From excess weight to cavities and toothaches, too much sugar in your diet is bad for your health. But it’s also never been more prevalent in the foods you consume every day. Although avoiding sugar completely is a daunting task, there are a few easy ways you can significantly cut back on your consumption. Here, Teresa Wade, DDS – Family Dentistry, one of the most trusted dentists in the Andrews, TX, area, offers a few tips to ease away from sugar.

4 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Sugar Intake

1. Start With a Better Breakfast

You’ve probably heard the advice never to skip breakfast, but you might not know many breakfast foods are loaded with excess sugar. Flavored yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, and fruit juices can exceed the recommended daily allowance. Instead, try eggs, whole fruits, or unsweetened cereals to get your day off to a better start.

2. Choose Smarter Snacks

Mid-morning and afternoon dips in energy can have you reaching for a candy bar, but resist the urge and grab a package of nuts, string cheese, or an apple. Not only are these options healthy and low in calories, but dentists love them because they have properties that can actually help prevent cavities. For example, the water in apples can wash away bacteria and food buildup in your mouth.

3. Skip the Soda

Sugary sodas are the number one enemy of dentists everywhere. One bottle a day can put you over your daily sugar limit. Additionally, the acid wears down your tooth enamel, making it even easier for bacteria to adhere to your teeth and feast on the sugar in your mouth. Better choices are water, seltzer, unsweetened coffee or tea, or diet versions of your favorite sodas.

4. Avoid Processed Foods 

Almost everything that comes prepackaged in a box or can has added sugars. Learn how to read labels, and watch out for all sugar-related ingredients, such as sucrose, fructose, and corn syrup. It’s easy to make your own versions of processed foods, such as pasta sauce and salad dressing, and you’ll cut out tons of excess calories and carbohydrates in the process.

Small steps to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet can have huge benefits for the health of your body and teeth. Although eating healthily is important, scheduling regular checkups with professionals at Teresa Wade, DDS – Family Dentistry will ensure excellent overall dental care. Serving the residents of Andrews for 38 years, this top-notch dental office offers a full range of services, from pediatric to cosmetic dentistry. To make an appointment with your dentist, call (432) 523-7782, or visit their website to find out more.