Lily Soutter, nutritionist, shares her guidelines on saying goodbye to sugar - recommendations include going cold-turkey and cooking from scratch. Photo / Getty Images.
As we rapidly approach the festive season, the daunting temptation of sugary treats can be enough to make even the most determined dieter sweat.
And knowing what to replace our favourite sweet snacks with can be even more difficult.
But there are some simple steps you can take to keep away from those sugary cravings.
Luckily, London-based nutritionist and weight loss expert Lily Soutter has revealed just how easy it is to say goodbye to sugar.
Sugar is addictive. The more we eat, the more we want. By going cold turkey for a month you can recalibrate the taste buds and cravings will subside.
Out of site, out of mind, really does help. Clear the kitchen cupboards and desk space of all temptations.
By confiding in friends and co-workers about your plans, they will be less likely to wave the office cake tray under your nose.
Hidden sugar is found in the strangest places.
Simple rule: if the food product contains more than 5g per 100g, this will be in the red zone of the traffic light label - this should ring alarm bells.
If you really need a sweet fix, try whizzing some berries in a blender with natural yoghurt and seeds. This low sugar snack will curb those cravings.
Top tip: add a pinch of cinnamon to curb the cravings even further.
This is the easiest way to control your sugar intake; say goodbye to hidden sugar, additives, colourings, chemicals and flavourings.
Protein and healthy fats are great for balancing blood sugar levels. They keep you fuller for longer, prevent energy dips and reduce sugar cravings.
Eat lean meats, fish, nuts & seeds, tofu, avocado, cold-pressed oils, beans and pulses, natural yoghurt, eggs, nut and seed butters.
Chromium is a mineral needed for balancing blood sugar. Evidence suggests that supplementation with chromium picolinate may help reduce sugar cravings.
Foods high in chromium include whole grains, orange juice, broccoli, potatoes, green beans and raw tomatoes.
Each time you flex your 'I'm not eating sugar' muscle, you are forming a new neural pathway in the brain and over time this will form into a healthy habit.
Each time you resist sugar, don't think of it as a burden - think of it as a strengthening exercise.
Don't use sugar to change your mood. Instead use what I call nourishing life pleasures: have a bath, get a massage, laugh with a friend, watch your favourite film - the list is endless.
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