Less Sugar without using Artifical

First of all, you need to understand the difference between natural and artificial sugar substitutes. Splenda, thought it comes from sugar, IS NOT a natural sweetener, and it is just as well avoided. For some people, artificial sweeteners increase their cravings for real sugar and carbs, as though the body is trying to "make up" for not getting the real thing.

Stevia, on the other hand is made from a PLANT, it is NOT artificially processed, and perfectly fine to use in place of sugar. Another product "Agave" is a liquid that is naturally very sweet. It is also from a plant.

Since I use fruit in place of processed desserts most of the time--sometimes with yogurt, I don't have sugar cravings. I discovered the "Splenda connection" to cravings for myself last winter. I got into the habit of having some artificially sweetened Swiss Miss hot chocolate in mid-afternoon as our office tended to be cold. Within a few days, I noticed I was fighting impulses to "graze" that I hadn't had in months. I got to thinking about other posters who talked about their own similar experiences, and also realized that since I stopped drinking coffee regularly, therefore not having Splenda in it, my cravings had all but disappeared, until I started the hot chocolate habit.

As soon as I stopped, things went back to normal (since MFP) for me--no cravings.

I eat more fruit to satisfy my sugar needs... You should pick fruits low in sugars too like grapefruit, plums, cantelope, blue, black, raspberries... I agree with putting in season fruit in yogurt for a tasty dessert...

Getting cofee and other drinks you need to sweeten out of your diet might be something to think about too...