by Cascade Ice on September 25, 2020
Do you usually crash after your morning coffee and bagel? Do you head for the vending machine to help you get through the afternoon slump? You may need some help managing your sugar intake. Whether we realize it or not, most Americans consume around 70 grams of sugar each day, and the daily recommended limit is 25 grams for women and 38 grams of sugar for men. And unfortunately, it can be a slippery slope – when you consume more sugar in your diet, you end up craving more.
There are many reasons why sugar is so addicting. It can release the “feel good” brain chemical, serotonin. It can also release endorphins, which makes us feel calm and happy. Too much sugar in our diet can lead to issues like heart disease and diabetes. So how can you stop the sugar cravings for good? Here are some easy to implement tips that you can refer to each day, making small changes that add up to a healthier lifestyle overall.
Make a plan
Whenever you’re trying to make changes to your lifestyle, it’s always enlightening to sit down and write everything out. Chronicle your food and activities for a week, taking special care in identifying where you can make small changes. Then, make a plan. Set attainable goals for yourself and celebrate when you’ve achieved them! A lousy diet often results from a lack of planning and reaching for less healthy choices out of convenience. After all, we live fast-paced lives. So slow down, plan, and celebrate your progress.
Get moving
Especially during a pandemic, it’s easy to stay inside and brush off plans to get out and exercise. But now more than ever, it’s important to get your body moving, your blood flowing, and boosting your energy levels. Does this have to be 6 miles of running every day? Absolutely not! Start with a daily neighborhood walk, or taking a flight of stairs instead of the elevator, or even a virtual yoga class. It really doesn’t matter how decide to move your body, just move it! Studies have shown that mild exercise can trigger metabolic processes that make more blood sugar available to the brain, which reduces cravings for sugary, processed foods.
Tackle cravings with fresh fruit
Sugar cravings are unavoidable, especially when you’ve just started your journey to a low-sugar lifestyle. Keep lots of fresh fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. Unlike processed sugar, with fruit you also get fiber, nutrients, and refreshing, sweet taste. Like we mentioned above, having these things ready at all times make it easy to make better choices.
Stay hydrated
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again … staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Staying optimally hydrated in particular can help you manage sugar cravings too. Replace sodas and juices with water or an organic sparkling water to help reduce your added sugar and overall calorie intake each day. Check out what Cascade Ice Sparkling Water has to offer!
Indulge occasionally
We know, it sounds counterintuitive. But making huge, sweeping changes can sometimes backfire if you don’t give yourself a little “wiggle room.” So, our advice is to give in a little when it comes to your sugar cravings. Allow yourself a small amount of what you’re craving, whether it’s a small cookie or some soft serve. Enjoying a little of what you crave can help you avoid binging and failing altogether. So give yourself some love and allow yourself some small treats every so often! You’ll be surprised at how it helps you stay the course.
How do you curb your sugar cravings? 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 June 30, 2020
Red, white and blue homemade popsicles are the perfect way to serve (and enjoy) a sweet treat for the July 4th holiday! These fun treats will not only keep you cool – they’re also fun to make, and have simple, whole food ingredients for a low-sugar, low-calorie treat. The best of all worlds coming together just in time for Independence Day!
Gather your ingredients and your popsicle mold, and if you’d like the colors to be more bold, you can always add food coloring.
Patriotic Popsicles
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 chopped banana
3 cups plain greek yogurt
1 cup of Cascade Ice Sparkling Water in Coconut
Blend strawberries with 1 cup of greek yogurt until smooth, set aside. (Add 3 drops of red food coloring if you would like the color to be more vibrant)
Blend blueberries with 1 cup of greek yogurt until smooth, set aside. (Add 3 drops of blue food coloring if you would like the color to be more vibrant)
Blend Cascade Ice Sparkling Water with 1 cup of greek yogurt, set aside.
Add a layer of blueberry mixture to the bottom of each popsicle mold, and freeze for one hour. Then, add the Cascade Ice Sparkling Water mixture for the next layer and freeze for one additional hour. Add final layer of strawberry mixture on the top, and freeze fully before serving. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite treat to enjoy during the summer months? 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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Recipes
by Cascade Ice on May 15, 2020
Are you the type that reaches for soda every day at 2pm when you hit the infamous “afternoon slump”? Do you swap coffee with soda in the mornings? Unfortunately, it’s a habit with potential serious health consequences, with studies showing that soda can contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Cascade Ice has several different product lines with something to fit everyone’s tastes – from caffeinated, to organic – not to mention zero calories, sugar, sodium or gluten. It’s the perfect replacement for soda cravings!
If you typically reach for soda to get an energy boost, our Cascade Ice Caffeinated Sparkling Waters are a perfect alternative. We’ve combined sparkling water and organic caffeine to create a source of energy that tastes refreshing, bubbly and flavorful!
If you’re interested in increasing your daily water intake with fun, exciting flavor combinations and simple, organic ingredients, reach for our Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Waters. It comes in many different flavors like black raspberry, cucumber and orange mango. With just two ingredients – carbonated water and natural organic flavor – you can sip confidently knowing you’re making a better choice for your health!What’s your go-to soda alternative? 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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Healthy Living
by Cascade Ice on May 8, 2020
We could all use a little bit of guidance when it comes to learning how to make our habits healthier each day. In the last several years, podcasts have become a great way to get expert advice on topics of all kinds. But which ones can help lead you toward living a healthier life? The podcasts below are great resources on how to boost your fitness, diet and overall wellness.
Life Kit
This podcast from NPR is considered a “how-to” guide for life experiences, with topics ranging from how to get the best sleep of your life to how to manage your mental health.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin is the unofficial expert on happiness and the habits that lead to a lifetime of happiness. The author of The Happiness Project, Rubin gives simple tips for cultivating happiness and developing and maintaining daily habits.
Ben Greenfield Fitness
With hundreds of episodes that focus on priming your body to function the best that it can, Greenfield offers fitness information you may not find in the average magazine or book. He also explores natural remedies and functional fitness, so if you feel like you’ve “heard it all” when it comes to wellness, give this one a try!
Sound Bites
This podcast is a great option if you’re looking for more in-depth information beyond simple nutrition tips and advice. Hosted by dietitian Melissa Joy Dobbins, each episode features an interview with experts in the nutrition and health sectors, discussing topics ranging from how to increase your daily water intake (reach for a Cascade Ice Sparkling Water!) to how to incorporate probiotics into your diet for optimal digestion.
Do you have a favorite podcast? Tell us in the comments below! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Healthy Living
