the dreaded sweet tooth!

i dont know if i should cut out sweets all together OR if i should try to have them in moderation but if i am honest with myself there isnt really moderation for sweets with me. i cant seem to control myself with sweets and im starting to stress bc its the holidays and people bring them constantly in to the office. i can say no for the first 3-4 days but i break and often end up eating a lot of sweets....what do you do with sweets?

Replies

Fruitylicious03

I don't buy them and keep fruit around. If you can't have moderation cut it out. Forget willpower...make a DECISION to stop eating it. Chewing gum also helps for me and constantly sipping on water.

Liftng4Lis

I make room for a treat daily, as this keeps me from going without and I don't feel restricted.

Fruitylicious03

nosajjao wrote: »

And by the way, the concept of a sweet-tooth is ridiculous, because even if you think you're satisfying a tooth, it's going straight to your *kitten*.

Lol...I don't think the saying is meant to be literal. It just means you have a taste for sweet stuff.

vamaena

stephyj528 wrote: »

i dont know if i should cut out sweets all together OR if i should try to have them in moderation but if i am honest with myself there isnt really moderation for sweets with me. i cant seem to control myself with sweets and im starting to stress bc its the holidays and people bring them constantly in to the office. i can say no for the first 3-4 days but i break and often end up eating a lot of sweets....what do you do with sweets?

I have a pretty bad sweet tooth and know what you mean. Lots of my coworkers are bringing in sweets for the holidays too. I've decided to not have anything storebought at all. It's just not worth it, but if it's something that's been homemade then I will indulge in a tiny something in moderation. Liftng4Lis mentioned that she has a daily treat, I mostly do this too. I've tried going without before in the past and always ended up binging on junk within a short time. I find that a small treat every second day or so keeps me from craving it and helps at work with all the treats. I also avoid the kitchen where everything's kept as much as possible.

Fruitylicious03

nosajjao wrote: »

Fruitylicious03 wrote: »

nosajjao wrote: »

And by the way, the concept of a sweet-tooth is ridiculous, because even if you think you're satisfying a tooth, it's going straight to your *kitten*.

Lol...I don't think the saying is meant to be literal. It just means you have a taste for sweet stuff.

Yeah, its all occuring in your brain as a result of a chronic addiction. Scientists conducted a study where they took cocaine addicted rats and had them choose between cocaine and sugar. 40 out of 43 rats chose sugar. Its addictive and messes with your brain worse than cocaine does. Beyond that, the safe level for your liver to process is very low, and when you exceed it it'll just be turned to fat.

I didn't realize us humans were rats. But okay. Whatever you say.

malibu927

nosajjao wrote: »

Fruitylicious03 wrote: »

nosajjao wrote: »

And by the way, the concept of a sweet-tooth is ridiculous, because even if you think you're satisfying a tooth, it's going straight to your *kitten*.

Lol...I don't think the saying is meant to be literal. It just means you have a taste for sweet stuff.

Yeah, its all occuring in your brain as a result of a chronic addiction. Scientists conducted a study where they took cocaine addicted rats and had them choose between cocaine and sugar. 40 out of 43 rats chose sugar. Its addictive and messes with your brain worse than cocaine does. Beyond that, the safe level for your liver to process is very low, and when you exceed it it'll just be turned to fat.

I exceed my sugar every day (whether natural or added) and I'm losing weight just fine

Fruitylicious03

nosajjao wrote: »

"Fruitylicious03 wrote: »

I didn't realize us humans were rats. But okay. Whatever you say.

Your welcome to deny the science, but in case you weren't aware hundreds of thousands of health ideas, solutions and products are tested on lab rats every year.

malibu927 wrote: »

I exceed my sugar every day (whether natural or added) and I'm losing weight just fine

Good for you, doesn't change the physical properties and definition of sugar.

Just because it's tested on rats doesn't make it accurate for a human. You do realize that we are not only like 200 times bigger than a rat, our bodies are also way way more complex than theirs right?

We are also more intelligent than them.

Unless you show me a study where humans were addicted to sugar and had to undergo rehab treatment for it (hahaha yeah right) then I'm not convinced.

If you want to stop eating sugar, stop buying it. That's it. I can tell you it's not that easy for a cocaine addict.

Lonestar5775

I stopped them totally for about 10 months and then began trying small amounts at a time. My control is much better now and I didn't have a single piece of Halloween candy this year even though I could have, I just wanted the knowledge that I could walk past the bowl that sat there the entire month of October.

djhnd

Some people can eat a quarter of a candy bar and save the rest for another day. People like me - and there are many of them - will eat the whole candy bar, and it will trigger insurmountable cravings for donuts, cookies, candy, etc etc.

Not everyone has an addict brain like those rats. But some of us do. And in that case, the addictive trigger is NOT dose dependent - a bit of an Oreo can trigger a cascade, or binge cycle, that can go on for hours days weeks months.

With all due respect, if you can buy a package of cookies and keep them in the house for weeks - you're not qualified to comment in this thread! LOL Move on...this is for people with different brains from you.

roullmann

Too many people suffer from life-style diseases due to excesses like sugar. My own blood sugar was creeping up and that was enough for me to get on my current program. Environmental control is the key-if it isn't around you won't eat it. Halloween was tough for me so I asked my husband to hand out the candy because I knew I wouldn't be able to resist. What I have found since being on my current program is that I don't get crazy cravings anymore and have learned the tools to keep myself full and satisfied. Do I still want sweets and other things? Oh, yeah, but I feel like I have more tools to get through the tough stuff.
Don't beat yourself up for wanting sweets!

Fruitylicious03

djhnd wrote: »

Some people can eat a quarter of a candy bar and save the rest for another day. People like me - and there are many of them - will eat the whole candy bar, and it will trigger insurmountable cravings for donuts, cookies, candy, etc etc.

Not everyone has an addict brain like those rats. But some of us do. And in that case, the addictive trigger is NOT dose dependent - a bit of an Oreo can trigger a cascade, or binge cycle, that can go on for hours days weeks months.

With all due respect, if you can buy a package of cookies and keep them in the house for weeks - you're not qualified to comment in this thread! LOL Move on...this is for people with different brains from you.

I used to eat 3000-5000 calories of sweets. I wasn't addicted to them. I loved the taste of them and I ate for comfort. I ate them because I could.

That doesn't change the facts. If you don't have control around it, don't buy it. Stop overcomplicating it, and JUST STOP EATING IT. Yes you will have cravings, but ultimately YOU decide to give in or not.

TimothyFish

I track them like everything else. As long as I stay below my calorie goal, I don't worry about it. I figure that if I eliminate them that I'm setting myself up for failure. For me, it is easier if I always have sweets around and just eat them in moderation. If I go without for too long, then I'll buy a package of candy at the store and eat the whole bag, because "once they're gone, I won't eat them anymore."

Fruitylicious03

nosajjao wrote: »

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0000698

Uhm nope. I want a HUMAN study. Of more than 2000 humans. Because a study of 12 humans is not feasible for a population of more than 7 billion.

CindyMarcuzAdams

vamaena wrote: »

stephyj528 wrote: »

i dont know if i should cut out sweets all together OR if i should try to have them in moderation but if i am honest with myself there isnt really moderation for sweets with me. i cant seem to control myself with sweets and im starting to stress bc its the holidays and people bring them constantly in to the office. i can say no for the first 3-4 days but i break and often end up eating a lot of sweets....what do you do with sweets?

I have a pretty bad sweet tooth and know what you mean. Lots of my coworkers are bringing in sweets for the holidays too. I've decided to not have anything storebought at all. It's just not worth it, but if it's something that's been homemade then I will indulge in a tiny something in moderation.

This is a great idea.

pagefan

I totally have a sugar addiction, and I find it almost impossible to drop a pound, regardless of calorie intake- work outs or,. so will assume it must be the sugar. I just looked up what someone wrote; that sugar is a hepatoxin, so I googled it. and found this site. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/07/the-sweetener-that-is-more-dangerous-than-alcohol.aspx#!
- I've always known about the rat / sugar / cocaine experiment, but found THIS to be much more informative. I find it extremely difficult NOT eating sugar - if you are to follow this, one apple blows out the whole day not to mention any grams of sugar in anything else, like peanut butter, or bread. something to think about...

libbydoodle11

I say save room for one sweet treat per day. Save room for only the favorites.

Francl27

It's very hard, for me it really depends on the day, my hormones and whatnot. Most days, I can resist, some days... not so much. I've found that eating 'healthier' sweet options helps though (Greek yogurt pancakes, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, Quest bars, protein shakes etc).

stephyj528

Thanks! what everyone said helped a lot. i am also going to focus on eating more smaller meals maybe im letting my bloodsugar get too low idk. i drink tons of water and constantly chew gum esp at work or during my triggers. i will try to be more gentle as well about it but all this helped a lot! thanks!

acksaysbillthecat1

I found that what you eat at breakfast enormoulsy impacts your sweet tooth for the rest of the day. I quit cereal years ago, that helps until about 3 p.m. for me. I am a sugar addict too, and believe me, even after two weeks of not eating it, I crave it. It's amazing.

lemurcat12

nosajjao wrote: »

Yeah, its all occuring in your brain as a result of a chronic addiction.

I really like steak. Does that mean I'm addicted? I also really like cheese and used to routinely overeat it. Same?

I believe the study you are talking about is this one: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2013/10/16/why-your-brain-treats-oreos-like-a-drug/

If so, you described it inaccurately.

lemurcat12

stephyj528 wrote: »

i cant seem to control myself with sweets and im starting to stress bc its the holidays and people bring them constantly in to the office. i can say no for the first 3-4 days but i break and often end up eating a lot of sweets....what do you do with sweets?

This seems to me to be one of the problems with the "just cut them out" plan. Lots of people still want them and will be tempted when they see them all the time and just cutting them out often means that having one is more likely to lead to overdoing it, since you've already broken your rule and might as well go nuts, since who knows when you will get to have them again.

For me--although everyone is different--it's much easier to teach myself that I can have them in moderation if they fit into my calories and I make sure to eat sufficient nutritious foods also. If I know I can have them whenever I want but have to make choices so they are within my calories--and if I have a personal rule that I eat at particular times and not all day--I tend to eat in moderation. Basically, I'll have a small amount of the treats that are really worth it, and not eat ones that I'd be tempted to eat just because they are here. I'm sure the holidays will be more of a test, but this worked at Eastertime, and it works with the usual candy and sweets that are all over my office constantly. It also allows me to keep ice cream at home and not overeat it. (There are other foods, like pie, which I would almost certainly end up overeating or eating at the expense of foods I'd be better off eating if I kept them at home, so I haven't been baking much. Saving it for the holidays when I can have a piece and not worry about leftovers.)

tomg33

The reality is that a 'sweet tooth' is nothing more than a habit. You can be psychologically addicted to the pleasurable feelings that sweet foods provide the same as any other pleasurable feeling however sweet foods are not inherently harmful to your health in the context of an overall balanced diet and effective exercise program (and not being obese). If you keep eating cakes and sweets, then stop buying them and having them in your house. You'll have to use willpower to overcome the habit, like any other habit, until you form a new habit

nosajjao wrote: »

Sugar is a chronic dose-dependent hepato-toxin (liver

Please describe the mechanism by which sugar is toxic to the liver.

Yeah, its all occuring in your brain as a result of a chronic addiction. Scientists conducted a study where they took cocaine addicted rats and had them choose between cocaine and sugar. 40 out of 43 rats chose sugar. Its addictive and messes with your brain worse than cocaine does.

Have you used Cocaine? I have never seen someone take sugar, or any food, over Cocaine. It wipes out your appetite while you're on.

stephyj528

tomg33 wrote: »

The reality is that a 'sweet tooth' is nothing more than a habit. You can be psychologically addicted to the pleasurable feelings that sweet foods provide the same as any other pleasurable feeling however sweet foods are not inherently harmful to your health in the context of an overall balanced diet and effective exercise program (and not being obese). If you keep eating cakes and sweets, then stop buying them and having them in your house. You'll have to use willpower to overcome the habit, like any other habit, until you form a new habit

nosajjao wrote: »

Sugar is a chronic dose-dependent hepato-toxin (liver

Please describe the mechanism by which sugar is toxic to the liver.

Yeah, its all occuring in your brain as a result of a chronic addiction. Scientists conducted a study where they took cocaine addicted rats and had them choose between cocaine and sugar. 40 out of 43 rats chose sugar. Its addictive and messes with your brain worse than cocaine does.

Have you used Cocaine? I have never seen someone take sugar, or any food, over Cocaine. It wipes out your appetite while you're on.

hahah nice truth. thanks!

stephyj528

lemurcat12 wrote: »

stephyj528 wrote: »

i cant seem to control myself with sweets and im starting to stress bc its the holidays and people bring them constantly in to the office. i can say no for the first 3-4 days but i break and often end up eating a lot of sweets....what do you do with sweets?

This seems to me to be one of the problems with the "just cut them out" plan. Lots of people still want them and will be tempted when they see them all the time and just cutting them out often means that having one is more likely to lead to overdoing it, since you've already broken your rule and might as well go nuts, since who knows when you will get to have them again.

For me--although everyone is different--it's much easier to teach myself that I can have them in moderation if they fit into my calories and I make sure to eat sufficient nutritious foods also. If I know I can have them whenever I want but have to make choices so they are within my calories--and if I have a personal rule that I eat at particular times and not all day--I tend to eat in moderation. Basically, I'll have a small amount of the treats that are really worth it, and not eat ones that I'd be tempted to eat just because they are here. I'm sure the holidays will be more of a test, but this worked at Eastertime, and it works with the usual candy and sweets that are all over my office constantly. It also allows me to keep ice cream at home and not overeat it. (There are other foods, like pie, which I would almost certainly end up overeating or eating at the expense of foods I'd be better off eating if I kept them at home, so I haven't been baking much. Saving it for the holidays when I can have a piece and not worry about leftovers.)

lol yes it is a struggle but i know what u mean sometimes i do succeed. thanks

KendraMartin85

I have found substitutes for my sweet tooth, like quest or other protein bars.

DiabolicalColossus

I eat sweets in moderation because I want to and can.

If people offer me sweets at work that I don't want, I politely decline and thank them for the pleasant offer. It's seriously that simple.

If you "can't" (read: won't) eat sweets in moderation, then cut them entirely. It's your prerogative, and what works for other people is entirely irrelevant to you. The food in your hand is going into YOUR mouth and no one else's.

Like a poster above said, this is a habit.

Chew gum, drink water, go take a walk, knit a sweater.

It's up to you to choose your replacement behavior.