The Canadian Sugar Institute suggests that the average Canadian consumes 10-12 per cent of their calories from added sugars.

There's no denying that sweet things taste good, but cultivating a strong sweet tooth can lead to health problems over time. A diet high in sugar can lead to excessive weight gain and possibly other problems such as diabetes. But sugar isn't entirely bad. We can still lead a healthy lifestyle without having to completely banish it from our diets. From a nutritional perspective, sugar provides us with energy in the form of a simple carbohydrate. Sugar seems to provide an emotional outlet for us as well. Experts say that sugar cravings often occur when we are hungry, angry, lonely or even tired.

A healthy diet is a balanced diet — and it can include sugar. So here a few tips you can try to ensure your sweet tooth doesn't get the better of you.

• Don't ban sugar altogether. Some sugar, added sparingly to wholesome foods, such as a sprinkling of brown sugar on oatmeal, for example, can help satisfy your sweet craving.
• Cut down on the sugar when you bake. Sugar can often be reduced by up to one-third without changing the end product.
• Instead of a milkshake, create a fruit smoothie. Use plain yogurt swirled in the blender with a banana, your favourite fresh fruits, vanilla flavouring and ice.
• Serve fresh fruits for dessert. This way, you'll be getting an extra healthy serving of fruit.
• The next time you feel like having a sweet drink like pop, make your own. All you need is carbonated water and your choice of fruit juice.
• Avoid snacking. Eating a cookie here, and a little piece of cake there can add up throughout the day. Instead, decide on a reasonable sized sweet treat. It should be large enough to satisfy your craving, but small enough that it doesn't throw off your nutritional balance. For a healthy snack, use fresh pureed fruit to sweeten plain yogurt.

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• HealthyOntario

March 2004

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