Crushing Sugar Addiction
Dette1
Posts: 23 Member
Does anyone else out there want to destroy their addiction to sugar? I have started my journey and I am looking for tips and connections from those who have succeeded in ending their addiction and those who are working through it like myself. I find there is an emotional, psychological, physical need to have sugar and my path to end it has been rough though I am only into it a few days. I would like to say I am in this for weight loss but really it is all I can do to go day to day and eliminate sugar meal by meal.
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Replies
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If you truly believe this is an addiction and not a poorly handled craving, then you need to speak with a professional and not the internet.0
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To clarify for those who don't struggle with this, sugar like any food can be addicting. It is more difficult from some than others. For those like myself with a metabolic issue, sugar in any processed form is detrimental. I work with specialists who are medically supportive but I was hoping to find others who struggle and have gone before me for community. There are diabetic groups which is likely the closest I will get. Thanks anyway for the responses.0
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To clarify for those who don't struggle with this, sugar like any food can be addicting. It is more difficult from some than others. For those like myself with a metabolic issue, sugar in any processed form is detrimental. I work with specialists who are medically supportive but I was hoping to find others who struggle and have gone before me for community. There are diabetic groups which is likely the closest I will get. Thanks anyway for the responses.
If you have medical reasons to restrict sugars, that is different than labeling sugar as "addicting". Sugar is not addictive, just like no type of food is addictive. What many people find is that they have difficulty moderating their intake of certain foods, but when probing deeper, it turns out that it isn't the chemical substances of sugar that are the problem, it is highly palatable foods like baked goods or ice cream that people have difficulty controlling their intake around.
There are certainly many people who find it necessary to restrict their sugar intake for medical reasons or because it is a way to help cut down on calorie dense foods and achieve weight loss goals. You'll find plenty of both types of people here in the community. However, there are also many who have found that by moderating their intake of added sugar foods, they are still able to enjoy them with no detriment to their health. That includes others with metabolic disorders and/or diabetes as well.0 -
Some people who have yeast overgrowth have the "need" "drive" to eat foods which are high in sugar and or yeasts, simply in order to feed the yeasts. It can feel like an addiction. Some consider this condition can push people to over indulge in alcohol and foods to feed the yeasts. It is also considered to contribute to IBS, fibro, CF and the like, which, oh golly gosh, have similar, related symptoms to those mentioned above. Our bodies are very, very complicated things. Simply because "this" fortunately has not been your experience so far please don't knock it. Oh yes! I've seen someone struggle with opiate addiction, when the asthma medication it was a contributory part of was banned some 30 years ago.0
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You should check out the research on sugar and food addictions, since 2012 it has been a topic of study and the studies are fascinating. I did my thesis on the topic, granted to no study had an answer but the science is quite interesting. I've been a member on this site for many years and I expect this is why I steered clear of the "community" postings. Not a whole lot of positive support out there is there?0
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People will object to the use of the word addiction when associated with sugar because the medical community does not (currently) consider sugar as addictive. I think many who have had issues with sugar know what you mean when referring to a sugar addiction though.
I had addiction like responses to sugars and carbs. Eating a bit led to eating more, and I failed at moderating my sugar intake for years and years.
I discovered I was prediabetic, and had some other autoimmune issues so I decided to cut sugar from my life as much as possible. I had addiction like issues with sugar soi treated it like an addiction an stopped eating it. No more candy or pop. No foods with added sugars. No grains or baked goods. And very limited starchy root vegetables or fruit.
It worked. My sugar cravings disappeared within days and my appetite was greatly reduced. I felt better, had more energy, looked better, lost weight (fewer calories), and my health improved along with lower blood glucose levels.
Try the Low Carber Daily group for support. Most of us there live a largely sugar free life and feel better for it.0 -
When I do the following, I don't have cravings:
1. Get sufficient sleep
2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me.0 -
You should check out the research on sugar and food addictions, since 2012 it has been a topic of study and the studies are fascinating. I did my thesis on the topic, granted to no study had an answer but the science is quite interesting. I've been a member on this site for many years and I expect this is why I steered clear of the "community" postings. Not a whole lot of positive support out there is there?
It seems that you are looking for enabling, not positive support. Your view of sugar as addicting after claiming to have done a thesis on the topic which, if properly researched, would reveal that the substance is not in fact addicting really makes me question what type of "support" you are looking for.0 -
You should check out the research on sugar and food addictions, since 2012 it has been a topic of study and the studies are fascinating. I did my thesis on the topic, granted to no study had an answer but the science is quite interesting. I've been a member on this site for many years and I expect this is why I steered clear of the "community" postings. Not a whole lot of positive support out there is there?
No...not for things that are unproven by sciences there is not.0 -
You should check out the research on sugar and food addictions, since 2012 it has been a topic of study and the studies are fascinating. I did my thesis on the topic, granted to no study had an answer but the science is quite interesting. I've been a member on this site for many years and I expect this is why I steered clear of the "community" postings. Not a whole lot of positive support out there is there?
Try the low carb group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
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To clarify for those who don't struggle with this, sugar like any food can be addicting. It is more difficult from some than others. For those like myself with a metabolic issue, sugar in any processed form is detrimental. I work with specialists who are medically supportive but I was hoping to find others who struggle and have gone before me for community. There are diabetic groups which is likely the closest I will get. Thanks anyway for the responses.
just because one has a medical condition does not mean that a food is addictive.
If you have a medical reason to avoid sugar then you should; however, for the rest of us, there is no need to avoid it.
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kshama2001 wrote: »When I do the following, I don't have cravings:
1. Get sufficient sleep
2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me.
Many thanks, I have been reading about the sleep factor and I am working on that as well as the exercising which was not my strong suit. Low glycemic fruit and protein seem to help the most and planning for the meltdown by having that on hand.0 -
I too am working through overcoming sugar addiction. Like SERIOUS Sugar addiction plus im type 1 diabetic. Don't listen to the naysayers. I am proof that it can done. Yes there is withdrawls and whatnots and yes there are gonna be times when you fall off the wagon and have to get backup but it can be done and im doing it right there with ya!! My advice: don't try cold turkey. Instead, choose 1 thing per week to eliminate. For it was cereal. Every night before bed I would have a HUGE bowl of cereal with milk. I craved it. I cut it out. Then I went from sweet tea to unsweet the next week. baby steps. little hinges swing big door!add me0
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Hi! I'm sorry for what you are going through, but incredibly proud of you for taking this step in the right direction. I have dealt with sugar addiction myself and know how hard it can be to deal with the chemical changes happening within your system, and the behavioral responses. I went through years of binging and struggling, unable to eat sugar in moderation. I highly recommend looking into the keto/high fat low carb lifestyle. I've learned that the only way to control my sugar cravings were to stop them entirely. Once you focus on the things you CAN have, and how much better you feel - the progress is motivating. Sugar is a hell of a drug!0
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audreycrumb wrote: »Hi! I'm sorry for what you are going through, but incredibly proud of you for taking this step in the right direction. I have dealt with sugar addiction myself and know how the chemical changes happening within your system that trigger behavioral responses. I went through years of binging and struggling, unable to eat sugar in moderation. I highly recommend looking into the keto/high fat low carb lifestyle. I've learned that the only way to control my sugar cravings were to stop them entirely. Once you focus on the things you CAN have, and how much better you feel - the progress is motivating. Sugar is a hell of a drug!
please explain the chemical changes that sugar triggers in your body that makes it an addictive substance...
Sugar is not a drug.0 -
Take a look at the documentaries Fed Up and Hungry for Change on Netflix. They're very eye opening. There's also the Fed Up challenge which is only for 10 days but it gives you tips and stuff. Mostly you have to cut out processed sugars and since there are over 52 names for sugar in processed foods its difficult to do. Natural sugars in fruit and stuff is alright. Just keep an eye out on the labels of foods you buy. Good luck!0
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Take a look at the documentaries Fed Up and Hungry for Change on Netflix. They're very eye opening. There's also the Fed Up challenge which is only for 10 days but it gives you tips and stuff. Mostly you have to cut out processed sugars and since there are over 52 names for sugar in processed foods its difficult to do. Natural sugars in fruit and stuff is alright. Just keep an eye out on the labels of foods you buy. Good luck!
No...
Looking to documentaries as any sort of reliable 'fact' source is not recommended.
Read the actual science behind the documentaries instead would be my suggestion. You'll find the claims are often twisted, exaggerated or outright fabricated.0 -
audreycrumb wrote: »Hi! I'm sorry for what you are going through, but incredibly proud of you for taking this step in the right direction. I have dealt with sugar addiction myself and know how hard it can be to deal with the chemical changes happening within your system, and the behavioral responses. I went through years of binging and struggling, unable to eat sugar in moderation. I highly recommend looking into the keto/high fat low carb lifestyle. I've learned that the only way to control my sugar cravings were to stop them entirely. Once you focus on the things you CAN have, and how much better you feel - the progress is motivating. Sugar is a hell of a drug!
Thanks! I have a friend who told me to read up on Ketos. I admit I don't know much about that. I have adopted the low glycemic choices for my first steps, it seemed like the easier transition. And clean eating essentially, everything that is real food and not created or manipulated. I will read up on ketos, I am very curious about that.0 -
Take a look at the documentaries Fed Up and Hungry for Change on Netflix. They're very eye opening. There's also the Fed Up challenge which is only for 10 days but it gives you tips and stuff. Mostly you have to cut out processed sugars and since there are over 52 names for sugar in processed foods its difficult to do. Natural sugars in fruit and stuff is alright. Just keep an eye out on the labels of foods you buy. Good luck!
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/does-the-movie-fed-up-make-sense/0 -
Take a look at the documentaries Fed Up and Hungry for Change on Netflix. They're very eye opening. There's also the Fed Up challenge which is only for 10 days but it gives you tips and stuff. Mostly you have to cut out processed sugars and since there are over 52 names for sugar in processed foods its difficult to do. Natural sugars in fruit and stuff is alright. Just keep an eye out on the labels of foods you buy. Good luck!
https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/does-the-movie-fed-up-make-sense/
I've yet to find a person that lets facts interfere with their belief in those pseudo-documentaries.0 -
You know what the most frustrating thing about these threads is? It's all based on each individual's opinion. There is conflicting evidence out there - some people take available evidence and form an opinion that sugar is NOT addictive. Some people take available evidence and form an opinion that sugar IS addictive. Others might be on the fence having not found sufficient evidence to form a conclusion.
There's no need to tell people that their opinion or belief is wrong on a subject like this..... Sure, tell them that you believe that they are wrong and your own opinion is supported by your own researched facts. That's someone's opinion and they're entitled to it after the burden of proof has been met in their mind. This is an ongoing area of research which means that even the experts haven't reached a consensus. So it's laughable to think that a forum has answered this question in its entirety. Just because the overwhelming majority on this particular board has formed a consensus on this particular topic doesn't mean that every single one of these threads should be a crusade to evangelize the myth of sugar addiction.
Sure, there are a bunch of people on here who may be quite intelligent and have done a lot of research on the subject but I'm sorry, none of you are true experts in the field or medical professionals. You're all just random people on a forum.0 -
For those interested in a really productive discussion about these topics that occurred some time ago, I suggest reading through this thread. There is plenty of science, robust discussion, and lively debate - albeit somewhat cleansed in order to keep it pristine enough to remain active in the forums.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10226257/food-addiction-a-different-perspective/p10 -
Does anyone else out there want to destroy their addiction to sugar? I have started my journey and I am looking for tips and connections from those who have succeeded in ending their addiction and those who are working through it like myself. I find there is an emotional, psychological, physical need to have sugar and my path to end it has been rough though I am only into it a few days. I would like to say I am in this for weight loss but really it is all I can do to go day to day and eliminate sugar meal by meal.
Logging everything, the good, the bad and the ugly has helped me curb overeating foods with high sugar content. Definitely not something that is cured overnight. I suspect I will have to log forever to keep it under control.
What has NOT helped is not being able to discuss this subject in these forums or being ridiculed for wanting to discuss it.0 -
The behavioural addiction you have to highly palatable foods is very easy to understand and empathise with ..I'm pretty sure all of us who were overweight got there because we enjoyed our food.
It takes willpower, commitment and potentially behavioural modification cues in order to overcome your current habitual food and lifestyle choices to ones which feel natural bring pleasure but maximise your health and physical confidence
I have to agree it is not sugar per se but the combination with fats and other foods into deliciousness like cake, cereals etc which gives you both anticipatory pleasure, entices the taste buds and gives you momentary pleasure ...does that matter? Well partly because speaking of a food addiction brings out those who have read and absorbed the scientific studies and unfortunately those who have watched those ridiculous mockumentaries and believe them as truth so we get endless boredom of threads
You can rewire yourself...it may take initial elimination, it may take just simple moderation with a focus on forming other pleasurable but healthier food and lifestyle habits
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I'm sorry so many people got tangled up in whether or not sugar is physically addictive, I agree with kshama, it feels like what addictions sound like. Would dependency be a better word? According to WebMD caffeine isn't addictive but you can become dependent. But, IGNORING that discussion entirely because that wasn't your question. I have had luck in reducing cravings for sweets by using kshama & kmictchall's ideas of restricting high sugar foods a bit at a time. I also significantly reduced simple and processed carbs like potatoes, corn, non-whole grains, etc. and replaced them with broccoli, cauliflower, and whole grains. By replacing them I was able to nearly eliminate them fairly quickly. I have also been working to increase water consumption to a half ounce per pound of body weight per day. This is in addition to any other liquid I may consume. I feel like that also helps and it has the added benefit of getting me up from my desk during the day (going to the restroom) and I feel like my joints don't hurt as much when I'm well hydrated. It took a couple of weeks with the restrictions but I found that I had much less trouble avoiding m&ms and other sweets. As kmitchall noted, I fell off the wagon over the last few weeks and am now having the cravings again. But I'm back at it and am confidant I will be able to reduce the cravings again. I'm trying not to "eliminate" any food because I love sweets, pasta, cheese, etc., etc., and past experience has shown that I can loose weight by eliminating these foods but I can't sustain that long term. But by tracking with MyFitnessPal I can control portions and choose when I want to indulge, and usually do it in small bits, so that I don't have side effects. I've lost 90 pounds this year and have added 15 pounds of muscle and significantly improved my metabolism by going to the gym. So I have proven to myself that whether sugar is addictive or not I can control cravings for it and make good choices and progress.0
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WinoGelato wrote: »For those interested in a really productive discussion about these topics that occurred some time ago, I suggest reading through this thread. There is plenty of science, robust discussion, and lively debate - albeit somewhat cleansed in order to keep it pristine enough to remain active in the forums.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10226257/food-addiction-a-different-perspective/p1
Thanks, I'm off to read it!0 -
Does anyone else out there want to destroy their addiction to sugar? I have started my journey and I am looking for tips and connections from those who have succeeded in ending their addiction and those who are working through it like myself. I find there is an emotional, psychological, physical need to have sugar and my path to end it has been rough though I am only into it a few days. I would like to say I am in this for weight loss but really it is all I can do to go day to day and eliminate sugar meal by meal.
This is my story and my advice. I had a really well thought out answer that didn't load because the discussion was briefly closed due to the mods needing to intervene. The gist of it: When I started MFP I thought I was addicted to sugar as well. Now I have to laugh at myself because I finally realized, after a year, this was not true. I was in the habit of buying sugary drinks and food, I wanted them because that's what I was used to eating. I wasted so much time within that year trying to restrict myself, only to lose a couple pounds and put it back on when I binged. I dabbled in moderation during this time but never fully implemented it.
Now I am half way into my 2nd year at MFP, I started to fully moderate instead of restrict. Moderation is not a shortcut that most people are looking for- you will learn A LOT about yourself that you would rather have hidden, you will be emotional, you will have very bad days and even weeks, you will want to give up...but don't, it gets easier. Lost twice as much weight in a couple months than I did with a year of restricting. I didn't gain the ability to moderate food overnight, it took me almost 1 and a half emotional years to get it right. I still have a bad days, but I'm no longer chained to food how I was when I started MFP. You are right when you say you have to take it one meal, one day, at a time.0 -
MsJulesRenee wrote: »Does anyone else out there want to destroy their addiction to sugar? I have started my journey and I am looking for tips and connections from those who have succeeded in ending their addiction and those who are working through it like myself. I find there is an emotional, psychological, physical need to have sugar and my path to end it has been rough though I am only into it a few days. I would like to say I am in this for weight loss but really it is all I can do to go day to day and eliminate sugar meal by meal.
This is my story and my advice. I had a really well thought out answer that didn't load because the discussion was briefly closed due to the mods needing to intervene. The gist of it: When I started MFP I thought I was addicted to sugar as well. Now I have to laugh at myself because I finally realized, after a year, this was not true. I was in the habit of buying sugary drinks and food, I wanted them because that's what I was used to eating. I wasted so much time within that year trying to restrict myself, only to lose a couple pounds and put it back on when I binged. I dabbled in moderation during this time but never fully implemented it.
Now I am half way into my 2nd year at MFP, I started to fully moderate instead of restrict. Moderation is not a shortcut that most people are looking for- you will learn A LOT about yourself that you would rather have hidden, you will be emotional, you will have very bad days and even weeks, you will want to give up...but don't, it gets easier. Lost twice as much weight in a couple months than I did with a year of restricting. I didn't gain the ability to moderate food overnight, it took me almost 1 and a half emotional years to get it right. I still have a bad days, but I'm no longer chained to food how I was when I started MFP. You are right when you say you have to take it one meal, one day, at a time.
This is absolutely true. Moderation is key as well as trusting your own body to tell you when it's hungry and when it's had enough food. I believe only a small minority of people who go on diets and achieve their goals actually keep it off, the rest of the dieters will gain the weight back and some simply because of this restriction mentality that dieting promotes. Nutrition is not a fixed state of affairs it's constantly changing bad weeks, great weeks ect. I'll be interested to know who honestly things they can count every calorie they eat from now till their elderly years and maintain a happy life.0 -
MsJulesRenee wrote: »
This is my story and my advice. I had a really well thought out answer that didn't load because the discussion was briefly closed due to the mods needing to intervene. The gist of it: When I started MFP I thought I was addicted to sugar as well. Now I have to laugh at myself because I finally realized, after a year, this was not true. I was in the habit of buying sugary drinks and food, I wanted them because that's what I was used to eating. I wasted so much time within that year trying to restrict myself, only to lose a couple pounds and put it back on when I binged. I dabbled in moderation during this time but never fully implemented it.
Now I am half way into my 2nd year at MFP, I started to fully moderate instead of restrict. Moderation is not a shortcut that most people are looking for- you will learn A LOT about yourself that you would rather have hidden, you will be emotional, you will have very bad days and even weeks, you will want to give up...but don't, it gets easier. Lost twice as much weight in a couple months than I did with a year of restricting. I didn't gain the ability to moderate food overnight, it took me almost 1 and a half emotional years to get it right. I still have a bad days, but I'm no longer chained to food how I was when I started MFP. You are right when you say you have to take it one meal, one day, at a time.
This is fabulously stated.0 -
LikeSeeds4Souls_ wrote: »MsJulesRenee wrote: »Does anyone else out there want to destroy their addiction to sugar? I have started my journey and I am looking for tips and connections from those who have succeeded in ending their addiction and those who are working through it like myself. I find there is an emotional, psychological, physical need to have sugar and my path to end it has been rough though I am only into it a few days. I would like to say I am in this for weight loss but really it is all I can do to go day to day and eliminate sugar meal by meal.
This is my story and my advice. I had a really well thought out answer that didn't load because the discussion was briefly closed due to the mods needing to intervene. The gist of it: When I started MFP I thought I was addicted to sugar as well. Now I have to laugh at myself because I finally realized, after a year, this was not true. I was in the habit of buying sugary drinks and food, I wanted them because that's what I was used to eating. I wasted so much time within that year trying to restrict myself, only to lose a couple pounds and put it back on when I binged. I dabbled in moderation during this time but never fully implemented it.
Now I am half way into my 2nd year at MFP, I started to fully moderate instead of restrict. Moderation is not a shortcut that most people are looking for- you will learn A LOT about yourself that you would rather have hidden, you will be emotional, you will have very bad days and even weeks, you will want to give up...but don't, it gets easier. Lost twice as much weight in a couple months than I did with a year of restricting. I didn't gain the ability to moderate food overnight, it took me almost 1 and a half emotional years to get it right. I still have a bad days, but I'm no longer chained to food how I was when I started MFP. You are right when you say you have to take it one meal, one day, at a time.
This is absolutely true. Moderation is key as well as trusting your own body to tell you when it's hungry and when it's had enough food. I believe only a small minority of people who go on diets and achieve their goals actually keep it off, the rest of the dieters will gain the weight back and some simply because of this restriction mentality that dieting promotes. Nutrition is not a fixed state of affairs it's constantly changing bad weeks, great weeks ect. I'll be interested to know who honestly things they can count every calorie they eat from now till their elderly years and maintain a happy life.
I'd put better odds on long term calorie counting and eating all foods in moderation than I would cutting out large swaths of food like "sugar" for success and happiness in the long term...
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