Sugar Addiction Help

laurawalker161446

What did you do to beat sugar?

earlnabby

I didn't. I worked it into my macros where I could and ate other things when I couldn't.

KaterinaTerese

No but seriously, sugar is not an addictive substance. Your body craves quick energy, sugar provides that. If you're concerned about getting proper nutrients, maybe try eating fruit instead of sugary candy or whatever.

FatFreeFrolicking

I don't eat it unless it's from fruit/veggies.

laurawalker161446

What's a macro- just the formula of food + exercise = net calories ?

Thanks for the advice, and congratulations on the weight loss.

my goal is 100 pounds in 12 months- I know I can do it if I can stop eating ice cream and chocolate chip cookies!!

chatnel

Go cold turkey. Once you get past the first 3 days it gets alot easier and the cravings will gradually stop.

I could never just have a little bit of chocolate, it is all or nothing for me.

andrealwatson

Since its summer, and my kids always want ice cream( and so do I), I buy outshine sugar free frozen fruit bars, it gives me the enjoyment of something sweet and cold, just 30 calories, and no added sugar.

KameHameHaaaa

I used to have a huge addiction to anything sweet. Any kind of candy, chocolate, sugary creamer...I binged on hardcore. When I first started losing weight I HAD to stay away from all that for about two weeks. I tried to do the whole moderation thing to start off but I craved sugar so badly to the point where I couldnt control myself. So I didn't eat candy, didn't use flavored creamer, etc for about two weeks. After that I slowly started introducing it back into my life. Staying under my cals of course, but I had to train myself to eat less. I keep a jar of a combo of hershey kisses with almonds, sugarfree mini reese cups, and sugarfree werther originals. Whoever looks at my diary sees I eat at least one of those everyday because frankly I love sweet things, just gotta use control and moderation.

WildcatDeLalune

In the past, I had a huge issue with sugar. I grew up using it to flavor practically everything. I ate it in my rice, oatmeal, grits, pasta, sandwiches (peanutbutter and syrup (YUM!!)), you name it. I even got to the point where I was putting sugar in my Gatorade. Needless to say, I required more sugar just to even taste it. I never thought it was an addiction, though. I just thought it made things taste better like how my husband pours red pepper flakes on everything. Haha.

I used to wean myself off it just to end up over-using it again. But then, I just stopped using it as much. Sometimes, I'd go long periods without it and it's been pretty easy for me. I knew that I was on the path to Diabetes and that I didn't need copious amounts of sugar to survive. If I get cravings (which is rare), I either let them pass or grab a caramel corn rice cake. ^_^.

ladybird89

Fact: the more sugar you eat, the more you will crave it.

Fact: the less sugar you eat, the less you will crave it.

Cut down on sugar and your cravings will eventually go down, BIG TIME. I used to have a huge sweet tooth and it's pretty much gone because I decided to dramatically cut down. A little while after I cut down, I noticed I didn't have cravings anymore. Don't get me wrong, I definitely still need to have something sweet every day. That is natural. But the irrational and destructive cravings are gone, and I don't binge on sweets anymore. Ever.

Sometimes what you really need is a reason to cut down on sugar. Something other than your desire to lose weight. Check out this lecture on the hidden dangers of sugar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

1princesswarrior

I didn't. I worked it into my macros where I could and ate other things when I couldn't.

QFT

rosesandsuch

I am currently really struggling with this as well, the problem with me is work, my coworkers are constantly bringing in bags of chocolate and candy and I end up snacking on them throughout the day not realizing how much it's adding up!

I've always compared it to any other addiction in that I will try to enjoy sugar in moderation, but always end up overeating. The same way a person might try to reduce their alcohol intake but still become intoxicated every time regardless.

I don't keep any sugar/juice/syrup/dried fruit/sweets/chemical sweeteners in my apartment because I know it will trigger a binge and make my cravings skyrocket. When I do get treats, I go out to eat them.

I also read the labels of everything I buy, so many products have hidden sugars in them, I have memorized the list of words companies use instead of sugar in the nutrition information. Added sugar has no business in canned fruit/vegetables, savory dressings, breads, soup, savory condiments, or meats! In fact, I make most of my condiments, marinades, and dressings myself to avoid this exact issue!

All I keep in my kitchen is a bottle of organic stevia drops and plenty of fresh fruit, mostly bananas and blueberries.

SherryTeach

I see no reason to give up sugar. I work it into my my calories and enjoy it. Since it does not replace meat, veggie, fruit, dairy or whole grain, I can usually manage a small treat every day.

losingforgood120

I used to feel this way about sugar too... one of the most helpful posts I've read on this was this lady said- I didn't learn to eat in moderation over night, it took practice. I used to think I "couldn't" eat sugar in moderation because every time I tried I'd mess up (eat too much) and then I'd think oh no, maybe I can't eat sugar at all because it makes me binge... anyway, something about that post clicked for me. I just kept trying to eat it in moderation. Taking a break from desserts for awhile can help and making rules for desserts might be necessary but maybe you can eat sugar in moderation too. I can now go a day without sugar and I can eat healthful balanced meals with a 1/2 cup of ice cream after dinner and then stop. Good luck. :flowerforyou:

Flab2Fab27

Seriously though, either work it into your daily calorie goal or break the habit by changing your own actions. My workplace is notorious for people brining in all sorts of high calorie treats to snack on. I know that once I start munching, I'll be back all throughout the day so what works for me is not starting in the first place ( as difficult as willpower is), this is what currently prevents me from over indulging.

losingforgood120

What's a macro- just the formula of food + exercise = net calories ?

Thanks for the advice, and congratulations on the weight loss.

my goal is 100 pounds in 12 months- I know I can do it if I can stop eating ice cream and chocolate chip cookies!!

Macro = macronutrient. The macronutrients are carbs/ fat/ protein. (And I guess some people include fiber...)
Some people focus on getting their macros "right" or balanced. Like aiming for 40% of calories from carbs, 30% from fat and 30% from protein. (just an example)

kevinsmithrn

Macros, moderation, sugars not addictive - blah blah blah - if you think of ADDED sugars as toxic - then maybe it helps you pass on all those sugary treats that are so effective in sabotaging healthy eating efforts. If u gotta have a sugar hit - grab a bannana or apple those are carbs worth eating. Good luck on the 100 pounds!

kikityme

I found that when I lowered my carbs drastically, basically bread and pasta is gone for me (DIABETES! DOWN ANTI LOW CARB PEOPLE!) my urge for sugar just seemed to balance itself.

For me white bread was like a gateway drug I literally would butter a piece of wonder bread and coat it in white sugar. Ok, I know that sounds repulsive, and it probably was, but I loved it.

new_clear

I wish I could say I got up one morning and was sugar free... it was a slow removal. First rice, then grain based breads, then sugar itself. I rely on whole, fresh fruits. If I must cheat, dried fruit concentrates the sugar while importantly keeping the fibre and other nutrients. Now I don't use dried fruit as a fix, but more so for flavour (I use powdered freeze dried fruits, no sugar added).

Imadorkable

Go cold turkey. Once you get past the first 3 days it gets alot easier and the cravings will gradually stop.

I could never just have a little bit of chocolate, it is all or nothing for me.

Same here. 2 months cold turkey and the only time I have cravings is around my TOM.

cwoyto123

There is nothing wrong with sugar (assuming you're somewhat active and not diabetic). Sugars = carbohydrates.

That being said, I usually consume around 450g~ of sugar a day on average.

Imadorkable

For me white bread was like a gateway drug I literally would butter a piece of wonder bread and coat it in white sugar. Ok, I know that sounds repulsive, and it probably was, but I loved it.

Nope, sounds good to me. Toast that sugar with a little blow torch and you've got a Wonder Bread Brulee

Not crazy. I used to add cinnamon to mine.

smashy_smashy

For me white bread was like a gateway drug I literally would butter a piece of wonder bread and coat it in white sugar. Ok, I know that sounds repulsive, and it probably was, but I loved it.

Nope, sounds good to me. Toast that sugar with a little blow torch and you've got a Wonder Bread Brulee

I like the way you think.

paulandrachelk

Read "The Sugar Diet". Published by Rodale (?) books. Check "Prevention.com"-the Prevention magazine puts it out.

Quasita

If you want to stop eating ice cream and cookies, then the answer is simple. Stop buying them. Stop making them. Don't let friends or family be an excuse to buy them. If, in the event that you plan a treat for say a birthday party, have a serving.

I advise NOT to use artificial sweeteners. They will not help you move away from wanting super sweet things, they will likely make it worse. Science has shown us that when we "crave" sugar we're needing energy, as another response states. A craving for chocolate can be cured by eating a sweet apple. The apple provides much more sustainability.

We are hard wired to look for calorie-dense foods from a survivalist perspective, but we don't need to do that anymore. The way you beat something like this is sheer willpower. Don't buy, don't put it in your face. If you can't do it by yourself, entrust a family member to help you. Buy single serve packets if you do decide to have it so you don't have more than that. Drop the excuses that you use to permit yourself the noms.

Swiftlet66

If you mean processed, white refined sugars or HFCS then here's some advice...

At my office, there's a big bowl of chocolates and random candies (free!) and I used to grab from that thing every single day because I felt like I needed the energy and was craving it really bad. Now, I don't even think about the bowl at all and I rarely crave the sugars and I feel normal again. How did I do it? I cut down and eventually eliminated added sugars (ie. cookies, cakes, chocolates, white refined sugars, almost all flavored yogurts and breakfast cereals and granola bars if they are over 6 g of sugar, plus only use honey/maple syrup/coconut sugar sparingly in cooking) and I started eating whole fruits--bananas, mangoes, apples, etc. Did this for 6 months and now I'm sugar-crave free. Have all the energy I need from sleep and enough calories from food. Every once in a while, I'll buy a treat for myself (ie. nutrition bars as a dessert!) or eat something offered at work and a small portion is fine. No cravings whatsoever.

The trick is to start slow with cutting down while increasing fruit intake and then eventually eliminate the added refined sugars. Do not buy it or keep it in sight. Keep yourself busy. Eat enough and eat regularly for your body. You'll be fine.

Naughty_ZOOT

I am a type 2 diabetic and I resoundingly beat sugar by switching to a low carb, moderate protein, high fat dietary protocol. I ditched all grains and am currently losing weight through ketosis. This protocol normalized my blood glucose dropping it from HgbA1c of 7.9 in December with medications to 5.5 without medications so far and still falling. All through dietary modification and it has been extremely pleasant to boot. I have no desire for any nasty foods any longer and eat 100% unprocessed whole natural foods. The fat sources for me are: coconut oil, olive oil, grass fed butter and animal fats. No, they are NOT bad for you unless you combine them with a typical SAD diet and eat tons of carbs. That is what made me diabetic but I am off meds and have amazing energy. Research it and you will see.
Dr. Bernstein's Diabetic Solution
Wheat Belly, Dr. Wm. Davis
Grain Brain, Dr. David Perlmutter
The Art and Science of Low Carb Living, Volek and Phinney
There are more but these are a great start for anyone, diabetic or not. Eating sugar and high carbs is a perfect recipe for diabetes, cognitive decline and heart disease. That is not for me any longer!

meganjcallaghan

I eat it by the truckload. As you can see by my ticker it hasn't posed much of a weight loss problem.

curlygirl513

Fact: the more sugar you eat, the more you will crave it.

Fact: the less sugar you eat, the less you will crave it.

You are so right about this. I am a sugar addict and I gave refined sugar up. The first week was hard, but I'm into the third week and I don't even want it. I replaced it with fruit. I whip up frozen fruit in the blender with just alittle water to blend and that is better than Ice cream. I eat fresh ripe fruit all the time. I have 0% interest in eating sugar. That happened in the 2nd week. I'm only finishing the 3rd week this Saturday. Sugar is a drug. Yes it is. The more I ate the more I craved. Giving it up is Amazing.

EuphonyChloeH

Besides trying to kick the heavy stuff, pay attention to what sparks your sugar cravings. I notice that if I have a carb heavy day I start craving more carbs AND sugar. Going child turkey seems to help the most.

LanaC1210

I try and eat more fruits to get natural sugar. Or if I must...then I eat dark chocolate covered almonds or acai berries