Diet Tip: Sugar Cubes!

Because I think it would be too difficult to completely eliminate sugar from my diet (I do run a bakeshop, after all), I’ve been looking for ways to lessen my intake of the sweet stuff. And here’s one I’ve been particularly pleased with: sugar cubes!

Here’s the thing about sugar cubes: they’re like pre-portioned sugar, so you know exactly what you’re getting in one or two cubes. One sugar cube is approximately equal to 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar, and contains around 25 calories (sometimes less, depending on the size of the cube). Sugar cubes were invented by Jakub Krystof Rad, whose wife was tired- literally- of having to cut into sugar “loaves”, which is how most sugar was available in those days (the 1840s). Before packets came along, they were considered the most convenient way of carrying a bit of the sweet stuff around.

So when I have cornflakes for breakfast, I no longer bring out my jar of sugar, spooning away with abandon. Now, I add 3 cubes to my bowl of cereal- and I know I’m only adding 75 calories to my breakfast. Isn’t that cool?

And as for packets- I suppose they could work the same way, but where’s the fun? Sugar cubes can be made into sculptures, colored, and- of course- left out for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. Then there’s the classic scene in Moonstruck, when Cher and her father toast her engagement by dropping sugar cubes in their champagne glasses (a classic champagne cocktail recipe, apparently).