This is part of a compensated campaign with Little Remedies. Every year, right after Halloween, I let my kids pick out a few treats before donating the remaining candy to our local dentist’s office (as part of Operation Gratitude). Last week, I watched as my husband pulled out the last piece of candy and regretfully realized in that moment what we had done. Sugar is our weakness and from experience, the cravings begin at a very young age. All year round, I work to ensure our family eats healthy, wholesome meals free from refined sugar, trans fats, and artificial ingredients which is why we let our kids indulge a tiny bit around the Fall and Winter Holidays. But now that we’re heading into the new year, it’s time to replace our nightly dessert habits and mid-day cravings for sugar with healthy options.
Here are 3 easy ways to reduce your intake of sugar:
Less is more
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is bake, and in previous years, I’ve not been very proactive about minding the amount or type of sugar used. This year, I discovered Raw Organic Sugar and I’ve been using that in place of table sugar in nearly all of my recipes. I’ve also begun cutting back the sugar in recipes and our family hasn’t noticed any significant differences in flavor. Experiment with extracts and spices or even try substituting pureed fruit in your baked goods to lower the overall sugar content.
Become an avid label reader
Once I found out I was pregnant with my son, I began studying the labels on the foods we purchase. Labels tell you all kinds of things about a food including the ingredients used to make that food, nutritional information, allergens, and sometimes where the food was made. I’ve learned a lot from reading labels, including the fact that there are many foods you wouldn’t necessarily consider “sweet” which contain excessive amounts of sugar. A few examples include bottled salad dressings, yogurt, canned fruits and vegetables, and bread. Our bodies don’t require sugar to function so limiting the amount consumed is always a good idea. For recommendations, visit the American Heart Association.
Change the way you define sweets and treats
When we’re not dressing up as princesses and pirates or baking cookies for Santa, I keep a pretty tight reign over the foods in our home. We don’t keep an inventory of “sweets” and we often give our kids fruit for “dessert.” These days, they know the difference, but simply not having candy, cookies, and cakes within arms reach is an important first step in cutting back the sugar we consume. We also work constantly to remind our kids that candy, cookies and cakes are treats reserved for special occasions like holidays and birthdays. We shaped our children’s palates early on so they are absolutely delighted to have a small bowl of berries after dinner. That isn’t to say that I haven’t caught my kids with their hands in the candy jar bag but educating them and offering healthy choices are important first steps. 
Once you begin to dig deeper, you’ll see just how prevalent sugar is in our foods. But it doesn’t stop there. Be sure to check children’s medications and vitamins for added/excess sugar. I have to admit that this was a surprise to me, although it makes sense. It can be very difficult for parents to get their children to take necessary medications and “a spoonful of sugar” must “make the medicine go down” right? Fortunately, there are companies like Little Remedies which was created by a father/pharmacist, who wanted a safe, effective alternative to conventional medications. All of their cold and fever remedies are free from saccharin, alcohol, artificial flavors/colors, and dyes. We’re in the midst of cold and flu season, which is why we have a small supply of Little Remedies products on-hand including their Saline Drops which work wonders for stuffy noses. Because there is no medication in these drops, parents can use them with their children to flush and remove mucus from their noses due to colds, allergies, and more.
Last month, I shared information about Little Remedies Say Yes To Less campaign and I’m happy to report that we’ve completely eliminated high fructose corn syrup an we’re committed to consuming less amounts of sugar in the new year. What are your New Year’s Resolutions? How do you curb the sugar cravings with your kids? I’d love to share your tips below.
Images: Little Remedies
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