Jenny is the former Campaign Manager for Action on Sugar, organisers of Sugar Awareness Week. Previously, she has worked for MEND and as a consultant for the NHS. World Cancer Research Fund is proud to be a part of Sugar Awareness Week 2017.
Maybe you want to get involved in Sugar Awareness Week, but you’re not sure where to start? Here’s some tips to help you reduce your sugar intake.
- Sweeten cereal or oatmeal with fresh fruit (bananas, cherries or strawberries) or dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or apricots) instead of added sugar.
- Remove tempting triggers by keeping sugar (both white and brown), syrup and honey away from the breakfast table — out of sight, out of mind!
- Swap flavoured, sweetened yoghurt for plain yoghurt and add fresh fruit or dried fruit.
- Reduce the amount of sugar you add to things you eat or drink regularly like cereal, coffee or tea. First, cut the usual amount of sugar you add by half and then reduce further when you feel ready.
- When baking your favourite sweet treats, experiment! Cut the sugar in your recipe by one-third to one-half – if the sugar is reduced gradually, you’re unlikely to notice the difference.
- Enhance the flavour of food with herbs and spices instead of sugar – try ginger, allspice, cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Choose sugar-free or low-calorie drinks.
- Use FoodSwitch to help you search for the healthier version of food or drink quickly and easily.
For more low-sugar ideas, try some of the delicious sweet treats and desserts on the Real Recipes section of our website, including banana and date muffins, fruity oat flapjacks and almond and coffee biscotti.