How To Keep Your Sugar Intake In Check This Holiday Season

The holiday season can be one of the most tempting times of year when it comes to overindulging in desserts and other sugary foods.And yes, I'm going to show my work on this one, with actual Experts and Science.

"Sugar releases dopamine and opioids in the brain, which are substances that are known to be released in the reward center of the brain," Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist at the Weill Cornell Medicine center and New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

"Some people can take one bite of a dessert and be satisfied. For others, one bite of something sweet is a trigger to really lead to a binge."

The Sugar Association, a trade association of for the U.S. sugar industries, said in a statement that it recommends, "enjoying sugar in moderation and living an active lifestyle."

Consuming too many added sugars, however, can contribute to negative health outcomes such as weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ABC News' Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton appeared live on Good Morning America to break down some of her top tips to help curb your sugar intake while navigating the holidays.

Dr. Ashton's expert tips on how to curb sugar intake at holiday parties:

1. Fill your plate with protein and vegetables

Loading up on proteins and vegetables during dinner can help fill you up before you hit the dessert table and make a sugar binge less likely, according to Ashton.

2. Skip mixed drinks

If you would like to imbibe at a holiday party, skip mixed drinks in favor of hard liquors mixed with water or club soda.

3. Drink some caffeine after dinner, before dessert

Try to sip on some coffee or espresso after finishing dinner and before dessert; caffeine can help curb your appetite.

So here's  hoping you can keep the sugar in check a little bit these next couple of months.  I know I'll be trying to do it too, the struggle is real.

Sweetly yours,

Behka