So, in an effort to help my weight loss I am going to try and cut back on a key culprit ... SUGAR!!! I really don't have much of a sweet tooth although I do like cereal as well as Special K Breakfast Bars and Granola Bars, which I have no problem cutting out. However, I was surprised at some of the things that had more sugar than I had thought. For example:
Baby Carrots 1 serving (8 carrots/85g) Sugars, total: 4g Calories, total: 30 Calories from sugar: 16
Yoplait Light Yogurt, Strawberry 6 oz Container Sugars, total: 14g
Calories, total: 100
Calories from sugar: 56
Nutrigrain Cereal Bar, Strawberry 1 Bar (37g) Sugars, total: 13g Calories, total: 140 Calories from sugar: 52
Prego Marinara Spaghetti Sauce 1 serving (1/2 cup/120g) Sugars, total: 7g Calories, total: 100 Calories from sugar: 28
So, can I eliminate all sugar ... wait, let me rephrase that - will I eliminate all sugar, no. I don't believe in living a life depriving yourself of certain things. I would rather have some meat on my bones and junk in my trunk than to eat "healthy" all the time. But ... I am willing to make some changes when it comes to my breakfasts and snacks, and even my lunches on occasion. Dinner however, no way.
So, some of the ideas I have to help replace some of my sweeter, more sugary snacks such as Yogurt, Special K Bars, Granola & Cereal are:
- Fruits and Veggies (while these have sugar, they are naturally occurring sugar and not not as "bad" for you according to my research)
- Edamame w/ a dash of sea salt and lemon
- Almonds
- Turkey + Hard Boiled Egg
- Hummus + Carrots + Red Peppers
- Greek yogurt
- Tuna Salad + Cucumber Slices
- Pickles + Cheese + Turkey
- Cottage Cheese + Cherry Tomatoes
- Oatmeal (Weight Control with only 1 g. of sugar) or Regular oatmeal or 'whole rolled oats'
- Spicy Popcorn: 100 calorie popcorn + 10 small pretzels mixed w/ 1/2 tsp chili powder + 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
I am, of course, always open for any ideas or suggestions!!
