can (and will) make healthier choices going forward.
As an athlete and a running coach, I find nutrition to be a key topic of discussion not only amongst my runners but also in my own household. Practice what you preach, right? And I preach taking care of your body which means I need to do the same.
Reducing my sugar load doesn’t mean I need to sacrifice flavor and treats. But it does mean that you have to be more concious of what you decide to put into your body. Everything is good in moderation. What it does mean is that I just need to be a little more careful about where my sugar comes from. Perhaps you have a sugar addiction, too.
Or maybe you just want to clean up your eating. Check out my 6 tips to satiate your sweet tooth — without refined sugar!
6 Ways to Satiate Your Sweet Tooth Without Eating Refined Sugar
1. Choose fruit over candy.
There are so many fruits that mimic the sweetness of candy. Instead of reaching for a piece of candy, choose fruits like figs, dates, raisins, and dried sour cherries. You’ll get the same sweet taste with more of the nutrition your body needs.
2. Drink more water.
Have you ever found yourself reaching for a snack when it turns out all you really need is some water? Thirst and hunger signals can be easily confused, especially when it comes to a sweet tooth and boredom. What do we reach for when we’re bored or need an afternoon pick-me-up? Sugar. Next time you find yourself reaching for a candy bar, drink a glass of water instead.
3. Cut your fruit juice with water.
For the times you do have a serious hankering for something sweet and maybe you’re also thirsty at the same time, choose a natural fruit juice — and cut it with water. There’s a ton of sugar in fruit juice so be sure to dilute it. Bonus: it’ll make the juice last longer in your ‘fridge.
4. Swap refined sugar for honey or maple syrup.
Baking? Sweetening up your toast? Instead of using refined cane sugar, make the swap for honey or maple syrup. Both are natural, both are just as sweet (or sweeter than sugar), and both will satiate your sweet tooth. Just be sure not to do this too often as maple syrup and honey are still forms of sugar.
5. Don’t punish yourself.
But really, don’t punish yourself. If your significant other brings home a box of chocolates or your co-worker leaves a box of donuts for everyone in the break room, don’t punish yourself. Everything in moderation. Even moderation in moderation, as my dad likes to say!
6. Celebrate your accomplishment.
Feeling good? Staying away from the addictive, white powdery substance? (Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m talking about refined sugar!) That’s great! Now celebrate your accomplishment with a sweet treat you can feel good about — the NEW Quest Hero bars!
Quest Hero Protein Bars are the newest protein bars from Quest Nutrition. They’re sweet, delicious, and packed with 15-17 grams of protein each. Each bar literally tastes like a sugar-laden candy bar — but it’s not! Quest Hero bars use allulose which is a virtually calorie-free sugar substitute. Check out 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist and American Hero, Gabby Douglas, as she tells us all about it.
Satiate Your Sweet Tooth
I picked up a few bars at my local Vitamin Shoppe. As soon as I opened the door I saw a table set up with Hero bar samples. Perfect timing! I took a sample of Vanilla Caramel (yum!) and continued to the aisle with all the flavors. My favorite, by far, is Blueberry Cobbler (in case you were wondering).
The draw for me to the Quest Hero bars is how they’re packed with protein. This makes them perfect for my post workout fuel and they’re delicious at the same time. They literally taste how a bakery smells. Mmmm…
Interested in learning more about Quest Hero protein bars? Click here!
Just because you’re I’m addicted to sugar doesn’t mean you I can’t enjoy sweets every now and again. It just means we I need to be much more conscious of where my sugar is coming from and what kind it is. With a few healthy swaps already this week, I already feel better. I implore you to nix the refined sugar if you haven’t already and see how you feel at the end of a week!
xo
TALK TO ME!
Are you a sugar addict?
If you’re not /\ /\ /\, what’s your vice?
Loading InLinkz ...Also linking up with Nicole, Annmarie, and Jen today for Wild Workout Wednesday!
