News
Satisfying Sweets Without The Extra Sugar
Being mindful of added sugar consumption helps maintain health and prevent potential chronic disease. The US government's 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) daily recommended limits for added sugar are 6 teaspoons or less per day for children age 2-19 and for adult women and 9 teaspoons or less per day for adult men.
So how can you satisfy that sweet tooth and stay within the guidelines? Our Vail Health dietitian Annegret Kessler offers three tips:
Tip #1
Eat your fruit, don’t drink your fruit! Most fruit beverages are not 100% fruit juice and whole fresh fruit provides fiber which juice does not. Whole fresh fruit is also high in water content and can aid in hydration on hot summer days.
Tip #2
Create your own soda without the sugar. According to the most recent National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, 47% of added sugars in the American diet come from sweetened beverages. Did you know there are 9 teaspoons of sugar in a 12 ounce can of soda? That is equal to or exceeds the maximum amount of sugar that is recommended for healthy eating in one day. Annegret recommends making your own soda with this simple recipe.
Recipe: Soda Base, Serving Size = 1 Cup
- ¼ Cup Frozen Fruit Concentrate or Homemade Concentrate
- Raspberry Ginger Lime
- ¼ cup raspberries
- ½ lime, sliced
- 1 tsp sliced fresh ginger
- 3 fresh mint leaves
- 1 Teaspoon Simple Syrup
- ¾ Cup Seltzer Water
*(Recipe from Diabetic Living, Summer 2018)
Remake Your Scoop! Don’t miss out on the hot summer night bowl of ice cream. Choose ice cream with less than 15 grams of sugar Per- Half Cup Portion
- Edy’s Slow Churned Mint Chocolate Chip, (13 grams of sugar)
- Breyers Delights Cookies and Cream, (9 grams of sugar)
- Halo Top Sweet Sherbet, (5 grams of sugar)
___________________________________________________________________________
About Vail Health's Food And Nutrition Department
(970) 479-5058
The mission of Vail Health's Food and Nutrition department is to improve patients' lives through quality nutritional care and expert education. We provide our in-patients with wholesome, nourishing and well-balanced meals that enhance their treatment and recovery. In addition, our goal is to educate patients on nutrition and health to help them make good decisions and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
More News
-
More
Cass Barham and Sarah Crabtree Honored As Recipients of Vail Health Elevate Award
Cass Barham and Sarah Crabtree, both lab techs at Vail Health Hospital, have been named recipients of the Vail Health Elevate Award. Vail Health created the Elevate Award in June 2022 to give patients and their families an opportunity to nominate and thank employees who have touched their lives in some way.
-
More
Breast Cancer Risk: Do Fruits & Veggies Matter?
Consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables is a key habit for obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight, and there is strong evidence that obesity or being overweight increases the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, at least 18% of all cancers and about 16% of cancer deaths in the U.S. are related to excess body weight, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition.
-
More
Elevating Health with the Mediterranean Diet
Looking for a nutritional approach that’s both delicious and nourishing? The Mediterranean diet isn’t a fad — it’s a lifestyle rooted in fresh, whole foods and joyful living. People who follow this way of eating often enjoy better heart health, sharper brain function, weight balance and longer lives.