NUTRITION NEWS Taming a Sweet Tooth

Continued from previous page fruit extract is another zero-calorie natural sweetener. The best sweetener is the one you enjoy eating. But like sugar, have them in moderation.

How can you tame a sweet tooth?

It’s best to try for moderation rather than cutting out sugar completely. Aim for cutting back to six teaspoons a day for women and nine teaspoons for men, or about 10% of total calories, as recommended by the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines. Make swaps little by little rather than adopting an all-or-nothing mentality with sugar.

The bottom line? Over time, try to limit consumption of added sugars. Practice mindfulness when you eat a piece of candy or cake. Rather than having sugar daily, save it for a special occasion. Substitute fruit for that cookie, and over time, cravings will lessen.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS