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As the ball drops on New Year’s Eve and we usher in 2022, many of us will consider goals and aspirations for the coming year. Often, we set unrealistic goals that are difficult to achieve, ultimately resulting in another year of failed resolutions. Instead of setting goals like losing twenty pounds, focus on goals that are trackable, achievable, and will help you make progress on those big goals. Here are three realistic health goals you should set for 2022. 

1. Drink more water. 

Depending on how active you are, you should try to drink between half an ounce to an ounce for every pound you weigh. For instance, if you weigh 160 lbs., you should drink between 80 – 160 ounces of water every day. There are many ways to make drinking enough water easier, such as figuring out your favorite way to drink it. Do you prefer glass bottles, tumblers, or steel canisters? Find your favorite container, then calculate how many bottles you need to drink every day to hit your goal. It is very helpful to set smaller goals throughout the day, such as one full bottle before you start work, three bottles before lunch, or two bottles after dinner. Health benefits of this goal include:

• Increased energy levels and alertness
• Aids in weight loss
• Promotes good digestive health

2. Take five 30-minute walks a week.

Another great and relaxing way to improve your health in 2022 is to go for five 30-minute walks every week. Walking is a phenomenal way to get some low-impact cardio in, and a great overall way to stay in shape. These walks can be done at any time of day – early risers may enjoy a walk to start their day, whereas others may prefer to walk on their lunch break or take an evening stroll. Health benefits of this goal include:

• Increased heart and lung fitness
• Improved management of high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Reduced stress
• Aids in weight loss

3. Get 7-9 hours of sleep.

While it may be tempting to stay up late binging on your favorite shows, getting enough sleep is crucial for your overall health. Getting enough sleep gives your body time to repair your muscles and form memories from the day. You should shoot for 8-9 hours of sleep every night, but make sure to consistently get at least 7 hours. Building a bedtime routine can help you achieve this goal – you can meditate, complete your skincare routine, or read for 15 minutes. Just focus on creating a routine to cue your body that it is time to rest. Health benefits of this goal include:

• Reduce stress and improve mood
• Lowers risk of major health problems like diabetes and heart disease
• Increased alertness and cognitive function

By setting the goals of drinking enough water, walking five days a week, and getting enough sleep, you can seriously improve your physical health and wellbeing in 2022. These goals are small and easily trackable, and by following this routine, you can reach even bigger goals like hitting a target weight or being a more focused and thoughtful person. Being healthy can also save you money by requiring fewer visits to the doctor, lower overall medical expenses, and maybe even a lower health insurance premium. 

It can be difficult planning for a future we cannot see. With the many financial products all aimed at fulfilling a financially “easy” retirement, how do we know which options are best? Will there be enough money to continue the same lifestyle or to at least pay the bills? Without a crystal ball, the financial anxiety is real and understandable. 

One product in particular isn’t reliant on mere hopes, parlor tricks, or a constantly changing economy: annuities. Annuities aren’t some loose and risky investment or prudish savings account – they are insurance for your retirement gap. Your retirement gap is that awkwardly large space between what you’ll get paid (or have saved) for retirement and what you’ll need to live a secure retirement. Here are 3 ways that annuities cover and close this gap, so that you can rest easy while planning for those seemingly dimly lit golden years: 

1) It’s guaranteed.  

Most people cannot live on social security alone or even with their pension combined. With annuities, you can rest assured that you will have the money you need to live comfortably through retirement. This legally binding, customizable contract between you and your insurance agency ensures that your premiums, or initial investment, will grow, tax-deferred, over the time allotted in your contract and that payday will arrive. 

2) You won’t outlive your annuity.  

Your annuity will continue to pay you for life, regardless if you choose immediate or deferred payments. In fact, your annuity can be passed onto a beneficiary, so it can actually outlive you. There are many types of annuities with different levels of risk and costs, so your insurance agent can best personalize this after discussing your situation and goals with you. 

3) There are tax incentives.  

One of the main advantages of annuities is that they are tax-deferred, meaning you won’t pay income tax on it until you withdraw or begin receiving payments. “This includes dividends, interest and capital gains, all of which may be fully reinvested while they remain in the annuity” (annuity.org). There are complex rules, though, that only your insurance agent or a tax professional should explain, so be sure to ask questions regarding taxes when shopping for the right annuity product. 

We all want to know that we will be safe and secure when we are our most vulnerable. Annuities are just the insurance we need to enjoy our senior years doing what we love and not worrying day-to-day about our finances that we worked so hard and long to build and protect. Annuities are the closest sure thing next to having a crystal ball. Call or email your insurance agent today 

to see how annuities can build your retirement to cover your needs and make your golden years a whole lot brighter and easier to see. 

With winter right around the corner, it’s time to start preparing for cold temperatures and snow. One of the things you may not have considered is what to do with your RV if it will be parked outdoors during these months. The good news is that there are a few easy steps you can take to prepare your RV for winter so that it stays in great condition through the cold weather season! 

This blog post will touch on the most important steps you need to take this winter season, including an overview of recreational insurance coverage and tips for how to keep your RV looking great despite the weather.  

Keep It Well Covered 

If you are using your RV more regularly around town in colder weather, it may be helpful to have a canopy or tarp that you can set up over your RV. To keep the snow out of the interior of your vehicle, attach these items on all sides so that they are secure and there is no way for snow to come inside. 

Keep It Clean 

One of the worst things that can happen during winter is for snow and ice to accumulate on your RV. This will make it difficult to see out of the windows and increase the chances of a breakdown or accident. Try to keep your RV clean by brushing off any snow or ice every time you use it and making sure there is no standing water anywhere on the vehicle. 

Disconnect and Store All Hoses  

When temperatures start to drop below freezing, water left in hoses can turn into ice and cause damage to your RV. Make sure you disconnect all of the hoses from your vehicle before winter sets in so that this does not happen. 

Check Your Insurance 

If you will not be using your RV during wintertime or if it is only used occasionally around town, then this step does not apply to you! However, if you plan on storing your RV outdoors rather than in a garage this winter season, make sure you contact an independent insurance agent at one of our locations near you today. A specialist will review your personal policy and advise whether any changes need to be made for the RV, such as increased recreational insurance coverage. 

The most important thing to remember is that you should always have a Recreational Vehicle policy in place. This type of insurance covers your RV when it’s being used for fun and pleasure, such as on vacation or during a road trip. Make sure your policy has the right coverage for your needs, including protection from damage caused by weather conditions like wind, hail and/or falling objects. 

If you need help finding recreational insurance coverage for your RV or other recreational vehicle, reach out to an independent agent today! They can search through a variety of options so that you can choose the one that fits best with your needs. To learn more about protecting your recreational vehicle before winter hits, visit our website. 

As 2021 draws to a close, it is time to begin implementing a strategy for the first quarter of 2022. Due to the increasing economic turbulence, we have experienced over the past two years, successful businesses must embrace flexibility – setting quarterly goals can help keep you on track for your bigger long-term aspirations. Here are five goals you should set for your small business for Q1 2022. 

1. Evaluate the Prior Year

Your first goal for Q1 should be to fully analyze your business’s performance over 2021. Review your prior year’s financial statements, assess your inventory, and review your current product or service mix. Additionally, review your marketing strategy and compare that to what you know about your customers. Based on the prior year, are buying behaviors changing or remaining consistent? 

2. Determine How to Measure Success

Another essential goal for Q1 of 2022 should be to determine your criteria for business success. While you may have the goal of “growing your business,” but what does that actually look like? The best goals are both practical and specific. Some possible Q1 goals could include: 

• Increase staff size from 12 to 15 
• Increase conversion rate by 3% 
• Reduce average hold time for incoming calls by 4 minutes 

3. Create a Budget

Creating an annual budget is an essential activity for any business of any size. A well thought out budget can help you manage expenses and deal with unexpected costs. Additionally, having a budget in place can help secure funding from traditional and alternative lenders. Make it a goal to create this budget in the first week of 2022, then revisit it at the end of each month. Compare your total Q1 projections to the actual expenses incurred – how close was your estimate? While budgeting is not always fun, it can make a world of difference in your business’s performance and longevity. 

4. Review Your Insurance Coverage

Another goal you should set for Q1 is to review your business insurance policy to ensure that you are adequately covered. There are many different types of insurance that different small businesses may need, such as: 

• General Liability Insurance 
• Professional Liability Insurance 
• Business Income Coverage 
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance 
• Data Breach Insurance 
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance 

Every business has different insurance needs – consult your local agent to ensure that your business is properly insured. Having the right insurance policy can give you peace of mind, allowing you to focus more on your business. 

5. Improve Employee Morale

Your final goal for the first quarter of 2022 should be to find a way to improve the lives of your employees. Take the time to meet with your people and talk with them about their experiences working at your business – what goes well, what doesn’t, and what could be improved? While all business owners should continually strive to make their business a better place to work, begin systematically tracking how your employees feel on a quarterly basis and take the actions necessary to improve employee morale and retention. While everyone appreciates a raise, there are many ways to improve employee morale without increasing expenses. Depending on the nature of your business, you could: 

• Offer remote work options 
• Allow a more casual dress code 
• Offer additional incentive-based PTO 
• Make an effort to recognize employee contributions at least once a month for all of Q1 

There are many more goals you could set for your small business in 2022, but these five will help ensure that the year starts off smoothly. By evaluating the prior year, setting standards of success, creating a budget, reviewing your insurance policy, and improving employee morale, 2022 could be your business’s best year yet. 

Most thieves aren’t lurking in dark alleys this holiday, but instead sitting comfortably at home drinking hot cocoa while stealing your identity. In 2020, the most by-category complaint filed with the FTC was identity theft, and the annual case rate and losses are expected to increase for 2021. Here are three big tips on how to keep your identity safe this holiday shopping season: 

Be alert. 

A recent study found that 47% of Americans experienced financial identity theft. Knowing that this is a concern is the first step, but there are many more that follow: 

• Set alerts for your checking account and debit and credit cards. Download apps for your financial institutions so that you can check transactions and balances from anywhere.  
• Check all devices you use for your cards and sensitive information. Gas pumps can have attachments known as “skimmers” that steal information. Update your home computer or tablet anti-spyware. 
• Beware of scammers using emails and texts ‘phishing’ for your sensitive information. The FTC has online tips for how to recognize and avoid phishing scams.  
• Filter phone calls within your phone carrier’s app. Many have features that allow you to send unknown calls, or likely scam calls, to voicemail or block them altogether.  
• Monitor your credit. The FTC advises to not call the three credit bureaus individually, but to instead access your credit report for free once a year by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. 

Be wise. 

The best protection involves forethought. Think now about these following items, and have a plan: 

• Your social security number needs to be used with extreme caution. Ask why this number is needed before giving it, and do not carry your social security card in your wallet. 
• Create strong passwords with authentication steps that further ensure it is you trying to access your information. 
• Shred sensitive documents.  
• Ask your insurance agent about identity theft protection as a rider on your home insurance policy.  
• Freeze your credit. This is free and can last until you remove it. No one can access your credit report, not even you, avoiding any fraud. Just contact one of these three credit bureaus- Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion- to freeze and eventually unfreeze your credit. 

Act quickly. 

If you suspect someone is using your sensitive information, consider taking the following steps swiftly: 

• Notify your financial institutions. Put them on high alert, and consider canceling any cards as lost or stolen. 
• Place a Fraud Alert on your credit report by contacting one of the aforementioned three credit bureaus. This makes it harder for anyone to open a new credit line in your name. Fraud Alerts are also free, last for one year, and are renewable. 
• Report. According to the FTC, you should “visit IdentityTheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft” and look for identity-theft resources in your community by visiting ftc.gov/idtheft. 

Everyone is at risk for identity theft, so being alert and knowing what to do will help mitigate the risk but also possibly soften the blow. Speak with your financial advisor or insurance agent on the latest scams and how to best protect yourself from identity theft. 

Having the right home insurance policy will protect your home and belongings, and additionally cover your liability exposure from owning a home. You are probably aware of the typical events that home insurance covers, such as vandalism, fires, fallen trees, wind damage, or even lightning strikes. However, not all natural events are covered by all home insurance policies – many policies do not cover losses in the event of an earthquake or flood, meaning the policyholder would need to seek additional insurance to be fully protected. While it is best to consult your insurance agent to see your coverage, here are five surprising things you might not know your home insurance covers.

1. Identity Theft

One surprising event that is covered by your home insurance policy is identity theft. Many home insurance policies allow reimbursement for the costs of identity theft, such as lost wages or legal fees. Please note that this type of coverage is not guaranteed in all policies, so check with your agent to see if you are covered. 

2. Property of College Kids

If your children have grown up and moved off to college, their property may still be protected under your home insurance policy. Policies typically cover anyone living in your household, as well as children under the age of 24, meaning your college-aged child may still be protected. It is important to note that the liability limit for students’ property may be lower, and not all policies cover off-campus housing. If this is a major concern, consider adding renter’s insurance to guarantee total protection. 

3. Mandatory Home Upgrades

If there is legislation passed that requires you to make changes or improvements to your home, the cost of those changes is typically covered by your home insurance policy. There are usually limits to this type of coverage, so check with your agent to see the specific coverage your policy offers. 

4. Harm Caused by Pets

Another surprising thing that is frequently covered by home insurance is medical expenses incurred from something such as your dog biting someone. However, many policies have a limit of $300,000 for medical expenses, so talk to your agent to see if you need to supplement your policy with additional protection.  

5. Riots/Civil Unrest

Many home insurance policies provide you with protection for your home and personal property in the event of civil unrest, frequently referred to in the insurance world as “civil commotion.” Events such as fire, vandalism, or even explosions are typically covered. If the damage is done during a time not officially declared as a state of emergency, it is important to obtain a police report to submit when you file your claim. 

While you might not have thought these five things would be covered by your home insurance policy, there are many other surprising events that your policy is likely to cover. To see exactly what your policy covers, or if you need supplemental insurance to fully protect yourself, contact your local insurance agent today. 

With winter on the way, it is the perfect time to prepare your vehicle for the rough and rugged colder months. Here are 7 tips to keep your ride road-ready:

1) Tires

Make sure you have proper inflation according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once you are sure you are at the correct psi for each tire, check the tread on your tires using “the penny test.” Place a penny head-first into the tread on several spots on your tire. If you can’t see the top of Lincoln’s head, you’re good. If you can see it, you may need to take your vehicle in for new, safe tires with good tread for this winter.

2) Brakes

Without even looking at your brake pads, you can get a feel (or sound) for if your brakes need to be replaced. Listen and feel for grinding or squeaking when you apply pressure to the pedal. You may also notice the vehicle requires more time and space to safely stop. If this is the case, roll on into your favorite mechanic’s garage as soon as possible.

3) Battery

Seasonal changes in temps can highlight a dying battery. If your battery is taking longer to start your car, especially in the colder weather, or if there is corrosion on the battery posts, swing by an auto parts store for a battery test so that you aren’t left stranded in the cold.

4) Lights

Winter tends to mean longer periods of darkness for many of us, so check all exterior lights. Functional headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are a must in the winter months which usually carry low visibility.

5) Fluids & Lube

Check all fluid levels- engine oil, transmission, windshield washer, coolant, brakes, power steering. It is okay to “top it off” occasionally when fluids are low, but eventually, fluids need to be flushed out before new is added. Windshield washer fluid can also be replaced with one that contains de-icer, and graphite lubricant added to the door lock cylinders can keep the locks from freezing. When the cold and ice strike, rest assured you’ll be ready.

6) Windshield Wipers

Inspect your wiper blades for wear and tear. Wipe the blade with a clean cloth, and run a quick trial of the washer fluid to see if the blades smoothly glide across your windshield without any, or much, interference. If there are loud squeaks and obnoxious streaks, it may be time for a new set.

7) Emergency Kit

Beyond the store-bought kit, you can also make your own that is season-specific. Grab a small bag and stuff it with items to keep you safe, warm, and hydrated if stranded. In your trunk or behind a seat near the kit, keep a small shovel and some cat litter to help you get out when stuck. Depending on your “prepper-level,” you can really prepare for the road’s worst with an extra ice-scraper, phone charger, flashlights, snacks, crank radio, roadside flares, etc., so get carried away! Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Auto Insurance Checkup 

Your brakes and tires are not the only things that need a checkup every winter. Before the cold hits, it’s a good idea to check in with your insurance agent and ensure that your auto coverage is doing everything it can to protect you this winter. Give your local agent a call today to make sure your car is protected.

Holidays are supposed to be about sharing good times with family and friends, so we’ve gathered some tips for how to avoid the biggest risks to your season of cheer. 

Illness 

Transmissible viruses are the biggest risk when celebrating the holidays. Avoiding people when sick is key, but sometimes it is accidental or unavoidable. Washing your hands frequently and taking other proper cautions suggested by the CDC can help mitigate viral infections taking hold. 

Mental health can also be tried and tested during the holidays. Stress, over-eating, consumption of alcohol, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can all lead to an unhealthy mental state. This is as important a time of the year as ever to take care of yourself and reach out for help when needed. Self-care can go a long way, but it isn’t a cure-all, nor should anyone who isn’t a professional take on the sole task of ensuring or improving someone’s mental health; call your physician. 

Food  

Taking care when preparing those delicious dishes, such as avoiding cross-contamination and washing hands and prepping surfaces thoroughly with warm soapy water, is important, but not keeping food at the proper temperature is the most frequent cause of foodborne illness over the holiday season. There is a strain of bacteria called C. perfringens that is associated with cooked foods left out at room temperature, a common holiday occurrence. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this bacteria is to blame for nearly a million cases of foodborne illness in the U.S. alone each year, with more cases happening in November and December. Try to keep your cooked and refrigerated food temperatures out of the danger zone, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help keep you and your dinner guests safe to spread the good tidings and cheer while breaking bread. 

Fire  

Fire According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.” Be alert, follow cooking directions, and keep all burnables away from the stovetop. Fireplaces and candles carry similar risks during the holidays due to increased use in winter cold months and the abundance of decorations, and one small spark can ruin holiday plans and worse. Never leave a candle or fire unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Avoid using open-flame heating and lighting sources, and opt for safer, battery-operated, or electric sources instead. 

Décor  

With all of these decorations, the most dangerous is the Christmas tree and its lighting. Live Christmas trees dry out when not properly watered or if cut too early or left up too long. Be sure to pay attention to this as well as the electrical load on the sources. NFPA found that “electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.” 

NFPA also reports that, excluding Christmas trees, in 2014-2018, fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $11 million in direct property damage in the U.S. Help keep this completely preventable occurrence from wreaking havoc around the holidays. Take the proper precautions to ensure a warm, but safe, holiday. 

Slips & Falls  

The CDC reported in a relatively recent study on holiday-decorating-related falls that most injuries were to men aged 20 to 49 years, and many were caused by falls from ladders. The big take-away? “Prevention strategies should focus on raising awareness about falls and promoting safety practices during the holiday season,” and we want to help. 

Clear your work area of these tripping hazards, make sure you have good lighting, and take caution in poor conditions when outside. Wear good shoes and proper clothing for the weather and task. Ask someone to help brace your ladder and hand you tools to cut down on trips up and down from heights. Overall, awareness is key and knowing that this injury is a top contender every year for ruining someone’s joy can be enough to help protect your holiday season from the blues due to injury. 

Make sure that your holiday season doesn’t succumb to the pitfalls of celebrating these winter months. With awareness and some forethought on safety, you can make these holidays something you want to remember for years to come.   

October is a magical time of year. Crisp Autumn mornings, the changing colors of the leaves, and the massive displays in stores are all signs of one thing: Halloween is drawing near. While ghosts, ghouls, and goblins may be frightening enough, what if we told you there are many more things to fear on Halloween? Though the malicious monsters will fade away after midnight, lacking the proper insurances to protect your home and property can give you a scare that lasts for months or even years to come. To enjoy this holiday with peace of mind, follow these tips to protect yourself inside and outside your home. 

At Home – The Risks: 

While you may offer treats to your visitors on Halloween, some people may choose a trick instead. According to Geico’s research from 2019, instances of vandalism increase by 30% on Halloween compared to the average number of daily claims. Additionally, Halloween is the third most common day for auto theft. Beyond these outside risks, homeowners should also be mindful of potential insurance claims due to fires or injuries to trick-or-treaters. 

How to Prepare: 

To minimize risks while still enjoying the holiday, we recommend that homeowners first ensure that their property is sufficiently well-lit. Bright lighting can serve as a deterrent from would-be vandals. It can also illuminate any potential tripping-hazards in your yard. To protect your vehicle from possible vandalism or theft, it is ideal to park it inside a garage. If this is not an option, park in a well-lit area, lock your doors, and remove any tempting valuables that can be seen from outside. Once you have ensured that your home is well-lit and your car is parked securely, begin reviewing that your decorations have been set up safely. Check your yard for potential tripping hazards such as hidden extension cords or divots in the ground. After confirming that there are no tripping hazards outside the home, check your decorations for potential fire hazards. It’s best to avoid open flames in favor of battery-operated candles or LED lighting as a safer alternative. Ensure that you do not drape any fabrics over these lights to avoid a possible fire. Lastly, confirm that you are appropriately insured from all the spooky possibilities below: 

• Comprehensive Auto Insurance: This will cover your vehicle in the event of vandalism or theft.  
• Homeowners Insurance/Condo Insurance: For traditional single-family homes, Homeowners Insurance will protect you in the event of vandalism or theft inside the house. If you live in a condo, condo insurance protects you from vandalism or theft inside your home. 

Going Out – The Risks: 

Whether you have children to take trick-or-treating, or you are attending a party, many people choose to spend Halloween away from home. This can make for a fun and memorable night, but celebrators should be careful while on the road. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Traffic Safety Administration reports that an average of 32 people are killed in automotive accidents every Halloween, with 42% of those incidents involving at least one drunk driver. Additionally, Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians, with the second deadliest day being November 1 due to incidents after midnight on Halloween. The National Safety Council reports that children are more than twice as likely to be stricken and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.  

How to Prepare: 

First, whether you are walking or driving, put any electronic devices away. While distracted driving at any time can be a deadly endeavor, the increased foot traffic due to trick-or-treaters requires that drivers be particularly cautious. Remain vigilant of people walking in the road and watch for children in dark costumes that may be difficult to see. If you are trick-or-treating with your children, try to place yourself between them and the road to prevent them from running out. Additionally, look to incorporate reflective tape or lights into your costumes to increase visibility from the road. To stay safe and protected from these risks, make sure you are adequately insured: 

• Automotive Liability Insurance: This insurance covers medical costs for others if you injure them in a car accident. Additionally, this form of insurance can help pay for legal expenses in a lawsuit relating to an automotive accident. Check your policy to confirm the coverage limit. 

• Uninsured Motorist/Personal Injury Protection Insurance: These forms of insurance can cover damages in the event of a hit-and-run or other automotive vs. pedestrian incidents. They could cover the medical bills or lost wages as a result of the accident. Please note that rules regarding these forms of insurance vary from state to state; check with your local insurance agent for state-specific questions. 

For more information on ways to properly cover your home and other property with insurance, talk to your local agent today to build the perfect insurance bundle that is right for you.

We all know that sugar is not good for our bodies, but the scary repercussions do not seem to be fully realized when we look at American culture. Many of our holidays revolve around food, and, particularly and not coincidentally, processed and refined foods such as candy. Americans love candy and purchase around twenty-four pounds of candy per person, per year, ingesting the most around Halloween.

Americans, we have a problem.

Too much sugar is poisonous for our bodies. Sugar overworks the liver and pancreas and causes inflammation. It directly and indirectly leads to a wide array of health problems, from tooth decay and obesity to heart disease and diabetes. Removing sugar from your diet can even lower your chances of suffering from the worst symptoms and conditions from Covid-19.

In a study on the effects of sugar on heart health published in 2014, “people who got 17% to 21% of their calories from added sugar had a 38% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who consumed 8% of their calories as added sugar.”

So we know it is bad, but there are important questions that remain: How much is too much and how do we change?

How much is too much?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that “on average, sugar makes up 17% of what children consume each day,” way more than what the Food Pyramid suggests. It isn’t feasible for us to track our sugar using a pyramid graph, but there are more reasonable ways we can monitor and evaluate our sugar consumption.

Nutrition labels have continuously improved over the years in containing a wealth of info that should not be ignored. The American Heart Association recommends you look to this label and keep your daily intake to under twenty-five grams (or six teaspoons) for women and under 36 grams (or nine teaspoons) for men.

What to do about it.

Of course, there’s an app for that, but we can’t expect ourselves to digitally track sugar intake for every member in our home. One of the easiest ways to monitor is to limit and even cut sugary foods in their entirety from the shopping list.

Who is in charge of the shopping and meal preparations? Start here. Limit or remove foods that contain refined sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, listed on the labels. Replace sugary drinks, which is the main way children consume sugar, with healthier options such as milk and water. Begin this healthy overhaul before the food even enters your home.

Don’t be a total killjoy, especially around the holidays, but do be conscientious of what is going into your and your children’s bodies. Don’t leave candy lying in plain view – out of sight, out of mind, right? Impose limits on daily sugar intake that follow the guidelines for children (25 grams per day for children 2 and older) and for adults, especially if you have dietary restrictions for a health condition.

Other ways are to choose healthier options. Insider ranked almost two dozen fan-favorite candies from worst to best (Smarties are “best”). Whole fruits and low- to no-calorie sweeteners are another, healthier way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Most importantly, be mindful of what goes into your body, and if you buy the groceries, pay mind to those who look to you for guidance on living a healthy lifestyle. There are many resources around you. Ask your doctor, dentist, and even your insurance agent about these resources to cut costs and improve your dental, health, and life insurance plans. Heeding advice now will have more rewards than a king-size candy bar can offer! Your health is invaluable – treat it that way.