by Cascade Ice on June 20, 2021
Sugar is something that is ubiquitous in the American diet – it’s literally in almost everything we consume, from cereal to salad dressing. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s so easy to overconsume. The average healthy person should not eat more than 24 grams of sugar per day. And considering that an average chocolate candy bar contains about 20 grams of sugar, that doesn’t leave much left for other foods.
Why does sugar have such a bad rep? While sugar is a necessary part of our diet because it’s needed for our body’s cells to make energy, you can easily overdo it. Added sugar can be found in sodas, yogurt, soups, bread, and even ketchup. Diabetes is one disease that people typically think of when it comes to consuming too many added sugars, but overconsumption can also affect your heart health through prolonged (chronic) inflammation. High amounts of sugar can also overload your liver, which works hard to process sugar the same way it does alcohol. Over time, this could lead to fatty liver disease, which can be a slippery slope into both diabetes and heart disease.
But sugar consumption is a hard habit to break, especially when you tend to drink your sugar calories rather than eat them. Because liquid calories don’t satisfy our bodies like calories from solid foods, our bodies get “tricked” into consuming more calories in our daily diet than we actually need. How can you break the cycle? Here are a few tips to get you started.
First off, pay attention to what you’re consuming. Read labels and perhaps even start a journal to see where you’re at with your sugar consumption. Not the number of grams of sugar per serving on an item, as well as the total number of servings it contains. Also, keep track of both your food AND your beverages. Sometimes we forget that our morning frappuccino can be loaded with an excess of sugar grams because we’re not having to chew it.
Next, try some healthier swaps for things that may have too much of your daily sugar allotment. If you tend to reach for a grain-based breakfast, it’s likely that you’re adding more sugar than you realize. Instead, reach for a protein-packed breakfast like eggs or this green smoothie. It will keep you fuller longer, which will lead to less overconsumption and weight gain. If you can’t get enough of sodas, try a flavored sparkling water instead. Cascade Ice Sparkling Waters have different product lines to choose from, and are free of sugar, calories, gluten and sodium. Plus, you’re getting hydrated, which has proven to stave off sickness and maintain a healthy weight.
Lastly, whenever you can, reach for natural sugars – those found mainly in fresh and frozen fruit. Fruit is naturally sweet but has the added benefit of being full of fiber, vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy and full. Other examples of natural sugars can be found in greek yogurt, dark chocolate, and dates. So,reach for the real, good stuff when the sweet tooth cravings kick in!
What do you do to tame your sugar cravings or cut back on sugar? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on April 26, 2021
In recent years, many people have started to realize the important health benefits that come with cutting back on sugar in their diets. What’s not commonly known is that sugar is hidden in so many of the foods and beverages that we enjoy every day, and you may not even realize how much you’re consuming. Going over your daily allowance of sugar can have a domino effect in our bodies, leading to many health complications and diseases. Adopting a low-sugar diet can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, improve brain health and mood, decrease inflammation, and help you lose weight.
While small amounts of sugar in your diet won’t necessarily hurt, consuming higher-than-usual amounts can cause your body to store it for later use, leading to fatty liver disease and other conditions. So how can you lower your sugar intake? Pay attention to how much sugar the foods you eat contain – the average person should try to stay under 24 grams of sugar per day. Even making small, healthy swaps, like trading sugary cereal to plain oatmeal with fruit, or switching from soda to a sugar-free sparkling water like Cascade Ice Sparkling Water, can help you stay on track.
Most importantly, what are the key benefits to maintaining a low sugar diet? We’ve got 4 reasons for you to make the leap to a low sugar lifestyle right here!
Building a Healthy Heart
A diet that is low in sugar can help your heart by lowering your blood pressure and raising good cholesterol while inhibiting bad cholesterol. What this means long-term is that lowering your sugar intake can prevent strokes and heart attacks. So, making a low-sugar diet a priority can have big payoffs later in life.
Boosted Energy Levels
Sometimes known as “simple carbs”, sugars can enter your bloodstream very quickly, giving you a boost of energy. However, it’s also metabolized quickly by the body, which means you also “crash” quickly after. And because sugar is often hidden in so many foods we know and love, you likely often feel this rollercoaster of energy all day long. When you cut back on sugar and replace it with foods high in fats and proteins, you’ll have a steady boost of energy that will last longer than sugar could ever provide. So, when you ditch the added sugars, prepare for a healthy dose of energy!
Improvements in mental health
Preliminary studies are showing a link between excess sugar consumption in the American diet and an increase in mental illness and cognitive decline. When you adopt a low-sugar diet, you can expect higher energy levels. And without the highs and lows of the “sugar rush” and inevitable crash throughout your day, feelings of depression and other mental illnesses are not as common as a result.
Healthy, Glowing Skin
Excess sugar has been known to block the repair of your skin’s collagen, the protein present in your skin that makes it appear glowy, plump and youthful. Studies have also shown that too much sugar can reduce elasticity of the skin and cause premature wrinkles. So, stay under your daily allowance of sugar and watch your face transform into healthy, energized skin that makes you feel super confident! (And don’t forget to drink lots of water to help with that too!)
Have you ever tried a low-sugar diet? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on April 9, 2021
Everywhere you look these days, companies are coming up with a new offering for a “hard seltzer.” And for good reason – not only are they delicious, but they are also low in calories and sugar compared to other alcoholic beverages. But you don’t need to buy pre-packaged hard seltzers when you have the right ingredients (like Cascade Ice Sparkling Water) at home!
Here are a few refreshing homemade hard seltzer flavors that you can whip up for your next happy hour with minimal ingredients and saving some money in the process.
Lemon-Lime Mint
When you combine the tartness of lemon and lime with the refreshing taste of mint, you simply can’t go wrong. To whip up a lemon-lime mint flavored hard seltzer, simply muddle a small handful of fresh mint leaves and pour a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Lemon Lime over 1 shot glass of tequila in your preferred glass. Garnish with fresh lime if desired. Make sure your sparkling water is cold – it makes for a crisp, slightly sweet drink on a warm day!
Pink Grapefruit
Reminiscent of the classic Greyhound cocktail, a hard seltzer with pink grapefruit is as delicious (and low calorie as can be!) Combine a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Pink Grapefruit with 1 shot glass of vodka and squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top. Want to get fancy? Add a sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish.
Ginger Orange
This flavor packs a punch that tastes sweet and ever so slightly spicy! Take a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Ginger Lime, and add 2 shot glasses of champagne and a splash of pulp-free orange juice. Easy as that – and you can dress it up however you’d like with fresh fruit or any type of complimentary garnish.
What’s your favorite type of hard seltzer flavor? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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by Cascade Ice on March 31, 2021
When you work from home, you likely don’t realize how much time you spend sitting. But it’s simple and easy to counteract the negative effects of sitting too long by simply making a few, key changes to your daily lifestyle. If you’re interested in ways to stay more active during your stay-at-home workday, read on for a few key tips.
Stand up
When you sit most of the day while working on your computer, you lose much of the opportunity for your body to burn calories. A stand-up desk can be a game-changer in helping your body stay healthy, increasing your leg strength and endurance while you do it. But if a stand-up desk is simply not a practical option for you, instead, build 5-minute breaks into your day every 1-2 hours for some type of physical activity (think walking the dog, yoga, or meditation). Standing can burn as much as 50 percent more calories than sitting, so give it a try!
Cook at home
As the pandemic starts winding down and more businesses begin opening up, it’s so tempting to frequent restaurants again, and even grab takeout or fast food when it’s more convenient. But cooking at home will not only save you money in the long run – it will also help you stay healthier. Did you know that preparing and cooking your food at home can even burn calories? The best way to control what you eat is to skip the restaurants and plan your meals in advance, using nutritious ingredients made with whole foods. You can also meal prep for the week so you’re prepared to make healthy food choices. Do you get bored of cooking at home? Give yourself little “treats” every so often so that you don’t deprive yourself, and you have something to look forward to during long work days. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water is an awesome choice to treat yourself, with zero calories and no sugar!
Make Screen Time Exercise Time
We all love a good TV series or a scroll on social media. But how can you turn the inevitable daily screen time into something more productive? Try incorporating some small ways to get your heart pumping like jumping jacks, burpees or pushups during commercial breaks. Or, for every 20 minutes on social media, step outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. Build these daily habits into your routine, and it won’t even seem like a chore!
What do you do to keep active and stay healthy while working from home? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
