No sugar

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Replies

  • spangler1972
    spangler1972 Posts: 18 Member
    Does anyone know how long it takes to stop craving sugar once you switch to clean eating?

    Two weeks is a good rule of thumb when you're trying to change habits. There's a psychological element involved, whether it's something that you do every day, or if you find yourself eating two pounds of tootsie rolls in a sitting. It takes a little while to get used to a new pattern.

    It sounds like you're trying to make some diet changes to break bad habits. If you are, good luck to you. Keep working at it, and you'll figure out what works. There are a lot of paths to success.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    IMG_9793-600x399.jpg

    The sugar in the banana and cherry is good for you, but the rest of the sugar in the same bite is bad for you, even though they're the same molecules.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    4 Days is usually right on for me, I eliminated all flours and sugar and once past day 4 I feel terrific and have no cravings.

    I should say "refined sugars" though, I do eat fruit but in moderation


    Refined sugars is what I'm talking about... Thank You.

    You think your cells can tell whether the glucose molecule that just brought in was from a banana or stick of gum?

    They can't.

    i think by "refined", she meant "well-mannered". you know... standing when a female molecule enters the room, holding the door open for female molecules, pulling out the chair for a female molecule when taking her out to dinner... that sort of thing.
  • paxbfl
    paxbfl Posts: 391 Member
    To answer the OP question, I agree with the 3 days number. That's about how long it took me to break the sugar cycle. Like another poster said, I had headaches and felt lousy until I powered my way through. After that I felt a LOT better.

    As someone else said, don't replace sugar with other refined carbs like pasta or white bread. Your body treats it basically the same as sugar.

    There's a lot of truth in posts here but people are also missing some key information. A calorie is a calorie, true. But if you eat refined carbs, they will have a faster effect on your blood sugar than complex carbs (AKA "Glycemic Index").

    I realize how sugar affects you is a personal thing. Speaking for myself, I find I get a "sugar high" of sorts after eating refined carbs - a happy feeling with a short-lived energy boost as my blood sugar spikes. A short time afterward, I feel sluggish and grumpy as my blood sugar crashes (the afternoon slump after lunch), and I'm strongly craving sugar, pasta, cake, whatever to get my sugar level up again (the afternoon "pick me up"). It turns into a vicious cycle - the "Sugar Roller Coaster". Over the course of a day, this leads to a lot of calories being ingested to keep the roller coaster moving.

    So eliminating sugar (refined carbs) can help you lose weight because it breaks that cycle, cuts the cravings and helps you get back in control of how many calories you're eating.
  • zjpq
    zjpq Posts: 198 Member
    everyone is different, usually after a few days it is 'better'

    but like I said, everyone is different, something to remember, I try to limit my sugar regardless of what everyone says about it b/c one thing of candy, or something sweet, even in moderation is enough to send me into a spiral and I can't control myself and I want to eat the whole damn cake! it's just easier to not have it in the first place lol
  • tabitha2770
    tabitha2770 Posts: 60 Member
    To answer the OP question, I agree with the 3 days number. That's about how long it took me to break the sugar cycle. Like another poster said, I had headaches and felt lousy until I powered my way through. After that I felt a LOT better.

    As someone else said, don't replace sugar with other refined carbs like pasta or white bread. Your body treats it basically the same as sugar.

    There's a lot of truth in posts here but people are also missing some key information. A calorie is a calorie, true. But if you eat refined carbs, they will have a faster effect on your blood sugar than complex carbs (AKA "Glycemic Index").

    I realize how sugar affects you is a personal thing. Speaking for myself, I find I get a "sugar high" of sorts after eating refined carbs - a happy feeling with a short-lived energy boost as my blood sugar spikes. A short time afterward, I feel sluggish and grumpy as my blood sugar crashes (the afternoon slump after lunch), and I'm strongly craving sugar, pasta, cake, whatever to get my sugar level up again (the afternoon "pick me up"). It turns into a vicious cycle - the "Sugar Roller Coaster". Over the course of a day, this leads to a lot of calories being ingested to keep the roller coaster moving.

    So eliminating sugar (refined carbs) can help you lose weight because it breaks that cycle, cuts the cravings and helps you get back in control of how many calories you're eating.

    thank you...Im not a pasta eater at all and I very rarely eat bread and if I do it's whole wheat and I check the label to be sure there is no white flour. I don't care so much that my body is getting sugar from some things, I'm just trying to make healthier choices to make MYSELF feel better. Thank You for the advice.
  • perfect_storm
    perfect_storm Posts: 326 Member
    I cut out refined sugars and only get sugar from fruit. I do not eat processed foods and I stick to good carbs like no white breads or white rice, white pasta, ect. When going through this change it took about 2 weeks before I stopped wanting chocolate. Now I do not miss it one bit. I hope this helps, it may be different for you but this is my experience.
  • tabitha2770
    tabitha2770 Posts: 60 Member
    I cut out refined sugars and only get sugar from fruit. I do not eat processed foods and I stick to good carbs like no white breads or white rice, white pasta, ect. When going through this change it took about 2 weeks before I stopped wanting chocolate. Now I do not miss it one bit. I hope this helps, it may be different for you but this is my experience.

    What you did is exactly what I'm trying to do also. Thanks a bunch!
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    To answer the OP question, I agree with the 3 days number. That's about how long it took me to break the sugar cycle. Like another poster said, I had headaches and felt lousy until I powered my way through. After that I felt a LOT better.

    As someone else said, don't replace sugar with other refined carbs like pasta or white bread. Your body treats it basically the same as sugar.

    There's a lot of truth in posts here but people are also missing some key information. A calorie is a calorie, true. But if you eat refined carbs, they will have a faster effect on your blood sugar than complex carbs (AKA "Glycemic Index").

    I realize how sugar affects you is a personal thing. Speaking for myself, I find I get a "sugar high" of sorts after eating refined carbs - a happy feeling with a short-lived energy boost as my blood sugar spikes. A short time afterward, I feel sluggish and grumpy as my blood sugar crashes (the afternoon slump after lunch), and I'm strongly craving sugar, pasta, cake, whatever to get my sugar level up again (the afternoon "pick me up"). It turns into a vicious cycle - the "Sugar Roller Coaster". Over the course of a day, this leads to a lot of calories being ingested to keep the roller coaster moving.

    So eliminating sugar (refined carbs) can help you lose weight because it breaks that cycle, cuts the cravings and helps you get back in control of how many calories you're eating.

    thank you...Im not a pasta eater at all and I very rarely eat bread and if I do it's whole wheat and I check the label to be sure there is no white flour. I don't care so much that my body is getting sugar from some things, I'm just trying to make healthier choices to make MYSELF feel better. Thank You for the advice.

    Your mistake is thinking that eliminating sugar is "a healthier choice."
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    Does anyone know how long it takes to stop craving sugar once you switch to clean eating?

    I stopped all added sugar ( for reasons that have nothing to do with MFP or weight loss) the first week of April this year and after a first difficult weeke I have not have had sugar cravings since the later part of April until now.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    What if I told you sugar is a carb?

    You would be absolutely right, but also not answering the question of the OP:
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    no white breads or white rice, white pasta,

    Did you know that the only different in white and brown rice is fiber? The extra nutrients contained in brown rice are not bioreadily available, meaning your body can't break down the part that stores the extra nutrients. That's it.
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    Im not trying to lose weight from not eating sugar, just trying to cut out the sugar that isn't coming from my natural foods.

    What worked for me is what I call "bridge foods." For example, raisins gave me the sugar rush I enjoyed from chocolate but were still calorie-dense. They were my bridge for switching to grapes, which are now plenty sweet for me. I have no craving for chocolate (or raisins) at all.

    130219-substitutions.jpg
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Im not trying to lose weight from not eating sugar, just trying to cut out the sugar that isn't coming from my natural foods.

    What worked for me is what I call "bridge foods." For example, raisins gave me the sugar rush I enjoyed from chocolate but were still calorie-dense. They were my bridge for switching to grapes, which are now plenty sweet for me. I have no craving for chocolate (or raisins) at all.

    130219-substitutions.jpg

    Now I want some chocolate chips.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Im not trying to lose weight from not eating sugar, just trying to cut out the sugar that isn't coming from my natural foods.

    What worked for me is what I call "bridge foods." For example, raisins gave me the sugar rush I enjoyed from chocolate but were still calorie-dense. They were my bridge for switching to grapes, which are now plenty sweet for me. I have no craving for chocolate (or raisins) at all.

    130219-substitutions.jpg

    I'm upset I went grocery shopping already today because it looks fab to add to my morning Greek yogurt. D:

    Now I want some chocolate chips.
  • SchroederNJ
    SchroederNJ Posts: 189 Member
    and cue 'what is clean eating' debate

    fruits have sugars --- are they not clean?
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    Im not trying to lose weight from not eating sugar, just trying to cut out the sugar that isn't coming from my natural foods.

    What worked for me is what I call "bridge foods." For example, raisins gave me the sugar rush I enjoyed from chocolate but were still calorie-dense. They were my bridge for switching to grapes, which are now plenty sweet for me. I have no craving for chocolate (or raisins) at all.

    130219-substitutions.jpg

    Just to note: The raisins and grapes both contain approximately 5x more sugar than the chocolate chips, in the serving sizes shown.

    Of COURSE they curb your sugar craving.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 Member
    "And there is no reason to fear it and lowering sugar will not improve weight loss. " <
    I bet lowering sugar intake would indeed aid in weight loss. Just sayin'

    How so? It takes 3500 calories to lose a lb of fat. That is the proven science. It doesn't suggest which macro nutrient it needs to come from. So if you maintain the same caloric deficit, how is lowering sugar going to improve fat loss? I would love to see science. If you want to see my science, read the below.


    http://www.fitnessbaddies.com/your-problem-with-sugar-is-the-problem-with-sugar/

    Here in Mexico the average person ingests 68 spoons of sugar daily mostly thought soft drinks ( that are unfortunately cheaper than water ). If those people cut out, or at least cut down on sugary soft drinks you bet they will lose weight, if they don't replace those calories with other ones like filet Mignon or paté.
    People seem to forget that most people who want to cut out sugar will also cut down on things like soft drinks and bakery goods. If they cut down calories in regard to that you bet they will lose weight, because as we all know it's the calorie deficit that does it. If a person eats 3000 calories a day and 1500 are from sugar filled foods, they will lose if they cut those sugary foods out. Or are you saying that people don't get overweight from a dozen of doughnuts a day or a a six pack of soft drinks, cookies and candy? if they cut that out, they should lose weight, because no one I know actually eats plain sugar by the spoon full, usually it comes in a food/drink.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Your body doesn't crave sugar, your brain does. It remembers that yummy sweetness and tells you that you need more of it. Studies have shown it takes approximately 3 weeks to change a habit which is also just about as long as it will take for you to convince yourself that you feel great because you aren't eating the evil refined sugars and white flour.
  • Cindyinpg
    Cindyinpg Posts: 3,902 Member
    Im not trying to lose weight from not eating sugar, just trying to cut out the sugar that isn't coming from my natural foods.

    What worked for me is what I call "bridge foods." For example, raisins gave me the sugar rush I enjoyed from chocolate but were still calorie-dense. They were my bridge for switching to grapes, which are now plenty sweet for me. I have no craving for chocolate (or raisins) at all.

    130219-substitutions.jpg
    Taco_zps8524e400.gif
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.
  • TX_Rhon
    TX_Rhon Posts: 1,549 Member
    YES!! Another sugar thread............where's my popcorn? Wait..........does that turn to sugar? And how will that sugar interfere with the sugar I had in my white mocha this morn????

    ::exiting sarcastic font::
  • bmoliv66
    bmoliv66 Posts: 47 Member
    Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    "And there is no reason to fear it and lowering sugar will not improve weight loss. " <
    I bet lowering sugar intake would indeed aid in weight loss. Just sayin'

    How so? It takes 3500 calories to lose a lb of fat. That is the proven science. It doesn't suggest which macro nutrient it needs to come from. So if you maintain the same caloric deficit, how is lowering sugar going to improve fat loss? I would love to see science. If you want to see my science, read the below.


    http://www.fitnessbaddies.com/your-problem-with-sugar-is-the-problem-with-sugar/

    Here in Mexico the average person ingests 68 spoons of sugar daily mostly thought soft drinks ( that are unfortunately cheaper than water ). If those people cut out, or at least cut down on sugary soft drinks you bet they will lose weight, if they don't replace those calories with other ones like filet Mignon or paté.
    People seem to forget that most people who want to cut out sugar will also cut down on things like soft drinks and bakery goods. If they cut down calories in regard to that you bet they will lose weight, because as we all know it's the calorie deficit that does it. If a person eats 3000 calories a day and 1500 are from sugar filled foods, they will lose if they cut those sugary foods out. Or are you saying that people don't get overweight from a dozen of doughnuts a day or a a six pack of soft drinks, cookies and candy? if they cut that out, they should lose weight, because no one I know actually eats plain sugar by the spoon full, usually it comes in a food/drink.

    No the person consuming the 3000 calories will lose weight (even if 1500 of those 3000 calories come from sugary foods) as long as that 3000 calories has them in a calorie deficit period...
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    "And there is no reason to fear it and lowering sugar will not improve weight loss. " <
    I bet lowering sugar intake would indeed aid in weight loss. Just sayin'

    How so? It takes 3500 calories to lose a lb of fat. That is the proven science. It doesn't suggest which macro nutrient it needs to come from. So if you maintain the same caloric deficit, how is lowering sugar going to improve fat loss? I would love to see science. If you want to see my science, read the below.


    http://www.fitnessbaddies.com/your-problem-with-sugar-is-the-problem-with-sugar/

    If they cut down calories in regard to that you bet they will lose weight, because as we all know it's the calorie deficit that does it.

    By your logic, lowering fat intake will improve weight loss. Lowering fiber intake will improve weight loss. Lowering protein intake will improve weight loss.

    No kidding. Lowering CALORIE intake improves weight loss. If you eat 1400 calories with 100g of sugar or 1400 calories with 10g of sugar, weight loss will be the same.
  • 19bulldog60
    19bulldog60 Posts: 96 Member
    Forever .
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.

    Because she isn't the only one on MFP reading these threads and regardless to whether she wants to listen to those of us advocating that eating a well balanced diet can also include some discretionary items that contain the horrid SUGAR monster!! that there are others (Newbies) that are easily influenced and we just want to make sure both sides are represented..... Plus the whole thing that this is a public forum and we have just as much right to post what we see fit thing kinda applies..........
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    for me it is about 3 or 4 days
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    "And there is no reason to fear it and lowering sugar will not improve weight loss. " <
    I bet lowering sugar intake would indeed aid in weight loss. Just sayin'

    How so? It takes 3500 calories to lose a lb of fat. That is the proven science. It doesn't suggest which macro nutrient it needs to come from. So if you maintain the same caloric deficit, how is lowering sugar going to improve fat loss? I would love to see science. If you want to see my science, read the below.


    http://www.fitnessbaddies.com/your-problem-with-sugar-is-the-problem-with-sugar/

    Here in Mexico the average person ingests 68 spoons of sugar daily mostly thought soft drinks ( that are unfortunately cheaper than water ). If those people cut out, or at least cut down on sugary soft drinks you bet they will lose weight, if they don't replace those calories with other ones like filet Mignon or paté.
    People seem to forget that most people who want to cut out sugar will also cut down on things like soft drinks and bakery goods. If they cut down calories in regard to that you bet they will lose weight, because as we all know it's the calorie deficit that does it. If a person eats 3000 calories a day and 1500 are from sugar filled foods, they will lose if they cut those sugary foods out. Or are you saying that people don't get overweight from a dozen of doughnuts a day or a a six pack of soft drinks, cookies and candy? if they cut that out, they should lose weight, because no one I know actually eats plain sugar by the spoon full, usually it comes in a food/drink.

    People don't get overweight from eating a dozen donuts a day or a six pack of soft drinks. They get overweight from eating a calorie surplus. I could eat a dozen donuts and not gain weight if I worked out enough.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Why does everything on here turn into a debate? It gets so old. The OP wants to cut out sugar....so what? She doesn't need a reason that anyone else approves of.

    Because she isn't the only one on MFP reading these threads and regardless to whether she wants to listen to those of us advocating that eating a well balanced diet can also include some discretionary items that contain the horrid SUGAR monster!! that there are others (Newbies) that are easily influenced and we just want to make sure both sides are represented..... Plus the whole thing that this is a public forum and we have just as much right to post what we see fit thing kinda applies..........

    I would agree with you wholeheartedly if the OP had asked a different question. Her question was "How long till the cravings for sugar are gone once she begins clean eating?". That doesn't open up the topic to whatever anyone thinks about sugar and turning it into another sugar debate.