by Audrey Moore

As a dancer, you work hard to eat healthy and keep your physique lean. But sometimes, those donuts, ice cream sundaes and chocolate chip cookies can sabotage your best efforts. And when you have a sweet tooth you can't seem to control, your dance clothes can suddenly feel too tight and uncomfortable. Not only that, but unhealthy eating habits will impact how you perform during rehearsals and performances.

In moderation, treats are ok to indulge in and can even provide you with a quick boost in energy. But if your snacking is getting out of hand -- and you're on the cycle of consuming sweets and then craving more, what can you do? Here are a few tips to help you keep your sweet tooth in check and adhere to a healthier diet.

Eat healthy foods regularly.

If your sugar cravings are ruling your life, it may be because you're not eating enough healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. If you skip meals or wait too long to eat, then you're going to crave sugary, fatty foods that will quickly cut your hunger.

Don't set yourself for temptation. Instead, make it a habit to eat a snack or meal every three to five hours, which will keep your blood sugar balanced -- and sweets cravings under control. You can choose meals that are high in protein, such as a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread or stir fry with brown rice. Good options for snacks include fruit and nuts.

Eat the cookie.

As a dancer, you're used to discipline. And the idea of giving into a craving can seem counterintuitive. However, if you let yourself have a small treat, then you can go a long way in cutting down on the temptation to binge on sweets and over-consume them.

But rather than indulging in a huge banana split, have a couple of small cookies or a fun-size candy bar. That way, you'll get your sugar fix without feeling denied or crummy about it afterward. It's typically a good rule of thumb to aim for treats that are less than 150 calories per serving. So go ahead and eat that cookie (just don't eat 12 of them).

Combine healthy foods with treats.

Another way to get your sugar fix and indulge in moderation is to combine healthy foods with a treat. For instance, try fresh fruit with a spoonful of whipped cream, or make your own trail mix with almonds and a handful of chocolate chips. That way, you can snack on something that fulfills your craving for sweets, but that also has some nutritional value as well. If you want to strive to be even healthier, try dark chocolate chips, which are packed with antioxidants and also contain less sugar than regular milk chocolate chips.

Another good option for blending healthy foods with a treat is with a peanut butter and chocolate duo. Melt dark chocolate and mix it with some peanut butter in a container. Put it in the fridge so it can cool and then grab a spoon and indulge with a teaspoon-full when you're having a sugar craving. You'll still get the sweetness your body is craving, only with much less sugar per serving and plenty of nutrition too.

Train your taste buds.

Do you regularly drink soda or fruit juice? What about coffee with several teaspoons of sugar each morning? One way to overcome sugar cravings is to train your taste buds to prefer less and less sugar.

For instance, if you put three teaspoons of sugar in your coffee each morning, then start adding in only two. Do that for a few weeks until you become accustomed to the flavor, then cut it down to one teaspoon.

Likewise, if you regularly indulge in juice, then dilute it with water. Over time, gradually increase the amount of water you add until you're able to completely wean yourself off of juice. If you drink two or three sodas each day, then start cutting out one and replacing it with water. Again, by gradually diminishing the amount of sugar you consume, you can slowly train your taste buds to crave less of it.

Have strategies in place to fight cravings.

Sometimes, cravings happen. And if you've already indulged enough for the day, then it's time to fight the urge for more treats. Some ways to combat sugar cravings include chewing gum, which is proven to reduce food cravings, go for a walk to take your mind off the craving, or have a healthy snack on hand you can eat instead. For instance, always have fruit available to snack on, which will give you plenty of nutrients along with the sweetness your body wants.

Cut it cold turkey.

If you can't eat sugar in moderation and have a true addiction to it, then it's your best bet to cut processed sugar out of your diet completely. While this can seem almost impossible to do, the good news is that it only takes a few days to get the sugar out of your system. You'll likely feel low energy for a while as your body withdraws from all the sugary foods it's used to getting. But then within about a week, you'll have your energy back, not to mention better mental clarity and reduced sugar cravings.

Sugar cravings can sabotage your energy levels, making it hard to get through a day of rehearsals and performances. But if you follow the tips above -- and indulge just a little -- you'll be able to conquer sugar cravings without feeling deprived.