Painless ways to cut sugar out of your diet

It is no surprise that refined white sugar is pretty bad for your health. But how do you cut sugar out of your diet for good?

Stop buying processed foods: This is probably the hugest change you can make in your diet when it comes to cutting out sugar. Practically everything you buy that comes in a box, bag, or can has added sugars.

Choose whole, fresh fruit over juice, dehydrated, or other fruit products: Juices and dehydrated fruit taste great, of course: they are almost pure sugar! Added to this is the fact that all or most of the fibre is gone. Treat your body to the natural benefits of fruit and eat it fresh and whole.

Try xylitol or stevia: Not everyone can tolerate xylitol, and not everyone likes the taste of stevia. But if you can, and do, then they make acceptable substitutes for sugar. Just do not overdo it with them. You are better off just lowering your sweetener intake entirely rather than trying to find an acceptable substitute.

Try dark chocolate: If your sugar addiction comes in the form of a chocolate habit, then switch to dark chocolate. It is better for you, has great health benefits, and you probably would not be able to eat an entire bar of dark chocolate like you can milk chocolate.

Cut out soda: Trade soda for water with lime or lemon in it and you will cut your sugar intake in a huge way. If you still need something bubbly, drink soda water, either plain or with lime or lemon.