Lifestyle
6 easy tips to reduce your sugar intake
What to stay away from, be aware of and substitute to have less sugar in your diet.
Life is busy which makes opting for convenient, on-the-go drinks and foods all the more attractive – especially if they are made to look healthy. Unfortunately, many of these supposed “healthy” options often contain a lot more sugar than you might think.
To help you take control of your sugar intake, try these six tips from Laager Rooibos:
- Make treats at home: Homemade snacks give more control over the amount of sugar being consumed! Try these easy recipes to get started.
- Choose healthy hydration: A large portion of the sugar consumed by many individuals comes from the beverages they drink. Choose healthy hydration like water with slices of lemon, or herbal teas. These options offer hydration without the sugar loading.
- Beware of sugar add-ons: Be mindful of how much sugar you add to cereal, tea and coffee. Opt for beverages that offer natural sweetness without extra sugar.
- Use natural sweeteners: Use fruits (fresh or frozen) to add natural sweetness instead of refined sugars. For example, it’s easy to make homemade iced tea using cooled tea with added ice and chopped fresh fruit.
- Look for unsweetened versions: Choose unsweetened dairy products, cereals, and drinks. Be cautious of ‘reduced sugar’ or ‘no sugar added’ labels – always read the nutritional panel.
- Be cautious with ‘healthy’ snacks: Granola bars, smoothies, and protein bars can often contain more sugar than people realise, so check the labels, or opt for home-made alternatives.
For more on health, visit Get It Magazine.
