sugar addiction

Hi, 43 yr old mom of 2 babies (18mth and 3mth) and I am really struggling with a sugar addiction. I've had this problem all of my life and have been 50 lbs over weight most of my adulthood. I really want to get healthy to keep up with my kids but the cravings are a killer. Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • humblemonkey
    humblemonkey Posts: 576 Member
    I AM WITH YOU ON THIS!!!! Sorry. excitement. Anywho... I've realized the only way to deal with sugar addiction is to eliminate it completely. None of that thinking "well, it's new years...ill treat myself to ONE cupcake" etc. Problem with this thinking is that there's ALWAYS something to celebrate. It's a negative way of thinking. Maybe when you set out if you KNOW you are going to go out for dinner for your birthday, allow THAT to be your one plurge if you need it. OR better, to find alternatives. I find most of the times im wanting sugar is when im bored or stress eating, not when im hungry. Put a note on your fridge-- and cabinets--- "am i hungry?" learn to ask yourself that before you eat!
    feel free to add me! :o)
  • canoepug56
    canoepug56 Posts: 161 Member
    Likewise.The only way I could beat it was to go Keto.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Sugar addiction?? Like rummaging in the trash bin for your next lollipop fix? :huh:
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I know the feeling. I like to start with a short period of abstinence (a week or two), then reintroduce in small amounts. Vigorous exercise helps control the cravings, as does a higher protein/lower carb diet. When I am PMSing, I generally allow myself more calories but zero sweets. When cravings are not strong, the reason I try to have some treats is because, frankly, I LOVE sugar, and I find myself overdoing it when I do ultimately "fall off the wagon" because I feel like I am "owed", or have been deprived. Good luck!
  • JackKopCh
    JackKopCh Posts: 8,042 Member
    Calorie free sweeteners? makes coffees/teas sweet and makes me forget about my sugar cravings :)
  • ellisboyd1
    ellisboyd1 Posts: 67 Member
    sweeteners are good, but getting off refined sugars and getting more sugar from natural sources (basically fruit) is also a huge step forward. strawberries, blueberries, raspberries - God's candy!
  • EmoJew
    EmoJew Posts: 94 Member
    ...isn't a real thing...
  • Rawrsy
    Rawrsy Posts: 1
    EmoJew wrote: »
    ...isn't a real thing...

    Haha. Yes it is a real thing. It's biochemistry my friend.

    Maybe try nakd chocolate bars or similiar as a treat every so often. I also found that drinking green tea helps curb cravings? I'm not sure if that's just me though.
  • Completely dreading going off sugar but it's the only way because chocolate is my ultimate weakness and if I had one bit I wouldn't be able to control ah sure what's another bit and so on moral of the story I'm weak so best eliminate I find chewing sugar free gum and drinking water helps keep the mouth busy;-)
  • jennat007
    jennat007 Posts: 2 Member
    thanks for the tips. I'm doing the water thing and trying distractions, I have the same problem with chocolate, 1 bit leads to a binge. Think I may need a psychologist.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    sigh ...do I even want to ...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    OP - unless you are rummaging through a dumpster to get your sugar fix or eating spoons of sugar out of a bowl, you are not addicted to sugar. Do you have some self control issues with certain foods, perhaps...
    -
    My suggestion - create a calorie deficit, try to eat the foods that you like (yes, I mean some ice cream, cookies, etc), get a food scale and weigh log measure everything that you eat. Foods are not "good" or "bad" they are just food that your body uses for energy. Try to make better choices and maintain your calorie deficit.

    you can lose 50 pounds and eat sugar...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ellisboyd1 wrote: »
    sweeteners are good, but getting off refined sugars and getting more sugar from natural sources (basically fruit) is also a huge step forward. strawberries, blueberries, raspberries - God's candy!

    wait - one form of sugar is superior to another, really?
  • JoKnowsJo
    JoKnowsJo Posts: 257 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    sigh ...do I even want to ...
    No heck no.. back away quickly.... please... :)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    LCloops wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    sigh ...do I even want to ...
    No heck no.. back away quickly.... please... :)

    too late, I am already in ....
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    post-25067-And-Here-We-Go-Joker-gif-Imgur-x71M.gif
  • OCcubanita
    OCcubanita Posts: 3 Member
    I'm going to try The Belly Fat Cure this time around. It limits your sugars and carbs but not completely. The reviews for it have been mostly positive. I think it's worth checking out.
  • JoKnowsJo
    JoKnowsJo Posts: 257 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    LCloops wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    sigh ...do I even want to ...
    No heck no.. back away quickly.... please... :)

    too late, I am already in ....
    ugh here we go... yet again... in all the time you have been on here how many of these would you say start every month at least 4?

  • slimbettie
    slimbettie Posts: 686 Member
    This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand. :s

    Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    jennat007 wrote: »
    thanks for the tips. I'm doing the water thing and trying distractions, I have the same problem with chocolate, 1 bit leads to a binge. Think I may need a psychologist.

    Therapy isn't an entirely bad idea, IMO. They can help you figure out why you feel like you're addicted to sweets, and the best ways to control your urges.

    I do not believe sugar addiction is really a thing - I think sugary foods taste really good, so we obviously want more of them. We tell ourselves that we're unable to say no - because then we're not to blame. Everyone does this on some level, in some area of their life, so please don't feel like I'm criticizing you.

    If you want to cut added sugar out of your diet, I wish you luck. My *personal* preference is to stick with moderation in all areas. If you're not mentally ready for or interested in moderation, a period of going without will probably be good for you.

    Good luck.
  • sanddollar
    sanddollar Posts: 192 Member
    Here is something to consider with the cravings...like humblemonkey said, try to determine why are you craving. If you are bored or stressed think back on why... did something happen to make you resentful or irritable, angry or fearful? Also think about times you do eat too much. If, when you honestly want to, you cannot quit eating, or when eating you have little control over how much you eat, then you could be a compulsive overeater. I am a total compulsive eater, I could overeat sugar of course, but also bread or even veggies if I was stressed enough and didn't have sweets around. Compulsive eating is a progressive illness of the body and mind, but there is a solution that truly works if you are willing to try anything to become sane again. By working the 12 steps precisely as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous with a sponsor, I have found a way to live "sober" from compulsive eating. Not only am I losing weight (40 pounds so far), but my relationships are improving since I am not so irritable and so obsessed with food. Good luck to you!
  • seamonster1203
    seamonster1203 Posts: 118 Member
    jennat007 wrote: »
    thanks for the tips. I'm doing the water thing and trying distractions, I have the same problem with chocolate, 1 bit leads to a binge. Think I may need a psychologist.

    This is very common. Try Keto
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    I'm going to go with experience rather than bothering with the whole debate. I know personally that if I consume a lot of sugar OR refined carbs, it sets me up for a binge. The more I eat the more I crave. Eating fruit does not have this effect on me. Eating whole grains and unrefined carbs doesn't either. I know I am not alone in this. So therefore the best I can tell you is to stick with whole, unrefined foods and cut back on refined carbs and sugars. Strawberries are pretty low in calories. A cup is only 50 cal. Half a cantaloupe is only 100 cal. These things have vitamins and fiber and are wholesome for you. Some people really do have to abstain from certain foods as if they were drugs; others have luck with just cutting back.... and some people who do not experience these things themselves don't believe those of us who do (ignore, ignore, ignore lol). You may have to experiment a bit to get to truly understand your reactions to various foods and learn what to do.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    slimbettie wrote: »
    This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand. :s

    Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.

    so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?
  • seamonster1203
    seamonster1203 Posts: 118 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    slimbettie wrote: »
    This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand. :s

    Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.

    so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?

    Vegetables have added sugar? Thank you, I was so wrong thinking carbs in veggies come from Fiber.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    slimbettie wrote: »
    This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand. :s

    Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.

    so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?

    Vegetables have added sugar? Thank you, I was so wrong thinking carbs in veggies come from Fiber.

    carbs convert to sugar….

    so if poster is going 100% no sugar carbs would need to be zero.
  • CooperSprings
    CooperSprings Posts: 754 Member
    I used to think I was addicted to sugar.
    It's not really that.
    I just ate when I felt like it and sugar tastes really really good.

    It's beaten by willpower.
    And low calorie sweetened goodies.
    Like fruit.

    Nom nom nom.

  • conniehgtv
    conniehgtv Posts: 309 Member
    try iced coffe with sugar free creamers,my personal favorite or Lugi's I talian ices,if you eat them too fast I get Brain Freeze, teaches disapline LOL
  • slimbettie
    slimbettie Posts: 686 Member
    LOL. Please read what I said: quote

    No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc.

    unquote.

    This is my personal challenge. No debate needed thanks!!
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