FORGET Dry January and Stoptober... the original fast has begun.

And if like millions you have vowed to ditch sugar for Lent, you may already be feeling the strain of a life less sweet.

Chucking out the choc and switching from sweet to savoury can prove too much for some.

But, while it can seem daunting, there are simple things we can all do to succeed and reach Easter Sunday with not a grain of the sweet stuff passing our lips.

It is recommended that a person should consume no more than 30g of sugar a day - that's 210g a week (when it's not Lent, of course).

However, recent evidence has shown the average Brit consumes up to 700g of sugar each week, more than 490g over the recommended weekly allowance.

These stats put into perspective the uphill struggle many will be embarking on this Lent.

People can completely change their habits and patterns, but they have to be consciously committed to doing so

Eating too much sugar can increase a person's risk of countless serious health problems, including obesity, tooth decay,  and premature ageing.

It also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver disease, as it turns into fat in the liver, reducing insulin resistance.

Slashing sugar in our diet can have a direct impact on the NHS, with diseases like diabetes estimated to cost the health service around £14billion every year.

But while we know ditching the sweet stuff is good for us, the prospect of 40 days and 40 nights without a sugar hit can prove too much to bear.

However, psychologist Corinne Sweet told The Sun Online there are some simple things you can do to trick your body into surviving sugar-free.

"It is possible for us to replace one bad habit for a healthy one," she said.

"The most important step is learning to identify our bad habit and making a concerted effort to change.

"People can completely change their habits and patterns, but they have to be consciously committed to doing so."

So, what steps do you need to take to banish sugar?

Here, experts share five simple steps to reduce your reliance on the sweeter things in life.

1. EAT FRESH

Sugar is hidden everywhere, lurking in packaged foods that can appear healthy.

In reality they can be loaded with sweeteners and sugar.

But, by taking the initiative and preparing your own meals and snacks you can better control exactly how much and what kind of sugar is going into your body.

If you feel you want something sweet you can substitute sugar with other sweet flavours such as vanilla or citrus zest, which provides you with the flavour but not the calories.

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2. EAT OFTEN

Dr Marilyn Glenville, one of the UK’s leading nutritionists and author of ‘Natural Alternatives to Sugar’ said eating little and often can help regulate blood sugar levels.

“Ensure you are eating little and often during the day to keep your blood sugar steady," she told The Sun Online.

If you let yourself become ravenously hungry during the day you are more likely to suffer from energy slumps and reach for a quick sugary fix.

This can lead you into a vicious cycle as a sugar hit won’t keep you feeling full for long, leaving you looking for your next sweet fix.

However, by eating fresh food throughout the day, you will keep both your blood sugar levels and energy levels constant, helping you avoid that sweet sugar hit.

3. KNOW YOUR ENEMY

Like most criminals, sugar has more than one name.

Sugar can hide under a variety of sneaky aliases including fructose, dried can syrup, sucrose or molasses.

When you’re looking at the sugar content of something make sure to look out for all the hidden aliases that can mount up to a lot of sugar.

4. TRICK YOUR MIND

It may sound odd but eating isn’t the only thing that can make you feel full.

When sweet aromas are detected by the taste and smell receptors, the appetite control centres of the brain then receive a message relaying the food it believes it has consumed.

The new slimming agent Slissie (RRP £39.99, Starter Pack, www.slissie.co.uk) provides a range of sweet flavours for you to enjoy without any calories passing your lips.

Whether you’re crazy for chocolate, mad about mint or lusting over caramel there is a sweet flavour to curb everyone’s sugary cravings.

5. GO FREE GRADUALLY

For many people cutting out sugar immediately is no easy feat, for both your willpower and also when it comes to knowing what alternatives to turn to instead.

However, if you gradually wean yourself off it, you are working with your body to naturally lower your desire for sugary fixes, giving yourself a more sustainable approach to achieving a more balanced diet.

Psychologist Corinne Sweet said: “Everyone is different, and so people will have formed their own particular habits in their own particular ways”.

This may well include reaching for something sweet as a treat or a comfort, however habits can be broken and replaced with healthy ones.

So although the length of time it takes to change depends upon the individual, if you commit yourself to making those changes you will be able to see the progress fairly quickly.

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