Sugar is one of those sneaky ingredients that can show up where we least expect it. While some of the obvious culprits like sweet treats and processed goodies can be easier to avoid, you’d be surprised at how many products contain some type of artificial sweetener! Today, we’re going to be chatting all about sugars, why it’s important to pay attention, and how you can easily reduce sugar in your family’s diet!

Why reduce artificial sugar?

Especially for developing children, limiting artificial sugar is very important. Exposure to artificial sugar has been linked to increased levels of obesity, and a higher risk of developing cancer. Your kid’s treats should be all about having fun, making memories, and enjoying something tasty - not compromising their health! But with every product claiming to be healthy, fat-free, and organic, how can you determine what’s actually best for your little one?

Why all sugars aren’t bad for you.

Not all sugars are created equal. The sugar found in a cupcake is very different from the naturally occurring sugars found in fruit! The main difference is how our body processes these sugars. While natural sugars often come paired with vitamins and fiber that help keep our blood sugar steady, processed sugars are fast acting and fast crashing! While we don’t normally get an afternoon slump from an apple with lunch, we all know the blood sugar roller coaster that we, and our kids, go on after some chocolate or a cookie!

Our founder, Dr. Dionne, breaks down more about how sugar impacts the body in her post on How to Reduce Sugar Without Compromising Joy!

We all know how important it is to reduce artificial sugars, but figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming! We’re sharing three simple ways to reduce sugar without sacrificing the foods your family loves.

Check the Ingredients

When you’re looking at the ingredients list on your next shopping trip, you may not always be able to see ‘sugar’ labelled clearly on the package. Because sugar is often processed, refined, and created into other products, even seemingly innocent ingredients can actually be loaded with sweetener, and harmful for your health.

Some ingredients to keep an eye out for include:

• High-fructose corn syrup
• Maltose
• Dextrose
• Invert sugar
• Rice syrup
• Molasses
• Caramel

By using ingredients with familiar words like “corn”, “cane”, and “rice”, it’s easy to assume the ingredient is all natural, when the opposite is true! Keep an eye out for these ingredients and look for alternatives when you spot these in the grocery aisle.

Focus on Whole Foods

The easiest way to ensure you’re limiting processed sugars and artificial sweeteners is by focusing on building your snacks and meals around whole foods. Even fruits that naturally contain sugar are much healthier than a processed alternative that may come with a ‘fat free’ or ‘healthy’ label. By pairing naturally occurring sugars with proteins, whole wheat products, fiber, and nutrients, whole foods help support a balanced diet that helps naturally cut down on sweeteners. Even something as simple as making your own pasta sauce instead of opting for a pre-made jar can help make a big impact!

Make Easy Treat Swaps

It’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming every treat will be loaded with sugar, so why not just pick the first tasty-looking treat off the shelf? But there are easy swaps you can make to give your family healthier treats without compromising the sweet taste and fun that goes along with an afternoon snack or after dinner treat. 

One of the easiest changes to make? Sharing some DeeBee’s Organics Superfruit Freezies! Deliciously sweet just like the classic frozen treats you remember, but without the artificial colours, ingredients, or sweeteners. No need to sacrifice the treats you love!

Feel like you’re always fighting the character-themed treats that never seem to have a healthy alternative? DeeBee’s has irresistible Disney Frozen II Organic Ice Wand Freezies to enchant the littlest prince and princesses! 

Making the decision to limit sugar can feel like a daunting task, but with these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to making a big impact in your family’s health. Looking for more healthy snacks or desserts to share with your family? Check out DeeBee’s Organics selection Freezies!