Ashleigh, Author at Rewards Project

Rewards at Halloween

Posted on October 4, 2021October 4, 2021 by Ashleigh

Let’s face it, Halloween is the one night of the year where our children are surrounded by so many treats and the whole holiday is based around sugary rewards. But, have you really thought about how much sugar your children are consuming in such a short space of time? The team at Rewards Project in Central London are here to help.

Supermarkets are packed full of Halloween sweets, even more refined sugar, artificial sweeteners and more food colourings. As much as Halloween is a fun, exciting time of the year for our little ones, we must remember to take care of their health and wellbeing at the same time.

So, what can you do?

Here at Rewards Project, we want to show children that there is more to Halloween than sweets. We want our children to have fun and look after their teeth too!

So, why not try some non-food rewards and alternatives? We’ve put together a list of creative, non-food rewards for trick-or-treat bags and even alternatives for your upcoming Halloween party.

Non-food rewards for Trick ‘or’ Treat bags:

Colourful pencils
Mini activity packs
Glow sticks
Halloween stickers
Whistles or Kazoos
Crayons
Vampire fangs
Bubbles
Stencils
Spinning tops
Spider jewellery
Mini play-dough tubs
Bouncy balls
Halloween themed keyrings
Spooky accessories such as headbands and handmade bracelets

If they are having sweets, it is better to have them in one go and then throw out the remaining ones rather than pick on them over the week. They will likely get a sugar rush, feel sick and then it will put them off sweets!

Having a Halloween party?

There are plenty of different low-sugar alternatives online which can help you gather some inspiration for a Halloween party; they can even incorporate some of their five-a-day.

Take a look below at some of our ideas for your next Halloween party.

Make sure fruit and veg is still easily accessible.
Create a fruit salad bowl in a spooky witch’s cauldron.
Add edible eyes to carrot and cucumber sticks.
Create ‘Spooky’ boiled eggs instead of offering chocolate eggs.
Create Pumpkin shapes out of satsumas.
Carve mini ‘pumpkin-style’ faces out on peppers.
Label their water bottles as ‘Witches Water’ to make it more fun.

Don’t forget to sign up to the Rewards Project newsletter to keep up-to-date with the latest news, events and more by clicking here.

What’s in your children’s toothpaste?

Posted on May 19, 2021May 22, 2021 by Ashleigh

Have you ever wondered what’s in your child’s toothpaste?

We recommend taking a look at the ingredients list before purchasing. In a recent article, the European Food Safety Authority said that a food colouring used in some toothpaste can no longer be ruled out as a cause of cancer.

The experts concluded that as a result E171, which is composed of a mix of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, could not be considered safe when used in food.

The food colouring E171 is used in many toothpastes, but mostly children’s toothpaste. Here is a list of some popular toothpastes that currently contain E171.

Aquafresh ‘Milk Teeth’ 0-2 years

Aquafresh ‘Little Teeth’ – 3-5 years

Aqua fresh ‘Big Teeth’ – 6-8 years

Aqua fresh Advance – 9-12 years

Sensodyne Pro-Namel – 6-12 years

Artificial sweeteners

It can be quite surprising when you realise how many artificial sweeteners and flavourings are added to children’s toothpaste.

The main reason artificial sweeteners are added to toothpastes is purely for the taste. Many toothpastes are sweet because they contain an artificial sweetener such as sodium saccharin, a form of saccharin.

Unlike sugar, saccharin doesn’t promote tooth decay. Some toothpastes contain xylitol, another type of sweetener known as a sugar alcohol. We are campaigning to remove all sweeteners from toothpaste.

Fluoride

It is important to use a toothpaste with the correct amount of Fluoride in as your children grow up.

Up to age two, you should use a fluoride toothpaste of 1,000 parts per million (ppm).

Above this then start to use a fluoride level of 1,350-1,500ppm.

Once they get adult teeth (usually from 6 onwards), they can start using adult toothpaste, which is around 1500 ppm fluoride.

Unsure on what toothpaste is best?

Ideally, a toothpaste that does not contain artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners or preservatives is best. There are some toothpastes out there that contain natural ingredients, like Greenpeople , Zendium or BrushBaby Toothpaste.

Greenpeople have an organic children’s mandarin & aloe vera toothpaste – with FLUORIDE. Zendium has natural antibacterial enzymes to boost the mouth’s natural defences here.

Brushbaby has applemint and tutti frutti flavours.

Make sure you choose the Fluoride version as this helps harden your children’s teeth.

If you can, we advise you to provide your children with natural toothpastes from the very moment they have teeth. This way, their taste buds will adjust to the natural tastes instead of artificial ingredients from a young age.

Our friends over at Bow Lane Dental Group in Central London can help you find the best toothpaste for your child at their next check-up. Call them today on 020 7236 3600 to book a check-up, or visit their website here.

Don’t forget to recycle the tubes once you have finished rather than throw them in the household waste. We love doing our bit to stay as Eco-friendly as possible!

If you would like to find out more about artificial sweeteners, please click here. You’d be amazed at where they can be found!

Sugar Free Easter

Posted on March 25, 2021March 26, 2021 by Ashleigh

With Easter fast approaching, you’ll be wanting to plan some fun activities for your children during the Easter break. It can be hard to prevent your children from thinking that Easter is all about chocolate, so we’ve put together some fun, sugar-free ideas that will bring you closer together as a family as well as looking after their health.

Easter hunt

Notice how we didn’t say Easter EGG hunt? You can still plan a fun, interactive Easter hunt without the sugar and chocolate eggs! Leave a trail of clues that leads to a large fluffy Easter toy or an Easter basket full of non-food treats. You could even award your little one with a trophy!

As well as this, another great idea is to hide hollow eggs that have small treats in. You can buy hollow eggs here and fill them with things such as coins, Lego, temporary tattoos, mini stamps, magnets and bouncy balls.

Create a sugar-free Easter basket

If you’re planning on creating an Easter basket this year, why not fill it up with non-food treats. Take a look at these sugar free ideas below:

Mini games
Toothbrushes
A soft toy
Bubbles
Crayons
Activity packs
Fun socks
Certificates
Mini puzzles
Rubbers
Water balloons

Indoor gardening

As many garden centres will still be closed by Easter weekend, why not order some seeds online? Spring is the perfect time to grow seeds and plant beautiful flowers in your garden. You could sit down with the children and choose some flowers or plants online ready to plant. You could arrange flowers in your favourite vase, or wait for your seeds to be delivered and plant them in the garden together. Here is an assortment of seeds that are perfect to sow in the Spring.

Try some fun experiments

We have a fantastic leaflet that features some fun experiments for children. One includes the EGG experiment, which will show children how different liquids can effect their teeth. The second is a disclosing tablet experiment which you can do at home.

You can find the fun kids leaflet here.

Decorate eggs

Sit down together and get crafty with your little ones and decorate eggs with marker pens, glitter glue, sequins and any fun craft materials you can find. We particularly like this egg decorating kit from John Lewis. You can get yours here. If you can’t get hold of an Easter egg kit like this, why not collect large pebbles outside and bring them home to decorate with paints and marker pens?

Create an obstacle course

Another fun idea could be to create an obstacle course in your garden or even in your living room. You could incorporate an egg and spoon race, lots of bunny hopping and throwing and catching activities. Once the course is finished you can reward them with a non-food reward such as a certificate or badge.

Spring clean

It might be a great idea to get them to help you with a spring clean around the house, making it as fun as possible. Get them some colourful rubber gloves and give them a small list of tasks to do such as dusting and putting things away. For every task they tick off the list, you could reward them with a non-food reward such as stickers. If your children collect certain toys or memorabilia, it might be a great idea to get them something to add to it. This is a great incentive and will get your children excited to help.

Low-sugar chocolate

If you do opt for chocolate eggs, we suggest choosing dark chocolate as a low-sugar alternative. We recommend the 100% Madagascar ‘Totally Dark’ Easter egg. This particular Easter egg contains 100% cocoa solids, which means there is no sugar or sweeteners of any kind! You can get yours here.

If you do decide to buy an Easter egg this year, don’t be fooled by the ‘Sugar-free’ labels. Many Easter eggs will still contain a lot of artificial sweeteners. Make sure to check the labels before purchasing!

Are you looking for tasty, low sugar snacks to make for your children during the Easter break?

Click here to find some delicious recipes from our website. If you get a chance to try the recipes out, don’t forget to let us know by tagging us on Instagram at @rewardsproject.

Mother’s Day: The healthy way

Posted on March 5, 2021March 6, 2021 by Ashleigh

Are you looking for different ways to treat your Mum this Mother’s Day? With a little help from the Rewards Project, you can enjoy a healthy Mother’s Day that’s just as special!

Dining in

Even though all restaurants are currently closed during lockdown, there are still ways you can create an eventful low-sugar dining experience for Mother’s Day.

If you are in a support bubble with your Mum, you can try rustling up a healthy but delicious three-course meal. You could cook a start, main and dessert together using our Kick Sugar cookbook. There’s nothing better than a home-made feast at home with loved ones.

More low-sugar tips for dining in:

– Drink plenty of water
– Avoid alcohol or try low-sugar/alcohol free options.
– Try to avoid white bread/white rice/white potato/white pasta
– Keep an eye on dressings and sauces, you’ll be surprised by some of the ingredients!

The Kick Sugar cookbook is filled with easy, fuss-free recipes that will improve your health and re-calibrate your taste-buds. You’ll be spoilt for choice once you’ve seen the options.

Get your copy of Kick Sugar here.

Non-food gift ideas

It’s always nice to receive gifts that aren’t related to food. Here is a list of fun and meaningful gifts that will last longer than a box of chocolates:

– A Mother’s Day card.
– Tickets to their favourite show ready for when lockdown eases.
– Do the chores around the house if you live together or are in a support bubble.
– A personalised photo frame.
– Send a bouquet of her favourite flowers delivered straight to her doorstep.
– A meaningful hand-written letter, signed, sealed and delivered.
– Send them breakfast in bed.
– Make a memory photo book.
– Subscribe them to their favourite magazine.
– A book from their favourite author.
– A candle and a pair of cosy socks.
– Book a virtual yoga or meditation class.
– Create a birthday video from all of the family.
– Book a group fitness class together for when the gyms are re-open.
– A hygiene appointment at the dentists – (who doesn’t love sparkling clean teeth!?)
– A copy of the Kick Sugar cookbook.

If you decide to treat your Mother to a copy of the Kick Sugar cookbook, don’t forget to TAG us on Instagram using the handle @rewardsproject. We hope you all enjoy celebrating.

Let’s talk about artificial sweeteners

Posted on January 20, 2021January 22, 2021 by Ashleigh

We get so many questions about artificial sweeteners, so are they a worthwhile swap, or not?

The focus on sugar in public health has led food manufacturers to reduce calories through non-calorific sweeteners, keeping the same sweet taste but allegedly negating the harms of too much sugar. Some of this has been in direct response to the sugar tax introduced in the UK in 2018 and already in place in over 35 countries.

The whole area of artificial sweeteners is quite controversial. To the industry, they are potentially a good way out of the damage that sugar is known to do.

As a consumer, it feels like we can potentially “have our cake and eat it too” – be able to enjoy the sweetness that we crave without a downside. There are so many artificial sweeteners out there these days, so sometimes it can be hard to tell what your food contains unless you look deeper into the ingredients list.

Names of popular artificial sweeteners:

– Suraclose (Splenda)
– Aspartame
– Saccharin
– Cyclamate
– Acesulfame potassium (Acesulfame-K)

Some products are even made from a combination of two artificial sweeteners.

What are sugar alcohols?

Sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate whose structure resembles both sugars and alcohol.

Sugar alcohols are often used as lower calorie sweeteners in sugar-free chewing gum and sweets, as food additives in processed foods, and in toothpaste, certain medications, and laxatives.

Common types of sugar alcohols include xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, maltitol and mannitol.

What foods contain artificial sweeteners?

There are so many different food and drink types that contain sweeteners. Also, of these are food items that are labelled ‘sugar-free’. The sugar is then replaced with artificial sweeteners, including those listed above.

When considered as a straight swap, for example, switching a diet cola for a full sugar version, this would seem to make sense. Overall, you have a net reduction in calories, a saving of 97 calories for each substitution made. Similarly, switching a sweetener for 3 sugars in a cup of tea will save 46 calories.

Is this too good to be true?

But this is not quite as good as it seems. The catch is that artificial sweeteners still do not reduce appetite and hence the drivers of overeating are maintained. This makes it harder to lose weight if that is your goal, and the small upside in calories saved can be quickly wiped out if accompanied, or followed, by a binge.

This is probably why studies into sweetener consumption show either zero-to-modest reduction in weight and a higher incidence of obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events.

From a dental health perspective, diet soda is still a problem as the drink itself is corrosive to tooth enamel, irrespective of the fact that it doesn’t contain sugar.

Many “tooth friendly” products contain acidic flavouring that can erode your teeth. You need to be careful about the exposure time. If you are sucking a sugar free lollipop for several minutes your teeth are again…bathed in acid!

Where do you normally find artificial sweeteners?

– ‘Sugar-free’ or ‘diet’ foods and drinks
– Fizzy drinks
– Fruit juices
– Baked goods
– Sweets and hard candies
– James, jellies and yogurts
– Chewing gum

Are there any natural sweeteners out there?

Natural sweeteners are sugar substitutes that are often promoted as healthier options than sugar or other sugar substitutes. However, even these “natural sweeteners” often go through processing and refining. The crucial part is the body still processes them as sugar so use sparingly!

Natural sweeteners that the FDA recognises as generally safe include:

– Honey
– Nectar
– Molasses
– Maple syrup

Should I eat artificial sweeteners?

We advise to use them as a way of weening you off sugar and during the transition stages of cutting down on the sweetness in your diet. They should eb avolid in under 6-year-olds as we don’t know the effect they have on growing bodies. Remember to check labels and ingredients on food packaging, as this can help you to make informed choices.

We want you to be able to access your full palate, not just the sweet range. Completing our 14-day kick sugar challenge will help you do that. Find out more about our #KickSugar challenge here.

Alcohol & Sugar: What’s best for me?

Posted on January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 by Ashleigh

We all know that most alcoholic beverages contain excessive amounts of sugar. They can also be crammed full of sweeteners, additives and colourings. If you’re looking to lower your alcohol consumption for 2021 and want to choose healthier alternatives, we’re here to help.

How does it affect the body?

Sugar is highly addictive because it acts on the pleasure centre of the brain, as does alcohol. This makes for a dangerous duo. Alcoholic drinks that are mixed with soft drinks are so easy to consume, making it easy to forget how much sugar you’ve really consumed.

It is crucial to remember that alcohol should always be consumed in moderation. Both alcohol and sugar can dehydrate you, as they are diuretics. It is important to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. This will also help keep a whole host of side-effects at bay if alcohol is over-consumed.

Low sugar beer and wine

It is true that in general, the lower the alcohol volume, the fewer the calories. If you’re looking for a low sugar option when it comes to wine, red is your best choice:

Red wine has the least amount of sugar, with 0.9g per 175ml glass.
White wine (a dry white like Riesling), has around 1.4g per 175ml glass.
Rose wine can contain even more. Dessert wine has approximately 7g per serving, the same as a glass of Coca Cola.

The same goes for beer, however it can be hard to find as many places that sell low sugar options. We recommend Coors light, which has also been a great choice for many diabetics.

Low sugar spirits

Spirits with high alcohol volumes tend to not contain many carbs or sugar. Spirits such as tequila, gin, brandy, rum and whiskey included. These are the best choices if you’re looking for low sugar beverages. Our top tip is to mix your hard spirits with soda water or a light tonic water and a fruit slice such as lemon or lime. This will keep those sugar levels at their lowest, so opt for the following:

Vodka
Tequila
Brandy
Rum
Whiskey

Low sugar mixers

When it comes to spirits, it’s mostly the mixers you need to watch out for. Fruit juices and fizzy drinks such as Coca Cola are a popular choice, but these will add extra sugar to your alcohol drink without you even noticing.

If you are looking for ways to reduce sugars, opt for the following:

Diet soft drinks
Soda water
Light tonic water

Alternatively, add a slice of lemon or lime to fizzy water as a mixer, just remembering that this will be acidic for your teeth.

Sidenote: Fruit juices are also very acidic and will damage your teeth. Think about having the drink with a meal or neutralizing the acid after finishing the drink. You can neutralise this acid with a swill of water, sugar-free chewing gum or a neutral food. It is not advised to brush your teeth immediately after any acidic drink as this will increase the acid damage. If you want to brush straight after, first rinse with some water for 30 seconds and then brush your teeth.

You can also get help from our friends at Club Soda.

Take the challenge!

Are you looking to lower your alcohol intake for 2021? Why not try our 14-day sugar challenge which will also help you reduce your alcohol consumption at the same time? Boost your health, your immune system and your mental health with our #KickSugar challenge.

This Challenge is for you IF:

You’ve tried to kick sugar in the past . . . and failed.
You keep getting dental cavities.
You just can’t seem to do it on your own.

You can find out more about our #KickSugar cookbook and the challenge here. We’ve had such amazing feedback from past challenges, so why not get involved?!

14-Day Sugar Challenge starts 7th September

Posted on August 6, 2020August 24, 2020 by Ashleigh

The 14-Day Sugar Challenge is back…

Have you put on pounds since lockdown? We’re here to help you #KickSugar the easy way. No pills, shakes, powders or exercise required! Our next challenge starts on Monday 7^th September, and we want you to join us!

Did you know? The 14-day sugar challenge has been put together to help you curb cravings and re-calibrate your taste buds whilst enjoying a wide variety of tasty food. The challenge has been put together by a professional team of nutritionists, dentists, TV chefs, GP’s and neuroscientists.

This challenge is for you if:

• You’ve tried to kick sugar in the past . . . and failed.

• You keep getting dental cavities.

• It seems you just can’t do it on your own.

14 Day Sugar Challenge

What can I expect from the 14-day sugar challenge??

• Preparation – How to prepare your home and kitchen for the 14-day sugar challenge.

• Exclusive Facebook Community to help keep you motivated and moving forward.

• Daily messages of support from the Rewards Project Team.

• Access – Experts to get all your sugar questions answered.

• You’ll start – Feeling healthier, have more energy.

• Reawaken – Your taste buds and start enjoying food with new enhanced flavours and experiences.

Here’s what you’ll get when you join the 14-day sugar challenge

• Kick Sugar Cookbook with an RRP of £20.

• Over 3.5 hours of unseen Video interviews with: Award winning Dentist James Goolnik being interviewed by Michael Collins for the annual Quit Sugar summit talking sugar and oral health.

• TV Chef Giancarlo Caldesi talking about flavour, taste and how to cook without using sugar.

• Nutritionist Jenny Phillips talking about what sugar does to our bodies and how to have fun again in the kitchen.

• Personal trainer PMac talks about consistency and how to keep on track when you are coming off sugar.

• GP Dr Joanne McCormack talking about Diabetes and how to prevent it. Get off medication and regain your health again.

• Dr Lynda Shaw discussing habits, motivation and how to keep on track.

• Daily videos for tips and encouragement.

• Private Facebook community.

Keeping kids busy at home

Posted on March 27, 2020March 5, 2021 by Ashleigh

During these uncertain times that surround the Coronavirus outbreak, you may be at home with the children after the government announced school closures across the UK. Now is the time to take a look what fun activities you can do at home with them. Let’s keep kids busy at home.

We want to let you know that we are here for you and will offer our tips and advice as much as we possibly can. If you have any ideas, please feel free to share them on our Facebook page here.

Turn them into your office assistant

Are you currently working from home? Why not take some of your office supplies and pop them in a small briefcase and tell your child to ‘work quietly’ nearby as your office assistant. You could fill the briefcase with pens, pencils, markers, stickers, a notepad, and an old calculator.

E-Books

If you’re self-isolating or working from home, try downloading some fun picture books online or through Amazon Kindle. There are so many to choose from, including colourful animal books, busy books and fairy tales. If possible, we recommend purchasing E-books from independent businesses to help them stay afloat through the coronavirus pandemic.

Make homemade face masks

This is a fun one that we have recommended before. Mash up bananas or avocados with honey and other natural ingredients to make your own healthy DIY face masks. We found some great ideas here. This is a fun one for all the family, just remember to have your cleaning products at the ready for the aftermath!

Treat them to an audio-book

It can be hard sometimes to sit down and read a book with your children, especially if they are excitable and restless. We recommend downloading an audio book for them. You can tell them that someone special is going to read them a story. You can find and download audio books on Amazon. Simply download the Audible app to get started.

Cardboard creations

Simple, but a LOT of fun. If you have any old cardboard or cardboard boxes lying around, sit down and create some cardboard creations with them. You could construct a house, bus or even a car out of your card. Don’t forget to use safe craft scissors and always supervise your children when cutting the card.

Gardening

If you have a garden, why not get your children to pop on their wellies and gardening gloves and suggest they could be a gardener’s helper for the afternoon? You can get your children to help you weed the garden and sweep up any twigs and leaves. Don’t forget to reward them for their efforts with a sticker or non-food related treat. You can read more about alternative rewards here.

Build a fort

This is an all-time favourite that never fails to keep them busy. Get involved and help them create a fort from cushions, blankets, covers and anything you can find around the house. It’s a great idea to create the fort somewhere other than their bedroom, making it even more exciting for them. This leads us to our last tip of the day…

Have a movie night

Why not sit down and relax with the kids and treat them to a movie night. Get them to pick some of their favourite films and let them watch it from their newly made fort! Don’t forget comfy warm pajamas and a cup of warm milk to send them off to sleep.

Rewards for Adults

Posted on March 11, 2020March 14, 2020 by Ashleigh

Rewarding yourself as an adult may sound simple, but for many of us, we tend to reach for food-based treats first. Have you noticed how when you feel down you instantly think about chocolate or ice cream?

Society has drummed it into our minds that these things are what we need when we feel down or to help celebrate with.

The good news is that there are hundreds of healthy, non-food alternatives that you can use as rewards. It’s just a matter of spreading the word and implementing them regularly. You’ll soon see an improvement in your health too.

Take a look at these simple ideas below and get inspired!

At home

Treat yourself to a movie night with your friends/family.
Read a book from your wish list.
Enjoy a hot bubble bath.
Host a games night.
Connect with an old friend.
Relax and have a lie-in.
Re-organise your wardrobe. Then give your unwanted items to charity.
Spend time with friends and family.
Create an at-home spa treatment – create salt scrubs and face masks with natural ingredients. You can find some great ideas here.
Sign up for your favourite subscription box.
Take a guilt-free nap.

Outside

Go for a walk in nature.
Take your dog for a walk or walk a friend/family members dog.
Head to a yoga or meditation class.
Spend time tidying up the garden.
Take up a new sport or hobby.
Have a picnic with family in your local park.
Visit an art gallery or museum.
Go to the cinema, opera or theatre. You can get tickets from just £15.
Book a day out in the City.

At work

Praise yourself!
Make yourself a nice hot drink without sugar or sweeteners.
Spend your lunch break with a work colleague.
Go for a refreshing walk on your lunch break.

Remember: The more you reward yourself with non-food rewards, the less sugar you’ll consume, meaning you’ll reawaken your taste buds and boost your health.

Find out more about how you can reduce your sugar cravings by clicking here.

Can you give up chocolate?

Posted on February 26, 2020February 24, 2020 by Ashleigh

Are you ready to kick sugar and give up chocolate this March?

1^st March marks the start of Dechox month, a whole month dedicated to giving up the sweet stuff. Anything containing cocoa is off limits; from the sprinkles on your cappuccino to that chocolate bar.

How often do you eat chocolate? Once a week? Every day? You’ll be shocked to know that the average Brit spends more than £325 on chocolate every year. Recent statistics also show that we eat an average of 187 chocolate bars a year.

As adults, the maximum daily intake for added sugars is 30g. This is the equivalent of 7 teaspoons. Some of the worst offenders available in supermarkets contain your recommended daily intake in just ONE bar.

Take a look at some of Britain’s popular chocolate bars containing the most sugar below.

Mars (51g)

Mars bars currently contain 30.5g sugar. That’s more than your recommended daily intake. This is the equivalent of eating 2.4 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts.

Double Decker (54.5g)

The popular Double Decker contains a shocking 29.5g sugar. Approx. 7.5 teaspoons.

Twix (58g – Both fingers)

Another favourite is Twix, which contains 28g of sugar.

If you’re looking to cut down on your chocolate consumption and watch your sugar intake, then we recommend looking at alternative low sugar choices. All types of chocolate will affect your teeth and health if eaten too regularly, but reading labels carefully will help when it comes to cutting down on sugar. We can help you swap to chocolate bars that are better for your health.

Keep an eye on the ingredients

Have you ever picked up a chocolate bar and noticed it’s advertised as ‘Low Sugar’ or ‘No Added Sugar?’ Make sure you check the labels, as most of the time the main ingredient in low sugar chocolate bars is an artificial sweetener. These artificial sweeteners can be as bad as sugar and can wreak havoc on your digestive system if eaten in large quantities. They are just as sweet and fuel your sweet cravings and also make you feel hungry afterwards.

Artificial sweeteners go by many names, including xylitol, glucose syrup, corn syrup, sucralose, sorbitol, fructose and many more.

It’s not just chocolate bars you should look out for. Dechox month means cutting out anything containing cocoa. Do you know how much sugar is in a regular jar of Nutella?

Take a look at this diagram below to see what you’re really consuming…

Craving chocolate? Try these tasty chocolate swaps:

A handful of fresh berries
Plain popcorn
Whole fruits such as oranges and peaches
Yoghurt
A handful of almonds

If you would like to find out more about Dechox month, our friends at the British Heart Foundation can tell you more here.

A dentist over at Bow Lane Dental group has also put together a helpful blog called ‘Is chocolate good for you?’ which you can read here.