How do you cut your craving for sugar??
Replies
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Good grief... from sugar cravings to the DSM 5??? I buy a container of Betty Crocker frosting in the can and take one or two tablespoonful to satisfy my cravings. The sugar is so intense it's sickening. I don't believe I've ever "curbed" my cravings but had to learn how to get a bit of satisfaction without having to eat a dozen donuts in the process. I don't keep sweet stuff in the house (obviously) but when I want a sweet ... I don't want to feel deprived either.0
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herrspoons wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
How exactly does keeping your hand out of the cookie jar reduce cravings?
Hmm... were there any other points you missed or was it just this one?
OP asked how to reduce cravings and you said to keep your hand out of the cookie jar. I'm thrilled to find out that placing my hand in some specific configuration will reduce or remove cravings.
Link to any studies, also, since this is a fascinating finding and I'd love to learn more about it.0 -
herrspoons wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
How exactly does keeping your hand out of the cookie jar reduce cravings?
Hmm... were there any other points you missed or was it just this one?
OP asked how to reduce cravings and you said to keep your hand out of the cookie jar. I'm thrilled to find out that placing my hand in some specific configuration will reduce or remove cravings.
Link to any studies, also, since this is a fascinating finding and I'd love to learn more about it.
No, no!! You must NOT place your hand in the jar. If you do, you will immediately crave sugar. For the love of God, do NOT put your hand in the evil cookie jar. Even if it's empty.0 -
970Mikaela1 wrote: »arditarose wrote: »No advice. I just ate a whole chocolate peanut butter bar. It fit into my day. I could have had half if it wouldn't. No reason to be so worried about sugar.
How exactly does eating a whole chocolate peanut butter bar that fits into your day cut down on cravings?
to cut my sugar craving down I just ate a box of Girl scout cookies. Not craving sugar anymore. and i believe it will fit into my day. maybe. lol now Im out of girl scout cookies.
Let's sit down at the same table. We both have a sugar craving, so we eat all the Girl Scout cookies (and seriously? No milk? Didn't you get super dry throat?).
When we get up from the table, you still get to eat 980 more calories for the rest of the day, while I only get to eat 200 more.
Now, in addition to my cravings, I am also going to be super hungry for the rest of the day.
Your solution works for you, but it doesn't work for me.
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lgramberg15 wrote: »I'm most definitely addicted to sugar..most of the time the sugar I eat in the day comes from fruit (some from added sugar like chocolate or vitamin water), but I find myself craving sweets every night and I need to learn how to cut the craving! Any ideas/advice?
OP, I had a serious control issue around sweet foods, dessert foods in particular. The only way I could control my binge eating was through elimination -- I cut out all my trigger foods completely and did just fine for nearly 10 years.
In the past few months, I've reintroduced added sugar foods to my diet. The cravings are back. I have a perfectly good lunch waiting for me, but I want to go to the bakery next door and buy some macaroons. I could go eat two macaroons and not eat my lunch, but then I'd be over my carbs and under my protein and my fat, and I'd be hungry for the rest of the afternoon, and I'd still be craving more sugar-added food.
So, I have to sit here and continually tell myself "No." It sucks, but if I want to eat any added sugar food, constant vigilance is the price I have to pay.
For me, it boils down to two options:
Option A: eat sugar-added foods, have cravings, exert willpower that sometimes fails
Option B: eliminate sugar-added foods, have no cravings
Best of luck to you.0 -
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zachbonner wrote: »lgramberg15 wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
Actually there's been studies suggesting that sugar releases dopamine in the brain, and that when you have too much of it, you have a need for the dopamine release more often
pretty sure those were rodent studies..
It's the same in humans
please post a sugar addiction study on humans ....0 -
eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
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eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.0 -
herrspoons wrote: »FoCoAlphaNerd wrote: »Ugh, I'm so sick of people trying to defend this addiction nonsense with "sugar causes dopamine release." You know what else causes dopamine release? Scary movies, that thing where you almost stumble then don't, nipple clamps, being around large animals, getting a birdie when playing disk golf, rock climbing, shopping for rock climbing gear, looking at porn, reading a political op-ed, and scrolling through forums where people constantly claim to be addicted to things that aren't addictive substances.
Pretty much. You can easily spot the ones who haven't s clue because theNeed2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
Humans who are prone to addictive behaviors can become addicted to almost anything that brings pleasure. Sex is not addictive and yet there are sex addicts. Dangerous behavior is not addictive and yet an adrenaline junkie will risk their lives for the fun of it. Endorphins are addictive and humans are prone to repeat behaviors that easily give us those endorphins even if those behaviors are counter productive. Not all people react to an endorphin producing substance the same. Not everyone will become addicted to alcohol or even drugs by incorporating it into their routine but many do. Not everyone becomes addicted to the comfort brought by sugar but some do. Diets that encourage them to eat sugar are like AA encouraging a few drinks a week. Everyone is different but a great number of people who are very overweight are there because they have developed an addiction to food endorphins and to the rituals around eating. Most diet plans do not work for these people long term because they don't aim at changing the base behavior of depending on food for pleasure.
Nope. Again, look at the definitions in DSM 5.
A lot of people use pseudo addiction as an excuse and form of external validation though.
So, before DSM V was released and we had only DMS IV, was Autism Spectrum Disorder not a real thing?
This is an apple. That is an orange.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
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herrspoons wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »FoCoAlphaNerd wrote: »Ugh, I'm so sick of people trying to defend this addiction nonsense with "sugar causes dopamine release." You know what else causes dopamine release? Scary movies, that thing where you almost stumble then don't, nipple clamps, being around large animals, getting a birdie when playing disk golf, rock climbing, shopping for rock climbing gear, looking at porn, reading a political op-ed, and scrolling through forums where people constantly claim to be addicted to things that aren't addictive substances.
Pretty much. You can easily spot the ones who haven't s clue because theNeed2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
Humans who are prone to addictive behaviors can become addicted to almost anything that brings pleasure. Sex is not addictive and yet there are sex addicts. Dangerous behavior is not addictive and yet an adrenaline junkie will risk their lives for the fun of it. Endorphins are addictive and humans are prone to repeat behaviors that easily give us those endorphins even if those behaviors are counter productive. Not all people react to an endorphin producing substance the same. Not everyone will become addicted to alcohol or even drugs by incorporating it into their routine but many do. Not everyone becomes addicted to the comfort brought by sugar but some do. Diets that encourage them to eat sugar are like AA encouraging a few drinks a week. Everyone is different but a great number of people who are very overweight are there because they have developed an addiction to food endorphins and to the rituals around eating. Most diet plans do not work for these people long term because they don't aim at changing the base behavior of depending on food for pleasure.
Nope. Again, look at the definitions in DSM 5.
A lot of people use pseudo addiction as an excuse and form of external validation though.
So, before DSM V was released and we had only DMS IV, was Autism Spectrum Disorder not a real thing?
This is an apple. That is an orange.
Jesus Christ. I shouldn't have to explain this.
DSM IV classified the various ASD disorders as individual, but still diagnosable conditions, DSM V codified them together under ASD.
On the other hand, the definition of addiction in DSM IV and V are broadly similar with a few additions.
So, yeah. You guys are pretty easy to spot.
So, Asperger's disorder did not exist before 1994 then? Point being, Like the ICD manuals, the DSM manuals are routinely updated to include newly identified conditions. It is not the be all, end all, in existence of medical conditions. Making your constant use of it to disprove something lame.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
That's not at all what I suggested and you know it. If you don't have an answer that's fine.0 -
herrspoons wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »FoCoAlphaNerd wrote: »Ugh, I'm so sick of people trying to defend this addiction nonsense with "sugar causes dopamine release." You know what else causes dopamine release? Scary movies, that thing where you almost stumble then don't, nipple clamps, being around large animals, getting a birdie when playing disk golf, rock climbing, shopping for rock climbing gear, looking at porn, reading a political op-ed, and scrolling through forums where people constantly claim to be addicted to things that aren't addictive substances.
Pretty much. You can easily spot the ones who haven't s clue because theNeed2Exerc1se wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
Humans who are prone to addictive behaviors can become addicted to almost anything that brings pleasure. Sex is not addictive and yet there are sex addicts. Dangerous behavior is not addictive and yet an adrenaline junkie will risk their lives for the fun of it. Endorphins are addictive and humans are prone to repeat behaviors that easily give us those endorphins even if those behaviors are counter productive. Not all people react to an endorphin producing substance the same. Not everyone will become addicted to alcohol or even drugs by incorporating it into their routine but many do. Not everyone becomes addicted to the comfort brought by sugar but some do. Diets that encourage them to eat sugar are like AA encouraging a few drinks a week. Everyone is different but a great number of people who are very overweight are there because they have developed an addiction to food endorphins and to the rituals around eating. Most diet plans do not work for these people long term because they don't aim at changing the base behavior of depending on food for pleasure.
Nope. Again, look at the definitions in DSM 5.
A lot of people use pseudo addiction as an excuse and form of external validation though.
So, before DSM V was released and we had only DMS IV, was Autism Spectrum Disorder not a real thing?
This is an apple. That is an orange.
Jesus Christ. I shouldn't have to explain this.
DSM IV classified the various ASD disorders as individual, but still diagnosable conditions, DSM V codified them together under ASD.
On the other hand, the definition of addiction in DSM IV and V are broadly similar with a few additions.
So, yeah. You guys are pretty easy to spot.
So, Asperger's disorder did not exist before 1994 then? Point being, Like the ICD manuals, the DMS manuals are routinely updated to include newly identified conditions. It is not the be all, end all, in existence of medical conditions. Making your constant use of it to disprove something lame.
You tried to make a point, accused me of ignorance, were wrong, and ended up looking silly. If you can't apologise then at least be quiet.
Okay, sorry I touched a nerve.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
That's not at all what I suggested and you know it. If you don't have an answer that's fine.
you said addicts lack self control and will power ...so if you lack the self control to just have one donut then you are addicted, right?
OR
maybe you should not jump into every single post and comment on them just because you feel like WKing them...
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
That's not at all what I suggested and you know it. If you don't have an answer that's fine.
you said addicts lack self control and will power ...so if you lack the self control to just have one donut then you are addicted, right?
No, that seems a silly leap to make, which is why I didn't make it. I merely asked a question, which you still haven't answered. Which is okay, because the answer is pretty clear.0 -
As a disclaimer, I'm just sharing what worked for me. I make no claims of its place in science.
I started logging and consciously trying to lose weight 12/2/14. For about 2 or so weeks I stopped eating all the sugary/chocolate-y things that I would typically overeat. I just ate fruit at night which I have no problem eating in moderation. I was crabby and had headaches the first few days of dieting - probably all related to cutting back calories, not getting all the quick sugars I was used to, etc. Don't really care or know why. But it was short-lived. That "break" served as a symbolic separation for me. Maybe there's more to it, bio-chemically. But I don't have the data to support that so whatevs.
Two weeks in I added back single serving treats. Mostly ice cream. Sure, at the end of my single serving Haagen Daz I was sad that it was gone and wanted more. But I want to be thinner more.
Now, almost 3 months in, my single serve ice cream doesn't feel sad anymore. I'm used to it. I pretty much have some sort of treat every day as long as I have calories left and I've hit 100 grams of protein.
I always thought I was an "all/nothing" kind of girl. I've surprised myself. I have a pantry that has 3 boxes of girl scout cookies, a 5 lb bag of candy bars, bags of M&Ms, Oreos, you name it...And I can walk in there and grab what I need without getting drawn to any of that. In prior diets, I would throw all of it away. Or eat a bunch to get rid of it before I dieted. lol.
I've come to appreciate that moderation is a skill that has to practiced. It's not a diet-defining personality trait. And I think where most diets fail is that you subconsciously know that you can't (and don't want) to maintain restrictiveness for the rest of your life. So you just say screw it and go back to your bad eating habits.
$.020 -
Try a fresh date or two ... that might be all you need. They're amazing!0
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AbsoluteTara79 wrote: »I've come to appreciate that moderation is a skill that has to practiced. It's not a diet-defining personality trait. And I think where most diets fail is that you subconsciously know that you can't (and don't want to) maintain restrictiveness for the rest of your life. So you just say screw it and go back to your bad eating habits.
$.02
Yes, yes and yes!
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lgramberg15 wrote: »I'm most definitely addicted to sugar..most of the time the sugar I eat in the day comes from fruit (some from added sugar like chocolate or vitamin water), but I find myself craving sweets every night and I need to learn how to cut the craving! Any ideas/advice?
TRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIATRUVIA
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lgramberg15 wrote: »I'm most definitely addicted to sugar..most of the time the sugar I eat in the day comes from fruit (some from added sugar like chocolate or vitamin water), but I find myself craving sweets every night and I need to learn how to cut the craving! Any ideas/advice?
TRUVIA
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
That's not at all what I suggested and you know it. If you don't have an answer that's fine.
you said addicts lack self control and will power ...so if you lack the self control to just have one donut then you are addicted, right?
No, that seems a silly leap to make, which is why I didn't make it. I merely asked a question, which you still haven't answered. Which is okay, because the answer is pretty clear.
because it is a silly question....
yes an addict would lack self control, but is that the determining factor in addiction?0 -
herrspoons wrote: »AbsoluteTara79 wrote: »As a disclaimer, I'm just sharing what worked for me. I make no claims of its place in science.
I started logging and consciously trying to lose weight 12/2/14. For about 2 or so weeks I stopped eating all the sugary/chocolate-y things that I would typically overeat. I just ate fruit at night which I have no problem eating in moderation. I was crabby and had headaches the first few days of dieting - probably all related to cutting back calories, not getting all the quick sugars I was used to, etc. Don't really care or know why. But it was short-lived. That "break" served as a symbolic separation for me. Maybe there's more to it, bio-chemically. But I don't have the data to support that so whatevs.
Two weeks in I added back single serving treats. Mostly ice cream. Sure, at the end of my single serving Haagen Daz I was sad that it was gone and wanted more. But I want to be thinner more.
Now, almost 3 months in, my single serve ice cream doesn't feel sad anymore. I'm used to it. I pretty much have some sort of treat every day as long as I have calories left and I've hit 100 grams of protein.
I always thought I was an "all/nothing" kind of girl. I've surprised myself. I have a pantry that has 3 boxes of girl scout cookies, a 5 lb bag of candy bars, bags of M&Ms, Oreos, you name it...And I can walk in there and grab what I need without getting drawn to any of that. In prior diets, I would throw all of it away. Or eat a bunch to get rid of it before I dieted. lol.
I've come to appreciate that moderation is a skill that has to practiced. It's not a diet-defining personality trait. And I think where most diets fail is that you subconsciously know that you can't (and don't want) to maintain restrictiveness for the rest of your life. So you just say screw it and go back to your bad eating habits.
$.02
Nail. Right. On. Head.
agreed0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
That's not at all what I suggested and you know it. If you don't have an answer that's fine.
you said addicts lack self control and will power ...so if you lack the self control to just have one donut then you are addicted, right?
No, that seems a silly leap to make, which is why I didn't make it. I merely asked a question, which you still haven't answered. Which is okay, because the answer is pretty clear.
because it is a silly question....
yes an addict would lack self control, but is that the determining factor in addiction?
Interesting question. I think it would be a factor. Not the only factor, but if self control was easy re: a substance I doubt it would qualify as an addiction.0 -
zachbonner wrote: »lgramberg15 wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »lgramberg15 wrote: »arditarose wrote: »lgramberg15 wrote: »Everytime I crave it?? ^
Save room in your day for a dessert. My diary is open. You will see a dessert in there every. single. night. Why do you need to cut the craving?
I'm having a very hard time losing weight and I think it might be due to how much sugar I eat
It's down to how many calories you consume, not sugar.
If you want to cut it out then do so, just don't fill the gap with something else. Either that or exercise a bit more willpower. I'm afraid there aren't any other choices.
Obviously I know that it's down to calorie intake, I'm not stupid.. Sugar has more calories than other types of food I.e. If I eat it im consuming more calories....
No. No it really doesn't.
Refer to my post about rewording what I said...I would rather eat 1500 calories in fruits and vegetables than waste 300 on sugary things....0 -
eatingforspawn wrote: »Alright this is like arguing with flat Earthers. Let's just ignore the people trying to convince us that food cannot be addictive and focus on the advice. OP have sugar cravings. They are real. How does she prevent them? that is the only thing we need to talk about here.
As I said before, my advice is to abstain for a short time, and then when you no longer feel strong physical or mental urges for it, if you feel like you can handle it, reintroduce your favourite things in moderation.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU0 -
lgramberg15 wrote: »I'm most definitely addicted to sugar..most of the time the sugar I eat in the day comes from fruit (some from added sugar like chocolate or vitamin water), but I find myself craving sweets every night and I need to learn how to cut the craving! Any ideas/advice?
OP, I had a serious control issue around sweet foods, dessert foods in particular. The only way I could control my binge eating was through elimination -- I cut out all my trigger foods completely and did just fine for nearly 10 years.
In the past few months, I've reintroduced added sugar foods to my diet. The cravings are back. I have a perfectly good lunch waiting for me, but I want to go to the bakery next door and buy some macaroons. I could go eat two macaroons and not eat my lunch, but then I'd be over my carbs and under my protein and my fat, and I'd be hungry for the rest of the afternoon, and I'd still be craving more sugar-added food.
So, I have to sit here and continually tell myself "No." It sucks, but if I want to eat any added sugar food, constant vigilance is the price I have to pay.
For me, it boils down to two options:
Option A: eat sugar-added foods, have cravings, exert willpower that sometimes fails
Option B: eliminate sugar-added foods, have no cravings
Best of luck to you.
This is exactly my problem. I preferably would like to eat good, healthy foods throughout the day, and do great in the first part of the day, but when I have 50 or so calories left I end up eating sugary foods that put me over. I'm glad someone understands this, thank you for the advice.
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zachbonner wrote: »lgramberg15 wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »I do it by keeping my hand out of the cookie jar.
Sugar isn't addictive in humans. Sorry, no strong evidence to support that theory exists.
Actually there's been studies suggesting that sugar releases dopamine in the brain, and that when you have too much of it, you have a need for the dopamine release more often
pretty sure those were rodent studies..
It's the same in humans
please post a sugar addiction study on humans ....
Can we just end this0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »eatingforspawn wrote: »wait so sugar addicts should restrict sugar for a month and then re-introduce to cure addiction?
so a crack head can eliminate crack for a month and then start smoking it again on a limited basis and they are cured???
Yes (about the sugar, not the crack). Not everyone can handle it, as I mentioned, but people can break the habit of over-consumption and then train themselves to consume reasonably. Once an addict, always an addict is not true. It is possible to become addicted again though if you let it get out of hand. It takes a certain amount of self control. The thing about sugar addicts is, they like sugary foods. For most people, if you tell them they can NEVER have what they love most ever again, then they will never stick to it. And keep in mind we are talking about food here, not crack. Sugar is fine in certain amounts. Crack is not fine in any amount. Physical addiction to sugar is a real thing. It comes from over-consumption. It starts a chain of event that make a person crave it and feel like crap if they do not have it. There is also the mental component which often comes with a physical addiction but can also be independent of one.
But if you want to talk about drugs and other well known addictive things, and perhaps argue that an addict is always an addict, I can at least offer my anecdotal experience of quitting smoking. I smoked for 10 years and was utterly addicted. I guess you can choose not to believe me about that but that would just be argumentative, really. Anyway, I quite 8 years ago and can tell you right now, that I am no longer addicted. Not smoking is not an effort for me whatsoever. I find it disgusting and the smell makes me feel sick. I won't do it because it is vile, but I could smoke a cigarette right now and never want another one. Ever.
And if you are arguing that sugar is not addictive because you have never become addicted, then I can offer my factoid that I have never been addicted to alcohol. I have consumed it, sometimes a few times a week for months at a time. But not drinking is not an issue for me, whereas other people are prone to become addicted after much less consumption than I had.
Everyone's brain reacts to chemicals differently. Everyone has a different spectrum of emotions and addictability. that is why I stressed the importance of finding her own way to deal with it.
thank your for the long reply.
my point is that you want to say sugar is addictive but then you treat said addiction by re-introducing the addictive substance. If that was the case then you could do the same with cocaine, heroin, alcohol, etc...but I have never once heard someone say "after 30 days of rehab I re-introduced cocaine, and I am now not addicted"..
What you are saying with sugar is that is an issue with will power and self control. Lack of those two things does not equal addiction.
Don't all addicts have issues with will power and self control? An alcoholic lacks the will power and self control not to take a drink. A heroin addict lacks the self control not to shoot up. There is nothing forcing them to partake any more than there is something forcing someone to eat another candy bar. Nothing but a craving.
so wanting one more donut because it tastes good and you lack self control not to have it = sugar addiction?
using that logic I can be addicted to anything..
lets just drop the pretense...the sugar addiction argument is ridiculous.
Okay the real issue here is that I have a CONSISTENT URGE TO EAT SUGAR EVERYDAY. This is the question I asked in the beginning, I do not want to argue over the fact if sugar is addicting or not, I am simply asking what I can do to lessen the cravings. Simply that. no debate. just want to know what I should change.0
This discussion has been closed.
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