Carbohydrate Addiction
Replies
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MoiAussi93 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »That being said, carbs affect people in ways that fats and proteins don't, and can be linked to cravings and over eating in some people. No kid ever cries for another steak or an extra pat of butter on their veggies. They do cry over lollipops and pop. Carbs, high sugar carbs especially, are different.
This is simply not true. I've always had a much harder time modifying fat than sugar. I crave really good cheese. I am basically uninterested in sugary items that don't come with fat too. As I mentioned in another recent thread, the last food I really craved was some lamb (when I had given up meat during Lent).
I think ALL foods can be linked to overeating, depending on the person and their preferences. One reason I decided that paleo was pointless is that the foods I was cutting out (grains, beans, and dairy) were in many cases foods I thought were actively healthy and helped me meet nutrition goals (especially beans and dairy) or which I'd never overeat anyway (like bread, which I can generally take or leave).
It is certainly true for some people.
Once again, I agree. My objection was to the poster claiming that it was only carbs that people had issues with and people wouldn't feel compelled to eat other foods. If she had said that for SOME people carbs are an issue, whereas others may have more issues with other foods (or only some carbs and some fats, etc.), I would have had no objection.
There is a tendency here for SOME (not all) who do low carb to make universal statements like "the carbs in the US diet are the problem" or "carbs make you hungry" or "increasing fat will be more satiating," when instead these things vary by person.Great, it isn't for you, but it certainly is for me. Carb consumption certainly does cause strong cravings in some people.
Find somewhere where I ever denied that, because I haven't. (Usually I think it's related to IR, but not necessarily always.)0 -
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And lots of time people will say they crave carbs and mention fast food or mac&cheese or pizza or mashed potatoes (with cream and butter) or cake, all foods that contain lots of fat too.
I know very few people who want plain pasta without anything on it, let alone sugar from the jar.0 -
Anything can be called an addiction, I suppose.
I love my carbs and see no reason to give them up. Is that addiction?0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »How much less carbs? I reduced carbs gradually to around 40% and didn't have a problem, but if you reduced them drastically, quickly, sure, you can experience things like "low carb flu."
You may wish to check out the Low Carb group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
But I always thought that you consider yourself low carb @kshama2001 don't you?
I only ask because I regularly eat 40-50% carbs and I really don't think anything I do is close to low carb
Of am I confusing you with someone else0 -
So here's the thing. Let's say you've been gaining weight at a slow steady pace by eating 3000 calories per day, 70% of which are carbs. This means you've been eating 450 grams of carbs per day. I'm not judging that number or anything, I'm just saying this for an example.
If all you do was cut your intake to, let's say, 1800 calories, but kept the same 70% figure, you're already cutting your carbs to 315 grams per day. Even at this level, many people who had brains and bodies accustomed to 450 grams per day of readily available carbs/glucose would get some cravings eating only ~300 carbs.
Let's add lowering our carbs %. Let's say we're going with 40% as a goal. Now for that same 1800 calories, you're eating only 180 grams of carbs. If you went from eating 450 grams of carbs every day for 5 years, and today you're eating only 180 grams? Your brain is going to have a couple "WTF I was using those!" days. This seems reasonable and normal to me. Give your brain a couple days to adapt. It will. But in the meantime, don't do anything foolish like only eat 600 calories per day or exercise for 4 hours. Let your body adapt for a minute before you stress it out more.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »How much less carbs? I reduced carbs gradually to around 40% and didn't have a problem, but if you reduced them drastically, quickly, sure, you can experience things like "low carb flu."
You may wish to check out the Low Carb group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
But I always thought that you consider yourself low carb @kshama2001 don't you?
I only ask because I regularly eat 40-50% carbs and I really don't think anything I do is close to low carb
Of am I confusing you with someone else
I'm wondering as well. I'm at 40% and don't consider it low carb. But I don't know what qualifies as low carb.0 -
nvsmomketo wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »That being said, carbs affect people in ways that fats and proteins don't, and can be linked to cravings and over eating in some people. No kid ever cries for another steak or an extra pat of butter on their veggies. They do cry over lollipops and pop. Carbs, high sugar carbs especially, are different.
This is simply not true. I've always had a much harder time modifying fat than sugar. I crave really good cheese. I am basically uninterested in sugary items that don't come with fat too. As I mentioned in another recent thread, the last food I really craved was some lamb (when I had given up meat during Lent).
I think ALL foods can be linked to overeating, depending on the person and their preferences. One reason I decided that paleo was pointless is that the foods I was cutting out (grains, beans, and dairy) were in many cases foods I thought were actively healthy and helped me meet nutrition goals (especially beans and dairy) or which I'd never overeat anyway (like bread, which I can generally take or leave).
I think your lamb craving is probably unusual. You were in the mood for lamb. I doubt it felt like a physical need. Correct me if I'm wrong.
With carbs (for ME) it felt like a physical need. Yes it can be ignored but it takes way more effort than my craving for cheese. Anyone can choose to ignoe a craving, even an alcoholic who craves alcohol. I do not think carb cravings are on the same level as an alcoholic's cravings for alcohol, but my point is that there are different levels of cravings for different people. Some people find carbs to physically affect their cravings (not just mentally) just like some poeple find alcohol causes cravings.
When you craved your lamb were your hands shaking? Did the craving come with a headache and dropping blood pressure? Was it distracting until you had lamb? This is what happened to me when I ate carbs.
Yes, all foods can be linked to overeating but which ones usually are? I'm sure there is some fat person out there who ate too much celery, or ate too much tuna. I bet there are more fat people who ate too many carbs... I'm am happy that you are not one of them.
I think your view of other people's diets can be egocentric. When I type something about how foods affect SOME people, it doesn't mean all, and it doesn't necessarily mean you.
so you know your need for carbs was a craving, but that her need for lamb was not a craving? Hm. You should probably start counseling pregnant women everywhere.
You've been popping on thread after thread, talking about your constant craving for carbs and addiction problems.
sounds like you should get some counseling, you're starting to target people.0 -
I'm at 40% too.
Maybe we are all low carb now!0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »And lots of time people will say they crave carbs and mention fast food or mac&cheese or pizza or mashed potatoes (with cream and butter) or cake, all foods that contain lots of fat too.
I know very few people who want plain pasta without anything on it, let alone sugar from the jar.
Yep, that's what I see too.
I remember as a kid loving waffles from my grandmother's cast iron waffle maker. But it wasn't like I wanted a plain waffle, though imo her waffles were the best waffles ever. I wanted waffles smothered in butter and syrup.
Cravings for pasta or bread for me come with a craving for them being smothered in a rich sauce or butter as well. Eating plain boiled pasta or dry bread is, to me anyway, only slightly more appetizing than eating flour straight from the bag.
I do think I do well restricting my carb intake somewhat and balancing that with protein. I do terrible when my fat macro is high, though. I've mentioned this a number of times on the forums, but I'll say it again that in my experience fat is not satiating for me. I love fat, but I try to keep it at a reasonable level for my intake because once it goes out of balance and comes at the expense of my protein intake, I feel famished. I love avocado's and nuts, for example, but I really have to watch out on days I consume either that my macros stay balanced or I'll feel very hungry and miserable.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »I'm at 40% too.
Maybe we are all low carb now!
Me, too.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »How much less carbs? I reduced carbs gradually to around 40% and didn't have a problem, but if you reduced them drastically, quickly, sure, you can experience things like "low carb flu."
You may wish to check out the Low Carb group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
But I always thought that you consider yourself low carb @kshama2001 don't you?
I only ask because I regularly eat 40-50% carbs and I really don't think anything I do is close to low carb
Of am I confusing you with someone else
I often mention having lowered carbs which seems to have given a lot of people the impression that I am low carb, which I am not.
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Carbs at 40% for me too.0
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kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »How much less carbs? I reduced carbs gradually to around 40% and didn't have a problem, but if you reduced them drastically, quickly, sure, you can experience things like "low carb flu."
You may wish to check out the Low Carb group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
But I always thought that you consider yourself low carb @kshama2001 don't you?
I only ask because I regularly eat 40-50% carbs and I really don't think anything I do is close to low carb
Of am I confusing you with someone else
I often mention having lowered carbs which seems to have given a lot of people the impression that I am low carb, which I am not.
Cool :bigsmile:
I must have missed the "ered" ...don't mind me, I'm new to reading
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nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
No, I just don't think cake, pizza, ice cream and cookies should be labeled as carbs when they are more fat than carbs. It gives real, whole carbs a bad wrap for no reason.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »And lots of time people will say they crave carbs and mention fast food or mac&cheese or pizza or mashed potatoes (with cream and butter) or cake, all foods that contain lots of fat too.
I know very few people who want plain pasta without anything on it, let alone sugar from the jar.
Do Pixie Stix count?0 -
Lourdesong wrote: »I do think I do well restricting my carb intake somewhat and balancing that with protein. I do terrible when my fat macro is high, though. I've mentioned this a number of times on the forums, but I'll say it again that in my experience fat is not satiating for me. I love fat, but I try to keep it at a reasonable level for my intake because once it goes out of balance and comes at the expense of my protein intake, I feel famished. I love avocado's and nuts, for example, but I really have to watch out on days I consume either that my macros stay balanced or I'll feel very hungry and miserable.
This is exactly me too.0 -
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nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
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TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
I like how you logic0 -
TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.0 -
AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
I knew so much before I came to the forums of MFP...it amazes me how much I've succeeded in forgetting
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AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
And I think they are latching onto the current craze.
I mean, if you google "how to lose weight" the very first thing listed is "eat low carb". Carbs and sugar are the current "bad" food, like fat was in the 80's.
I think humans are, more often than not, looking for things to blame when we make bad choices. It's much easier to say "I'm addicted to carbs" than "I didn't control myself very well". One places blame on something external, the other internal.
Again, all of this is my opinion.0 -
AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
I knew so much before I came to the forums of MFP...it amazes me how much I've succeeded in forgetting
I saw in the moderation thread you've been on and off a whole host of different diets over the last 30 years so I can only imagine. I'm happy you were able to ditch everything that didn't apply. It's an amazing feeling to finally discover what works and I hope you have continued success. 0 -
AlabasterVerve wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
I knew so much before I came to the forums of MFP...it amazes me how much I've succeeded in forgetting
I saw in the moderation thread you've been on and off a whole host of different diets over the last 30 years so I can only imagine. I'm happy you were able to ditch everything that didn't apply. It's an amazing feeling to finally discover what works and I hope you have continued success.
Why thank you
You too 0 -
TheVirgoddess wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
And I think they are latching onto the current craze.
I mean, if you google "how to lose weight" the very first thing listed is "eat low carb". Carbs and sugar are the current "bad" food, like fat was in the 80's.
I think humans are, more often than not, looking for things to blame when we make bad choices. It's much easier to say "I'm addicted to carbs" than "I didn't control myself very well". One places blame on something external, the other internal.
Again, all of this is my opinion.
Yes, one of the reasons the 12 step model never worked for me because I could never get past the need to admit I was powerless, because I was not and am not powerless. I chose to do [insert addictive thing here], and I chose to stop doing it.
Maybe this is why we're always arguing over whether sugar is addictive - perhaps some people define addictive as something you are powerless over and don't see how one can be powerless over sugar. I agree - we're not powerless over sugar...or booze, or whatever.
(I have spent quite a bit of time in 12 step meetings with friends, and am not recommending against it for anyone who finds it helpful.)
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kshama2001 wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »TheVirgoddess wrote: »nvsmomketo wrote: »It is true for some people, not you maybe. Definitely true for me. When I have a craving it is never for something high protein, it is ALWAYS for carbs. Sometimes I crave cheese, but more often it's bread, cakes, crackers or cookies.
I don't understand why these things always get thrown into the carbs category when they are mostly fat?
For instance, a chocolate chip cookie is about 3% of the RDA of carbs and 6% of the RDA of fat. Cake is 17% carbs and 25% fat.
It just drives me a little batty because then whole food carbs like potatoes and rice get thrown in with these other types of carbs (fats) and people avoid them even though they are good for you.
So fat is the problem for you. Not me. People differ.
That's not what she's saying at all. She's saying that the foods people often cite being "addicted" to are full of fat, too - so why are we assuming that carbs are the issue?
If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits? It seems there's a clearer correlation between "cravings" and fat vs "cravings" and carbs. IMO, anyway. And perhaps when people go low carb, they generally up their fat, and their "cravings" are reduced because their fat intake is up.
It's an interesting point but there is some indication that sugar is unique in it's ability to induce cravings -- the milkshake study from a year or two comes to mind. That, and I just tend to believe people when they say carbs and sugar are the issue. I imagine that by the time they get to MFP seeking help they've been dealing with their issue long enough to know.
And I think they are latching onto the current craze.
I mean, if you google "how to lose weight" the very first thing listed is "eat low carb". Carbs and sugar are the current "bad" food, like fat was in the 80's.
I think humans are, more often than not, looking for things to blame when we make bad choices. It's much easier to say "I'm addicted to carbs" than "I didn't control myself very well". One places blame on something external, the other internal.
Again, all of this is my opinion.
Yes, one of the reasons the 12 step model never worked for me because I could never get past the need to admit I was powerless, because I was not and am not powerless. I chose to do [insert addictive thing here], and I chose to stop doing it.
Maybe this is why we're always arguing over whether sugar is addictive - perhaps some people define addictive as something you are powerless over and don't see how one can be powerless over sugar. I agree - we're not powerless over sugar...or booze, or whatever.
(I have spent quite a bit of time in 12 step meetings with friends, and am not recommending against it for anyone who finds it helpful.)
Do you believe addiction exists?0 -
TheVirgoddess wrote: »If you crave carbs, wouldn't you crave all carbs? Like potatoes, vegetables, dried fruits?
Not necessarily. If I crave carbs, I want the fast-acting stuff (simple carbs). Potatoes and vegetables would be slower to digest than, say, a slice of plain, soft white bread, or a couple of cookies, or a bag of Skittles. The combination of sugar (or quickly-digested white-flour products) and fat seems to be uniquely enticing.0 -
I do think the combo of sugar, salt and fat can be an addicting combo for some people, and food manufacturers know this. (Read the book Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss for an inside look on that issue.) I understand why people binge (myself included) and can't stop eating certain foods sometimes. But it's not because of carbs by themselves. Carbs are a necessary component to living well.0
This discussion has been closed.
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