There’s so many fads and different opinions that navigating through healthy eating can be really hard. Over the next 4 weeks I’m going to break down some of the goods and bads -- and you might find there’s some “goods” you weren’t expecting.

If you don't want to wait 4 weeks and want to jump right into healthy changes, make sure to sign up for Healthy Jump Start. It's a free 7 day challenge that will come right to your inbox.

Today's topic: SUGAR.

Not all sugar is bad. Say whaaaat!? Did I just make your life? It’s alright - take a minute to soak it in. Not all sugar is bad. You don’t need to deprive yourself. You’re welcome. In Healthy Eating Challenge, you're going to learn all about sugar intake, how to read food labels, and how to recognize which items may be holding you back from feeling good and reaching your fitness goals. For today, we're going to narrow our focus.

In general, there are two types of sugar: natural sugar and added sugar.

Natural sugars are the kind that naturally occur in food - like fruit. All fruit has natural sugar. If you’re just starting out on your healthy eating journey - don’t worry about your natural sugar intake at all. I don't mean to go crazy or anything, but don’t stress about it. Eat that fruit! Eat those whole foods!

Typically when you focus on natural sugar you have less room in your stomach for added sugar.

If you feel like that last statement doesn't apply to you, don't worry keep reading.

Added sugars are any sugars that do NOT naturally occur in foods. Basically if you look at any ingredient list and you see sugar included, that’s added sugar. Sometimes food companies use other sugar ingredients, but we’re not going to get into the nitty gritty right now cause there are literally over 50 different names for added sugar. We'd be here all day but I want to tell you that if you are eating only foods that come with a label I can gaurantee you are eating too much added sugar.

Over the next couple of blog posts, we're going to break it all down and talk about how to transition your food in little ways that add up instead of insisting you go cold turkey for 21 days. Who thinks up that crap anyway?

Summary: Natural sugar -- good; Added sugar -- bad

Buuuut… Don't forget that I told you that you don’t have to deprive yourself. That wasn’t a trick.

Just watch your added sugar intake and shoot to consume natural sugar first.

Women should shoot for no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day and men should shoot for no more than 37 grams daily.

I promise it's easier said than done but completely worth it if you're looking for more energy, a more clear mind, and to lose some of the jiggle. We all have goals and this sugar info will definitely help each one.

The real summary: Natural sugar = good; (Too much) added sugar = bad

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