What to expect while cutting out sugar?

ditsyblond17
ditsyblond17 Posts: 155 Member
edited November 15 in Health and Weight Loss
I am planning on eliminating sugar (added sugar and sweeteners, even fake crap) from my diet starting tomorrow. I realized I am completely addicted to sugar. Its like a high. Then, an hour later, I'm hungry again.

What can I expect to experience? How long will the bad feelings last? Anything in particular I should do to help ease the symptoms?

Replies

  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    So you're going to never eat sugar again, I take it?

    No reason to eliminate sugar (if you do, then you should also be eliminating NATURAL sugar as well). You are hungry afterwards because carbs on their own are not satiating. Pair it with fat and/or protein and you'd likely feel fuller.
  • maroonmango211
    maroonmango211 Posts: 908 Member
    When I previously eliminated processed added sugar from my diet I experienced headaches and dizziness along with some pretty intense cravings. It lasted a couple weeks before getting better.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    What can you expect?

    Failure.
  • GlassslippersAndFairyDust
    GlassslippersAndFairyDust Posts: 518 Member
    I felt bad for a few days then I started feeling better. Try to drink plenty of water. Also, I ate some fruit to "ease" myself away from processed sugars. I didn't eat artificial sweeteners so that wasn't a problem. Protein is more filling so you might try to up your protein amount. I also eat a lot of healthy fats and I don't miss the processed sugar at all. You can do it. Good luck.
  • ShandaLeaS
    ShandaLeaS Posts: 136 Member
    I've eliminated sweet tea made with real sugar and only because I drink 500+ calories in sugar alone. Now it's a treat I can have occasionally. I had bad migraines for almost a week.
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    ShandaLeaS wrote: »
    I've eliminated sweet tea made with real sugar and only because I drink 500+ calories in sugar alone. Now it's a treat I can have occasionally. I had bad migraines for almost a week.

    Did you continue drinking tea without sugar? If not, those migraines were probably from the caffeine withdrawal.

  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    It really depends on the individual. I eat virtually no added sugar, and for me it was a very easy transition. But I've never really had a sweet tooth, I'm more a savoury person.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    ditsyblond17 wrote: »
    I am planning on eliminating sugar (added sugar and sweeteners, even fake crap) from my diet starting tomorrow. I realized I am completely addicted to sugar. Its like a high. Then, an hour later, I'm hungry again.

    What can I expect to experience? How long will the bad feelings last? Anything in particular I should do to help ease the symptoms?

    ditsy after 40 years of sugar addiction I tried for two months to do what you plan to do tomorrow without success and got ticked off. Oct 2014 I basically went off of all carbs (<50 grams daily) cold turkey and six months later still no carbs (the few that I do eat I like to be 50% fiber).

    The first two weeks were hellish at my age and level of addiction. The cravings then started to fade, no more sugar crashes, no more IBS, no more mental fog, much less joint pain, nicer to family because I felt better, etc.

    You can do this if I did it and am still doing it.

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Disappointment
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Being grumpy.
  • barbecuesauce
    barbecuesauce Posts: 1,771 Member
    edited March 2015
    Instead of cutting down on sugar, why not make sure you hit your fiber and protein? If you fill your calories with beans and meat and fruit, you're naturally going to cut down on added sugar and won't have the stress.
  • SexyKatherine73
    SexyKatherine73 Posts: 221 Member
    mood swings
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    Why would you want to do this? Even diabetics aren't told by doctors to completely eliminate sugar. Most researchers agree that sugar is not physically addictive, and that food 'addictions' are behavioural and thus not resolved by elimination diets.

    Reducing added sugars? Sure. But you can reduce them to reasonable levels without having to completely eliminate them. And why would you want to eliminate fructose (fruits) or lactose (milk, dairy products) or plenty of other good sugars? Heck, some chocolate in moderation is good for you, too.

    IMHO most people fail at dieting when they try to needlessly restrict themselves too much. Just stay under your calorie goals and moderate your intake of most foods, and allow yourself to eat the foods you enjoy. That's how you'll know that you can stick with it for the long term.
  • snvelasco
    snvelasco Posts: 5 Member
    I'm exactly the same as you, sugar messes with my satiety horribly. It was so amazing to really know what being properly full felt like - total game changer. Just remember to be very kind on yourself and be aware you're detoxing. Good luck!!

    I quite like www.iquitsugar.com, although take it with a grain of salt... The website writer, Sarah Wilson, suggests cutting sugar out altogether for a while until you're 'clean', and then you can bring back fruit, alcohol etc. which I do think is a good idea.
  • ditsyblond17
    ditsyblond17 Posts: 155 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    ditsyblond17 wrote: »
    I am planning on eliminating sugar (added sugar and sweeteners, even fake crap) from my diet starting tomorrow. I realized I am completely addicted to sugar. Its like a high. Then, an hour later, I'm hungry again.

    What can I expect to experience? How long will the bad feelings last? Anything in particular I should do to help ease the symptoms?

    ditsy after 40 years of sugar addiction I tried for two months to do what you plan to do tomorrow without success and got ticked off. Oct 2014 I basically went off of all carbs (<50 grams daily) cold turkey and six months later still no carbs (the few that I do eat I like to be 50% fiber).

    The first two weeks were hellish at my age and level of addiction. The cravings then started to fade, no more sugar crashes, no more IBS, no more mental fog, much less joint pain, nicer to family because I felt better, etc.

    You can do this if I did it and am still doing it.

    That leaves me wiry much needed hope! Thank you so much for sharing. I plan on ketogenic diet (which I know I will be stoned to death for on here ;) LC/HF. I'm thinking this will naturally increase satiety.
    snvelasco wrote: »
    I'm exactly the same as you, sugar messes with my satiety horribly. It was so amazing to really know what being properly full felt like - total game changer. Just remember to be very kind on yourself and be aware you're detoxing. Good luck!!

    I quite like www.iquitsugar.com, although take it with a grain of salt... The website writer, Sarah Wilson, suggests cutting sugar out altogether for a while until you're 'clean', and then you can bring back fruit, alcohol etc. which I do think is a good idea.

    Thank you for the insight. I nay look at that website. I agree, going cold Turkey to later add in bits when not addicted is probably the best idea. I am hoping this works for me. Thank you to all that gave sound advice. those that said mood swings, failures, disappointment, etc. I appreciate the dose of confidence ;)
  • ditsyblond17
    ditsyblond17 Posts: 155 Member
    herrspoons wrote: »
    SergeantSausage wrote: »
    What can you expect?

    Failure.

    Yup.

    Butthurt flagging or not, that's what you can expect.

    Thanks :) Lets hope you are both wrong ;)
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