If you're keen to cut sugar out of your diet but don't know where to start, you may benefit from a little inspiration. TV presenter Davina McCall has gone sugar free several times in her life and has spoken in glowing terms about the health benefits of cutting down on the sweet stuff.
According to Davina, she noticed an increase in her energy levels after going sugar free, and the move also improved her skin. Reducing sugar is of course good for your teeth, too, and can have a variety of other benefits.
Davina's definition of sugar-free is ditching refined sugar - including processed food, white flour and packet sugar. So if you're looking for some tips on your journey to ditching sugar, here are some tips from the Masked Singer star.
1. Be prepared
Davina says she keeps a piece of fruit nearby to satisfy any sweet cravings. "You have to put strategies in place so when you’re desperate and you would do anything for chocolate, you have something on hand," she told BBC Good Food.
2. Be ready to experiment
Necessity is the mother of invention, and being unable to fall back on your old staples may introduce you to some new favourites. Davina cites wholemeal spelt flour as an ingredient she now cannot be without.
3. It's okay to go slow
In her book 5 Weeks To Sugar-Free, Davina describes herself as a "sugar addict", and admits the first time she cut it out, it made her "very grumpy". That's why she instead advises easing sugar out of your diet gradually instead of going cold turkey.
4. Think of alternatives
Davina does use a little maple syrup and honey in baking, which those on a strict sugar-free diet may choose to shun as they are classed as free sugars. She also cites stevia as a good option.
5. Be kind to yourself
It's crucial to "be realistic" and to recognise you may well slip up from time to time, Davina says. She told BBC Good Food: "The most important thing is not to beat yourself up if you slip – just pick it up again the next day."
