Sugar season is here!

So you thought you survived Halloween and sugar season? Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just as ripe for sugar invasion. From pumpkin pie to sweet potato casserole, all staples of holiday dinner are soon to be on your table but don’t fret, there is a way to enjoy and not over consume!

Sugar is in everything that we tend to buy. Can you have your daily coffee without sugar? For some it is hard to do while others can gradually remove it but the success of sugar reduction in your daily diet is totally dependent on what your goal is. From keto to crossfit to bodybuilding to track to yoga, all fitness means that vary in their daily nutrition requirement but all with a commonality—best results are achieved with a healthy diet so limit those serving sizes and still enjoy your favorite holiday treats.

There are plenty of great documentaries on sugar on Netflix so I encourage you to check them out and figure out if what they are saying makes sense for you and your lifestyle but if you are trying to limit sugar, there are options to help you do that. I’m sure you have heard of an insulin spike or sugar rush after consuming sugar so going cold turkey for many will be tough. If you have a sugar craving (perhaps that mid-afternoon slump), try grabbing a piece of 80% or more dark chocolate as not only are you getting to eat chocolate but it is bitter enough that you won’t indulge in the whole bar. You could also grab some nuts like almonds or guacamole as both are fats that will keep you full longer and you’ll reap the many nutritional benefits of them too. Other options include eating more veggies throughout the day so you’ll stay full longer or turn to berries as they have natural sugars that will quench your sugar craving.

If you want to reduce the chances of weight gain, lower testosterone, fatigue, mood swings, and headaches, you’ll want to consider eating healthier and exercising with tackling sugar intake being just one of the many ways to lead your best life yet!

I’m all about enjoying the holidays but don’t let a cheat meal become a cheat week because all that hard work you have put in may go away and you’ll have to start with a few steps back. I guess it all depends on how you feel in the moment and during the holidays!

Stay well!