If you're like me you've had your fair share of sugary treats in your lifetime. Whether it be a party, special event, going out to eat, or even a home cooked meal, sugar can be found everywhere. Unfortunately it acts like a drug in our body and brain and makes us crave more and more. This also increases our insulin and waistline more and more! It's even found in a lot of things you wouldn't always expect, like salad dressings and sauces. So even when you try to eat better, you still get that craving for more sugar.

Trying to fight sugar off for weight loss, or even lowering your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other ailments can be tough at first. It can take up to 2 weeks to truly wean yourself off of the sugar and sugar cravings, but it is definitely worth it. You will make better food decisions, feel full longer, and finally see those results on the waistline you are looking for!

I've come up with 3 Tricks and Tips for Sugar Fighting Success!

#1 Drink Two Glasses of Water and Wait 30 Minutes

Sometimes a hunger pain or craving can really be a thirst signal instead of a "need" for more food or a sugary treat. Have you already reached your 8+ glasses today? If not, give this trick a try! Remember your body is 75% Water! A couple glasses can even fight fatigue, headaches, hunger and binge tendencies!

#2 Chew a Piece of Gum

If you pop a piece of gum and chew on it for a while, chances are you will get some sweetness satisfied that would easily replace the empty calories from a sweet treat. Not only that, but you will be less likely to take the gum out, eat a dessert, and then put the gum back in. All of those flavors will not mix well. Yuk! It's much easier to say "No thanks, I've got gum," when asked if you'd like a sweet treat.

#3 Choose a Better for You Sweet Treat--> Fruit!

If you're absolutely dying to have something sweet or wanting a dessert, chose fruit. A piece of fruit by itself with no other additions or ingredients can be a nice treat as well as a way to train your body to enjoy natural sugars. It's better to give your body the fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients than a processed food or any artificial ingredients. Also, enjoy a piece of whole fruit by itself and not a fruit juice drink. These are often double the sugar and zero fiber and antioxidants.

Sugar Shockers:

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6tsp per day for Women and 9tsp for Men of sugar per day. The average person consumes about 26tsp per day. (There are 4 tsps in 1 gram of sugar)

Breakfast Bad Choices:

Cup of Orange Juice = 21 grams of sugar

1 Poptart = 20 grams

3 Pancakes = 16 grams

Yoplait Yogurt = 31 grams

Low fat milk = 13 grams

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwich = 21 grams

Terrible Typical Lunches/Dinners:

1 cup pasta = 12 grams

2 slices white bread = 3 grams

2 slices multigrain wheat bread = 5.2 grams

16 oz of Coke = 48 grams

1 tbsp BBQ sauce = 6-15 grams

1 tbsp ketchup = 3.7 grams

1 slice pepperoni pizza = 6 grams

Tomato spaghetti sauce = 10 grams

Hamburger bun = 5 grams

A typical Sugar Cookie has around 9 grams of sugar. Just think, some of these items have more sugar than a cookie! Think twice before you have your usual breakfasts, sugary breads and sauces, they add up quick!!