2011 is here and listed below are some tips for the entire family to lead a healthier, low sugar lifestyle.
1. Limit added sugar as much as possible. It is best to eat fresh, whole foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, and limit processed and packaged foods.
2. Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Water is best and has absolutely no sugar. Try replacing at least one sugary drink with water every day. You can add a slice of orange, lemon, or
cucumber for almost no calories and lots of flavor. Other healthy drink options are non-fat milk, unsweetened iced tea and 100% fruit juice in limited amounts - not more than four to six ounces a day. Once in a while diet soda is OK; it doesn't contain the added sugar, but is still not a healthy drink alternative.
3. Get regular physical activity-the US Health and Human Services guidelines recommend 2½ hours of moderate intensity a week, which is about 20 minutes every day.
Remember: One small change will make a big difference. If the only change you make is drinking one less 20-ounce soda per day for a year, you will eliminate 91,250 calories - which is the number of calories in 26 pounds of body fat, and you will be significantly lowering your risk for dental cavities.
