How To Avoid Sugar at Christmas

Last Updated on November 15, 2022 by Tracey McGrath

How to Reduce Sugar Intake with Small, Simple Steps

The holidays are often filled with LOTS of treats! And it’s totally ok for most to indulge a little.  Because what you resist will persist.  Completely avoiding sweets can actually increase your desire for them.   

In the typical American diet, a person eats 22 teaspoonfuls of sugar a day! And it has ZERO health benefits. 

Try cutting out a little bit here and there and you will see the benefits of reducing your sugar intake.

The lack of nutritional benefits is a huge issue. We’re filling our bodies with calories that instead of helping us can actually hurt us!

Refined sugars contribute to obesity, increased blood pressure and tooth decay.  Plus, symptoms of fatigue, depression, headaches, and yeast infections can be caused by too much sugar intake. And it can also cause acne and skin aging! 

But do you have to miss out on all the sweet holiday fun??  

Of course, not!  Schedule time to bake cookies with your kids. Making the cookies from scratch allows you to control the amount and type of sugar. You could try using coconut sugar which may help reduce spikes in blood sugar.  

Have fun decorating!  Play Christmas music and try to not worry about the mess.  Take photos and create a photo book of your baking memories.  Package the cookies up in cute little bags and go as a family to deliver them to neighbors.  This is especially helpful if you feel like it will be too tempting with the treats left in the house.  

Baking healthy snacks with your kids is also a great option!  Instead of cookies try a chocolate granola recipe like this one from Erin Lives Whole. Or this yummy recipe for gingerbread granola from The Minimalist Baker.

Yes, it is possible to reduce your sugar intake even now with the holidays in full swing.  Start small but START.

5 Tiny Baby Step suggestions for reducing your sugar intake:

1- Go for unsweetened tea instead.  Add lemon or a little drop of honey if you need a little extra flavor.  

2- Try only using creamer in your coffee.  No sugar.  And avoid artificial sweeteners too!  They can actually increase sugar cravings.  For more information on that check out these articles.

3- Don’t buy processed cookies or cakes.  If you don’t have them in your house, you won’t eat them!  Opt for 70% dark chocolate instead.  Dark chocolate actually contains prebiotics that helps your digestion!

4 -If you need to bring something to a holiday party, offer to bring a veggie tray or a fruit platter.  That way you know there will be a healthy snack to munch on as you mingle.    

5- Skip the cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning!  Create a new tradition with a healthy breakfast frittata like this one from Cookie and Kate.

Truth alert!

Sugar may be just as addictive as drugs. What??!!

If you’ve been consuming large amounts of sugar, start small.  It may be difficult, at first, to shift yourself and your family away from a constant supply of sweet treats.

Start with a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter. This makes it easy for you and your family to always grab a healthy snack. Check out FarmBox Direct so you have a constant and convenient supply of fresh fruits. They provide organic fresh fruits and vegetables delivered right to your door! This way you don’t have to even think about running out.

Moderation is the key.  It’s ok to have a little sweet treat here and there but it’s only a treat if we learn to limit it. Find the joy in the treats that nature has to offer us.  

Here’s to a healthy, fun, and amazing holiday season!

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