Sugar withdrawal

HappyGrape
HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
in Motivation and Support
I am getting myself off added sugars, day 2 and I feel so low. I have been eating poorly for awhile, and badly need to get back on feeling good & eating better.

My head is so sore, I have no energy for anything today! Tell me it's going to get better!

I am tempted to get a painkiller
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Replies

  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    Or you could eat the foods you enjoy, in moderation.


    People, why do you insist on making this thing harder than it needs to be?! The odds are already stacked against you, don't add more unnecessary restrictions and rules becasue it only leads to failure. Ok, end rant, must take a break from MFP, it's driving me batty today :ohwell:
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    I find I am happier without added sugars, my hunger levels go down and I feel healthier and happier. And I am one person, not people

    this is personal request for support - not sure why you decided to throw a speech to the masses on my post!
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I doubt it is the sugar per se. Your withdrawal is more likely from the foods that contain it...if you were eating a lot of packaged foods or fast food.

    Give it a week and you should feel better. You haven't just cut out sugar but also those other ingredients so keep that in mind.

    I don't eat added sugar either and I do just fine. When I do consume sugar, or the occasional packaged product that contains it, it messes me up. I get brain fog, super hungry but it's not real hunger, and my energy level doesn't stay constant.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    Or you could eat the foods you enjoy, in moderation.


    People, why do you insist on making this thing harder than it needs to be?! The odds are already stacked against you, don't add more unnecessary restrictions and rules becasue it only leads to failure. Ok, end rant, must take a break from MFP, it's driving me batty today :ohwell:

    I believe it is an individual thing. lucky you if your body make up and neurochemistry can handle sugar. Mine cannot. Moderation doesn't happen in my case and eating sugar (as in table sugar, maple syrup, honey, etc) really does a number on me.

    I do feel better without it. It's interesting how we all react differently to the same product and how moderation is just not possible in some cases.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    :huh:

    Wants to cut out added sugars, but is considering a pain killer for a headache?
    What if I told you sugar is a carb?
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    I find I am happier without added sugars, my hunger levels go down and I feel healthier and happier. And I am one person, not people

    this is personal request for support - not sure why you decided to throw a speech to the masses on my post!

    This is like the 10th post I've read today of people 'struggling' to cut out sugar and it gets tiring, sorry you're post was the last straw for me :tongue: Do what you feel you need to do, but taking pain killers, really?
  • Athena98501
    Athena98501 Posts: 716 Member
    I am getting myself off added sugars, day 2 and I feel so low. I have been eating poorly for awhile, and badly need to get back on feeling good & eating better.

    My head is so sore, I have no energy for anything today! Tell me it's going to get better!

    I am tempted to get a painkiller

    I'd recommend you have some berries (a fair amount, if you can). Most of them are low enough in sugar as not to cause a crash, and they're nutritious enough to help when you're feeling crappy from eating poorly.
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    This is like the 10th post I've read today of people 'struggling' to cut out sugar and it gets tiring, sorry you're post was the last straw for me :tongue: Do what you feel you need to do, but taking pain killers, really?

    Right, so you read 10 posts, you have no interest of reading and this makes you tired and batty, yet you are continuing reading and you are giving me advise - really? Do you think that I would be interested in hearing advise on health from someone that is tired and batty after reading 10 posts?

    Let me answer you, in case you are too tired to figure it out- Nope I am not!
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member

    I believe it is an individual thing. lucky you if your body make up and neurochemistry can handle sugar. Mine cannot. Moderation doesn't happen in my case and eating sugar (as in table sugar, maple syrup, honey, etc) really does a number on me.

    I do feel better without it. It's interesting how we all react differently to the same product and how moderation is just not possible in some cases.

    There are enough scientific research on addictive properties of added sugars that impact some people. There is also no research to prove the necessity of added sugars to healthy diet.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I find I am happier without added sugars, my hunger levels go down and I feel healthier and happier.


    But that is directly at odds with your op:
    My head is so sore, I have no energy for anything today!


    So... Eat some sugar. Just not as much as you normally would. Then, in a few days, eat less sugar. Wean yourself off, if you really want to cut out sugar.

    Here's the thing: twixle is/was right. Too many people try making big changes and fail. Make smaller changes. Eventually, those smaller changes will add up into big changes.
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    I find I am happier without added sugars, my hunger levels go down and I feel healthier and happier.


    But that is directly at odds with your op:
    My head is so sore, I have no energy for anything today!


    So... Eat some sugar. Just not as much as you normally would. Then, in a few days, eat less sugar. Wean yourself off, if you really want to cut out sugar.

    Here's the thing: twixle is/was right. Too many people try making big changes and fail. Make smaller changes. Eventually, those smaller changes will add up into big changes.

    This doesn't work for me! I need to go cold turkey, so I will just have to struggle trough the first few days.

    Thanks for your input, I appreciate it but have done my research on what I want to do and what I need to do.
  • Liiinas
    Liiinas Posts: 15
    I'm right there with you. I cut all added sugar two days ago because I had lots almost all my apetite for food and would replace at least one (sometimes all) my meals with candy, crisps etc. It's just not normal. So far no headaches but I'm prepared for them to kick in any time now... Many people here in the coments advice against stopping with all sugars and instead learn how to eat in moderation. I agree but to get to that "normal" state one do sometime need a drastic detox. It doesn't mean you decided to never eat sugar ever again in your life. I wish some people would have a better understanding of addiction before giving advise.
    I wish you the best of luck!
  • Liiinas
    Liiinas Posts: 15
    Ok this is simple: cutting sugar is hard for some, your body will go through a withdrawal if you start detoxing. Part of this is headache. Why would it be so horrible to take a pill if it helps? Surely the benefits are greater.
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    Haters gonna hate, nothing I can do about it! It doesn't really bother me.

    I did cut sugar last year and stayed off pretty much by the end of August, I felt great. I am not overweight, I eat allot of healthy foods already, I exercise, I lift - cutting crap isn't that big of a change for me!

    New job, allot of socialising, eating out and not as much time to prepare food last few months have ring the alarm that I need to get myself back on track. Eating healthy isn't new for me at all!

    What a crazy statement that I am setting myself for failure! Who do you think you are - expert on goals? My nutritionist, doctor or shrink? Some people are hilarious giving advice on others, when they really know nothing in for the person or the subject
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Or you could eat the foods you enjoy, in moderation.


    People, why do you insist on making this thing harder than it needs to be?! The odds are already stacked against you, don't add more unnecessary restrictions and rules becasue it only leads to failure. Ok, end rant, must take a break from MFP, it's driving me batty today :ohwell:
    why do you insist they do like you do? Perhaps their goals are different. Like the girl wanting to give up diet coke earlier today. Perhaps (as she stated) her reasons weren't weight loss related. Perhaps folks have more than goal. And maybe, just maybe, they differ from yours?
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I find I am happier without added sugars, my hunger levels go down and I feel healthier and happier.


    But that is directly at odds with your op:
    My head is so sore, I have no energy for anything today!


    So... Eat some sugar. Just not as much as you normally would. Then, in a few days, eat less sugar. Wean yourself off, if you really want to cut out sugar.

    Here's the thing: twixle is/was right. Too many people try making big changes and fail. Make smaller changes. Eventually, those smaller changes will add up into big changes.
    arent there other things that suck at first but bring benefits? Or that are hard at first the. Get easier? I can think of a few.
  • Liiinas
    Liiinas Posts: 15
    Good luck! :)
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    Lets put it this way, I spend last few weeks having good few nights out, drinks, tons of yummy food and very little goodies. My body craves good sleep, veggies, fish, fruit, long walk on the beach, good workout

    Eating Mars bar won't help my headache in any way. Getting some fresh air and wholesome food is what I need.

    Thanks for all supportive comments.
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    I am wondering if you ended up cutting our caffeine along with added sugars... like sodas or sweetened coffee drinks. That would definitely give a headache. If it isn't that, then try eating some more fruit in the meantime. If you're against added sugar but not naturally occurring sugar, compensate with fruit. Sugar is really sugar. If you look into the research (the actual studies themselves, not sensationalized media reports of the findings of one study) done on added sugars and why the recommendation was made to limit it, you'll find that the answer is as simple as: it's easier to tell people to limit added sugars than to limit all sugars from fruit, veggies, meat, etc. If you don't restrict the naturally occurring sugars, you'll still get all of the vitamin benefits from those foods. If they tell people to limit ALL sugar, you'll have people trading cookies for vegetables and fruit and they'll miss out on some vitamins and minerals that they need. You will also find that many of the health problems and the obesity associated with a high sugar diets are largely due to the fact that the more sugar you eat, the more calories you eat. People with very high sugar diets tend to rack up the calories in other places because they are eating more overall. So when the AHA tells people no more than 6tsp of added sugar per day for females, they're taking into account the sugar you're already getting from other foods.

    That being said, the body doesn't NEED sugar in excessive amounts (or at all). Your carbs can come from places other than sugar. If you want to give it up and you're getting some carbs elsewhere, go for it. Take some Aleve or eat more fruit to deal with the headache.
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    Lets put it this way, I spend last few weeks having good few nights out, drinks, tons of yummy food and very little goodies. My body craves good sleep, veggies, fish, fruit, long walk on the beach, good workout

    Eating Mars bar won't help my headache in any way. Getting some fresh air and wholesome food is what I need.

    Thanks for all supportive comments.

    Then get some fresh air! I've had to reduce my carbs the last few years due to being diagnosed with diabetes, and it was a struggle at first. Give it about a week, take a tylenol for the headache and get some extra sleep.
  • acar65
    acar65 Posts: 3
    I can relate to the ineffectivness of tapering off sugar. Moderating just does not work for me--I admire those people that can keep a bag of candy/chocolate in their desk drawer for several months, just dipping into it a few times here and there. I would consume it all in one sitting. I cannot have sweets in my home---the strong desire to eat it takes over and I haven't learned any tactics to be successful in fighting those urges. I just give in and then feel terrible about myself afterwards. I suspect many folks on these discussion boards fall into the same pattern.

    I have resolved to break my sugar addiction this year and I suspect it's just as difficult physically and emotionally as many other addictions. I broke the caffeine addiction earlier this year and during the first week I was physically sick---headaches, nausea, even dizziness. But after about 4 days the symptoms began to subside and now I don't miss it. I'm hoping that after a few days off sugar, the cravings will cease and even more hopeful that long-term success means I can pass up anything with sugar when confronted with the choice.

    I just joined this site to find the support necessary to accomplish something that for me is huge. I have very little (really no) will-power when it comes to sugar/sweets. I'm sure there is some deeply rooted cause to my pattern of overeating, but I guess I'm going to stay on the surface, depend on those struggling with the same issues to offer support and guidance, and take this one day at a time.

    I am enjoying reading everyone's posts---I find some level in motivation in this. Thank you--
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    OP posts request for advice coping with distressing situation.
    Veteran members post advice on alleviating distressing situation.
    OP gives veteran members a verbal middle finger, says "you're no experts, I've done all my research, I know exactly what I need, I don't want your advice!"

    Yup, I'm on MFP. Reassuring that I didn't slip and fall into an alternate reality today.
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    OP posts request for advice coping with distressing situation.
    Veteran members post advice on alleviating distressing situation.
    OP gives veteran members a verbal middle finger, says "you're no experts, I've done all my research, I know exactly what I need, I don't want your advice!"
    Yup, I'm on MFP. Reassuring that I didn't slip and fall into an alternate reality today.
    Is a headache, hangover and food hangover after Christmas all that distressing or that unusual really?

    Distress? Middle finger? Alternate reality? Tired and batty? Failure? Gosh fairly dramatic language used for something so trivial as headache and intend to cut the mars bars of my daily menu!

    Surely cutting junk isn't all that dramatic idea?

    No, I didn't like the advice to go get added sugar - It won't benefit me at this point of time. All the other middle finger assumptions are made by you.

    What makes a member veteran? I have been member for awhile, and was looking for support from like minded people. The fact that someone have posted 5000 posts on MFP doesn't mean I will take their advice.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    Or you could eat the foods you enjoy, in moderation.


    People, why do you insist on making this thing harder than it needs to be?! The odds are already stacked against you, don't add more unnecessary restrictions and rules becasue it only leads to failure. Ok, end rant, must take a break from MFP, it's driving me batty today :ohwell:
    why do you insist they do like you do? Perhaps their goals are different. Like the girl wanting to give up diet coke earlier today. Perhaps (as she stated) her reasons weren't weight loss related. Perhaps folks have more than goal. And maybe, just maybe, they differ from yours?

    nm, I'll bow out.
  • Syriene
    Syriene Posts: 238
    It does suck at first. Keep lots of fresh veggies and other non-extra sugary snacks around and have one every couple hours to keep your blood sugar level. Give it a few more days and you should notice a difference in cravings. Make sure to get in your daily amounts of water too!
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member

    nm, I'll bow out.

    :wink: Don't! The fact we didn't agree on the subject of sugar, doesn't mean I can't appreciate the fact you took the time to reply, and the obvious fact that you are fit (profile picture) and that care enough to get involved!
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    OP posts request for advice coping with distressing situation.
    Veteran members post advice on alleviating distressing situation.
    OP gives veteran members a verbal middle finger, says "you're no experts, I've done all my research, I know exactly what I need, I don't want your advice!"

    Yup, I'm on MFP. Reassuring that I didn't slip and fall into an alternate reality today.

    To be fair, she didn't ask for any advice (though I understand, I'm the Queen of dishing out unwanted advice). I assumed she was looking for support, based on where she posted her thread.
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member


    To be fair, she didn't ask for any advice (though I understand, I'm the Queen of dishing out unwanted advice). I assumed she was looking for support, based on where she posted her thread.

    Dish away! I like reading it even if I don't agree in the end.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member

    nm, I'll bow out.

    :wink: Don't! The fact we didn't agree on the subject of sugar, doesn't mean I can't appreciate the fact you took the time to reply, and the obvious fact that you are fit (profile picture) that care enough to get involved!

    I should also probably put a disclaimer on all my posts today that I'm on 3 different prescriptions right now, including one with codeine, for a nasty cold/cough (dr. thinks I may actually have pertussis-lovely :grumble: ), so I'm a bit 'off' today. I probably should step away from the keyboard :tongue: :laugh:
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member

    I should also probably put a disclaimer on all my posts today that I'm on 3 different prescriptions right now, including one with codeine, for a nasty cold/cough (dr. thinks I may actually have pertussis-lovely :grumble: ), so I'm a bit 'off' today. I probably should step away from the keyboard :tongue: :laugh:

    Hope you feel better soon!

    I am bit sensitive off the sugary stuff myself

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