eat less sugar

I’m now checking labels almost constantly in an effort to keep sugar consumption down. I don’t have an illusions about eliminating it … but I’m doing really, really well at keeping it to a minimum. I AM eliminating unnecessary sugar, while still occasionally allowing myself a treat.

I’ve switched completely from sugary cereals to Special K, or oatmeal bars when on the run. There is some sugar in the bars, but it’s comparable to the cereal, and both are just PACKED with fiber and protein. I’ve stopped having so much ice cream and I’ve given up on desserts while eating out – they’re just never as good as they look. I’m happier in general when eating less sugar, perhaps because of food guilt, or perhaps because of the mood swings that sugar can induce. Either way, I like me better on less sugar!

Since I gave myself the talking to a couple weeks ago, I’ve done better. Donald and I reinstituted the dessert once a week rule. It’s hard to stick to it, but I will. And I’ve bought Special K cereal, which is almost as satisfying as the sugary ones, and better for me since it has less sugar and more fiber and protein.

Need to remember my reasons. Too much sugar in the diet leads to:

1) Increased risk of diabetes
2) Increased weight
3) Premature aging
4) Tooth decay
5) Increased risk of infection
6) Increased mood swings

Cereal is my Achilles heel on this one! I need to just not buy it, because when I do, I choose sugary ones, and then I eat too much at once. Also on the list to avoid – ice cream and popsicles. I’m not a popsicle fan, but Donald brought some home for my sore throat, and now there they’ll be until I eat them up. I’ve sort of gotten in the ice cream habit lately, too, which also feels great on the sore throat and tastes good on hot days, but is so bad for me. Less sugar!

I have been eating ice cream almost every day lately. That’ll never get me to this goal! Must remember my reasons!

I need to renew vigilance! Too many treats lately. Maybe I can set myself a limit – one dessert a week worked pretty well. That way, when I wanted something sweet, I had to decide whether I really really wanted this and only this all week.

I made strawberry shortcake last Friday when friends were coming to dinner, and ate some that day and the next two days. That’s not really less sugar, is it? Sigh.

Too much sugar in the diet leads to:

1) Increased risk of diabetes
2) Increased weight
3) Premature aging
4) Tooth decay
5) Increased risk of infection
6) Increased mood swings

I made the cookies for our picnic on Monday … and I think I must have eaten half the box! Not really, but maybe a fourth. Errgh. They were really good. I’ll have to just not do things like that. Even though Monday was a holiday, that doesn’t mean I should toss my eating habits out the window.

Also, we’ve run out of Diet Coke. I guess I just need my fix … we had a 2-liter of regular, and I drank it all day today. That’s about the worst thing I can do for this goal. Seems like I’m getting worse every entry! Must do better.

I’ve been doing better in the past few days. The big test will be our picnic on Memorial Day – avoiding sugar there will be tough.

... and then it seemed I just sort of fell apart. I had a couple pieces of candy yesterday, and honey on my toast A LOT lately. I should quit that, and maybe buy sugarless jam or something. I like having peanut butter on whole wheat toast for breakfast – the PB adds a little iron and protein to the fiber and whole grains in the toast. I just don’t like that plain; it gets sticky.