February 11, 2016
Want To Give Up Sugar? Kick The Habit With These Easy Steps
It is rather unfair that something that tastes so delicious could be so unhealthy for us! But, when it comes to sugar, that is the reality. “Sugar provides calories and no other nutrients,” reports the National Institute of Health. While it isn't providing you with any nutrients, it is increasing your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and tooth decay.
Sugar is nearly everywhere and giving it up can seem impossible but before you quit on the idea of quitting, try these 3 tips for cutting your consumption the easy way!

1. Start Slow
Remember, we said this is the easy way to give up sugar. No sense in rushing in and going cold turkey. “It's important to recognize that any change in palate takes time,” says Vandana Sheth, R.D.N., certified diabetes educator and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Being addicted to sugar is a very real problem. Some studies have suggested that a sugar addiction is more powerful than a cocaine addiction! It isn't dangerous for you to go off sugar all at once but it may be difficult for you maintain long term. Sheth suggests you try to wean yourself in a slow and steady fashion. If you typically take your coffee with two sugars, take one and a half for a week and only one the following week. If you usually lounge on the sofa with a bag of cookies, take one cookie and put the bag away. Cutting down in this fashion will prevent you from feeling deprived and give your taste buds the opportunity to adjust. [bctt tweet="Want To Give Up Sugar? Kick The Habit With These Easy Steps"]2. Keep It Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
The best way to eat less sugar is to make the sugar in your house and/or office hard to find. Put the sugar bowl in the cupboard. Place your sweet foods on the highest shelf. If you walk by a bakery on your way to work, take a different route. Have a candy bowl on your desk? Put it in the break room. If finding your sugar fix requires a few extra steps, you will be giving your brain time to talk yourself out of it!