If you want to cut back but don't think you can completely eliminate sugar all at once, then just gradually reduce your sugar intake. If you drink lots of soda, cut back by a few per day, same thing with cookies, cakes and other sweets. Yes you can replace some of the simple sugars with sugar from more healthful choices, such as fruit. Eventually you might switch from regular soda to diet soda. The best would be to eliminate all soda completely, as some of the artificial sweetners aren't great for you if consumed in large quantities. Having said that, from studies I have read, you'd have to consume more artificial sweetner than humanly possible to have a negative effect on your health.

The best artificial sweetner for me is Splenda. It's known as sucralose, and is zero calorie sweetener, great for those who need less carbohydrates in their diets. It's made from sugar that is converted it to a no-calorie, non-carbohydrate sweetener. Splenda tastes remarkably like regular sugar without the calories

Truvia is another great sweetner which is made from the stevia plant which is native to Paraguay. Truvia is made from the part of the stevia leaf known as rebiana, erythritol and natural flavors.

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We owe initial proliferation of sugar cane throughout the civilised world to Alexander the Great way back around 327BC. Virtually all animals have a propensity to a sweet tooth so it soon caught on. Recent weather conditions have likely not been conducive to growth so, whilst demand is ever on the rise, the world wide sugar production is more likely to be down. In turn this will lead to price rises so now might be a good time to be thinking about reducing consumption. We all need a certain amount of sugar to produce the energy needed to get through the day but this need can be met more healthily through consumption of a balanced diet without recourse to adding refined sugars.

First of all you need to analyse where and when you are adding sugar to your diet. Having done that think about the alternatives available to you to reduce your consumption.

Shopping basket - The place to start is with your purchases. If you don't buy it you can't eat it. So each time you go shopping start by making a list of what you intend to buy. You will have to be very strong willed. Don't cut everything out to start with but consider, could you substitute a savoury alternative to a sweet snack? Once in the shop, as you find your hand reaching out to a sweet(ened) product stop and review your need.

Added to drinks. Sudden cessation of added sugar might be a shock to the taste-buds that you couldn't cope with but think about gradually reducing the amount that you use. Consider, also, using a natural alternative whilst you learn to stop sweetening. Rather than drinking tea and/or coffee consider substitution of one or other of the fruit, herbal preparation, if not every time at least some of it. These are often already sweet enough. They are not all the same so you might have to try a few before you find one that you really like and don't need to sweeten. Green tea is also something to consider. This is full of anti-oxidants so a very healthy alternative but are very bitter if made with too little water or left to stew so bear this in mind if you do try them.

Added to cereals - Instead of adding milk and sugar to your breakfast cereals try soya milk, yoghurt, fruit juices or even a fresh fruit salad. Alternatively find a substitute such as a slice of toast with peanut butter or mashed banana.

Contained in processed foods - Many, though not all, processed foods are made with trans fats, saturated fats, and high levels of sodium and sugar. If these form a large part of your diet you should look at finding alternatives or at least eat them sparingly. Rather than purchasing ready made meals try to find time to make your own so you can control or leave out any added sugars. Instead of tinned or bottled vegetables look to using fresh or frozen alternatives, they do not take that much more effort and you soon get used to starting meal preparation a little earlier. If necessary do it in the morning or the night before.

Sweetened puddings and deserts - If these are a normal part of your diet, they can often be loaded with sugars. It would be drastic to cut out all puddings if they are a regular part of your diet but consider cutting down on the amount of sugar you add or substitute a natural sweetening product when making them - or make your own if you usually buy. Limit the frequency and think about reduced or sugar free alternatives instead. The obvious starting place is a piece of fruit. Alternatives to that might be cheese and crackers, greek yoghurt with fresh fruits, smoothies or milkshakes made from fresh fruit.

Biscuits, cakes and sweets - If you have a sweet tooth there is likely to be a good supply of any or all of these in your cupboard. Cut down on stock then replace with smaller quantities. Replace with savoury products, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, popping corn, nuts and seeds. If you like to nibble then keep a bowl of fresh chopped vegetables ready in the fridge (celery, carrots, brocolli, whatever are your favourites). You can do the same with fruit but, if using such as apple or pear, might need to add a dash of lemon juice to stop the browning of oxidisation. Then when tempted to indulge reach for this instead of the sweeties. Popcorn takes only a couple of minutes to make in the microwave - use a covered glass or ceramic bowl and beware that it will get very hot - add spices instead of sugars if it is too bland for you.

Soda drinks. Try to cut these out altogether and replace them with natural fruit or vegetable alternatives. If you really cannot envisage life without a bit of fizz then consider splashing out on a drinks machine like the soda stream. Although not as gassy as shop bought sodas, in using a soda machine you are in control of the added sweetness and can determine exactly what goes in.

Natural sweeteners commonly available are fructose, honey, xylitol, maple syrup or stevia, they don’t really provide much in the way of nutritional value but they are a better option to the artificial alternatives.

I have recently started doing this. I did this by quitting cold turkey. It seemed hard at first, but after a week or so I stopped wanting it! I'm not going to lie, sometimes I crave it, but I realize it's just my brain saying, "you want this", but it's also now realizing that I don't need it.

I started this about four weeks ago, and have lost 10 pounds. I was never one to drink pop, but I did drink tea. I stopped for a while, but just today I found sugar free tea at wal-mart, and I LOVE it. :)

My advice to you is to do what you can. I cut my intake to 30g sugar/day, but for the past few days I've only taken in around 13g or so. I feel much healthier, and am noticing a change in my body.

I hope this helps you. Set a realistic goal, and remember to always check the sugar amount in the foods you eat. Sugar is in a lot of things that you may not realize, such as bread, condiments, some cheese, juices, peanut butter, etc. Another thing that may help you is to use a journal. I keep one, and I like seeing myself only have a few grams a day, when I realize that I used to have 5 or 10x's it in just one drink.

GOOD LUCK! It won't be easy at first, but it will DEFINITELY be worth it!

If you need help or tips, you can email me at ashley.hamilton@otterbein.edu!

Sugar is addicting, so the best way to quick on some level is cold turkey. If you are used to have snack cakes and sugery desserts available to you at home, stop buying them - that will curb you somewhat. You will find you quickly develop a finer sense of taste that has been numbed by eating sugar, and start enjoying whole foods more.

There is a lot of hidden sugar in processed food, 58 grams in a medium sized McDonald's fruit smoothie! that's like four times the amount of sugar in a large size coke. Speaking of which, soda is rife with sugar you don't need, if you like fizzier, start subbing with fizzy water.

Fruit juice is also way sugary, and no better for you than corn syrup or cane sugar. Eat an orange rather than drinking the juice. IF you like the taste of juice try watering it down until you wean yourself off of the stuff.

Anything you make yourself at home will have less sugar than stuff you buy, so make your own cookies and cakes from scratch if you have a hankering. Use whole wheat for some extra fiber. A fruit smoothie made at home from plain yogurt and real fruit will have much less sugar than one from a fast food place

I have recently been engaged in a similar diet.
The best way to cut back on sugar is to limit your processed food intake. Start eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Cut back a little at a time. Its also important to not try to do this cold turkey. Your body as a young adult or middle aged person still needs sugar for proper cell growth and healing .

Kind Regards,
XDS

The only thing you need to have to quit sugar is your strong will, you can go with other sugar substitutes as they taste similar and they do not add any calories in the diet.

The best way to cut sugar out of your diet is to gradually reduce it from your diet. Cut out sugar and carbohydrates. When I became a diabetic I had to change my whole diet and quit eating or drinking anything with sugar in it immediately and I got BAD headaches and I was real moody so I would suggest slowly cutting down. Agave Nectar, which is a type of cactus, that works great for replacing sugar. First of all, stay away from anything sweetened with aspartame, or any other chemical or artificial sweetener.Stevia is another good replacement for sugar and contains no additive or other ingredients. Also, it is about 10 times sweeter than sugar, so just a pinch will make your food or drinks just right. It is great because it can come in powdered form or liquid form and it also comes in different flavors. I added two great videos that are helpful and I wish you the best of luck and be strong and stay away from those soft drinks!!!!.