Sugar is everywhere and it can be difficult to avoid. From the obvious culprits like candy and soda to the hidden sugars in processed foods, it’s no wonder that so many people struggle to cut down on their sugar intake.

But reducing your sugar intake is an important step towards maintaining good health. Here are five easy steps to help you cut down on sugar.

Step 1: Read Labels

The first step in cutting down on sugar is to start reading labels. Look for foods that have either little to no added sugars or use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

Keep an eye out for ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, cane sugar, molasses, and other sweeteners. Limit or avoid foods with a high sugar content, as well as those that contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose.

Step 2: Choose Whole Foods

The next step is to choose whole foods whenever possible. Whole foods are foods that are minimally processed and come in their natural form. Choosing whole foods can help reduce your sugar intake since they don’t contain added sugars.

Some examples of whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Step 3: Reduce Sugar in Recipes

Another way to cut down on sugar is to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipes.

This can be done by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, reducing the amount of sugar called for in recipes, or replacing sugar with other ingredients like applesauce or mashed bananas. Be creative and experiment with different options to see what works best for you and your taste preferences.

Step 4: Avoid Sugary Drinks

One of the easiest ways to cut down on sugar is to avoid sugary drinks. This includes soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juices.

Instead of sugary drinks, try drinking water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice for flavor.

Step 5: Plan Ahead

Finally, planning ahead can help you cut down on sugar. Having healthy snacks and meals on hand can reduce the temptation to reach for sugary snacks when you’re hungry and in a rush.

Meal planning can also help you avoid processed foods and sugary snacks since you’ll have healthy options available.