How to break sugar addiction?

binknbaby

For me, I try to simply replace the processed sugar with a smaller portion of a natural sugar. For instance, rather than having that milkshake, make a banana and yogurt smoothie instead. Or instead of the candy bar, have a piece of fruit; honey instead of table sugar in my tea or coffee... There is still sugar in fruit, of course, but it's much easier for your body to metabolize (especially as it has the fiber with it), and it is not as chemically addicting like processed sugars are.

You_Can_Be

I too am struggling with sugar addiction. I can go for weeks without refined sugars and refined carbs and then I get offered some chocolate or cake and it is like I imagine heroin to be, I am hooked again.

When I am doing OK and am off sugar I eat Coconut nectar and xylitol as replacements as they are sweet but low glycemic load. I would love to find a sugar addicts support group or start one. ANyone interested?

ambervaldez79

I LOVE sugar. I LOVE candy. For the very first time I chose to eat one M&M instead of the entire bag offered to me. Yes, one stinking M&M. My coworkers laughed at me because it was absurd, but it gave me that sweet taste I was craving. The doctor I work for also does something similar. When patients bring in sweet treats, he will only have a bite or two of a cookie and toss the rest. I didn't get it, but it does help some.

brower47

I started my "diet" early this year like so many, resolving to loose weight. I had been doing really great up until late this week. But now everything with sugar is calling my name!

From the beginning, I wanted to make this a positive experience so I would stick with it. I cut way back on soda (I'm drinking 1 mini-can - 90cals per day). I've been staying within my calories each day. I bought some special K pastry crisps to help curb the sugar cravings, giving myself the "treat" as long as I had exercised that day. I've been exercising 6 days a week, mostly circuit training. But, some treadmill sprints and weights too.

Anyway, the sugar cravings are actually getting worse instead of better. What have you done to help curb those cravings?

Don't eliminate anything from your diet, just allow yourself little treats of your favorite foods, not substitutes that you would only eat while dieting restrictively. If you don't give them up, you won't crave them and then binge on them when the cravings get to be too much.

Moderation is key.

katejkelley

Though this isn't the case for everyone, I found I had to rid my body of processed sugar and then STAY OFF OF IT. I went on the 17-Day Diet. The first 17 days is a wonderful cleanse and gave me the kick-start I needed. Now I don't eat cookies, cakes, treats, etc., made with processed sugar and read labels on everything. I still love my sweets, but use alternate sources such as fruits, agave, etc. I know the cold-turkey method is harsh, but I think I have a sugar addiction. I can't eat just one cookie or piece of candy. It's much easier if I just don't have that first bite.

SanteMulberry

Though this isn't the case for everyone, I found I had to rid my body of processed sugar and then STAY OFF OF IT. I went on the 17-Day Diet. The first 17 days is a wonderful cleanse and gave me the kick-start I needed. Now I don't eat cookies, cakes, treats, etc., made with processed sugar and read labels on everything. I still love my sweets, but use alternate sources such as fruits, agave, etc. I know the cold-turkey method is harsh, but I think I have a sugar addiction. I can't eat just one cookie or piece of candy. It's much easier if I just don't have that first bite.

Same here. I have been without sugar for two years. And you know what? I don't even miss it anymore--either physically or mentally (the mental part went on long after I broke the physical addiction). Just as with any physical addiction, the craving goes away fairly quickly---the mental part takes a bit of time. NOW, I like the way I feel when I feed my body spinach much more than I ever did when I ate a cupcake or doughnut.

My family and friends have quit asking me if I want some of the sweet treat that they are having. They know the answer will always be "no". A few have even complained that I make them feel guilty. And I tell them, "This is not about judging you, you are doing what you want with your body and that is none of my business. This is about me doing what is best for MY body and I feel so much better than I did two years ago that I will NEVER go back to eating sugary foods."

SanteMulberry

I started my "diet" early this year like so many, resolving to loose weight. I had been doing really great up until late this week. But now everything with sugar is calling my name!

From the beginning, I wanted to make this a positive experience so I would stick with it. I cut way back on soda (I'm drinking 1 mini-can - 90cals per day). I've been staying within my calories each day. I bought some special K pastry crisps to help curb the sugar cravings, giving myself the "treat" as long as I had exercised that day. I've been exercising 6 days a week, mostly circuit training. But, some treadmill sprints and weights too.

Anyway, the sugar cravings are actually getting worse instead of better. What have you done to help curb those cravings?

Don't eliminate anything from your diet, just allow yourself little treats of your favorite foods, not substitutes that you would only eat while dieting restrictively. If you don't give them up, you won't crave them and then binge on them when the cravings get to be too much.

Moderation is key.

I would respectfully disagree with this advice. There are some of us who MUST avoid sugar if we are going to stay out of the binge rut. It is very similar to alcoholism. Every recovering alcoholic understands that, sobriety depends on never even tasting that first taste. Very few recovering alcoholics can ever engage in "moderate drinking" again. I grew up addicted to sugar and wheat---it makes my life just a whole lot simpler if I avoid both---particularly sugar.

brower47

I started my "diet" early this year like so many, resolving to loose weight. I had been doing really great up until late this week. But now everything with sugar is calling my name!

From the beginning, I wanted to make this a positive experience so I would stick with it. I cut way back on soda (I'm drinking 1 mini-can - 90cals per day). I've been staying within my calories each day. I bought some special K pastry crisps to help curb the sugar cravings, giving myself the "treat" as long as I had exercised that day. I've been exercising 6 days a week, mostly circuit training. But, some treadmill sprints and weights too.

Anyway, the sugar cravings are actually getting worse instead of better. What have you done to help curb those cravings?

Don't eliminate anything from your diet, just allow yourself little treats of your favorite foods, not substitutes that you would only eat while dieting restrictively. If you don't give them up, you won't crave them and then binge on them when the cravings get to be too much.

Moderation is key.

I would respectfully disagree with this advice. There are some of us who MUST avoid sugar if we are going to stay out of the binge rut. It is very similar to alcoholism. Every recovering alcoholic understands that, sobriety depends on never even tasting that first taste. Very few recovering alcoholics can ever engage in "moderate drinking" again. I grew up addicted to sugar and wheat---it makes my life just a whole lot simpler if I avoid both---particularly sugar.

I understand this and what works for one will not work for another. This was directed at the OP who has been restricting herself of nearly all sugar and is not having horrid cravings. She might be like me (certainly sounds like how I was each time I failed at a diet in the past). I can't cut any one food out or I start to obsess about what I can't have, to the point of dreaming about it. I've been successful for the past three years with this path. I was only offering an alternative, not giving a commandment. I should have stated it less strongly so that I didn't give the "my way or the highway" impression.

SanteMulberry

I started my "diet" early this year like so many, resolving to loose weight. I had been doing really great up until late this week. But now everything with sugar is calling my name!

From the beginning, I wanted to make this a positive experience so I would stick with it. I cut way back on soda (I'm drinking 1 mini-can - 90cals per day). I've been staying within my calories each day. I bought some special K pastry crisps to help curb the sugar cravings, giving myself the "treat" as long as I had exercised that day. I've been exercising 6 days a week, mostly circuit training. But, some treadmill sprints and weights too.

Anyway, the sugar cravings are actually getting worse instead of better. What have you done to help curb those cravings?

Don't eliminate anything from your diet, just allow yourself little treats of your favorite foods, not substitutes that you would only eat while dieting restrictively. If you don't give them up, you won't crave them and then binge on them when the cravings get to be too much.

Moderation is key.

I would respectfully disagree with this advice. There are some of us who MUST avoid sugar if we are going to stay out of the binge rut. It is very similar to alcoholism. Every recovering alcoholic understands that, sobriety depends on never even tasting that first taste. Very few recovering alcoholics can ever engage in "moderate drinking" again. I grew up addicted to sugar and wheat---it makes my life just a whole lot simpler if I avoid both---particularly sugar.

I understand this and what works for one will not work for another. This was directed at the OP who has been restricting herself of nearly all sugar and is not having horrid cravings. She might be like me (certainly sounds like how I was each time I failed at a diet in the past). I can't cut any one food out or I start to obsess about what I can't have, to the point of dreaming about it. I've been successful for the past three years with this path. I was only offering an alternative, not giving a commandment. I should have stated it less strongly so that I didn't give the "my way or the highway" impression.

No problem.

zorreena

Bump