Hi Charlene, I thought I had a sweet tooth (being a chocoholic) and i have 2 sweeteners in a coffee but I don't have any in my shakes as I think they are sweet enough as they are.
I do think it would be wish to cut down as low as possible and i think you are very sensible to do it gradually. I did something similar when I increased the water I put in my shakes, a little extra each time till I found the most I could add without it tasting too watery.
Good luck with it.
x