Tame Your Sweet Tooth With These Tips to Cut Back on Sugar


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 8 comments

Tips For Cutting Back on Sugar

I know that eating too much refined sugar increases my risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke, but it's so hard to resist sweet treats. If you have a hard time saying no to all things sugar-sweetened and chocolate-covered, here are some ways you can cut down on the white stuff. Don't go cold turkey. This plan usually backfires and you end up missing the sweet Read more

Is Agave Nectar Healthier Than Sugar?


Updated 08/01/11 3:41 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 30 comments

Is Agave Nectar Healthier Than Sugar?

Recently I asked FitSugar readers to share their tips on how to cut down on their sugar intake, and it sparked a whole discussion in the comment section about using agave nectar. Some said it's a natural sweetener which makes it healthier than sugar, and others debated against that idea, saying it is highly processed and just as bad as high fructose corn syrup. So what's the truth? To see if Read more

Your Tips For Cutting Down on Sugar


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Tips For Cutting Down on Daily Sugar Intake

In order to cut down on my sugar intake, I made the switch from fruity flavored Greek yogurt to plain. Here are some of your suggestions on how you cut down on your daily sugar intake. There were so many great ideas, so be sure to check out the comments section of the original post to see even more ways to scale back on the added sweetness. "Cut out hidden sugars by shopping at health food Read more

Speak Up: Tricks For Cutting Down on Sugar


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 45 comments

Ways to Cut Sugar From Your Diet

Vanilla yogurt was always part of my go-to breakfast, and I never thought of switching to the plain variety — too sour. When I discovered that eating the plain yogurt saves me seven grams of added sugar per day, I decided a change was needed. I know that doesn't seem like much, but after five days, that's 35 grams of sugar. The little bits of sugar you can do without really start to add up. Read more

Label Able: Erythritol


Updated 03/28/11 6:12 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

Is Sugar Substitute Erythritol Safe?

While researching light foods recently, I came upon an interesting ingredient I'd never heard of: erythritol. Sounds like some kind of chemically-derived alcohol that shouldn't be anywhere near wholesome and natual apple juice. The nutrition label for this light juice reads "certified organic erythritol is a 100 percent natural low calorie organic sweetener derived from GMO free organic cane Read more

10 Ways to Cut Back on Sugar


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 13 comments

10 Ways to Cut Back on Sugar

Americans are consuming way more sugar than they should — 22 teaspoons a day. It's clear we need to cut back, but it's hard to break old habits. The American Heart Association (AHA) is urging people to aim for no more than 100 calories of sugar a day (six teaspoons). Here are some easy things you can do to lighten up on the white stuff. Cut back slowly. If you give up sugar cold turkey, you'll Read more

Label Able: Vegetable Glycerin


Updated 10/06/09 2:38 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 12 comments

Label Able: Vegetable Glycerin

I was going on a trip and picked up some Kashi TLC Trail Mix bars. I trust their products completely so don't feel it's necessary to read labels before buying them. While in the car, I happened to check out the list of ingredients and saw vegetable glycerin. If you're curious to know what it is or why it's used keep reading Read more

Label Able: Sorbitol


Updated 09/10/09 7:31 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

What Is Sorbitol?

I'm a very picky label reader, and I won't buy anything at the grocery store unless I scan the label first. If you're the same way, you may have come across the ingredient sorbitol. It's a sugar substitute you'll often find in diet or "light" foods, in sugar-free gum, candy, and mints, and in diet drinks. You'll also find it in mouthwashes, toothpaste, and cough syrups. Sorbitol is made from Read more

Do You Avoid White Sugar in Foods?


Updated 06/17/09 8:02 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 27 comments

Do You Avoid White Sugar in Foods?

Sometimes you can't avoid eating white sugar, because it's a pretty common ingredient in some healthy foods such as yogurt, cereal, and energy bars. I definitely try to look for foods that contain natural sugars though, such as fruit juice, barley malt, honey, or agave. The thing is, since I have quite a sweet tooth, some foods like ice cream and chocolate just taste better when made with real Read more

Are Sweeteners PureVia and Truvia Safe?


Updated 02/11/12 8:55 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 68 comments

Are Sweeteners PureVia and Truvia Safe?

There's been a lot of talk lately about the natural sweetener stevia. Being calorie-free, it seems like a great alternative to sugar for people trying to lose weight. A few months ago, Coca-Cola announced it would begin using its stevia-derived sweetener Truvia in a few products, prior to being approved by the FDA. Not to be left in the cold, PepsiCo has also created a no-calorie stevia Read more