i was raised in a high sugar household, and my grandparents were even worse (i think they were raised before refridgeration was common, so back when salt and sugar were commonly used (overused) to extend the life of fresh food). Even though i realised my mother used alot LESS sugar than my grandma, i still ended up with a huge sweet tooth. I use less sugar than my mother, so three generations on, RELATIVE to how i was raised, i'm using less, but still, for what is healthy, i'm sure i use way too much.

In the last year, my progress has been
- to give up Iced Coffee (used to drink a 600ml every time i left the house, used to have the 3L bottles in my fridge in newborn baby days, lived on the stuff). so going cold turkey, this is one thing i'm very pleased to have accomplished

- using yogurt instead of cream, in layered birthday cakes, in butterfly little cakes
- using yogurt instead of icecream
(but i'm not using Greek yogurt, this is still the fruit flavoured yogurt, so some progress, but more to go)

- using icing mainly as feature details, instead of covering whole cake (birthdays)

- using honey on weetbix, to replace sugar

- when making baked goods, reducing sugar component, subbing part of sugar for sultanas, dates (fruit).
There are many substitutes, like apple sauce, corn syrup, stevia etc. I either haven't understood how to sub them, or worried about the expense - so haven't used these.

- using raw sugar, as opposed to white sugar (less processed).

I'm trying to get more fruit and veg into our diets, so the thought of restricting fruit, not sure about that. Esp with bilby, she eats so little of anything already, if i have to cut out the tinned pears she DOES eat, i cannot contemplate her eating zero fruit.

i must go and listen to the link (is Richard Fidler, the guy who used to be in the Doug Anthony Allstars?)

Have never gone and seen a naturopath, as i'm scared i will get told to give up everything i enjoy (sugar, coffee, choc). i know the more i'm told i CAN"T have something, the more i will crave it. I try to limit what i eat, by telling myself, i can have whatever, so that takes away my desire for it.

Maybe reading a few "things to avoid", will help me make healthier choices in the supermarket.

thanks for posting this Ecapris, it's exactly what i need, ways to cut out sugar.

PS can you think of fruitcake as a birthday, xmas, celebration thing? or are you used to having it weekly? If you make it really well, it would be harsh to go without it forever Ecapris.