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“Eat less sugar.”

Sugar cubes

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That’s equal to 200 calories or50 grams of added sugar per dayfor those following a 2,000-calorie diet.

To put things into perspective, the average American eats between73 gramsand77 grams of added sugar a day!

The good news is that it’s 100 percent possible to cut back!

Honey in bowl next to bowl of sugar packets

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Understand the difference between ‘naturally-occurring sugar’ and ‘added sugar.’

Naturally occurring sugars and added sugar are clumped together under “sugar.”

So when in doubt, read the ingredients list.

types of sugar blended together

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Learn and recognize all the different names for sugar.

Now that you know which ingredients to look for, don’t stop there.

There are over 56 different names for added sugar including:

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight.

Say no to soda

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In this case, check the nutrition facts panel to see just how much sugar is in the food.

When it comes to candy and sweets, assume all of it’s the added variety.

Stop drinking sugar-sweetened beverages.

Woman drinking diet coke

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This simple swap can help you shed over ten pounds in a year!"

Don’t rely on artificially-sweetened beverages as replacements.

Splenda, Sweet n' Low, dietsodaand sugar-free candy aren’t any better than the real deal.

Almond milk

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Buy ‘unsweetened’ versions of foods.

Stock up on fresh fruit.

So what should you buy instead of all those sweet snacks?

Plate of fruit - apple slices tangerines blackberries - and bowls of strawberries bananas

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Nature’s candy, of course, is naturally free of all added sugars.

In fact,dietitians saythat eating fresh fruit is one of the healthiest ways to satisfy a sweet craving.

Examples of fruit snack pairings include:

Beware of dried fruit.

dried fruit nuts in wooden bowl

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Steer clear of these culprits to cut sugar and stay slim!

Shop on a full stomach.

It’s true what they say: Out of house, out of mouth.

woman fruit shopping in grocery store

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Seems simple enoughuntil you’re actually in the grocery store.

Quash sugar cravings with tea.

Next time you’re having a hard to ignore the sweet-tooth attack, fix yourself a cuppa tea.

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And with so many varieties, it’s hard to get bored.

Consume smaller portions of high-sugar foods.

Typically grab a bag of M&Ms or a chocolate bar as an afternoon snack?

Red tea

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Finish your day with a bowl of ice cream?

If you want to cut back on sugar, you might start by cutting your serving sizes in half.

You’ll get a smaller sugar boost, without sacrificing the sugary taste you crave.

Chocolate and orange

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Have a savory breakfast.

Yes, that means saying sayonara to your sugar-sweetened coffee and sugary cereal.

Though that may sound plain awful, it doesn’t have to be.

Avocado toast egg spinach tomato

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Sprinkle cinnamon into your coffee or sweeten a low-sugar cereal with slices of fruit.

These filling, satisfying meals will help you stay on the road toward low-sugar success!

Buy plain flavors and sweeten naturally with fruit.

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Instead, buy plainGreek yogurtand flavor it with fruit and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Buy dark chocolate.

Reach for the dark chocolate instead of milk, which has nearly twice the sugar content.

Dark chocolate

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Dark chocolate also has four times more iron and belly-filling fiber than its milkier counterpart.

Use applesauce when baking.

If homemade baked goods are your dietary kryptonite, we get it.

Banana bread on black background

Eat This, Not That!

The goods news is, simply swapping out sugar for unsweetened applesauce can save you hundreds of calories!

Depending on how big your cookies are that could easily save you between 20 and 80 calories a pop!

Swap marinara sauce for fresh tomatoes.

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But that doesn’t stop food manufacturers from loading their cans to the brim with the stuff.

Try a nitro cold brew coffee.

Move over cold brew, a new java du jour has arrivedand it may just help youlose weight.

Nitro cold brew coffee

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And since it’s naturally rich, you’ll probably be able to drink it sans sugar.

For those of you without a nitro tap at your local coffee spot, opt for a lighter roast.

The lighter the beans, the less bitter the brew.

Huevos rancheros

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Swap ketchup for salsa.

Thankfully, burgers and eggs taste just as tasty, regardless of which option you use.

If your goal is to learn how to stop eating sugar, go with the latter one.

Cut sugar granola bar

Beware of snack bars.

Instead, opt for one of thebest low-sugar protein bars.

Buy natural peanut butter.

Creamy peanut butter in jar

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Conventionalpeanut butterspreads rely on sugar and trans-fats to give them playground appeal.

Flavor coffee with ingredients besides sugar.

Use cocoa and vanilla powder in an unsweetened latte or coffee instead of table sugar.

Mug of coffee and ground cinnamon sprinkled on top with two cinnamon sticks

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Make alterations when ordering out at restaurants.

This simple asks can slash hundreds of calories from your meal and keep excess sugar out of your mouth.

Get rid of sugary cereals.

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Evenhealthy-sounding cerealsare packed with sugar.

Kellogg’s Cracklin Oat Bran, for example, has 19 grams in a cup!

That’s more than what you’d find in a bag of Pretzel M&M’s!

Starbucks banana espresso smoothie

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Sleep more.

Even turning in 30 minutes earlier can make a difference.

Buy a low-sugar dessert.

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Is ice cream your dietary downfall?

It doesn’t have to be.

There are tons oflow-sugar dessertsin the freezer section to satisfy your sweet tooth while simultaneously flattening your belly.

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Pick a low-sugar bread.

In fact, each slice of Wonder Classic White Bread packs two grams of sugar.

Make your own salad dressing.

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When food manufacturers strip the fat out ofsalad dressingsthey replace it with sugar and salt.

They aren’t doing your body any favors.

Or better yet, make a low-sugar dressing yourself!

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Opt for plain oats.

Top foods with fruit rather than syrups.

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to eat bland pancakes.

Salad dressing

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Top your flapjacks with fresh fruit for a nice touch of sweetness.

rolled cut oats being measured

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whole grain plant based pancake stack

Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!