Is your sugar habit getting in the way of your bridal glow? Excess sugar — anything over six teaspoons per day is the number one enemy of the blushing bride. Not only can your sweet tooth cause long term health issues, it can also wreak serious havoc on your bridal beauty routine. Today we have mindbodybride.comsharing with us on how to kick sugar from your diet. Did you know that sugar:
1.Stresses You Out – relying on sugary food and beverages to get you through those long wedding planning nights irritates the nervous system. If you already feel a little anxious sugar will only add to your stress, which can impact your sleep, your ability to exercise, and cause silly tiffs with your fiancé.
2.Causes Dark Under Eye Circles – as well as wrinkles and dehydrated skin. Instead of asking your makeup artist to bring extra concealer simply cut back on added sugars, increase your water consumption, and say hello to flawless skin.
3. Makes You Gain Weight – let’s not “sugar coat” this one! Studies show that people who drank just one sweetened beverage per day were almost twice as likely to be overweight than those who didn’t. And no, those diet drinks aren’t a better option as artificial sweeteners can also cause weight gain.
seven simple ways to quit sugar
The sneaky thing about sugar is that it’s found in almost everything in the standard American diet, including soda, baked goods, canned foods, sauces, yogurt, mayonnaise and even bread. Yet with a little know how you can easily reduce the amount of sugar that you’re eating so that you look and feel truly amazing on your wedding day.
Read on for seven simple steps to break your sugar habit this week, and get the recipe for my low sugar berry ice-cream. Yet with a little know how you can easily reduce the amount of sugar that you’re eating so that you look and feel truly amazing on your wedding day. Read on for seven simple steps to break your sugar habit this week, and get the recipe for my low sugar berry ice-cream.
1. Do A Pantry Purge
Donate or toss the foods that contain added sugar. Pay special attention to canned foods and packaged items, including granola, juices, flavored milks, salad dressing, sauces, mayonnaise, and ketchup, which contains one teaspoon of sugar per serving! Making everything neat and tidy will make you feel oh so much better. For more organized pantries like the one above visit Babble. Sugar has many different names, so use the list below to help you identify this elusive ingredient:
Cane Sugar Confectioners Sugar Brown Sugar Raw Sugar Turbinado Sugar Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Fructose Sucrose Glucose Maltose Dextrose
2.Refill Your Fridge
Replace sugar laden foods with whole, unprocessed foods. Keeping your pantry and fridge stocked with colorful, fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins is the best way to set yourself up for success!
3.Eat Smarter
By adding extra vegetables to your entree so that you aren’t hungry after dinner. If you still crave a sweet treat try one of the following: Herbal tea (peppermint and licorice taste particularly sweet) A piece of dark chocolate Full fat Greek yogurt with toasted hazelnuts and berries
5. Eat More Vegetables
Naturally sweet veggies can help you fight the urge for refined sugar, plus they’re packed with vitamins, minerals and micronutrients. Try adding roasted sweet potato, parsnip, carrots, beets or onions to dinner tonight.
6. Stop Before Giving In
Ask yourself what’s causing your sugar cravings. Is it the hectic morning rush-hour, the 3pm slump, the evening boredom? Sugar may have a temporary mood lifting effect on the brain, but it leads to a serious crash soon after. Try meditation, sitting outside in the sun, coloring a book, or cuddling with your fiancé instead. We must admit these donuts do look incredible, and it would take incredible will power to pass them up via pinkpatisserie.net
7. Get Your Sweat On
We all know the benefits of exercising for the mind and the body. Find something you love to do and keep at it. But, remember you cannot out exercise everything you put in your mouth.
As promised, here is a recipe for one of my favorite low sugar treats, a coconut milk berry ice-cream. Enjoy!
Coconut & Berry Ice CreamServes Six
1 (14 ounce) can full fat coconut milk
2 cups frozen mixed berries
1 small avocado Directions Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Divide it into six small bowls and freeze for 1–2 hours until just firm. Remove from the freezer for 10 minutes before serving to allow the ice cream to soften slightly.
Author bio: Jennifer Dene helps busy brides manage the stress of wedding planning while getting in the best shape of their lives at mindbodybride.com. As an internationally trained Pilates Instructor, Personal Trainer and Health & Nutrition Coach, her popular programs include delicious meal plans, fun video-based workouts and bride-specific stress management exercises. Visit Mind Body Bride to sign up for free weekly health and fitness tips, specifically designed for the busy bride-to-be.
