FIVE EASY STEPS TO A HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP WITH SUGAR

1. RETRAIN YOUR TASTE BUDS

‘It’s not about just avoiding eating something sweet, it’s about modifying things,’ says nutritional therapist Nicola Moore. ‘Milk chocolate contains a lot of sugar, so change to dark chocolate with a minimum cocoa content of 70 per cent as a starting point.’

2. THINK OF BREAKFAST AS A PROPER MEAL ‘Adding some protein, good fat and fibre to any meal makes it more satisfying and helps prevent cravings later on,’ Nicola says. ‘Making your own granola can dramatically reduce the amount of sugar in your breakfast. Switch your morning cereal for eggs, or whip up some homemade pancakes to satisfy a sweet tooth.‘

3. ENJOY HEALTHY SWEET SWAPS

‘If you stop eating refined sugar, then within two or three days you’ll start to feel better,’ says Dr Doris Schuscha from medical spa Viva Mayr. ‘But I always recommend moderation to my patients. Abstinence is very hard to stick to in the long term. Snacking on berries (bottom), for example, can give a sweet hit when ditching refined sugar.

4. KNOW THAT CACAO IS A CHOCOHOLIC’S NEW BF! Try cacao (below right, the bean from which chocolate is derived) as a healthier alternative. Nicola says: ‘It’s less processed, and a sprinkling on top of nut butter and banana on toast can satisfy a sweet craving.’

5. BE PATIENT

‘Over time, and with commitment, your desire for sweet foods may get less,’ Nicola says. ‘Cutting out sugar in coffee or tea can act as a milestone to reducing your taste for sweetness overall.’ Her advice is ‘to focus on adding as much nutritious food as possible during the day and timing your eating to prevent cravings. What you eat today will influence your energy and food cravings tomorrow.’