sugar addiction
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thanks for the tips. I'm doing the water thing and trying distractions, I have the same problem with chocolate, 1 bit leads to a binge. Think I may need a psychologist.
Therapy isn't an entirely bad idea, IMO. They can help you figure out why you feel like you're addicted to sweets, and the best ways to control your urges.
I do not believe sugar addiction is really a thing - I think sugary foods taste really good, so we obviously want more of them. We tell ourselves that we're unable to say no - because then we're not to blame. Everyone does this on some level, in some area of their life, so please don't feel like I'm criticizing you.
If you want to cut added sugar out of your diet, I wish you luck. My *personal* preference is to stick with moderation in all areas. If you're not mentally ready for or interested in moderation, a period of going without will probably be good for you.
Good luck.0 -
Here is something to consider with the cravings...like humblemonkey said, try to determine why are you craving. If you are bored or stressed think back on why... did something happen to make you resentful or irritable, angry or fearful? Also think about times you do eat too much. If, when you honestly want to, you cannot quit eating, or when eating you have little control over how much you eat, then you could be a compulsive overeater. I am a total compulsive eater, I could overeat sugar of course, but also bread or even veggies if I was stressed enough and didn't have sweets around. Compulsive eating is a progressive illness of the body and mind, but there is a solution that truly works if you are willing to try anything to become sane again. By working the 12 steps precisely as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous with a sponsor, I have found a way to live "sober" from compulsive eating. Not only am I losing weight (40 pounds so far), but my relationships are improving since I am not so irritable and so obsessed with food. Good luck to you!0
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I'm going to go with experience rather than bothering with the whole debate. I know personally that if I consume a lot of sugar OR refined carbs, it sets me up for a binge. The more I eat the more I crave. Eating fruit does not have this effect on me. Eating whole grains and unrefined carbs doesn't either. I know I am not alone in this. So therefore the best I can tell you is to stick with whole, unrefined foods and cut back on refined carbs and sugars. Strawberries are pretty low in calories. A cup is only 50 cal. Half a cantaloupe is only 100 cal. These things have vitamins and fiber and are wholesome for you. Some people really do have to abstain from certain foods as if they were drugs; others have luck with just cutting back.... and some people who do not experience these things themselves don't believe those of us who do (ignore, ignore, ignore lol). You may have to experiment a bit to get to truly understand your reactions to various foods and learn what to do.0
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slimbettie wrote: »This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand.
Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.
so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?0 -
slimbettie wrote: »This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand.
Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.
so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?
Vegetables have added sugar? Thank you, I was so wrong thinking carbs in veggies come from Fiber.0 -
seamonster1203 wrote: »slimbettie wrote: »This topic caught my eye, because i am currently on Day 2 of a 10 Day "no sugar" challenge.... just for me, and not permanent, I love my sugar tooooooo much!!! But rather this than gaining back 10kg before I hit the breaks. It is hard, I must be honest. But going cold turkey for me, just to bring things back into perspective is key. No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc. Had to do something, because every day I would have 3 tinkies (twinkies), ice cream, cookies with my coffee. Things got waaaaay out of hand.
Good luck. Be strong. You will find a balance.
so you are eating zero bread, vegetables, etc, because, sugar right?
Vegetables have added sugar? Thank you, I was so wrong thinking carbs in veggies come from Fiber.
carbs convert to sugar….
so if poster is going 100% no sugar carbs would need to be zero.0 -
I used to think I was addicted to sugar.
It's not really that.
I just ate when I felt like it and sugar tastes really really good.
It's beaten by willpower.
And low calorie sweetened goodies.
Like fruit.
Nom nom nom.
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try iced coffe with sugar free creamers,my personal favorite or Lugi's I talian ices,if you eat them too fast I get Brain Freeze, teaches disapline LOL0
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LOL. Please read what I said: quote
No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc.
unquote.
This is my personal challenge. No debate needed thanks!!0 -
slimbettie wrote: »LOL. Please read what I said: quote
No sugar for me, means anything that has added sugar like cookies, chocolate, ice cream etc.
unquote.
This is my personal challenge. No debate needed thanks!!
What about fruit?0 -
I do eat fruit. Fruit does not have "added" sugars.
It is only 10 days to get me back on track and away from the cakes....0 -
slimbettie wrote: »I do eat fruit. Fruit does not have "added" sugars.
It is only 10 days to get me back on track and away from the cakes....
So after 10 days, you are going to practice moderation with sugar?0 -
slimbettie wrote: »I do eat fruit. Fruit does not have "added" sugars.
It is only 10 days to get me back on track and away from the cakes....
I'm genuinely curious and not being a jerk.
What happens after 10 days? Do you feel more in control of your cravings?
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Yip! I am a firm believer of eating anything and not to restrict any food groups. That is the only way I managed to lose 40kg so far.
But the last month or so I noticed that I dig into all the sweet goodies way to much. It is almost a case of the more sweet things I eat, the more I want.0 -
slimbettie wrote: »Yip! I am a firm believer of eating anything and not to restrict any food groups. That is the only way I managed to lose 40kg so far.
But the last month or so I noticed that I dig into all the sweet goodies way to much. It is almost a case of the more sweet things I eat, the more I want.
So how often do you have to "reset"?0 -
Sugar has effects on the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental areas of the brain, which are involved with addiction. There are increasing studies suggesting that sugar, and a sugar-fat combination has similar effects on the brain to opiates, like morphine, heroin, etc. in terms of dopamine binding, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, etc.
People don't get as high or drunk on sugar as they do on other substances like cocaine or heroin, but it probably is addictive, like nicotine or anything else.0 -
TheVirgoddess wrote: »slimbettie wrote: »I do eat fruit. Fruit does not have "added" sugars.
It is only 10 days to get me back on track and away from the cakes....
I'm genuinely curious and not being a jerk.
What happens after 10 days? Do you feel more in control of your cravings?
Absolutely YES!!!!
I already feel 100% better and has only been 2 days now.
But 10 day is enough...can't give up my sweets forever, no way.
When I started this journey back in May 2013 I gave up chocolates completely for 4 months. Now I appreciate A chocolate bite by bite and not devour 10 in a row just for the hell of it.
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Sugar has effects on the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental areas of the brain, which are involved with addiction. There are increasing studies suggesting that sugar, and a sugar-fat combination has similar effects on the brain to opiates, like morphine, heroin, etc. in terms of dopamine binding, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, etc.
People don't get as high or drunk on sugar as they do on other substances like cocaine or heroin, but it probably is addictive, like nicotine or anything else.
Okay, given that information.
Wouldn't someone who drank 5-6 sodas a day go through some withdraw symptoms after dropping down to half a soda a day?
Because that's exactly what I did, and I felt nothing (and I'm a former smoker, I know).
If sugar were addictive - we all eat it, so why isn't everyone addicted?0 -
You don't have a sugar addiction. You just don't have self-control.0
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