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To keep your family healthy, you should try to reduce their intake of refined sugar, replacing it with healthier options. Though everyone loves sweets, over-consumption of sugar can lead to weight gain and other health issues

Foods and drinks containing large amounts of refined sugar, such as sodas, cereal, candy, cakes and other desserts, offer a lot of empty calories without many healthy nutrients. Over-consumption of high-sugar foods over a period of time can lead to obesity, diabetes and a number of other problems. Additionally, sugar can cause fluctuation in moods (hyperactivity and then crashing), as well as the formation of plaque, cavities and tooth decay.
If you are looking to reduce your family's sugar intake, you can go about it in several ways without completely cutting off all the sweets in your household.

Replace soda with juice

One of the easiest ways to cut back on sugar is to replace sugar-filled sodas with fruit juice. Juice is sweet to the taste and contains vitamins without the refined sugar. Don't go overboard, however. The calories in juice can still add up. Make water the primary drink of choice in your household with juice and milk as your secondary options. To wean your family away from traditional soft drinks, have a supply of sugar-free soda on hand.

Avoid pre-sweetened cereal

To cut back on sugar, you should not buy pre-sweetened cereal or other foods. These products are loaded with unwanted sugar. Purchase the unsweetened version of cold cereal, oatmeal and other foods, and allow your family to sweeten to taste with Splenda, Equal or other sugar substitutes. Add fresh berries or other fruits to cereal for additional sweetness.

Start when your kids are young

Like anything, eating sugar is a habit. If you can start your kids out at a young age eating other types of treats and snacks, you will be able to help avoid bad eating habits and the over-consumption of refined sugar. Instead of giving cookies as a snack to toddlers, offer fresh fruit, carrot sticks, whole grain crackers, cheese, nuts and other nutritious treats. If your children learn to love healthy snacks at a young age, they will be less likely to crave sugar as they get older.

Don't ban sweets from your home

If you eliminate sugary sweets altogether, your family will be more apt to want them. Instead, ration sugar-filled foods. A sweet dessert once or twice a week (if portion size is kept to a minimum) is your best bet. To make desserts and other sugary treats appear more plentiful, serve them in a smaller bowl. Even one scoop of ice cream looks like a lot in the right size bowl.

Bake smart

If you are baking desserts, such as cake and cookies, replace half the sugar in the recipe with a sugar substitute. Your family will likely not be able to tell the difference. You can also add raisins, cinnamon and other spices for a sweet flavor. Add a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce or sugar-free jelly to the top of desserts for some added sweetness without the extra sugar.