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Summer is officially here, the kids are out of school, and it’s time to get bikini-ready, so you can enjoy some days in the sun, sand and surf. If you’ve been having a tough time getting that flat belly you’re working so hard on, it may be time to cut back on sugar. Turns out sugar could be sabotaging your beach body.
Most Americans eat at least twice as much sugar as they should, so it’s time to learn a bit more about how to reduce sugar in your diet. You can start learning how to reduce sugar intake by simply changing up your snacks a bit. We’ve put together a few low-sugar, bikini-ready snacks, and the bonus — your kids will love these, too.
Three recipes to help reduce sugar intake
Curb sugar cravings with this refreshing fruit salad
When you need something sweet to fight off those sugar cravings, a fruit salad is the perfect snack. It’s sweet, packed with healthy vitamins, and filling. This recipe makes a big batch, so you and your kids can enjoy it for several days.
What you’ll need:
2 tablespoons of lemon zest
¼ cup of orange juice, freshly squeezed
6 ounces of blueberries
6 ounces of strawberries, hulls removed, then quartered
6 ounces of raspberries
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 orange, wedges cut in half
2 cups of grapes
How to make it:
Combine lemon zest and orange juice, refrigerating while you chop fruit. In a large bowl, combine fruit. Pour dressing on top, tossing to combing. Chill before serving. Makes about eight servings.
Fill up on a crunchy, tummy-slimming salad
Salads make a great choice when you want to fill up without eating a lot of calories. They pack a serious nutritional punch, too. Turn a salad into something even your kids will like with this fun red, white and blue salad recipe from Taste of Home.
What you’ll need:
½ cup of fresh basil, chopped
¼ cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped
2/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of stevia
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/3 cup of white balsamic vinegar
8 cups of arugula
2 cups of cherry tomatoes
2 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
6 ounces of thin-sliced prosciutto, chopped
2 cups of fresh blueberries
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese pearls, well-drained
How to make it
Whisk together the basil, mint, olive oil, Dijon, stevia, sea salt, pepper, garlic and vinegar in a small bowl. Add tomatoes and allow to sit while you make the rest of the salad. In a large serving bowl, combine the peach slices, arugula, prosciutto, blueberries and mozzarella. Pour the dressing and tomato mixture on top, tossing well until coated. Serve right away.
Quick and easy summer smoothies kids love too
Looking for a cool, creamy, slightly sweet snack everyone will enjoy without all the added sugar that comes with ice cream and popsicles? A smoothie is a healthier, beach-body friendly choice. Try this recipe — it’s guaranteed to be a hit with the kids. As an added bonus, it’s also packed with protein.
What you’ll need:
½ cup of frozen pineapple chunks
1 can (11 ounces) of mandarin oranges in juice (not syrup), drained
1 cup of vanilla soy milk
1 tablespoon of honey
½ cup of vanilla yogurt
How to make it
Place drained oranges in a zip-lock bag. Freeze them for several hours. Place frozen pineapple and oranges in a blender or food processor. Add soy milk, honey and yogurt. Pulse until your mixture is the texture of a thick milkshake. Add ice if desired to create an icy consistency. Serve immediately.
Figuring out how to reduce sugar intake isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the hard work. Try these low-sugar snack ideas to stop sugar cravings fast. The kids will love them, and they’ll help you get bikini-ready this summer.
Reducing sugar intake isn’t just important for your bikini body, it’s important for your teeth, mouth and overall health. Has it been a while since you’ve been to the dentist? Let us help. Request an appointment today.
Mom approved by Amanda Ali, Director of Talent Acquisition for Perfect Teeth and proud mom of two.
