Did you know that Canadians eat as much as 26 teaspoons of sugar per day? That adds up to about 20 bags a year! Sugar is in everything it seems and then on top of what we already eat, we’re consuming more and more. How can you skip the sugar? The World Health Organization is urging people to lower the amount of sugar they consume, especially since diabetes is still on the rise.
I’ve cut down on sugar tremendously since my diet change and use natural sweeteners like stevia to sweeten my beverages and desserts. I also don’t eat dairy since I’m lactose intolerant and have easily made the switch over to almond milk.
Almond Fresh Unsweetened is a great dairy alternative almond milk from Earth’s Own, and is a refreshing, no sugar added beverage which can be enjoyed by the glass or be used as a cooking ingredient in healthy, low-sugar meals. Earth’s Own Almond Fresh is helping Canadians find easy and fun ways to Skip the Sugar.
How can you reduce sugar in your diet? Diana Steele, a Canadian registered dietician, offers some tips to help your family #SkipTheSugar:
4 Ways to Skip the Sugar
Reduce or eliminate sugar sweetened beverages
This is a big one. You know that double double you order three times a day? Yeah. And the juice drinks your kids want throughout the day, every day? Yeah. Sweetened beverages, including fruit-flavoured drinks, carbonated drinks, sports and energy drinks, may be THE single largest driving factor of the obesity epidemic. #SkipTheSugar with calorie-free drinks like water, tea, 100% fruit juice or almond drink.
Almond Fresh Unsweetened is a refreshing, no sugar added beverage which can be enjoyed by the glass or used as a cooking ingredient in healthy, low-sugar meals. I use Almond Fresh where milk is called for in all of my recipes, such as this Green Smoothie.
Skip sugary ingredients
Instead of jams, syrups, jellies and honey, consider adding vanilla or almond extract or spices such as cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg which impart a sweet flavour without the use of sugar.
Say no to candy
I know, it’s hard to skip the sugar when you want a treat! Having a snack in between meals helps maintain blood sugar levels and prevents sugar cravings. Opt for healthier choices like Greek yogurt with berries, raw vegetables with hummus, or my favourite – a healthy smoothie with unsweetened almond milk and fresh or frozen fruit. One serving of Almond Fresh Unsweetened almond milk has 0 grams of sugar, 35 calories and is fortified with nine essential vitamins and minerals.
Cook together
When you have a busy schedule and family, skipping the sugar isn’t easy. Canadian health experts continue to point to cooking together as a family to establish healthy cooking habits and a healthy lifestyle. How can you do this? Try grocery shopping together on the weekend. Prepare Sunday lunch or dinner as a family; give the kids something to do themselves so that they can learn how to prepare healthy meals.
Enter to Win
With these tips, you can help your family #SkipTheSugar. To help get you started, amotherworld and Earth’s Own Almond Fresh are giving away this Almond Fresh Gift Basket:
- Two Almond Fresh tumblers
- Three coupons for free Almond Fresh almond milk
- Bamboo kitchen scale
- Single Service blender
- Set of six bamboo place mats
- Stainless steel colander
- Stainless steel measuring spoons
- Stainless steel measuring cups
- Set of four silicone spatulas
Use the Rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway. Open to Canadians only. Good luck!