Sugar is a powerful food that can cause mood swings, weight gain and serious illnesses like Type II Diabetes.  While occasional sweet treats are OK a diet full of sugar is harmful to your long term health.  But why is it so hard to break the addiction?

Sugar causes cravings and highs and lows.  Follow these easy steps to kick the white stuff for good.

1.  Eat Fruit - Fruit gives you the pleasure of a sweet treat without all the nasty side effects.  Try delicious alternatives to sugar like berries, pineapple, melon and oranges.

2.  Know All The Names Of Sugar - Sugar comes in all forms and is far too often hidden in foods.  Read labels and know what has sugar in it.  Be weary of fruit juices, condiments and sauces.

3.  Bee Smart - Sweeten your foods and drinks with natural honey.  Like sugar, honey tastes great but the effects on your health and waistline are actually favorable.  Honey, consumed regularly is even believed to tame allergies to pollens.

4.  Limit Alcohol - Alcohol is sugar in disguise, and will only make kicking the habit even harder.  Not to mention that alcohol is high in calorie and do you no favors in your weight loss goals.

5.  Dried Fruit - An alternative to candy, and extremely portable, dried fruits are an excellent treat when you crave something sweet.  Beware of sugar added to dried fruits - go natural and read labels.