Treat List

In the RENEW Program, we don't believe in being perfect.

Overly-strict diets, restriction, and labeling food with moral terms such as “good” or “bad” doesn’t lead to long-term success.

Lifelong success comes from practicing moderation and learning to choose our treats with intention.

There’s room for treats (not cheats) in everyone’s life!

Below is a list of the items the RENEW Program would consider a treat. These are items that aren't health-promoting but can make life fun when had in moderation.

We'd like you to practice budgeting 2 treats per day, or 14 per week (1 serving = 1 treat).

Alcohol

Fried foods

• French fries, mozzarella sticks, fried chicken, fried wings, etc.

Red meat

• Beef, pork, lamb, bison, buffalo, etc.

Processed meat

• Deli meats, sausages, hot dogs, charcuterie, dried meats, etc.

Foods with > 10g added sugar

Commonly found in...

• Cakes

• Cookies

• Pies

• Candy

• Coffee creamers

• Cereal

• Gummies

• Chocolate

• Dried fruit

• Nutella

• Oatmeal

• Granola

• Whipped cream

• Ice cream

• Frozen yogurt

• Milkshakes

Beverages with > 10g added sugar

Commonly found in...

• Fruit juices

• Sweet tea

• Lemonade

• Sodas

• Sports drinks (Gatorade, PowerAde, etc.)

• Chocolate milk

• Hot chocolate

• Condensed milk

• Pre-bottled smoothie

"Enriched" flour products

Commonly found in...

• White pasta

• White rice

• White bread

• Pastries

• Bagels

• Donuts

• Pizza

• Crackers

• Pretzels

Items with high amounts of sodium

• > 600 mg for entree

• > 300 mg for side dish/snack

Commonly found in...

• Soups

• Frozen meals

• Condiments

• Restaurant/take-out foods

Highly processed snacks

• Movie popcorn

• Chips

• Veggie chips

• Cheese puffs

• Cheese crackers

• Pudding

• Syrupy fruit cups

• American cheese/Velveeta cheese product

“Added Sugars.” Www.heart.org, American Heart Association, 2 Nov. 2021, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 8). Salt. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/salt/index.htm

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Nutrition and weight status. Healthy People 2020. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-status