I'm challenging you (and myself): Let's reduce our sugar intake to less than 24 grams for at least 4 days this week.
So, for four days this week, and the next, be intentional to reduce your sugar intake.
My first step, after I move the chocolate Hugs from the coffee bar, is to NOT add honey or sugar in my cups of coffee, just my fav creamer! (That step alone adds up to a lot of teaspoons of sweet in a week. Have you ever counted how many spoonfuls of sugar you actually consume in week? x's 4 that's way too much in a month for just one person.) I have to keep the creamer and the scoops of hidden sugar in it. My imagination of having to drink coffee black would like drinking Casteroil, yuk! Drinking coffee black is for grown ups; I'm just not there yet. From my Daddy's famous quotes, "I don't wanna like it." Next, remove all the sugary gifts located next to the fruit bowl from the snack bar to out of sight; including hiding the batches of homemade brittle, and lock down the candy jars.
Now, Let's Plan Ahead. Intentionally planning our food intake and menus ahead, living by the plan for at least 4 days, and intentionally reminding ourselves of the consequences will help encourage us to eat small healthy portions, and "Say No to Sugar" throughout the day.
(Don't panic. Chocolate rewards are ahead... Valentines Day is just around the bend.)
DID YOU KNOW? the average American consumes 22 teaspoons, or 355 calories’ worth, of added sugar every single day, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) research.
AHA guidelines state that most women should consume no more than 100 calories or 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar each day and most men should consume no more than 150 calories or 9 teaspoons (36 grams).
Drink Water. Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 130 calories and 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of sugar. It's just four days, we can do this.
For every 4 grams of sugar listed on the Nutrition Facts Label, that is equal to 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Remember, consume no more than 100 calories or 6 teaspoons (24 grams) of added sugar each day. Grab a piece of piece of paper, place it on your refrigerator and count with tally marks your spoonfuls of sugar for each day. Yes, write it down. Yes, put it on the refrigerator.
Give me 4 days. We can do this!
ps I'm glad we are starting Sunday. As I'm writing you, my daughter just surprised me with a warm buttery slice of cinnamon toast. :) Really.
