how did you conquer your sugar cravings?

kimbtrainer

Do you completely remove sugary foods and how long did it take you to get disciplined?

melsinct

I still eat sweet stuff, just not daily. I got into a bad habit at my office (pre-MFP) of eating a mini candy bar (or 3) every afternoon. Like clockwork, I would crave that sugar in the afternoon. I cut that out after starting MFP and after a week or two, I didn't miss it at all. I do not avoid things with added sugar, I just don't make a daily habit out of it anymore.

TravelDog14

For years refined sugar has been a huge part of my eating. I ate lots of cookies and cakes, on a daily basis.
I figured when I gave it all up cold turkey in mid-June I would suffer withdrawal, but I haven't noticed any symptoms at all.
My sugar count is still high as I eat apples, bananas, berries and cherries everyday and have 1 packet of sugar in the raw with my morning cup of coffee.
But honestly I thought I would feel some effects from cutting out the apple fritters, chocolate and cookies but I haven't felt any headaches or other symptoms I hear about others suffering.

My motivation to stop with all the processed baked goods and garbage food was my pre-diabetes diagnosis. That has so seriously scared the crap out of me it's been much easier than I imagined to pass that junk food up.

Granted I've only been at this since June 14, maybe I should wait and see what refined sugar cravings I have in 2-3 months.

katamus

No. Way. I like having a little bit of ice cream every now and then. And lots of fruit. If you're talking about cookies, cake, Cocoa Puffs, soda, milkshakes, brownies, and fudge... Yeah I just dropped that stuff. But because I allow myself fruit and frozen yogurt (portion control) I don't feel like I'm missing anything. Also, a little handful of chocolate chips is pretty satisfying and high cacao % is good.

cramernh

two weeks...maybe less by a couple of days...

It was due to medical problems that I got rid of most fruits, all breads, pasta, rice, corn, flours, no potatoes of any type, etc.

I dont even miss them....

SuperAmie

I just stopped eating it.. wasnt that hard. I found out how bad it is for you and was turned off.. Special occasions and that I'll baddle in there a bit, but for the most part... not interested.

katejkelley

I did a cleanse (South Beach and 17 Day Diet) to rid my system of processed sugar, and the cravings started to ebb. This time, I've been off processed sugar for 16 months and feel so much better. I used to binge on cookies and candy all the time. Now, I can pass it up. I do eat Dove sugar-free chocolates when I need a chocolate fix. But I can eat two of them and be satisfied. You can do it, just need a little discipline at the beginning.

picassoadagio

I eat my sweet treats in small doses or I will eat a couple pieces of fruit. Then the sugar is natural, not processed.

ShanaGore

cut back gradually and added lots of fruit to my diet

myfitnessnmhoy

Completely? No.

Significantly? Yes. I gave up soda (entirely, not switching to "diet") and stopped putting sugar in my coffee. I did both things at once, and within a week my constant nagging cravings for sweet started to subside.

They were still there for quite a while before I joined MFP and started logging my food. Then I found out my carbs were a little too high and my proteins were a little too low. Some very minor adjustments to my daily intake (a piece of fruit gone, added some lean meat) and the cravings subsided even further.

I still enjoy sweets, but not as often, not in the same volumes, and quite often now as part of a savory (rhubarb custard pie with the nice tart rhubarb and the savory of the custard, still with lots of sugar but sugar is not the main flavor theme). Pastries used to be irresistible, and now I just find them uninteresting.

FitLink

Do you completely remove sugary foods and how long did it take you to get disciplined?

I find that completely eliminating anything just ensures failure. Everything in moderation.

heyitsadam

Do you completely remove sugary foods and how long did it take you to get disciplined?

Go to GNC and get a bottle of Liquid L-Carnetine. Don't get the GNC brand, get the NOW brand in the orange bottle. It's orange flavored. I leave it in the fridge and if I get a craving for sweets I take a swig off of that. Not only is it sweet and satisfies your craving, it's a fat burner as well. I usually take a swig in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before bed.

Dayna5K

Its been a DAILY struggle for me. I am completely addicted to anything sweet. So far I've cut back by substituting with agave or coconut sugar. I've still got a long way to go, but my plan is to drop all sweet treats (except fruit) down to once a week. Then slowly wean myself to once a month. That's the plan at least, wish me luck!

theblackbirdtree

I know many people have cut sugar to get rid of sugar cravings, but mine are so bad I've just decided to take matters into my own hands.
I still eat sweets, I just make them at home! So, cookies with stevia and unsweetened chocolate chips, or Arctic Zero ice cream, or apples. Cause honestly, I'd rather enjoy desserts and sweets and keep my blood sugar stable, rather than cut out the awesomeness entirely.

Everyone is different, though.

Anna800

I buy healthy sugary things"
shakeology protein shakes
arctic zero ice cream
mini lara bars
jamie eason chocolate protein bars

needamulligan

Try eliminating most/all sugar and once the cravings stop introduce a little at a time. I've started and stopped MFP so many times over the last 2 years. Each time conquering the cravings was different. This time around, I've been eating a lot of berries. I don't know if this was the magic replacement for me but I haven't had any cravings for sweets. Don't give up! It will be over faster than you think! Good luck!

overfences

At first, I went cold turkey with all refined/added sugar, and kept naturally occurring sugar (fruit) to a minimum. The biggest changes for me were eliminating the sugar in my morning coffee, and the sugar in my 3 PM coffee.

I felt like I had the flu for about 3 days!

That's when I realized that my body was truly addicted to the stuff. And I didn't even consider myself to have much of a sweet tooth (and I don't drink soda, don't eat sweets too often, etc).

HOWEVER, once that passed, I felt GREAT. The late afternoon energy slump completely disappeared! My hair improved, my skin improved, I slept better.

Now, I'm trying to eat clean (Primal), but if I go off the wagon and have a high carb/high sugar day, I notice that it takes me a solid 3 days to wean myself off the cravings. This is a battle!!

I think that most of us are truly addicted in the literal sense of the word. We get sugar everywhere in our Western diets, and the irony is that most people who try to lose weight sub out healthy fats for "low fat" versions of things -- which usually contain more sugar to make up for the fat!!

When I avoid sugar as much as possible -- ideally I'd get no carbs except from veggies, occasional fruits, and minimal dairy -- I feel so much better and need so much less food to feel satiated.

caraiselite

cold turkey. low carb.

after a week or two they're not even desirable.

JoolieW68

I'd become homicidal if I cut out all sugar. I have sugar in the fruit that I eat, fake sugar in my coffee, and have a little chocolate each day. It makes the people in my life want to be around me :laugh:

mynameiscarrie

I eat a lot of fruit and after awhile the craving just goes away. I haven't baked in awhile because I've been busy but I usually bake a lot so once I start back up I'm going to use sugar substitutes like Truvia or Stevia in my baking to still get that sweet flavor without having sugar in my diet. Good luck!

Edit to add: I do still have sugar once in awhile. I don't believe in cutting things out all together. Everything in moderation.

mangohead100

please keep the suggestions coming. this is really helpful to me, too :-)

Drudoo

Hi, I'm Drew and i'm a chocoholic!

I have a couple small pieces of dark chocolate every day and have steadily lost weight for the last 4 months. I just work that much harder during my training sessions to make up for it.

lornaheron

I just cut it out completely. I thought i would find it hard but it was quite easy, and i ate of lot of sugary crap ! I think it's sugar that made me feel hungry all the time, so i would just keep snacking constantly. Now i eat nuts or dried fruit if i need a snack.

issyfit

Phase 1 of South Beach--two weeks- works wonders for sugar and starch cravings.

Wpbarr

Ok, the very first thing to do is eliminate all artificial sweeteners. Diet drinks are just completely evil. They are sweeter than sugar or corn syrup! It literally takes a handful of days to develop a "yuck" factor with your tastebuds to artificial sweeteners. Key word here is ELIMINATE. Artificial sweeteners totally mess up your tastebuds.

Then, get rid of as much corn syrup and sugar as you possibly can. It took me less than a month to get over those desires. Now, when I bite into a berry or a piece of fruit, it's sweet, enjoyable and good for me. As soon as you minimize of all the sweeteners/sugar in your diet, your palate will just come alive and you will be amazed at all of the tastes you have been missing out on.

If I really do want a sweetener, I will use honey, agave or maple syrup. If I really want sugar, I will get raw sugar cane from an asian market and press the juice out.

Merrysix

I don't eat sugar and white flour, and limit my carbs to those in fruits and vegies (and don't even eat sugary fruits like grapes, pineapple, and watermeloon). For me the craving leaves after about 30 days, and I find it much easier and simpler not to eat them. When I don't eat them I don't crave them. When I do eat them I want MORE and MORE and MORE. What helps during the first 30 days, is eating plenty of protein every 3 hours or so, enough fats, exercise (which improves my mood and optimism), support from others, and finding beauty and spirituality in every day. However, I don't advocate my approach for anyone but me. We are all born with different metabolisms, enzyme levels, etc. and what works for me may not work for any one else.

HausfrauB

I just cut it out completely. I thought i would find it hard but it was quite easy, and i ate of lot of sugary crap ! I think it's sugar that made me feel hungry all the time, so i would just keep snacking constantly. Now i eat nuts or dried fruit if i need a snack.

Same here. I went low-carb and for the last two weeks, I've averaged 8 grams sugar per day. I notice that I don't feel hungry all the time anymore. I think that I'm tasting more of what I'm eating because pumpkin even tastes sweet to me now.

Also, it's fun experimenting with finding sugar-free desserts that my family likes. Last night, I made a pudding/creme using cream, stevia, cocoa powder and my 12 yo son loved it.