According to the National Institutes of Health, the third largest source of food calories in the American diet comes from soda, which is also one of the biggest sources of sugar. For example, one 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew packs a whopping 52 grams of sugar—almost double the daily maximum outlined by AHA. Of course, you could always grab a can of diet soda, but the science is still out on most artificial sweeteners and doctors warn that they often lead to craving more sweets. So they suggest drinking plain water. But if that seems too bland (or uncaffeinated) for your tastes, try an unsweetened iced tea with lemon or mint. If it's the bubbles you want, opt for sugar-free sparkling waters and seltzers such as La Croix. A regular soda drinker can shed over ten pounds in a year simply by making this swap.

The typical American breakfast is usually sweet. Even if you're not reaching for a donut or pouring syrup over a stack of pancakes, you could be getting more sugar than you realize. Even the healthiest-sounding cereals are often loaded with added sugars. And get this: starting out with a sweet breakfast will set you up for all day long sugar cravings. Experts say a protein-rich breakfast boosts levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain which boosts your mood and attention while regulating cravings. Plus, something like a veggie omelet or breakfast burrito is much more filling—thus, giving you less of a need to snack before lunch.

Your cold brew is cool, but there's a better option, especially if you're looking to cut out the sweeteners. Nitrogen brew—better known as nitro—can be found on tap at your local third-wave coffee shop. Or in cans from such cult brands as Stumptown and La Colombe. The chilled brew is infused with nitrogen gas, making the coffee bubble up, resulting in a creamy, chocolaty taste that's as smooth and satisfying as chocolate milk. Or a good chocolate stout. The flavor is clean, the texture is pleasing and it all helps to cut through coffee's naturally bitter taste.

Your easiest swap when it comes to sweets is to add more fruit to your diet. Fruit has plenty of sugar too, of course, but nature has a way of making sure things balance out. A ripe piece of fruit encases the sweet stuff in a ton of healthy fiber. That fiber works by preventing the body from absorbing too much of the fruit's sugar, plus it won't cause the same crash-and-crave cycle as added sugar. Other smart substitutions? Try fresh cut vegetables (carrots, celery, peppers, radishes and snap peas) dusted with spices instead of sugary, starch-laden potato chips. Want something indulgent? Try crunchy, 100% cheese snacks like Moon Cheese. Or look for a quality dark chocolate, like Hu, which offers tasty bars without any refined sugars.

An easy way to have a filling meal without all the added sugars, starches and carbohydrates is to have a salad. Pack it full of veggies, top it with the meat of your choice and choose your dressing wisely. Don't mess with those “light” or “low-fat” options. Because when food brands strip the fat out of dressings, they replace it with added sugars and a heavy dose of salt. Now your “light” dressing doesn't have the healthy fats you need to help absorb the vitamins from those nutrient-rich vegetables. Keep calories and sugar in check by sticking to a tablespoon or two of an olive-oil or yogurt based dressing (we really like the options from Bolthouse Farms).