AHA Guidelines On Added Sugar Consumption

Earlier this year the American Heart Association (AHA) issued new guidelines in regards to sugar consumption, specifically added dietary sugars. This means any sugar that is added to foods, drinks, and even condiments either in the process of making them or that you have added yourself. The AHA’s new guidelines do not include sugar found naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or milk.

According to the AHA “Most American women should eat or drink no more than 100 calories per day from added sugars, and most American men should eat or drink no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars.”  So that 12 oz can of cola you just consumed? It probably just put you over your daily limit.

From a personal stand point I agree with the new guidelines but I will be completely honest when I say that I don’t always follow them.  Growing up in a society where sugar-laden products are everywhere you look, it’s hard.  But there are steps you can take to put yourself on the right track.

How Many Calories Are You DRINKING Every Day?

One of the first steps you can take is reducing your processed beverage intake. By that I mean sweet-tea, soda, and juices with unnecessary amounts of added sugar. When I did this I was able to lose 20lbs in a matter of months. Of course there were lots of other steps involved but this was probably the biggest one.

Do you realize just how many calories or how much sugar you consume in beverages alone? If you really start keeping track you’re going to be amazed. I know I was.  Whether dieting or not, consuming huge amounts of processed sugar is not good for anyone.

Old Orchard Healthy Balance

I have always been a big fan of Old Orchard but it wasn’t until very recently that I realized they are a local Michigan company. Because I love their product and I am from Michigan I am more than happy to support them by introducing you to their line of Healthy Balance Juice.

“Healthy Balance is Old Orchard’s line of reduced-sugar juice cocktails. Sweetened with Splenda® brand no-calorie sweetener, these products contain 75% less sugar, calories, and carbohydrates than traditional juice cocktails, but contain 100% of the flavor. With no added preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.”

Variety Is The Key To Keeping Your Goals On Track

You know how they say variety is the spice of life? Well, you find out how true that is when you’re dieting or trying to change your eating habits. You may like to say that you’re brand loyal but when you’ve drank or ate the same things over and over for months you start to change your mind. Some companies have a very limited variety of products and in the end you get burned out and if you’re not careful you start reverting back to your old habits.  I’m glad to say that Healthy Balance comes in a large variety of flavors. From classic Apple, Grape, or Cranberry to Pomegranate Blueberry Acai. Check out the site to see all the flavors they offer: Healthy Balance

What’s Your New Years Resolution?

I suppose you can guess what at least one of my New Years resolutions is. It’s to continue losing weight, and to get healthier in general. And I will have that in mind when New Years Eve rolls around. I don’t drink much these days but occasionally I make an exception. Old Orchard have some great low calorie drink recipes on their site that they’d like to share with you. Why not check them out. Click Here.  You’ll even find recipes for virgin cocktails that you can make for the kids, coupons and plenty of other useful information to help you get started on your New Years resolution.

Here are a few cocktails I’m considering

Old Orchard Low-Sugar Cosmo Cocktail

2 oz citron flavored vodka

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz Old Orchard Healthy Balance Cranberry fruit juice cocktail

Mix contents with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a lime.

Old Orchard Pomegranate Cosmo

2 oz citron flavored vodka

1 oz Cointreau

1½ oz Old Orchard 100% Pomegranate juice

Mix contents with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a lime.

Old Orchard Raspberry Vodka Martini

2 oz raspberry flavored vodka

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz Old Orchard Organic 100% Raspberry juice

Mix contents with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a lime.

Disclaimer: Old Orchard provided coupons for my review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any other way and the opinion here is just that. My opinion. Thank you for reading.

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Giveaway

Old Orchard have graciously provided me with coupons to give to you, my readers. 15 of you will receive 1 coupon good for a 64oz bottle of Healthy Balance Juice. This coupon has no expiration date, so if you can’t find Healthy Balance now, you may be able to later. You can always check their store finder.

I’m going to keep this giveaway simple so you only have a few ways to get extra entries this time. Please pay attention.

You must answer the required question in order for any of your entries to count.

Required: What is your New Years resolution?

Earn Extra Entries

1 Extra Entry -

* Follow @OldOrchardJuice on Twitter
* Follow me on Twitter @detroitmommy and then Press the Green Retweet button at the top of this post or you can RT from twitter.  Leave me a comment with a link to your tweet.
* Follow me on Google Friend Connect (Look to your right)

(Make sure you come back here and leave a separate comment for each of the extra entries you have done – each comment is an entry)

(Don’t know how to show me you RT’d? Just place your mouse directly under your tweet where it says “1 minute ago from web” and click to get the URL of your status update.

Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S., 18 yrs of age or older. Any posts not including the requested information will be deleted. This giveaway ends: Monday December 28, 2009 12am EST. Winners will be contacted immediately. If you want your coupon in time for New Years you have to respond as soon as possible.  In the event the winner does not respond to email within 3 days I will choose another random winner. If that is the case, unfortunately you will not get your coupon on time for New Years but hey, you’re still a winner! I will be using random.org to choose recipients.

Thank you to everyone who participated and congrats to the winners!

80 – Jessica
121 – Laura
116 -Nancy S.
79 – Karen G
131 – Dan V
130 – Jmarie
49 – Benita G.
102 – Dagmara
61 – Judy P
141 – Kimberly
150 – SharonAnne
112 – Storm
123 – Sheila Hickmon
134 – Susan
58 -  Cindy

Please check your email.