Need to crack this sugar addiction.....if I could just do that I know I would succeed !
Replies
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stevencloser wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »Sugar IS addictive and an addiction. Cocaine is a harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Sugar? A harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Just because you don't act high or do goofy things, does not mean you don't have an addiction...
The first time I see somebody on their knees in a dark alley for a sugar hit, maybe I'll believe in "sugar addiction".
or some disheveled man creeping up to me asking me "hey you got a ho ho on ya"
Except people don't shovel pure sugar into their mouths, they buy sweets which aren't practically free by a long shot.
Speaking of which, how many people DO shovel pure sugar into their mouths to "get a fix" when they can't get the sweets they would want? Cause that's a thing that happen with strong addictions, people will even go as far as take stuff that they know is acutely dangerous to their health just to scratch that itch.0 -
I think you should eat however you want but I also think that the all or nothing thinking is probably holding you back far more than eating sugar. If you see not eating sugar as a magical process that will transform your life (and your body), not only will it be harder to start losing weight (because a no sugar diet is really hard and it's the sort of thing that leads to non compliance or just plain putting it off until tomorrow, again and again.) But also because it's a really big difficult change whereas small changes are much easier to live with and therefor continue with rather than setting up a yo-yo diet pattern or a binge eating pattern.6
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kommodevaran wrote: »Fruit has flavors you have to learn to like
I don't think this is true. The main flavor fruits have is sweet (many of them are pretty intensely sweet too). I think children (who are born mainly wanting sweet and having to learn to like other flavors, if memory serves) generally enjoy fruit. I can't remember back to my own baby or toddlerhood, but I know my sister did, and most small children I know now love fruit, and by the time my memory kicks in I recall loving it. Some kids have weird texture issues with some fruit, but they still tend to enjoy juice (which is the flavor alone).
I think if it had been more available in my house growing up (climate issues, and fresh produce being less available in general than now) I would have snacked on it more.
I even now tend to crave fruit when I want juicy and sweet.
I would agree that dessert-type foods can be more difficult not to overeat (or stop eating), but for me that's not because they are sweeter -- as an adult I tend to find less sweet desserts more appealing (desserts that are probably less sweet than a piece of fruit -- certainly less so than the pineapple I ate with my dinner last night). For me the reason it is harder to stop eating is that it is LESS purely sugar than the fruit and offers more complexity of flavor plus the mouth-feel and satisfaction of fat. I do think that having a lot of different desires hit (the complexity) can make the satiety point harder to hit. (That's actually one reason I think it's harder to avoid overeating these days without effort -- food is so varied, as well as available. Kids tend to find a lot of that unappealing at first, but generally people grow out of that.)
Anyway, for the purposes of this thread, I think OP has said her concern is not fruit and people certainly have difficulty moderating dessert-type sweets and not fruit (even if fruit is eaten for dessert). Plus, you can often eat a huge volume of fruit for the same calories, and it provides nutrients, as you also note. Makes sense to me to distinguish the two, and NOT to distinguish sweets from other easily overeaten foods you tend to have trouble moderating, whatever they may be. (My issues were always savory foods more than sweets, but some sweets too, and we all have different tastes, which I think is what actually determines the specific foods one goes for.)
Also would agree that once you get into the cycle of seeing something as forbidden fruit it's something more going on that can make moderation extra hard and that actual fruit (ironically) is free of that whole thing. Well, I guess unless you believe all the claptrap about how bananas or watermelon or whatever cause obesity and are the one terrible food you should avoid or whatever that ad is. ;-)2 -
kommodevaran wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »for those who say its a craving,do you crave fruits,diary,etc? because all those things have sugar in them. wouldnt those things make you crave more and more of those things because of sugar? and table sugar,HFCS and so on all come from natural sources(mostly veggies and some fruits).
The idea that junk food is practically predigested is just silly. Highly palatable? Yes (due largely to the fat content).
Also, sugar is naturally white. People seem to think it's bleached or processed to get it that way but nope, that's its natural color.8 -
stevencloser wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »Sugar IS addictive and an addiction. Cocaine is a harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Sugar? A harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Just because you don't act high or do goofy things, does not mean you don't have an addiction...
The first time I see somebody on their knees in a dark alley for a sugar hit, maybe I'll believe in "sugar addiction".
or some disheveled man creeping up to me asking me "hey you got a ho ho on ya"
Except people don't shovel pure sugar into their mouths, they buy sweets which aren't practically free by a long shot.
Speaking of which, how many people DO shovel pure sugar into their mouths to "get a fix" when they can't get the sweets they would want? Cause that's a thing that happen with strong addictions, people will even go as far as take stuff that they know is acutely dangerous to their health just to scratch that itch.
I've seen alcoholics drink mouthwash or even Sterno to get their fix. I've seen smokers rummaging through ash trays or picking up discarded cigarette butts off the street to get a couple drags off them.
Both alcohol and tobacco are legal for everybody to buy and use without a license, and available everywhere.
I've never seen a "sugar addict" digging donuts out of a trash can and licking the sugar off them to feed their "addiction". Nor have I ever seen a "sugar addict" committing residential burglaries, stealing from family/friends or engaging in prostitution to fund their "habit" (as often seen in true "addicts").
And here's what research has to say about "sugar addiction": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2833070614 -
GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar. As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
If you have time, google the 21 day sugar detox by Diane Sanfilippo. I don't like the word detox and I don't really feel it's applicable in this instance as you are just cutting sugar out of your diet for 3 weeks. I've done it several times now (it is NOT intended to be a diet for life - just to cut the cravings). If you can stick with it for the 3 weeks, you will notice a huge difference. My hubby and I try and do one quarterly.17 -
I feel that, to a certain extent, it is a psychological condition, to say you are addicted to sugar. It tastes good and is very easy to overindulge, and convince yourself you are addicted.
It is more a self control issue. Teaching yourself to limit yourself to 1 cookie, 1 small piece of candy etc, instead of eating the whole package.
Sugar is not a demon food.
For me, it is extremely easy to over eat many types of foods, not just sweets. That is how I got to be overweight and why I am here.
Portion control, moderation in all foods, avoiding processed foods (there is a lot of added sugar and sodium in processed foods) and staying at a calorie deficit, is key for me to making this work for the long term.8 -
ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar. As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
Just no.ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »If you have time, google the 21 day sugar detox by Diane Sanfilippo. I don't like the word detox and I don't really feel it's applicable in this instance as you are just cutting sugar out of your diet for 3 weeks. I've done it several times now (it is NOT intended to be a diet for life - just to cut the cravings). If you can stick with it for the 3 weeks, you will notice a huge difference. My hubby and I try and do one quarterly.
If the process is so good and works, why do you have to keep repeating it?!?!?16 -
ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar. As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
Just no.ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »If you have time, google the 21 day sugar detox by Diane Sanfilippo. I don't like the word detox and I don't really feel it's applicable in this instance as you are just cutting sugar out of your diet for 3 weeks. I've done it several times now (it is NOT intended to be a diet for life - just to cut the cravings). If you can stick with it for the 3 weeks, you will notice a huge difference. My hubby and I try and do one quarterly.
If the process is so good and works, why do you have to keep repeating it?!?!?
That was totally gonna be my question too.
Anyway, I hate everything mint but was so desperate for chocolate, I tried a thin mint. It might not have been dangerous to my health but it was dangerous to my taste buds. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, PEOPLE!8 -
ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar. As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
If you have time, google the 21 day sugar detox by Diane Sanfilippo. I don't like the word detox and I don't really feel it's applicable in this instance as you are just cutting sugar out of your diet for 3 weeks. I've done it several times now (it is NOT intended to be a diet for life - just to cut the cravings). If you can stick with it for the 3 weeks, you will notice a huge difference. My hubby and I try and do one quarterly.
IF sugar were truly addictive then detox would be the appropriate word. Drug addicts go thru physical withdrawal (shakes, vomiting, diarrhea) they go thru a "detox" program. But because sugar is not physically addictive, detox is not the right word.
Some people like the taste of sugar. Some people like the taste of salt. Chocolate is no more addictive than potato chips. But the combination of sugar (or salt) and fat is very tastey. This can lead to over consumption. Over consumption is a behavioral issue not a physical one.
Cutting sugar out for 3 weeks.....changing your behavior for 3 weeks, can help you diet. But losing weight is just the first step. Elimination diets have never helped me maintain the weight I lost.8 -
ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar.
I think why this can be, is usually because you KNOW that smoking the cigarettes will start the addiction again and that smoking is very bad for you. It's easy to think that having a Cadbury egg (or whatever) is harmless, because in reality it probably is, and for most of us even overeating isn't that major a thing -- the evidence DOES show that when someone has a concrete reason to lose weight (like a specific health problem) it's easier.
For me, dealing with this issue wasn't really like dealing with an addiction (except the think the consequences through concept can be useful). Instead, it was similar to other ways to compare short term and long term benefits. YES, overeating today is no big thing, and I won't gain meaningful weight, but if I change the focus to having a buy in to a longer term plan (often one that I can believe will work for me as a way of life) than I am choosing between complying with the plan (which I believe is good for me) and hitting my goals as planned vs. not. The choice begins to mean something.
IMO, this is easier if you work in things you couldn't imagine living without, but in an occasional and controlled way, but what those things are is going to vary person by person.
Point is that what makes it difficult is that you need to have a concrete reason, and a way to make a small choice that gives immediate pleasure and little immediate negative be part of the broader whole.As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
Sugar is sugar, but some foods with sugar (often it's refined sugar, but it's the food as a whole that's the difference) are easier to overeat, more caloric (often due to fat as much as sugar), and low in nutrients, so it's not that the sugar in fruit (or whatever) is different or other sugar is worse for you, it's that fruit tends to be nutritious, lower cal, harder to overeat.
I really hate things like the Sanfilippo "detox," not only because (as you say) of course it is not a detox, but because it is basically low carb, and anti fruit, as if carbs and specifically fruit were bad and to be "detoxed" from. Some might find it helpful (I suspect it's more that doing some plan that promises effects is fun for some), but most people who struggle with control over some trigger foods or sweets or whatever have no particular reason to cut out fruit. IMO, most people probably could eat more fruit. (Actually, as I recall Sanfilippo is paleo, so no legumes, grains, or dairy. I definitely think there's no benefit for cutting legumes, and probably not dairy or whole grains, for the vast majority of people on the so-called SAD.)
I find taking a break from sweets (snack or dessert-type foods with added sugar) occasionally is helpful for me, but some find that more triggering or problematic than eating the foods in moderation, so it will depend on the person.4 -
Only one factor of many, but this is a factor:
When it comes to subjective experiences or perceptions (such as "sugar addiction" and "sugar cravings"), if you believe it to be true, it is true. We have some influence over our own beliefs.
Might want to think over what are your most productive strategies . . . and there will be more than one strategy that will be helpful in this situation, if you ask me.
Shifting gears: For me, and some others, it helped to consciously work to eat some minimum number of fruit servings every day for few weeks. Personally, I went for 3 servings daily. After a while, many highly-processed sweet foods - like cheap commercial baked goods, most mainstream candy, etc. - started tasting way too simple (i.e. boring, not worthwhile) and way too sweet: Just. Not. Good. YMMV.7 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »ThatHealthyCaper wrote: »GrammiJano wrote: »Thank u it's just that when I eat say a small sweet or a cereal bar it just seems to make me crave more it's like I have no self control at all. Wish it was different.
I can totally relate to this! And I do believe it is more addictive than cigarettes! I quit smoking yet it seems impossible to quit sugar.
I think why this can be, is usually because you KNOW that smoking the cigarettes will start the addiction again and that smoking is very bad for you. It's easy to think that having a Cadbury egg (or whatever) is harmless, because in reality it probably is, and for most of us even overeating isn't that major a thing -- the evidence DOES show that when someone has a concrete reason to lose weight (like a specific health problem) it's easier.
For me, dealing with this issue wasn't really like dealing with an addiction (except the think the consequences through concept can be useful). Instead, it was similar to other ways to compare short term and long term benefits. YES, overeating today is no big thing, and I won't gain meaningful weight, but if I change the focus to having a buy in to a longer term plan (often one that I can believe will work for me as a way of life) than I am choosing between complying with the plan (which I believe is good for me) and hitting my goals as planned vs. not. The choice begins to mean something.
IMO, this is easier if you work in things you couldn't imagine living without, but in an occasional and controlled way, but what those things are is going to vary person by person.
Point is that what makes it difficult is that you need to have a concrete reason, and a way to make a small choice that gives immediate pleasure and little immediate negative be part of the broader whole.As a rule, I do my best to avoid refined sugars (but those damn Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs get me every time)! I feel like those are the ones that are the worst for you.
Sugar is sugar, but some foods with sugar (often it's refined sugar, but it's the food as a whole that's the difference) are easier to overeat, more caloric (often due to fat as much as sugar), and low in nutrients, so it's not that the sugar in fruit (or whatever) is different or other sugar is worse for you, it's that fruit tends to be nutritious, lower cal, harder to overeat.
I really hate things like the Sanfilippo "detox," not only because (as you say) of course it is not a detox, but because it is basically low carb, and anti fruit, as if carbs and specifically fruit were bad and to be "detoxed" from. Some might find it helpful (I suspect it's more that doing some plan that promises effects is fun for some), but most people who struggle with control over some trigger foods or sweets or whatever have no particular reason to cut out fruit. IMO, most people probably could eat more fruit. (Actually, as I recall Sanfilippo is paleo, so no legumes, grains, or dairy. I definitely think there's no benefit for cutting legumes, and probably not dairy or whole grains, for the vast majority of people on the so-called SAD.)
I find taking a break from sweets (snack or dessert-type foods with added sugar) occasionally is helpful for me, but some find that more triggering or problematic than eating the foods in moderation, so it will depend on the person.
its not hard to overeat fruit. you put some cherries in front of me and I can eat more than 3lbs in a setting. watermelon, or any type melon yep I can eat a LOT of it. thats one reason I gained weight. I thought oh I cant get fat its fruit. yep I was going way over my calories just from the fruit I was eating. I can eat a whole pineapple myself too. now I make it fit like everything else into my calories.like today I had one cookie and was fine with it. some days I want more than one. just depends on my mood too.0 -
Good luck! You'll get a lot of mixed opinions and approaches on here to try for yourself, so keep trying and you'll find the solution that works for you.
Yes! Different things work for different people. I have a serious sweet tooth and its hard. Oh so hard! I still haven't figured it out but glad to see some positive advice on here because even though the majority of people posting are positive there are a few low key negative nancys.6 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »
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The Sugar Addiction 12 steps
We admitted we were powerless over sugar - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves (aka Gary Taubes) could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of Gary Taubes as we understood Him.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Admitted to Gary Taubes, to ourselves and to another human being (preferably Robert Lustig) the exact nature of our wrongs.
Were entirely ready to have Gary Taubes remove all these defects of character.
Humbly asked Gary Taubes to remove our shortcomings.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with Gary Taubes as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to sugar addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs.21 -
Carlos_421 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »for those who say its a craving,do you crave fruits,diary,etc? because all those things have sugar in them. wouldnt those things make you crave more and more of those things because of sugar? and table sugar,HFCS and so on all come from natural sources(mostly veggies and some fruits).
The idea that junk food is practically predigested is just silly. Highly palatable? Yes (due largely to the fat content).
Also, sugar is naturally white. People seem to think it's bleached or processed to get it that way but nope, that's its natural color.
I don't think sugar is bleached in order to be white. "White sugar" could be the wrong term, is it "table sugar"?1 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Fruit has flavors you have to learn to like
I don't think this is true. The main flavor fruits have is sweet (many of them are pretty intensely sweet too). I think children (who are born mainly wanting sweet and having to learn to like other flavors, if memory serves) generally enjoy fruit. I can't remember back to my own baby or toddlerhood, but I know my sister did, and most small children I know now love fruit, and by the time my memory kicks in I recall loving it. Some kids have weird texture issues with some fruit, but they still tend to enjoy juice (which is the flavor alone).0 -
stevencloser wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »Sugar IS addictive and an addiction. Cocaine is a harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Sugar? A harmless plant processed into a white addictive powder. Just because you don't act high or do goofy things, does not mean you don't have an addiction...
The first time I see somebody on their knees in a dark alley for a sugar hit, maybe I'll believe in "sugar addiction".
or some disheveled man creeping up to me asking me "hey you got a ho ho on ya"
Except people don't shovel pure sugar into their mouths, they buy sweets which aren't practically free by a long shot.
Speaking of which, how many people DO shovel pure sugar into their mouths to "get a fix" when they can't get the sweets they would want? Cause that's a thing that happen with strong addictions, people will even go as far as take stuff that they know is acutely dangerous to their health just to scratch that itch.
I've seen alcoholics drink mouthwash or even Sterno to get their fix. I've seen smokers rummaging through ash trays or picking up discarded cigarette butts off the street to get a couple drags off them.
Both alcohol and tobacco are legal for everybody to buy and use without a license, and available everywhere.
I've never seen a "sugar addict" digging donuts out of a trash can and licking the sugar off them to feed their "addiction". Nor have I ever seen a "sugar addict" committing residential burglaries, stealing from family/friends or engaging in prostitution to fund their "habit" (as often seen in true "addicts").
And here's what research has to say about "sugar addiction": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28330706
Are you saying that kids can buy alcohol and tobacco legally where you live??3 -
kommodevaran wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »kommodevaran wrote: »Fruit has flavors you have to learn to like
I don't think this is true. The main flavor fruits have is sweet (many of them are pretty intensely sweet too). I think children (who are born mainly wanting sweet and having to learn to like other flavors, if memory serves) generally enjoy fruit. I can't remember back to my own baby or toddlerhood, but I know my sister did, and most small children I know now love fruit, and by the time my memory kicks in I recall loving it. Some kids have weird texture issues with some fruit, but they still tend to enjoy juice (which is the flavor alone).
I just disagree; I don't think the flavors in fruit are complicated or ones that one has to learn to like, no more so than the flavors in anything else (including so called sweets).
But if it's a matter of taste there's no way to change anyone's mind.
Re: ""White sugar" could be the wrong term, is it "table sugar"?"
Yeah, I'd call what I think you are talking about table sugar.0
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