Video: How to break up with sugar

How to break up with sugar

The more sugar you eat, the more you want. You can take control.

• Learn to spot sugar on labels. It has a lot of names that don't sound like sugar such as "fructose," "dextrose" and "syrup."
• Look beyond sugar. Refined starches in foods like white bread, pretzels and chips are the same as sugar to your body.
• Swap added sugar for natural sugar. Fruit adds sweet plus vitamins, minerals and fiber.
• Mix up your own salad dressing. Store-bought can pack the sugar. Making your own is as easy as olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Skip sugary drinks. They're the No. 1 source of added sugar in the American diet.
• Diet drinks, too. They can actually cause more cravings.
• Hide temptations. You're more likely to eat cookies and candy you can see.
• Give it 3 weeks. Your taste buds can change to prefer less sweet stuff.

Guidance from the registered dietitian nutritionists and wellness coaches at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.