The truth about sugar addiction from a former sugar addict

girlviernes

For most of my life I ate a high carb, low fat, low protein diet. I didn't like meat or fatty foods as a kid. We were a skim milk and margarine household. In high school I became a vegetarian, which made my diet even more disproportionate. I snuck food ever since I was a kid, and I was always a big candy eater. I was pretty active though and my weight was fairly steady.

In my senior year of high school, I stopped playing sports. Around the same time, I started to really overdo it on snacks and desserts. For example, my mom would buy boxes of Twix from Costco and I would eat bar after bar after bar. I put on 30 lbs that year.

For the next 18 years I struggled with sugar and refined grains. On my worst days I could go through a couple of big bags of candy, a box of cookies, and 2-3 boxes of mac & cheese. Feeling stuffed but hungry the whole time.

About 3 years ago I decided that this was an addiction, and I needed to go completely unprocessed. For about 4-6 months I was extremely committed and ate a near ideal diet. I wasn't counting calories, but I still lost about 45 lbs. It was pretty amazing, and very quickly my sugar cravings went away. However, on those occasions that I did have "processed" foods or even "healthy" versions of sugary foods, I would feel a sense of panic and compulsion to eat more.

Gradually, these happened more often. Over the next 2 years I put all of the weight back on.

Fast forward to this year. I had a major health scare and finally took accountability to do something about my eating and health. This time was different. I logged onto MFP. I committed to log everything and hit my calorie goals. I logged a binge on my second day. Logging that was extremely hard, but afterwards I knew there was no going back. I didn't cut out any foods. I eat 3 meals a day. Usually about 2 snacks. I keep my portions of starchy foods to about half a cup per meal, and then have increased my protein and fat intake. I did moderate my sugary/refined grains intake and generally have those types of foods only a few times a week. However, some weeks I have them more often. Over the holidays I had them every day and I could feel an increased drive for sugary/snack foods, but all I needed to do was make sure it fit in my goals, log, and then when those two weeks were over I went back to my more regular way of eating.

I was a sugar "addict" for 20+ years. With a reasonable, moderate diet and daily exercise my sugar cravings are non-existent. As in, there were cinnamon rolls at work all last week and I had barely any interest at all. Cinnamon rolls!!

I can't just eat "anything" at any time without consequence, but with a good pattern of eating and a commitment to my long-term progress, I've firmly kicked my "addiction."

BWBTrish

Marvelous, keep it up

Your great and be proud!

jmiles04

I have the same problem. Sugar = more sugar. Its great to hear someone that has gotten control of the sugar. Very inspiring! Good job!!

girlviernes

Thanks!

To be clear, I'm trying to walk the middle path. I think some of us need to be careful about sugar/starchy foods, but I don't really buy into the idea that we should cut them (or any food) out. That is often just a set up for difficulty maintaining this pattern of eating long term and makes it hard to partake in some really cool things like mochi ice cream and holiday parties

GaleHawkins

girlvierness thank you for your story that sounds too similar some of us.

lindagrimm904

I'm like everyone else, it sounds so much like me! But for me it's worse, I'm a diabetic! I'm also a emotional eater! If I can stay loyal to my plan, I'm ok.s

lindagrimm904

Congrats to you! You've done a awesome job! I hope everyone has a blessed day! lyl!

louburnett

That's wonderful! Thank you for your bravery in sharing your story. So many of us have the same struggles!

emmab852012

sounds very similar to me except I haven't figured it out yet. I think cutting out all sugar is a bit extreme but its really hard to find that middle balance....

kelly30mad

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

girlviernes

Thanks! I guess I wanted to post to let folks know that moderation is possible and a genuine option for you. Also, that it is possible to get to a place where you no longer feel controlled by food.

lemurcat12

girlviernes wrote: »

Thanks!

To be clear, I'm trying to walk the middle path. I think some of us need to be careful about sugar/starchy foods, but I don't really buy into the idea that we should cut them (or any food) out. That is often just a set up for difficulty maintaining this pattern of eating long term and makes it hard to partake in some really cool things like mochi ice cream and holiday parties

Totally agree with this.

Sued0nim

Congratulations

You seem eminently sensible

PeachyCarol

girlviernes wrote: »

Thanks!

To be clear, I'm trying to walk the middle path. I think some of us need to be careful about sugar/starchy foods, but I don't really buy into the idea that we should cut them (or any food) out. That is often just a set up for difficulty maintaining this pattern of eating long term and makes it hard to partake in some really cool things like mochi ice cream and holiday parties

Same here. Same here. I gave up sugar and starchy carbs for a while, and during that time I realized that while I was growing up, we didn't have sweets as often as I had come to be eating them. I already knew what I should be doing but had moved away from it.

I still moderate my intake of carbs because I feel best eating lots of protein, but if I want something sweet, I'll eat it and fit it into my plan.

I never was "addicted", I just made bad choices. It's liberating to have a tool like MFP at my disposal and to finally feel in charge of what I'm eating.

PeachyCarol

kelly30mad wrote: »

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

I think you missed her point. It's not addictive. It's all about behavior and choice. You can get control.

Sometimes, it is helpful to give it all up for a time and get some distance to be able to see that.

It's more a compulsion which is about BEHAVIOR, than about addiction, which is about the SUBSTANCE.

poohpoohpeapod

mamapeach910 wrote: »

kelly30mad wrote: »

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

I think you missed her point. It's not addictive. It's all about behavior and choice. You can get control.

Sometimes, it is helpful to give it all up for a time and get some distance to be able to see that.

It's more a compulsion which is about BEHAVIOR, than about addiction, which is about the SUBSTANCE.

Sugar has proven to light up the same areas of the brain that cocaine does. Studies were done with PET scans of the brain.

PeachyCarol

poohpoohpeapod wrote: »

mamapeach910 wrote: »

kelly30mad wrote: »

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

I think you missed her point. It's not addictive. It's all about behavior and choice. You can get control.

Sometimes, it is helpful to give it all up for a time and get some distance to be able to see that.

It's more a compulsion which is about BEHAVIOR, than about addiction, which is about the SUBSTANCE.

Sugar has proven to light up the same areas of the brain that cocaine does. Studies were done with PET scans of the brain.

Pain triggers dopamine release too. Is pain addictive?

poohpoohpeapod

sugar is a dead end anyway, my cardiologist told me to cut off most sugar as it even damages arteries and now they think it plays a role in heart disease. It ages the skin makes us look older. There is no benefit in refined sugars other than it tastes good., and feeds our emotional needs. Sugar has no nutritional value at all. No vitamins, no minerals nothing.

fixmyself

Totally understand! A few years ago I would have eating competitions with myself. MYSELF. And I would go through gummy bears like it's no one's business. I honestly don't even buy them anymore! When I do, I eat a serving and give the rest to my brother and sister

happyhenglers

Suggested read: Salt, Sugar, Fat. Great book to highlight the fact that sugar has been proven to be as addictive as drugs. Some people can do moderation, and some people need stiffer boundaries. The key is to find what works for you.

Unknown

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03julie

I agree sugar is no good but i find it hard to live without so i keep it to evenings only

Unknown

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LAWoman72

I was never drawn to just sugar. I didn't add sugar to my coffee or to anything else. I have never been keen on the crunching-between-your-teeth feeling of sugar.

I wanted sugar with flour. Cakes and pies and that sort of thing. Or sugar with a whole lot of fat; puddings and full-fat ice cream and...

Now I'm hungry.

SLLRunner

mamapeach910 wrote: »

kelly30mad wrote: »

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

I think you missed her point. It's not addictive. It's all about behavior and choice. You can get control.

Sometimes, it is helpful to give it all up for a time and get some distance to be able to see that.

It's more a compulsion which is about BEHAVIOR, than about addiction, which is about the SUBSTANCE.

This. I am so glad I changed my behavior around sugar, as well as other foods, because now I eat all foods in moderation.

SLLRunner

03julie wrote: »

I agree sugar is no good but i find it hard to live without so i keep it to evenings only

Do you mean sweet things, such as cake, cookies, deserts? It would be hard to keep any sugar to just evenings because just about everything has sugar in it.

Sugar is not good or bad.

SLLRunner

poohpoohpeapod wrote: »

sugar is a dead end anyway, my cardiologist told me to cut off most sugar as it even damages arteries and now they think it plays a role in heart disease. It ages the skin makes us look older. There is no benefit in refined sugars other than it tastes good., and feeds our emotional needs. Sugar has no nutritional value at all. No vitamins, no minerals nothing.

No it doesn't make you age, and I doubt it plays into heart disease. I've eaten loads of sugar in my lifetime and I don't look aged. I'm 53 and people always think I'm way younger. My heart is fine too.

Sugar helps you fulfill your carbohydrate needs.

03julie

I meant sweet things. I know other foods have sugars but arn't they lower sugar than sweet tasting foods?

PeachyCarol

poohpoohpeapod wrote: »

sugar is a dead end anyway, my cardiologist told me to cut off most sugar as it even damages arteries and now they think it plays a role in heart disease. It ages the skin makes us look older. There is no benefit in refined sugars other than it tastes good., and feeds our emotional needs. Sugar has no nutritional value at all. No vitamins, no minerals nothing.

Sugar damages arteries and plays a role in heart disease? Do you have a source for this? All sugar? Really?

Source for the skin aging?

Sugar is a source of energy and helps fulfill your carbohydrate needs. Emotional needs are important and not be dismissed or understated either. Context is important. While sugar shouldn't comprise a large part of anyone's diet, there is no evidence anywhere that moderate intake of sugar is in any way detrimental to health.

lemurcat12

poohpoohpeapod wrote: »

mamapeach910 wrote: »

kelly30mad wrote: »

I also am like u.. I use to snak on sugar snacks all day!!! I wld rather snack than eat a meal.. I've currently gone cold turkey and stopped them all together.. I've had really bad headaches and the shakes... Jus shows tha it is addictive and the more u eat the more u need more

I think you missed her point. It's not addictive. It's all about behavior and choice. You can get control.

Sometimes, it is helpful to give it all up for a time and get some distance to be able to see that.

It's more a compulsion which is about BEHAVIOR, than about addiction, which is about the SUBSTANCE.

Sugar has proven to light up the same areas of the brain that cocaine does. Studies were done with PET scans of the brain.

So does petting a kitten or sex. It's about pleasure. Eating is pleasurable because it was evolutionarily useful for us to want to eat. Addictive drugs play on pleasure pathways, but do other things too, and generally speaking addiction is not really about just enjoying the drug a whole lot.

(Also, it's so weird cocaine is always the example, because as I understand it cocaine isn't usually considered an especially addictive drug. Not that I'm promoting it!)

Calm_Lotus_06

I am so proud of you! I am fighting the same battle now and it is hard. It was actually my husband who led me to it when he referred to me as an addict when it came to sweets and soda while talking to someone.. that hurt.. but I needed to hear it. Keep it up if you never need to vent I am here!!!