Starting A Sugar Detox Today - Looking for encouragement

nutmegoreo wrote: »

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.

I had the same problem with pop. I started cutting back by allowing myself only one can a day. Now I just don't crave it like I used to. I drink it maybe 3 times a week. Good luck with your sugar elimination. Take some medication for the headaches as soon as you feel them setting in.

sugar is the devil!!! Try Trim Healthy Mama way of eating... it will knock your socks off with awesomeness. It is a sugar free, no blood sugar spikes principle, and you will never feel deprived. I do it dairy free, so there's still a lot I don't do, but it is amazing. I use stevia and stevia/ethritol blends exclusively for my sweeteners, now. You can totally do this!!!!!!! There are some supplements I take that help with cravings, too, but I'd say going THM first would totally be the way to go!

wmenne6 wrote: »

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.)

those are all processed sugars to a point. and your body cant tell one sugar from another. only difference is sugar from fruits and veggies are broken down slower in your body because of the fiber.

BethanyFrench wrote: »

sugar is the devil!!! Try Trim Healthy Mama way of eating... it will knock your socks off with awesomeness. It is a sugar free, no blood sugar spikes principle, and you will never feel deprived. I do it dairy free, so there's still a lot I don't do, but it is amazing. I use stevia and stevia/ethritol blends exclusively for my sweeteners, now. You can totally do this!!!!!!! There are some supplements I take that help with cravings, too, but I'd say going THM first would totally be the way to go!

you do know that protein can spike insulin as well right? its sugar free? so does that mean no fruits or veggies? because they are carbs. I looked on their website and one of their drinks is called the shrinker and it claims to shrink fat cells and speed up metabolism, which is woo. its not going to happen.and they talk about adrenal fatigue,more woo. OP if you want to cut out processed and refined sugars thats fine. if that works for you then do it. but there are no special diets,if you have to cut out sugar then thats your choice. if it helps you then thats great.

100df wrote: »

BreakinChains wrote: »

100df wrote: »

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.

Thank you. So much. I really feel a lot of pressure to be able to eat in moderation. Right now I can't. It's like asking an alcoholic to only have one drink. Sure it's possible, but it's easier if there's no "booze" at all.

In my opinion it is self torture having food around that makes you feel crazy trying not to eat it. Why do that to yourself because you think you should be able to practice moderation?

I don't have an issue with food in my house, for the most part. I've never kept lots of snack foods there (I keep ice cream there now, but didn't when gaining weight) and don't really snack at home. I used to struggle with baked goods when I had leftovers, but now I don't (and don't bake much anymore).

However -- and this is why I'm posting -- I do have food around all the time that once upon a time made me struggle not to want to eat it. That's at work. At this very moment there are brownies and cookies in the break food (good ones, there are always the mediocre packaged ones) and this is not unusual. If I relied on things not being around, I'd fail, and that's not acceptable to me. So if I self-defined this as "self-torture" or something I am "doing to myself" (what's the option, quitting my job?), that would be a problem. I find this idea that we can protect ourselves from ever being tempted or being around tempting foods to be truly odd and outside my experience. Learning to deal was an important part of my success to date (and I typically don't eat sweets at work).

Anyway, I happen to agree with those encouraging OP to do this -- I found it helpful to cut out sweets (added sugar entirely, but I've since decided it was pointless to worry about whether my savory bread has a little sugar or about mango chutney on a sandwich) for a while, just to realize I didn't need them and also to get more picky about what I allowed back into my diet (I want to eat thoughtfully, not to eat just because something is there). I also think she might be able to eventually moderate, as breaking my bad habits and changing up how I ate some of these foods allowed me to do so.

Oh, and I'm perfectly happy to discuss the "addiction" topic, as are many people. We simply are not permitted to do so outside of debate. There's a topic there if you want to post something. There was also an excellent recent discussion about moderating vs. excluding where I thought people found a lot of common ground.

I finished the 21 day sugar detox #21dsd (google it) last week. It's a really a miracle because I've gone dessert-treat free since July 1st. It really does wipe out cravings. I can still longingly look at sweets but I am now stronger than they are. It's basically no processed food, no sugar, no wheat and very limited fruit for 21 days. A lot of cooking from scratch but I'm so glad I did it. I'm eating very limited wheat now and I'm ok.

Raptor2763 wrote: »

Big thing that I think is being overlooked is PROCESSED or REFINED sugar. If you can nix those out of your diet, you've really taken a huge step forward. I decided to start doing that on my second Iraq tour and was amazed how much better I felt after just a few days. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and vegetables are fine - just avoid the processed and refined sugar like the plague. A way to do that is to shop the outer part of the grocery store. Stay out of the middle, where all the refined sugars and salts reside.

I get the general idea of "shopping the perimeter" but I've seen too many people around here take general advice and try to follow it to the lettee. I would miss out on half of my staples if I only shopped the perimeter. Tuna, frozen fruit & veggies, beans, rice, oats, quinoa, lentils, coffee, nuts, etc are all in the inner aisles around here.

minniemoo1972 wrote: »

diannethegeek wrote: »

Raptor2763 wrote: »

Big thing that I think is being overlooked is PROCESSED or REFINED sugar. If you can nix those out of your diet, you've really taken a huge step forward. I decided to start doing that on my second Iraq tour and was amazed how much better I felt after just a few days. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruit and vegetables are fine - just avoid the processed and refined sugar like the plague. A way to do that is to shop the outer part of the grocery store. Stay out of the middle, where all the refined sugars and salts reside.

I get the general idea of "shopping the perimeter" but I've seen too many people around here take general advice and try to follow it to the lettee. I would miss out on half of my staples if I only shopped the perimeter. Tuna, frozen fruit & veggies, beans, rice, oats, quinoa, lentils, coffee, nuts, etc are all in the inner aisles around here.

The perimeter of our store......clothes, pharmacy, pizza counter,milk,bread and alcohol.....

Getting drunk and eating pizza, all while in your PJs? Yes, please!

We don't have booze in our grocery stores, but I'll happily shop the perimeter of the liquor store!