Sugar addiction....

Anyone that tells you that all sugar is the same is delusional. "I got fat from eating too much fruit!" said no one, ever.

But that's not because the sugar is different.

It's just that there aren't many natural foods that are as delicious as man-made processed foods that have been engineered to be extremely pleasurable to eat.

Not many people said they got fat from eating too much fruit because there's no fruit that tastes like Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Convenience

I assure you, if you were to put a plate of candy bars in front of me next to a plate of strawberries, it would not be convenience driving me to eat the candy bars.

It is simply that the candy bars are much more pleasurable to eat.

*facedesk*

I disagree with those who say there is no such thing as sugar addiction. When I give up eating sugary foods, I get irritable and a headache. To me that sounds like some kind of withdrawal symptoms. Granted they are no the same as alcohol or heroin withdrawals, but neither are the symptoms of caffeine withdrawals...yet caffeine is definitely addictive.

Because many foods contain sugars, it can be difficult to rid your diet of sugar entirely. I think fruit is a good substitute for processed sugars. Sugar/glucose is necessary for brain function. In nature, when we needed more glucose, we would choose something sweet like fruit. However today a candy bar, piece of cake or soda packs an even bigger punch and we have trained our bodies to crave those instead of fruit. We associate our sugar lows with being remedied by the processed foods and not by the natural sugars in fruit. So we have to retrain our bodies to associate healthier, natural sugars with the need for glucose. So whenever you are craving sweets, make it a rule to eat fruit. Many fruits will make me grumpy or sickish if I eat them alone, so I choose to eat them with a protein to keep the sugar rush and drop from affecting me. Bananas with peanut butter are a personal favorite...even better when the peanut butter is the natural kind with no added sugar. Apples with peanut butter are very good as well. Strawberries or pineapple with cottage cheese, grapes with cheese. If you are someone who likes something sweet after meals, then just about any fruit will cleanse your palette after a meal containing protein.

One last thing. Some people think that carbs=sugar. Not true. Sugar=sugar, but carbs especially complex (unprocessed) carbs must be broken down in our bodies to make sugar to use as energy.. These carbs are not as bad for us as simple sugars because they don't spike and drop our blood sugar as quickly. have found the Sugar goal on this site helps me keep my sugar intake in check and encourages me to choose more complex carbs for energy. My allotted goal is about 25 grams of sugars a day. This includes all hidden natural and processed sugars. I try to stay within that goal and the fact that it is counted for me makes it easier. Lower sugar fruits include tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, grapefruit, etc.

From someone who also must fight the sugar monkey-on-her-back addiction daily...I wish you good luck.

1 date has 16g of sugar...

And an Oreo cookie only has 13 grams of sugar.

But Oreos are far more compelling to eat than dates. Why?

Because dates are disgusting.
The combination of sugar and fat is one of the most appealing tastes.

Stuff a date with cheese and wrap in bacon - cook. I promise you... not disgusting.

It isn't the sugar in a candy bar that's the problem. It's the rest of it, uncluding the number of calories. And it's a lot easier to eat 500 calories in candy bars (two Snickers, for example) than 500 calories in strawberries (I think my stomach might rupture first).

Exactly. Like I've been saying - not only are the processed foods more tempting to eat because of taste, they are usually very calorie-dense also.

So it's very easy to over-consume calories on processed foods compared to "natural" foods. That's not to say you can't do it, especially if you drop some serious coin on prime rib or the like, but it's generally harder to over-consume calories eating "natural" foods. They aren't as pleasurable to eat and generally aren't as calorie-dense.

I disagree with those who say there is no such thing as sugar addiction. When I give up eating sugary foods, I get irritable and a headache. To me that sounds like some kind of withdrawal symptoms. Granted they are no the same as alcohol or heroin withdrawals, but neither are the symptoms of caffeine withdrawals...yet caffeine is definitely addictive.

I agree, 100% possible to have sugar addictions. Most dieticians or nutritionists will tell you that as well.

I did eliminate ALL sugar from my diet, including ketchup, for example. It's possible, and not as hard as it sounds, if you find the steps that work for you. But good point, sugar is hidden in a lot of foods. Some people don't realize where it hides.

It isn't the sugar in a candy bar that's the problem. It's the rest of it, uncluding the number of calories. And it's a lot easier to eat 500 calories in candy bars (two Snickers, for example) than 500 calories in strawberries (I think my stomach might rupture first).

Exactly. Like I've been saying - not only are the processed foods more tempting to eat because of taste, they are usually very calorie-dense also.

So it's very easy to over-consume calories on processed foods compared to "natural" foods. That's not to say you can't do it, especially if you drop some serious coin on prime rib or the like, but it's generally harder to over-consume calories eating "natural" foods. They aren't as pleasurable to eat and generally aren't as calorie-dense.

Oh, I find strawberries and many other fruits very pleasurable to eat. I do crave them. I even crave salad (I make a darned good one). But I can eat a whole bowlful of baby spinach for not even 50 calories, so I'm not going to get fat from it.

I can also eat an entire bag of mini Reese's PB Cups. That would cause a weight problem if I did it regularly. So I don't anymore.

Convenience and preference!

Definitely preference! But convenience? They are both available at the same grocery store. There is nothing more convenient about a date vs. an Oreo.

But taste? Absolutely.

Convenience

I assure you, if you were to put a plate of candy bars in front of me next to a plate of strawberries, it would not be convenience driving me to eat the candy bars.

It is simply that the candy bars are much more pleasurable to eat.

*facedesk*

What is it about my statement that you find surprising?

Convenience and preference!

Definitely preference! But convenience? They are both available at the same grocery store. There is nothing more convenient about a date vs. an Oreo.

But taste? Absolutely.

Oreos don't require additional containers (so to speak). It's packaged and can be taken and stored anywhere.
Oreos have a longer date in which they can be kept without being eaten.
Oreos won't go bad if left out or in direct sunlight.
Oreos won't make a drawer, etc fragrant while sitting in there.
Oreos aren't as sticky as dates when you eat them.

ETA: And as others have said prior - the availability in where you can get them - gas stations and vending machines.

Convenience and preference!

Definitely preference! But convenience? They are both available at the same grocery store. There is nothing more convenient about a date vs. an Oreo.

But taste? Absolutely.

True! With the big picture though- fruits are not at gas stations, CVS or any convient stores, but candy bars are. Thats what I meant by convenient.

Not only that, but some people just don't like fruits or they cannot digest them easily.

fruits are not at gas stations, CVS or any convient stores

Yes, they are. And in the case of gas stations, usually right next to the register. Every one I've been in for years has apples, oranges and bananas.

If you are really a food addict, you won't care about what tastes better...convenience will override each time. Real addiction works that way.

WHAT?!?!

So someone addicted to cigarettes will switch to chewing gum if it is more convenient?

Someone addicted to gambling will take up fishing if it is more convenient?

Nope.

Behavioral addictions cause brain changes that are brought on by the stimulation that comes from that particular behavior.

You can't just substitute some other more convenient but non-stimulating behavior and expect it to satisfy the addiction.

For food addiction, the entire addiction revolves around the pleasure derived from the taste of food, not the convenience of it.

Have you ever really been addicted to anything?

Smokers won't give up smoking for chewing gum because chewing gum IS NOT tobacco!!!!
Smokers will smoke a toilet tasting cigarette to get their fix.
Smokers will smoke cigars or turn to chew to get their fix if there is nothing else.

Gamblers will turn to online gambling, race tracks, or other venues to satisify their needs. They won't take on fishing unless money is riding on who gets the biggest catch or if they have a bet on fishing team.

Anyone that tells you that all sugar is the same is delusional. "I got fat from eating too much fruit!" said no one, ever.

Oh boy, out of no where with the accusations that certain people are delusional. Way to jump in man:)

Actually I thought categorizing it as "delusional" was being mild!

Perhaps. But your argument and comparison are logically flawed.