I’m a nutritionist and here’s six ways to cut sugar and blast belly fat fast

WHO doesn’t like sugar? Whether it’s with a cup of tea, the jam on your scone, or that 11am chocolate chip cookie, it’s truly delicious.

But consuming too much sugar increases your risk of becoming overweight, which in turn can lead to problems like type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.

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The NHS says Britons eat too much sugar: They eat on average around 700g of sweet stuff every week.

That works out to about 140 teaspoons of sugar per person every seven days.

But it’s easy to get fooled when it comes to the sugar we consume, as it’s often hidden in the foods we eat, whether it’s bread or pasta sauces.

Sugar should make up no more than five percent of the energy (calories) you get from food and drink every day; that’s about 30g for anyone over the age of 11.

However, if you have a sweet tooth, you may find it harder than others to cut back on sugar.

Numerous studies have shown that eating too much sugar contributes to the amount of visceral fat you have, especially around your abdomen and liver.

Speaking to The Sun, David Stache, a nutritionist at sports nutrition brand Warrior, says resisting the urge to reach for a sweet treat can be difficult, even if you have the strongest of wills.

He says that ignoring these urges may be easier said than done, but there are ways you can outsmart your sweet tooth…

1. Don’t ignore etiquette

David explains that it’s important to know roughly how much sugar you eat in a day, as we can all be easily fooled.

“There are many hidden sources of sugar in many products, and people often don’t pay attention to the sugar content of foods, which can often be what makes cravings worse,” she says.

Food labels are important because they tell you exactly what nutrients and ingredients are in your food.

According to the NHS, high-sugar foods contain 22.5 g or more total sugar per 100 g, compared to low-sugar foods, which are considered to contain 5 g or less total sugar per 100 g.

Many packages use a traffic light system to help you with healthy options and it’s always best to opt for foods that are mostly green and not too red.

Just by checking food labels, you could be on your way to losing belly fat, as you’ll cut some calories from your diet.

2. Baby

The next time you have a craving for something sweet, try having a drink of water, says David.

“While this may not seem as satisfying as the donut that awaits you, sometimes your cravings can be caused by dehydration, which your body can mistake for cravings.

“So wait 10 minutes after you’ve had a drink and see how you feel.

“It’s possible that the desire was gone because your body was really just thirsty,” he said.

But if you’re hungry, steer clear of the donut and try eating something else, like fruit or nuts, which don’t have the same artificial sweeteners and fats that many takeout foods do.

3. Upload the exercise

David says that exercising is the best way to get away from the foods you crave, because it releases feel-good endorphins that can help reduce unhealthy cravings.

“Going for a brisk walk, or a little jog, whatever you want to do to get moving, will help you outsmart your sweet tooth,” says David.

“If you don’t have time to go out, even doing a few lunges or burpees between your morning meetings will help take your mind off those sugar cravings.”

Being in a calorie deficit is really one of the only ways to lose weight, which means you’re taking in fewer calories than you’re burning.

Exercise is a great way to burn calories, but it also has many other benefits, including improving mental health.

4. Find a substitute

In general, people tend to crave sweets after a meal, or as an afternoon snack to get them through the workday, says David.

Instead of ignoring that 4:00 pm sugar craving, it might help to find a healthier substitute that satisfies your sweet tooth while providing a nutritious snack.

David says to look for something high in protein and low in sugar, so you feel full after eating your snack, and aren’t desperate for a cookie just yet.

He adds that high-fiber snacks like Warrior bars could also help.

5. Set goals

For a sugar addict, getting through the day without a sweet treat is incredibly difficult.

However, David says that the longer you can hold out without giving in to temptation, the easier it becomes.

“Over time, as you ditch sugary foods for more nutritious options, your taste buds and preferences will also change, meaning the sugary snacks you once craved will taste less desirable.”

6. Clean your house

Sometimes, if you don’t have it at home, you won’t be tempted.

David says throwing out all the junk, processed and sugary food in your house might be a good idea for people who struggle with control and says the snack cupboard should go too.

“If your home and office are full of sugary temptations, it will be much harder to resist, so try to surround yourself with healthier options,” she adds.