Sugary food and drinks often wreak havoc on your teeth, but eating sweets can be a very hard habit to break. Both sugar and high fructose corn syrup can be found in many products we consume on a daily basis, including bread, pasta, salad dressing and more. In addition to tooth decay, sugar can cause weight gain and increased blood pressure putting you at higher risk for diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Read on for 3 ways to help curb your sugar cravings and get your diet back on track.
Opt for Sugar-Free Treats
Going from sugar to a substitute will not be seamless, but finding alternative ways to satisfy your sweet tooth is one way to start your journey. Monk fruit sweetener is a very popular sugar alternative that is derived from the extract of the monk fruit. It is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar, but it contains no calories, carbohydrates, fat or sodium. With no fermentable carbohydrates, synthetic sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia and xylitol won’t fuel the cavity-causing bacteria on your teeth.
Stop Viewing Healthy Choices as a Punishment
All too often, after a workout or a week of eating healthy, people tend to use sugar as a reward. Extreme diets and stressful health resolutions stem from a place of deprivation and punishment. Instead of trying to suddenly stop a bad habit like consuming sugar, try practicing the 80/20 rule. This means 80 percent of the foods you consume are healthy foods and 20 percent are indulgences. For example, instead of drinking 21 sodas in one week, you do your best to drink a maximum of 4.
Don’t Buy Sugary Foods or Drinks
It may seem obvious, but paying attention to the labels on the items you buy can help you minimize your sugar intake. If you are grocery shopping and see a sugar-filled drink or snack, walk past it and continue getting everything on your list. If you haven’t forgotten about it, replace it with something with less sugar. For example, if chocolate is your weakness, try switching to dark chocolate.
Kicking a sugar habit can be difficult, especially if you consume it often, but it all comes down to doing the work. Making better diet choices and reducing your sugar intake can give you healthier skin, fewer dental issues and improve your overall health. It will also make visits to your dentist much more pleasant.
About the Author
Dr. James Kramer has been transforming smiles for more than 30 years. He earned a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is an honor that fewer than 5 percent of all dentists in the United States have achieved. Dr. Kramer offers an array of services that range from general dental cleanings and exams to fluoride treatments, restorative dentistry and more. If you’re ready to get your dental health back on track, contact the office at (302) 436-5133 or visit the website to schedule your visit today.