Starting A Sugar Detox Today - Looking for encouragement
BreakinChains
Posts: 18 Member
Yesterday I finally broke down and decided I've had enough. It's time for me to break my addiction to sugar. I'm horribly addicted.
One small candy bar will send me on a binge that results in a major stomach ache later. When you factor in that I have no gall bladder, it spells trouble for my body and my health. I'm tired of being controlled by food. It's time to live to eat, not eat to live.
So, here's my plan:
For the next 30 days I will:
1) Eat as much fruit/veggies as I want
2) Stick to my daily calorie allotment
3) Only eat products that have less than 10g of sugar per serving (I realize how impossible it is to cut sugar out completely, so this is what works FOR ME)
4) NOT GIVE UP. This is just the beginning. On day 31 the only thing that will change is that I've accomplished my goal.
Any and all advice is welcome. I'm scared in part because I've done this before and had withdrawal. I was sick for about a week. Why oh why did I go back?
Anyhow, here I go!!!
One small candy bar will send me on a binge that results in a major stomach ache later. When you factor in that I have no gall bladder, it spells trouble for my body and my health. I'm tired of being controlled by food. It's time to live to eat, not eat to live.
So, here's my plan:
For the next 30 days I will:
1) Eat as much fruit/veggies as I want
2) Stick to my daily calorie allotment
3) Only eat products that have less than 10g of sugar per serving (I realize how impossible it is to cut sugar out completely, so this is what works FOR ME)
4) NOT GIVE UP. This is just the beginning. On day 31 the only thing that will change is that I've accomplished my goal.
Any and all advice is welcome. I'm scared in part because I've done this before and had withdrawal. I was sick for about a week. Why oh why did I go back?
Anyhow, here I go!!!
11
Replies
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You might have a problem with less than 10g if sugar per serve if you want to eat fruit and veg....all foods have carbs, carbs=sugar.3
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You should read the book Pure, White and Deadly xx0
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Apples, bananas, and grapes have 14-19 grams of sugar in a serving. A Krispy Kreme donut has 10 grams of sugar. Are you sure you aren't just "addicted" to tasty foods, rather than sugar?19
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Alluminati wrote: »Apples, bananas, and grapes have 14-19 grams of sugar in a serving. A Krispy Kreme donut has 10 grams of sugar. Are you sure you aren't just "addicted" to tasty foods, rather than sugar?
Very good point.1 -
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Alluminati wrote: »Apples, bananas, and grapes have 14-19 grams of sugar in a serving. A Krispy Kreme donut has 10 grams of sugar. Are you sure you aren't just "addicted" to tasty foods, rather than sugar?
Truth.
Krispy Kreme filled doughnut: Apple Filled Cinnamon Sugar Coated - 13g. sugar
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/foods-from-krispy-kreme/6714/2
Grapes, red or green (European type, such as Thompson seedless), raw (1 cup) - 23.4g. sugar
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1920/24 -
Increase your protein and fat intake. Protein and fat will keep you satiated. Take the MFP protein and fat goals as minimums and achieve them every day. Track your fiber instead of sugar (you are already tracking carbs, right?) and try to reach your fiber goals as well.4
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No. You're experiencing cravings, not sugar addiction. If you need to cut back on satisfying treats for a while then okay, but you may want to also consider moderation. Good luck with finding a method that works for you.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1229-65 -
sunnybeaches105 wrote: »No. You're experiencing cravings, not sugar addiction. If you need to cut back on satisfying treats for a while then okay, but you may want to also consider moderation. Good luck with finding a method that works for you.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1229-6
Thank you for the suggestion. Moderation does not work for me. I've tried so many times and I end up bingeing. Regardless of whether or not I have a sugar addiction, I need to cut down on my intake dramatically.1 -
minniemoo1972 wrote: »You might have a problem with less than 10g if sugar per serve if you want to eat fruit and veg....all foods have carbs, carbs=sugar.
Very true. I misspoke. I should have said that I will not be eating foods with more than 10g of sugar unless it is a natural food. That's why I said all the fruit and veggies I want. My apologies.0 -
BreakinChains wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »No. You're experiencing cravings, not sugar addiction. If you need to cut back on satisfying treats for a while then okay, but you may want to also consider moderation. Good luck with finding a method that works for you.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1229-6
Thank you for the suggestion. Moderation does not work for me. I've tried so many times and I end up bingeing. Regardless of whether or not I have a sugar addiction, I need to cut down on my intake dramatically.
My point was that you may find that over time you can reintroduce some sweets and learn to moderate them. That's the advantage of it not being an addiction. That's after you get through this initial phase though. Stick with what you're doing for now.2 -
BreakinChains wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »No. You're experiencing cravings, not sugar addiction. If you need to cut back on satisfying treats for a while then okay, but you may want to also consider moderation. Good luck with finding a method that works for you.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1229-6
Thank you for the suggestion. Moderation does not work for me. I've tried so many times and I end up bingeing. Regardless of whether or not I have a sugar addiction, I need to cut down on my intake dramatically.
Do your meals include a variety of foods? How is your protein intake? Many things can effect cravings for sweet as well as savory tastes for some people (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249715/)0 -
Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar0 -
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I'm going to drop this link here because I think.it's great and the OP might find it useful: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10226257/food-addiction-a-different-perspective/p15
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XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol3 -
Alluminati wrote: »XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol
**facepalm**0 -
Alluminati wrote: »XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol
It's all so sneaky . . .2 -
BreakinChains wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »No. You're experiencing cravings, not sugar addiction. If you need to cut back on satisfying treats for a while then okay, but you may want to also consider moderation. Good luck with finding a method that works for you.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-016-1229-6
Thank you for the suggestion. Moderation does not work for me. I've tried so many times and I end up bingeing. Regardless of whether or not I have a sugar addiction, I need to cut down on my intake dramatically.
I have been there as well. I was convinced that I couldn't control myself around certain foods and that I should just not ever eat them again. I also realized that life without a few treats here and there seemed pretty miserable. I chose to learn moderation. It was a long process. I started by not having those items in the house (ice cream was a big one, I could eat the whole tub in two days). When I wanted some, I would go purchase a single serving. Every once in a while, to test myself, I would bring home either several single servings, or a small container. For the longest time, I would still eat the whole thing (or several small servings). It took about two years. I can now have ice cream in my freezer, and have a single serving when I want it. Learning to moderate can be a difficult process, but it can be done with time and patience (and a lot of accepting that slips will happen). But you do need to decide if it is something you want and are willing to work for.9 -
Where you are at is where I want to be. I'm aware there will be slip ups, but for now I need to get the eating under control. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It gives me hope.4
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Alluminati wrote: »XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol
IKR, who would have thought that Agave nectar would contain agave nectar. The things you can learn on the interwebz.2 -
Alluminati wrote: »XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol
It was quoting Lustig on the sugar in orange juice that got me.2 -
BreakinChains wrote: »Where you are at is where I want to be. I'm aware there will be slip ups, but for now I need to get the eating under control. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It gives me hope.
Read the link @diannethegeek posted above, I think you will find some inspirational stories from people who used to feel the same way you do but learned to practice moderation.3 -
diannethegeek wrote: »Alluminati wrote: »XnRGrandpa wrote: »Sugar is hidden in many foods using unfamiliar and/or healthier sounding names. Here's a helpful article regarding hidden sugars and how to spot them:
10 Sneaky Names For Sugar
That article is funny. If the actual item doesn't give me a clue that it has some sort of sugar in it, then I should be pushed off the earth.
example: Agave nectar on a JAR OF AGAVE NECTAR! lol
It was quoting Lustig on the sugar in orange juice that got me.
I was only skimming up to that point because obvious click bait article stating obvious information is, well, obvious. It reminded me of the "warning: may contain peanuts" on my bag of peanuts.
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BreakinChains wrote: »Where you are at is where I want to be. I'm aware there will be slip ups, but for now I need to get the eating under control. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It gives me hope.
While getting your eating under control there is nothing wrong with forbidding and eliminating foods that you will overeat. Moderation doesn't work for everyone. I used to beat myself up because I wouldn't or couldn't practice moderation. Embracing that I do not have to practice moderation has freed me. Eliminating foods has helped me keep to my calorie goal which allows me to lose and maintain weight.
While I don't think the foods on my forbidden list will be there forever, I know that I won't continue losing amd maintaining weight if I don't control what I eat.
Food addiction is a contentious subject here. Many people are afraid of the conversation so won't allow it to happen. Will only argue it to death instead. It doesn't matter what people think here about it. What matters is you getting control of it. Don't let the arguing about it set you back. Just ignore the unhelpful posts like the jokes and denials that it exists.3 -
BreakinChains wrote: »Where you are at is where I want to be. I'm aware there will be slip ups, but for now I need to get the eating under control. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It gives me hope.
While getting your eating under control there is nothing wrong with forbidding and eliminating foods that you will overeat. Moderation doesn't work for everyone. I used to beat myself up because I wouldn't or couldn't practice moderation. Embracing that I do not have to practice moderation has freed me. Eliminating foods has helped me keep to my calorie goal which allows me to lose and maintain weight.
While I don't think the foods on my forbidden list will be there forever, I know that I won't continue losing amd maintaining weight if I don't control what I eat.
Food addiction is a contentious subject here. Many people are afraid of the conversation so won't allow it to happen. Will only argue it to death instead. It doesn't matter what people think here about it. What matters is you getting control of it. Don't let the arguing about it set you back. Just ignore the unhelpful posts like the jokes and denials that it exists.
Who's arguing? Are we reading the same thread?
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BreakinChains wrote: »Yesterday I finally broke down and decided I've had enough. It's time for me to break my addiction to sugar. I'm horribly addicted.
For the next 30 days I will:
1) Eat as much fruit/veggies as I want
What a great goal!
Vegetables and fruits are, unfortunately, not 'free' foods. Rather than concentrate on the caloric goal you could stay within your carbohydrate macro by choosing fruits and vegetables lower on the glycemic index to help you maximize your choices along your sugar-free journey. Some experience fewer cravings by going low carb but your goal is to find what works for you no matter what I or anyone else suggests.
In general, I would avoid or minimize consumption of:- potatoes (white, sweet and yams)
- carrots
- bananas
- apples
- peaches and nectarines
I would eat more:- green, leafy vegetables and large salads
- celery
- asparagus
- berries
Good luck!3 -
I also am a sugar addict, although I agree that it's more accurate to call it carbohydrate addict. When I control the carb intake I find a huge reduction in cravings for sugary foods and high carb stuff. I found "the carbohydrate addict's diet" book extremely helpful. That may not be exactly the name of the book but close to that. Good luck on your journey to better health and control.1
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Read up on sugar types & when you absolutely need to add to a recipe, try using things like maple syrup, malt, honey instead of the processed sugars. Different sugars keep the blood sugar more level or something like that. I pretty much gave up the sweets myself & have been quite successful. Wishing you the same success! (I see lots of helpful hints in this thread.)2
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Read up on sugar types & when you absolutely need to add to a recipe, try using things like maple syrup, malt, honey instead of the processed sugars. Different sugars keep the blood sugar more level or something like that. I pretty much gave up the sweets myself & have been quite successful. Wishing you the same success! (I see lots of helpful hints in this thread.)
Nope sugar is sugar no matter where it came from.2
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