Sugar addiction

SarahCate_2pt0

FYI: I successfully manage my insulin resistance with metformin and a "low carb" diet where I keep my carb intake below 35% of my total calories (roughly 150 grams/day). This arrangement has helped me get control over my sugar/carb cravings, as well as, my other IR symptoms without experiencing the side effects of more aggressive low carb/keto diets. I also consistently lose weight when I eat at a calorie deficit and keep my carb intake at or below 35%--when I stick to it.

Bear in mind that I do have a medical condition that warrants a low-carb diet. It is not necessary for most people. A simple calorie deficit and a little extra willpower to say "no" to the sweets is usually enough to move the scale.

Also, I tried keto before going to a dietician. It made me very ill. I would advise you to do some research to fully understand what all of your options are. There is no need to go to extremes to manage sugar cravings.

_lyndseybrooke_

Sugar didn't make you fat. Too many calories did. "Quitting sugar" is nearly impossible. Plenty of foods contain sugar, even if they aren't sweet, and this includes nutritious foods like fruit. What you need is a calorie deficit to lose weight. That's it.

Saying you're "addicted" to something like sugar is just an excuse. You like high sugar foods. Plenty of people do. Doesn't mean you're addicted.

Mussronkey wrote: »

I'm totally addicted to sugar. I'll eat an entire bag of candy then go out for a Blizzard. Who does that?

I could/would if I let myself. Still not addicted to sugar.

ElJefeChief

ndj1979 wrote: »

please provide evidence of your claim with human trials showing evidence of sugar addiction.

I'm supposed to do what now? Maybe tell me exactly what you're disagreeing with and we can go from there.

hcdo

Mussronkey wrote: »

I'm totally addicted to sugar. I'll eat an entire bag of candy then go out for a Blizzard. Who does that?

Me me me!! (I also used to eat my entire Easter basket before anyone else woke up Easter morning, then spend the rest of the day in a sugar coma. I had to resort to stealing from my brother's basket just to make it through the day.) I won't go as far as to say it's addicting, but I sure crave the hell out of it. I have the fillings to prove it.

nvmomketo

NumbrsNerd wrote: »

@NVSMOMKETO:

I am wondering if your overall carbs were too low and causing the migraine - not that you were "withdrawing" from sugar? I tried a very low net-carb ketogenic diet before (<20), and I felt like I was DYING. A little fruit mixed in and I feel much better - and my net carbs are still pretty low - within keto ranges.

I don't *think* my overall carbs are too low but it could be. My carbs are mostly between 30g and 50g lately. I want to keep it between 15 and 30 but I haven't done it yet.

My guess is that my body is not used to burning fat rather than glucose and it's having a hard time adjusting, and that is making things a bit hard (ie. migraines)... On the bright side, my cravings for sugary items, and the shakes and fatigue, are pretty much gone now.

flyingtanuki wrote: »

As a diagnosis, addiction is fairly clearly defined using a 3 of 7 factors test of the DSM-IV: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64247/

For me, that could work when I think of how I am around carbs and sugars. Wow. Interesting!

Suzmp88

ndj1979 wrote: »

Suzmp88 wrote: »

The point is to retrain how you view food (pleasure vs nutrition). Sugar cravings decrease greatly and you'll find that even low sugar foods will satisfy your sweet tooth.

what does LC or keto have to do with sugar addiction? OR are you saying that keto/LC is sugar free?????

I'm not sure where I could have been more clear.

CSARdiver

flyingtanuki wrote: »

DrEnalg wrote: »

Addiction isn't like diabetes or the flu. There is no blood test or gold standard to decide of someone "has it" or not. Psychiatry has definitely made the whole business of understanding human problems (so often relegated to the "mental health" domain) a lot more confusing, but that's for another discussion, perhaps.

For some people, the consumption of (typically highly processed and hyperpalatable) sugary food behaves like an addiction, and for sure, sugar can active the same brain reward circuitry as cocaine and heroin. But then again, a good Mozart minuet or a beautiful sunset can *also* activate the same brain reward circuitry, so there's that.

Fruit is a wonderful thing, and I'd be hard pressed to recommend a way of eating that cuts it out of one's diet completely. That being said, I tend to avoid certain fruits because they tend to cause sharp insulin spikes (like grapes and bananas) and I tend to emphasize low-GI fruits like berries because of the opposite. That being said, a low-carb diet plan may be a really good way to wean oneself off a so-called sugar addiction.

As a diagnosis, addiction is fairly clearly defined using a 3 of 7 factors test of the DSM-IV: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64247/

...and as with any diagnosis the diagnostician must be a clinical professional with full understanding of the intent and meaning of the stated factors.

lynngree

SkinnyKerinny wrote: »

Hi lynngree

I absolutely don't do well with sugar. I get those extreme roller coaster rides from my blood sugar spiking and crashing. And then uncontrollable cravings. No fun. Since you eat so much sugar my guess is that is what's happening to you also.

I recently started a low carb diet and after some adjustments over the past 2 weeks I feel so much more in control. One thing I learned is that grains can actually react in your body WORSE than sugar. I had no idea and never would have guessed.

So if you want to stop craving sugar think about eating carbs from fruits and veggies rather than grains or sugar and don't eat a ton of fruit either! I think that could help you tremendously.

I previously tried cutting out sugar and still had cravings. Now I know why-- it was the grains. Knowledge is power!

I hope this bit of info helps you also.

lynngree

Hi SkinnyKerinny
Thank you for the reply and info I know sugar is in a lot of foods an it was advice on cutting down on cakes chocolate biscuits etc I've always had a sweet tooth an I was just looking for tips on how to eat my meals without always having or wanting dessert.