Craving something sweet? If you’re wondering how to get rid of a sweet tooth, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide an overview of the top ways to deal with sugar cravings and combat a sweet addiction. So if you’re craving something sweet, consider these five ways to overcome sugar cravings and finally get past your sweet addiction!

1. Make the Commitment

Kicking sugar for good – or at least cutting down your intake dramatically – involves taking a stand and making a commitment. This means ridding your home of sugary or carbohydrate-infused snacks and resolving not to buy any more. Watch out for hidden sugars in processed foods as well; there’s corn syrup in many products, and that’s code for “sugar.”

Also, be aware of your triggers and find ways to manage them. From avoiding the sweets aisle in grocery stores or the breakroom at work on Donut Fridays, modifying your behavior is foundational in how to get rid of a sweet tooth or sweet addiction.

2. Favor Fruit

Marge Simpson once told Bart and his friends, “Fruit is nature’s candy!” While these kids didn’t exactly respond favorably, the truth is that fruit can offer a healthy alternative to sugary desserts and snacks. Favor fiber-rich berries and fruits, and steer clear of fruit juices that tend to have a higher sugar or fructose content.

3. Seek Sugar Alternatives and Healthy Sweeteners

If you must sweeten baked goods or drink something sweet now and then, favor foods and beverages sweetened with healthier alternatives to sugar. Honey, stevia, and natural maple syrup are some examples. Use applesauce instead of sugar in your favorite baked dessert recipes.

Steer clear of artificial sweeteners made from chemicals. Some people have success with drinking 2 tsp. of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water as their solution to sugar cravings and how to get rid of a sweet tooth.

4. Swap Sweets for Healthy Fat and Protein

Healthy unsaturated fats nourish the body at a deep level and can help to stave off sugar cravings. Instead of caving in to sugar cravings, have a semi-sweet snack loaded with protein and/or healthy fats. Peanut butter, Greek yogurt (frozen or regular), avocados, nuts, and semi-sweet dark chocolate (with at least 65% cacao content) are healthier choices. Remember to control your portions sizes, though, as these foods are dense in calories.

5. Moderation

Ready for some good news? You don’t have to give up sweets entirely in your quest to battle a sweet addiction! You can still have your favorites from time to time; just watch the portion sizes. Consider relegating desserts to special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, or schedule a “splurge day” once or twice per month.

Eating too much sugar is linked with high blood sugar, diabetes, obesity and heart problems. It can cause inflammation that sets the stage for autoimmune diseases and even cancer.

Don’t let your sweet tooth get the better of you! Regulate those sugar cravings by using these tips when craving something sweet. With patience and commitment, you’ll kick your sweet addiction and finally solve the riddle of how to get rid of a sweet tooth.