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The Abilene Reporter News June 16, 2008

There are at least 501 simple ways to take the path less sweetened. Author Ann Louise Gittleman has put them all in a book, "Get the Sugar Out," which she wrote about 12 years ago and updated this year, just in time to help steel the resolve of the dessert-addicted.

Here are five tips:

1. Beware of fat-free foods. Fat-free doesn't mean sugar-free -- in fact, it can be just the opposite. So-called fat-free versions of a food might contain twice as much sugar as the regular version that contains a little more fat.

2. Eliminate processed carbohydrates from your kitchen. Although many people don't realize it, refined carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread and white pasta are quickly converted to sugars in your system and disrupt blood sugar and fat control.

3. Eat for taste and good nutrition, not taste alone. Tastes can change, but nutritional requirements have to be met every day.

4. Thin out sweeteners and sweet foods, even natural ones, whenever possible. The idea is to slowly and permanently cut down on all forms of sugar in your diet. Dilute concentrated sweeteners such as honey with water and mix sweet foods such as granola with unsweetened cereal and nuts to reduce the total sugar you consume.

5. Eat regular, balanced meals. The body operates more efficiently when each meal or snack contains about 40 percent carbs, 30 percent protein and 30 percent fat.