Modern wesern diets tend to be high in sugar and many Americans have what’s considered a boderline sugar addiction. The issue with sugar addiction is not only having cravings for sugar, it’s the good feelings we get when we eat sweet treats. This emotional reward we feel when we consume sugar is recognized by our brain and it leads us to need more sugar in order to get that same happy feeling as time goes on. So what can we do to keep our cravings under control and reduce the risk of sugar addiction and the problems associated with it?

You can begin by avoiding packaged foods that often contain excessive amounts of sugar. You don’t always see the word “sugar” on a food label. It sometimes goes by another name, like these:

• Agave nectar
• Brown rice syrup
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Dextrose
• Evaporated cane juice
• Glucose
• Lactose
• Malt syrup
• Molasses
• Sucrose

If you can reduce your intake of these boxed and pre-packeaged foods you will likely be limiting your sugar intake. Remember that alcohol, soda, milks and fruit juice cocktail are also high in sugar and need to be restricted as well. Read your beverage labels and know what you’re getting in your morning latte so you can stay on track.

Next, focus your diet on whole foods consisting of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Theres little room for an overload of sugar if you have more good than indulgent items in your daily diet.

Finally, remember that you can enjoy sweets in moderation. The all-or-nothing mentality doesn’t work for most people so if you want to be successful in moderating your sugar intake for the long haul, allow yourself a treat now and then. Bake for yourself if you can so you can control the sugar content, each dark chocolate or split the dessert with a friend in order to keep the intake in check. After all, you’re sweet enough already!