Switching from sugar to artificial sweeteners, or adding a ton of fiber to food (see my last blog), may not help you lose weight at first, but it should help you stop gaining. You probably don’t have to do both, because your problem is more likely one or other other (sweets or starches). The long term benefit can be life changing, because once you know how to stop gaining, you can use the strategy to help you maintain. The switch to artificial sweeteners is easy. Almost every food and beverage is available sugar-free in grocery and health food stores, and often in restaurants . Adding fiber to food is harder, because you generally have to carry fiber with you to sprinkle on what you are eating, and the fiber can change taste. If sweets are your problem, try Equal, SweetNLow, Splenda and Truvia to see which you prefer and in what foods. I prefer Equal in beverages and Splenda or Truvia in cooking. If starches are your problem, try GG Bran Crispbread, Sprinkles and fiber supplements.