Not so sweet: 5 ways to trim sugar from your diet

Do you have a sweet tooth? You're not alone. Sugar intake has increased significantly in the United States over the past few decades.

And, sure, sugar may enhance flavor. But it also adds calories to your food, and has little nutritional value. If that weren't enough, consuming too much sugar likely contributes to obesity and other health risks, too.

Ready to curb those cravings? Keep your sugar consumption in check with these 5 tips:

1. Kick the worst culprits out of your pantry. Candy, baked treats and sugar-sweetened beverages, like sports and fruit drinks, are the main sources of added sugar in the American diet.

2. Substitute healthier options. Stock up on fresh fruit and unsweetened frozen or canned fruit. Instead of sugar-heavy desserts, serve baked apples with cinnamon, grilled pineapple or mixed berries with plain yogurt.

3. Switch out your soda. Have trouble giving up your soda? Try sparkling water as a zero-calorie, sugar-free alternative. Or make a fruit smoothie with fat-free milk.

4. Stay vigilant. Added sugar lurks in surprising places — from soups and cereals to ketchups, pasta sauces and even salad dressings.

   Check for added sugars on nutrition labels. If sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, turbinado sugar, molasses or high-fructose corn syrup is near the top of the list, the product likely has high amounts of added sugar.

5. Use sugar substitutes … in moderation. Low-calorie sweeteners — which have their downsides — can sometimes be used to play a minor, supportive role in reducing sugar in your diet.