Are You Hooked On SUGAR?!

HAPPY Fridayyyyy!
I hope you've had a fabulous AND productive week :D Are you ready for another weekend?! I am! BRING IT ON!! Tomorrow I'm putting on my favorite apron, cranking up some awesome music, and baking plenty of fabulous desserts...some are even on the HEALTHY side! WOOO WHOOO!!
Obviously, I have desserts on the brain...lol! Which also helped me decide what to post today ;)

QUESTION: Are you hooked on SUGAR?!
Sweets flood our brain with the same chemical involved in a high from drugs. Keep eating them and that response hijacks your brain to crave more and more sugar, says Nicole Avena, Ph.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai. That's trouble for our weight and health.
Answer the few following questions and see if you're headed for the "can't stop" turf ;)

1. You promise yourself just 1 bite of a nearby brownie. Do you:
a. Take 1 bite, maybe 2. Yum! That was good.
b. Finish the whole thing. Oops.
c. Finish it and reach for another, plus a cookie. (why stop now?)

2. How do you feel about it?
a. Great! What's the big deal?
b. OK, but I'll try to eat a healthy dinner tonight.
c. Embarrassed and guilty. Did anyone see me?

3. Have you tried cutting back on sugary foods? 
a. Not in a big way. I don't eat that many.
b. Yes, but it's tough.
c. Yes, and it made me irritable and want to binge on more sweets.

4. You ate a big dinner. Dessert?
a. No, thanks.
b. Yes, but lets share.
c. Yes, and now I'm stuffed and my stomach aches. Why couldn't I resist?

5. Is your sugar intake contributing to weight or health problems?
a. My weight is in a healthy range.
b. I could stand to lose a few pounds.
c. Yes, my blood sugar is on the high side and/or I'm carrying extra weight.

HOW YOU SCORED!

MOSTLY A's
You're sugar smart!
You enjoy sweets in moderation. Well done! Just remember that there's sugar hiding in most processed foods (including things that aren't sweet, like some salad dressings and breads), so you may be consuming more then you think. Read the ingredients list on food labels. Look for code words like brown rice syrup, juice concentrate, and any ending in -ose.

MOSTLY B's
Sounds like a sweet tooth!
The occasional dessert can work in any diet, just adjust your calories for the day to accommodate it. Try to consume no more then 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day (25 grams), 9 teaspoons if you're male (38 grams). Smart swaps: Trade sweetened yogurt for plain (mix in your own berries), or add 1 packet of sugar in your coffee instead of 2.

MOSTLY C's
You and sugar might need a break!
If you can't cut back or you feel guilty or out of control, you have a problem with sugar. Loosen its hold by knowing how much you get. Track every gram of sugar you eat (try the MyFitnessPal app). This will reveal the likely surprising amount you consume. Then, cut back slowly. That's easier for most people then going cold turkey.

Did you take the quiz? :D Are you happy with the results?!
Good thing I am because I bought all the ingredients for baking tomorrow...lol! If you're not happy with the results, don't get discouraged!! REMEMBER...we're a work in progress :) 
Have an AWESOME weekend!
See you on Monday!!