(BPT) - Every day, people across the country are making proactive choices to maintain good health, which absolutely includes eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet. And it has been well established that nutrition plays a pivotal role in supporting one's overall health, their well-being and in preventing or managing chronic conditions. Among the easiest ways for people to enhance the quality of their diet and to stay in good health is to manage their intake of added sugar.

Consuming excess added sugar has been linked to various health issues including obesity, diabetes and heart disease.^1-3 Low- and no-calorie sweeteners, like Splenda, give individuals the ability to enjoy the same great sweet taste of sugar without the excess calories or blood sugar impact.⁴

Interested in managing your sugar intake? One important step is to become familiar with nutrition labels and to recognize alternative names for sugar. Common names for sugar include Cane Sugar, Glucose, Corn Syrup, Invert Sugar, Agave Nectar, Molasses, Barley Malt Syrup, Evaporated Cane Juice, Honey, Powdered Sugar, and Fructose. Once you understand where your sugar intake is coming from, you can make intentional sweet swaps using low- and no-calorie sweeteners!

Here are five easy ways to immediately begin reducing your sugar intake, today:

1. Eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages: Add fruit, herbs, and a low- and no-calorie sweetener like Splenda to your sparkling water for a refreshing beverage
2. Coffee and tea: Sweeten with a low- and no-calorie sweetener instead of sugar or honey
3. Keep an eye on condiments: Use the nutrition facts label to identify sauces, jams, and dressings that are high in added sugar and swap for a sugar-free option
4. Oatmeal & yogurt: Sweeten with a low- and no-calorie sweetener and add protein with natural peanut butter, almonds, or seeds
5. DIY homemade desserts: Discover your new favorite recipe for cookies, pies, cakes, and more that use low- and no-calorie sweeteners

Reducing added sugar intake is not just a trendy health fad; it is a proactive approach to your overall well-being. Today, Splenda continues to underscore its commitment to its mission of helping people live happier, healthier, longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar, through initiatives like its 25th anniversary campaign, '25 Families for 25 Years,' which honors families impacted by diabetes by awarding $2,500 to 25 deserving households.

Among the inspiring honorees is Jaime Burchuck, who nominated her daughter, Jules, a remarkable young girl diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 3 years old. Now 7 years old, Jules has spent the last 4 years bravely navigating the challenges of diabetes. From wearing an insulin pump at school to missing out on classroom birthday treats, these daily obstacles make her feel 'different' from her friends. However, with sugar-free alternatives, Jules can enjoy the treats she loves without added health risks, allowing her to live the life every child deserves and shine brightly despite her condition. To further recognize Jules' inspiring bravery, Splenda threw her an out-of-this-world party at Dave & Buster's for her 8th birthday.

Additional honorees include Christina Dominguez from Los Angeles, CA, Cindy Gladden from Denver, CO, Jessica Phelps from Chicago, IL, Eeron Mobley from Indianapolis, IN, Kalen Da Sylveira from Los Angeles, CA, and Stefanie Cardino from Denver, CO, Susan Depner from Chicago, IL., Stacey Grantham from Tampa, FL, Susan Blackwell from Chicago, IL, Lesley Hammer from Tampa, FL and Juliette McCarey from Tampa, FL.

These stories reflect the resilience found within communities striving for better health. By promoting awareness for sugar alternatives and supporting those affected by diabetes, organizations are empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices that positively impact overall well-being.

References:

1. Warshaw H, Edelman SV. Practical Strategies to Help Reduce Added Sugars Consumption to Support Glycemic and Weight Management Goals. Clin Diabetes. 2021;39(1):45-56. doi:10.2337/cd20-0034
2. Malik VS, Hu FB. The role of sugar-sweetened beverages in the global epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022;18(4):205-218. doi:10.1038/s41574-021-00627-6
3. Huang Y, Chen Z, Chen B, et al. Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review. BMJ. 2023;381:e071609. Published 2023 Apr 5. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-071609
4. Greyling A, Appleton KM, Raben A, Mela DJ. Acute glycemic and insulinemic effects of low-energy sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Oct 1;112(4):1002-1014. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa167. PMID: 32672338.