Cutting Back on Sugar: Laura Hoover, MPH, RD on Liz’s Healthy Table

Sugar is everywhere in our food supply, and we eat a lot of it. Children especially crave sweets, and many parents struggle to limit them. The average U.S. child consumes nearly 80 grams (about 20 teaspoons) of added sugar per day—almost half a cup. On this week’s podcast, dietitian and mom Laura Chalela Hoover, MPH, RD, joins me to discuss her new book Mom’s Sugar Solution. She shares practical tips for reducing your family’s sugar intake, easy strategies to curb cravings, and lower-sugar versions of kid-approved recipes. You’ll hear about Raspberry Chia Mini Muffins made with honey and a Ruby Red Soda with no added sugar—proof that food can be sweet and delicious without added sugar.

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I have a sweet tooth too, so I was excited to have Laura on the show to share her best strategies for cutting sugar. Because humans are biologically inclined to like sweetness from birth, Laura recommends a gradual approach—slowly weaning your family off high-sugar foods rather than eliminating them all at once. Her book doesn’t ban treats; it offers lower-sugar alternatives for favorites, including desserts. You can still enjoy cake in moderation while reducing overall added sugar.

Stick around for a chance to win a copy of Mom’s Sugar Solution, plus freebies and discounts from Laura for the Liz’s Healthy Table community.

Are you ready to try new ways to tame your sweet tooth? I am!

“All kinds of sugar are equal when it comes to calories.”

– Laura Hoover

I’m giving away a copy of Mom’s Sugar Solution!

• Laura describes her family’s favorite foods and how they approach sweets at home.
• Sugar is the top challenge parents face when feeding kids.
• We discuss why humans are wired to prefer sweet flavors and how to work with that tendency.
• Guidance on how much sugar is appropriate and realistic ways to reduce it.
• A demo for making Ruby Red Soda without added sugar.
• How to identify different sources of sugar in packaged and prepared foods.
• The AAP notes that a small amount of sugar can increase the appeal of healthy foods like oatmeal—ideas for using that concept wisely.
• Pairing protein with sweet foods can help blunt blood sugar spikes and improve satiety.
• A frank conversation about high-fructose corn syrup and what to consider.
• Tips for reading labels and spotting added sugars—become a sugar detective.
• How buzzwords like “organic” and “natural” can be misleading when it comes to sugar content.
• Why I love Laura’s Raspberry Chia Mini Muffins (recipe included in the show notes).
• Ideas for stocking a pantry with kid-friendly, lower-sugar staples using Laura’s free 100 Pantry Staples list.
• Special offer: 20% off Laura’s personalized wellness counseling for LHT listeners/readers.

Contact:

My email: [email protected]

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