Anyone suffer from sugar addiction?
missteena88
Posts: 153 Member
Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
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Replies
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Nope.1
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I have a sweet tooth, but i have no addiction problems.1
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missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
you find a treatment program and serve your 30-90 days to detox? jokes aside you dont have an addiction to sugar you like sugar and it makes you feel good, but do you steal it to get your fix? or steal from others to get sugar? if not its not an addiction.its also does not make you feel the same way as cocaine.5 -
I have a sweet tooth. I started logging in my food on MFP about a month ago. Just found out that eating a box of Good and Plenty candy wasn't as nutritious as blueberries, cantaloupe, strawberries and apples. So I've switched over to those things instead. They satisfy my sweet tooth, sort of. I plan out my eating so that at the end of the day I have enough calories banked so I can have some chocolate or sugar free pudding with whipped cream if I want to. I think if you're motivated to decrease or eliminate sugar from your life, it can certainly be done!1
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I love sugar and salt. I made a commitment to myself I was going to change me and my thinking this January.
For thirty days straight I worked out to form a habit, now I love it. (I started completely sedentary and hated working out), Part two was eating cleaner. After about two weeks of fighting with myself to cut those items way back I felt a thousand times better and didn't want them as much. I also starting logging at that point realized how ridiculous my eating was and how long it takes to work it off. 8 cookies, 60 minutes of serious hard gym work. No thanks.
I feel they aren't ask exciting anymore. In fact many things are "too salty" or "too sweet". Apples, almonds, carrots, etc do for me what a cookie used to.
I'd be happy to walk you through what I did if you'd like, send me a message.
My best advice: be committed and you'll surprise yourself!4 -
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You are suffering from bad eating habits.
..And lack of willpower. OP I'm not having a go at you, as my willpower sucks when it comes to sweet stuff. Sometimes i win the battle, other times i say F it! It really is mind over matter in the end, AND not buying stuff you know you wont be able to resist. There are certain food items that do not make it in my shopping cart, if it's not in my house i cant eat it, I would much prefer to make my life/diet easier than to sit there fighting with myself and trying to resist or just stopping at one.
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No I don't.
Side note: why post this on numerous boards?0 -
I don't know about addiction, but I definitely have a sweet tooth. I find that my sweet cravings will go away if I go several days without any substantial amount of processed sugar.0
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I have a problem, yeah. I just don't buy or make sugary things. I can't deal with them. I have fruit instead, factoring in calories/portions of course.0
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missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
I believe you. Sugar is metabolized quickly. Now I will be as unpopular as you on this post, so I would not be suprised if starches (bagels, pancakes, etc.) are also a craving. If you aim for a lower carb diet, come join me on a closed group that minds its manners and respects its members (LCHF). It welcomes a many who are defining a lower-carb diet that suits them.
Here are some starter ideas, since you mentioned the carb thing is a problem for you. Read about low glycemic eating, so that you can design a stage1...stage8 lowering your carbs, that incorporates substitutions and/or including a fat and/or protein with a carb that is either straight starch or sugar.
There is a lot going on with sugar cravings: from biochemical to mental/willpower. Adding good dietary habits, such as low-glycemic eating will bit by bit help with the biochemical. When it comes to the mental, do it bit by bit too. If you drink pop, replace the am pop with tea (even if you have to sweeten it with maple syrup). Replace the lunchtime pop with miso or stock or broth. Works toward drinking water and loving it.
Think of things you can add to your life: a HIIT (high intensity exercise training routine); going to bed by 9:00p with a book, taking a short walk every morning before your shower, touching base with MFP friends and/or Group that will support you in your goals.
P.S. I dealt with starch cravings. Daughter had a sugar thing. Mother in law had alcohol thing. Everyone of us broke the addictive cycle.
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I am doing keto. I have gone cold turkey, no sugar. I check the ingredients of sunflower seeds to make sure there's no sugar, that's how off sugar I am. No bread, pasta. No fruit.
As far as the addiction thing, I definitely see similarities. I have never been a junkie or into cocaine so I can't speak to that. I have quit smoking and I've quit coffee, both of which are pretty undisputed as being addictions. Here is how it's similar:
1. Detox, you are sluggish, headache-y, flu-y, blah for a few days to a week.
2. I know that, if I have a little sugar, it's going to be a whole thing. I'm going to be thinking about it and wanting it again for at least a week. Right now, my husband has a bag of licorice allsorts in the cupboard. I couldn't care less. If I had sugar in my system already, that bag would not stand a chance. It's the same with cigarettes. I am not interested in them anymore. But, if I had a single cigarette, I wouldn't be able to think of anything but having another cigarette for weeks after. I look at a piece of cake the way I would look at a cigarette, five minutes of pleasure followed by days of regret.
3. I'm calmer without it. My mood is more stable. My anxiety is much less of a problem.
I don't imagine everybody reacts to sugar the way I do. I'm sure there are people who don't have any idea what I'm talking about. But sugar *kitten* me up. Big time.8 -
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10409192/sugar-addicts-withdrawal-support-language-warning-tis-a-side-effect
Here's a thread that was created that turned out to be helpful for some... there may be some members you feel you connect with. It's 2016 but came up with a forum search on sugar addiction withdrawal support @missteena88
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missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
I believe you.
OP asked two questions. How do "believe" a question?
You're projecting your own beliefs onto OP.Here are some starter ideas, since you mentioned the carb thing is a problem for you.
Again, you're projecting. OP said no such thing. OP didn't even mention carbs (which is a larger category than sugar). OP made no declarative statements whatsoever.Think of things you can add to your life: a HIIT (high intensity exercise training routine); going to bed by 9:00p with a book, taking a short walk every morning before your shower, touching base with MFP friends and/or Group that will support you in your goals.
I'm curious -- Is it bad to go to bed at 9 p.m. and just go to sleep? Is it bad to sit or lie on another piece of furniture with a book? Is it bad to read on an e-reader or read a magazine instead of a physical book? Can people take their walks after their showers?
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My issues with sugar were are addiction like. If I have some I crave more. It affects my body and causes energy swings and increased hunger. It hurts my health...
I treated it like an actual addiction. I stopped eating it. I no longer eat added sugars. I also severely limit my carbohydrates, especially grains, starchy root vegetables, and high sugar fruits (well, almost all fruit TBH). Carbohydrates turn into glucose (and fructose) in the body so I limit all of them. They all affect me to a certain degree, so discovering that I don't need to eat carbohydrates was rather freeing. Now I skip most of them, feel much healthier, and don't have to deal with sugar/carb problems.
TBH, not many people around here who claimed they had addiction like issues with sugars were able to moderate them successfully. If sugar is a real problem for you, you may do best to avoid it completely.
Good luck.4 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
I believe you.
OP asked two questions. How do "believe" a question?
You're projecting your own beliefs onto OP.Here are some starter ideas, since you mentioned the carb thing is a problem for you.
Again, you're projecting. OP said no such thing. OP didn't even mention carbs (which is a larger category than sugar). OP made no declarative statements whatsoever.Think of things you can add to your life: a HIIT (high intensity exercise training routine); going to bed by 9:00p with a book, taking a short walk every morning before your shower, touching base with MFP friends and/or Group that will support you in your goals.
I'm curious -- Is it bad to go to bed at 9 p.m. and just go to sleep? Is it bad to sit or lie on another piece of furniture with a book? Is it bad to read on an e-reader or read a magazine instead of a physical book? Can people take their walks after their showers?
I think you may have missed some information the OP shared about herself in her other threads, that might be why you're confused.2 -
Thanks to those who answered in a helpful manner. I honestly don't recall what I've posted on other boards because it's been a while and I've done every "eating scheme" out there.
For those who cannot relate or say it doesn't exist, you're lucky. It's a very real thing for many people, myself included.1 -
missteena88 wrote: »Thanks to those who answered in a helpful manner. I honestly don't recall what I've posted on other boards because it's been a while and I've done every "eating scheme" out there.
For those who cannot relate or say it doesn't exist, you're lucky. It's a very real thing for many people, myself included.
Substance addiction is either real or not. The science says it's not. You have problems moderating foods that contain sugar, not with sugar itself.9 -
I think it's just a matter of adjusting to new more balanced macros. I know *why* you think you have a sugar addiction, and it's probably because you crave it and eat it... and your body is designed to do that. Before Walmarts and drive thru's there were times of scarcity over winters etc. and your body is doing what it's designed to do; store fat and consume calories when there is an abundance for those times of scarcity. But they never come, because it's 2017. Just eat balanced and appropriately for your needs, your "addiction" will go away.0
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Think about this: put kale or something sweet in front of a kid or baby. Which one are they going to choose to eat each time? It DOESN'T mean they have a "sugar addiction". Adults are no different. We gravitate towards things that taste good and sugar just makes things more palatable for many.
I love chocolate. Take the sugar away from a Hershey's chocolate bar, and I WON'T eat it cause it would taste like crap to me.
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missteena88 wrote: »Thanks to those who answered in a helpful manner. I honestly don't recall what I've posted on other boards because it's been a while and I've done every "eating scheme" out there.
For those who cannot relate or say it doesn't exist, you're lucky. It's a very real thing for many people, myself included.
The reason there are these debates, is because it hasnt' been shown in human models that people can be addicted to sugar. But people can have behavioral like symptoms for hyperpalatable foods.... also taking into consideration whether or not you eat any sugar, your body still runs on sugar.
Having said that, there are two main approaches to take... and depending on your personality and behaviors will depend on your approach. You can abstain and remove all of the foods that make you binge or feel addicted or you can moderate at smaller quantities. I have to moderate because when I eliminate, I find myself binging. Additionally, I found that if I focus on calories and protein, it has allowed me to be more successful. And I have tendencies to binge on meats and cheese. In fact, I will always choose more steak or a block of cheese over desert.
ETA: some feel better when you reduce overall carbs, but I found I feel much better by increasing protein, fiber and carbs, while reducing fats. Both there is definitely a huge focus on whole foods in my diary.4 -
I, at one time, believed I was addicted to sugar.
I handled that belief as an addict would and completely gave up added sugar. At the time, I also gave up starchy and refined carbs because I believed I was also addicted to those.
I lived and ate that way for ten years.
The beginning was hard, but I gradually got used to just eating meat, eggs, some dairy, and vegetables. I found it easiest to simply not buy things that would tempt me.
What eventually did me in was not the desire to once again have something sweet, it was finding out that they'd introduced gluten free oats to the market (I have celiac disease).
When I ate the oatmeal and found out that I didn't feel any different than I had felt from before by consuming starch, I had a long hard think about what I had previously experienced, my own perceptions, and my tendency towards gullibility and had to admit that I had been making excuses for bad behavior in the past and had experienced "symptoms" around that behavior because what I read about sugar/carb addiction (the straw I was grasping) told me I would.
I reintroduced sugar and carbs back into my diet, but still kept the love and appreciation for vegetables that I had found as a low-carber in my life.
While I appreciate the desire to want to limit one's consumption of added sugars (mine is still quite low because I'd rather spend my calories elsewhere), I don't find it helpful in the long-run for most people to frame their experiences as those of addicts.
While the issue people can have with particular foods is often problematic, writing it off as addictive can shift the blame to the food rather than the underlying behaviors and habits that need to be acknowledged and addressed in order for a healthy ongoing relationship with food to be formed.
I do think that in the initial phase of dealing with a problem with certain foods, it's often necessary to eliminate them completely, but I think the ultimate goal should always be to address the underlying issues and to keep an eye on a long-term goal of having a sustainable way of eating in mind.
Best of luck to you, OP.16 -
missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
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missteena88 wrote: »Has anyone ever truly suffered from sugar addiction? How did you recover?
Not I.
However...once I quit eating sweets <simply to avoid high calorie treats> I actually dont want them anymore. (Primarily cake, candy, cookies, chocolate)
Most things taste WAY too sweet when I do partake.
Pop over to the debate section, or do a search for "sugar addiction". There is plenty to read through if the posts are still there. Just be prepared for all the comparisons to drug/alcohol/sex/etc additions. But there are some replies you will find interesting because there are plenty who think sugar addiction is real and plenty of those who disagree. Enjoy!
ETA: Now, pizza addiction? ...you betcha.
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Sugar addiction is not a real thing.
That being said, there is some scientific evidence that gut bacteria is capable of manipulating your eating behavior. So, if you eat a bunch of refined sugar the bacteria that thrive on processed sugar will emit neurotransmitters that drive you to consume more sugar.
Whether that's true or not, the solution is the same. Cut down on added sugar. If you can, cut it out entirely until you're able to develop some willpower. Then add it back into your diet in moderation as long as it meets your calorie goal. Simple, really.2 -
nokanjaijo wrote: »I am doing keto. I have gone cold turkey, no sugar. I check the ingredients of sunflower seeds to make sure there's no sugar, that's how off sugar I am. No bread, pasta. No fruit.
Are you not eating any vegetables? They have sugar. And the carbs in sunflower seeds break down into sugar.0 -
I used to think I did, but I realized that this is what your body is used to a "processed quick fix". This is the reason I'm so heavy. I prefer sweet over salty/savory but it's a preference and I realized that eating a simple protein (look at the recipe board, lots of great suggestions) and then I'll have something sweet. I try not to buy stuff that sweet, like candy/ice cream etc. I travel for work so my diet isn't the best but I realized that offering my body some alternatives to the processed sugar actually takes care of cravings. That being said, I've found that the first few days are rough. I think this is a low grade "withdrawal" but it gets better, or at least for me. Now every 28 days the gloves come off and I look like Anna from Frozen stuffing my face with chocolate. Don't judge.2
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I believe anything can be addicting including sugar. For example most people are addicted to their smart phones. But these aren't addicting in the same way as meth or cocaine or alcohol. Willpower is how you overcome it. Deciding what is more important. In my opinion, claiming that sugar is this addiction that you have to "recover" from is a way of giving away your personal responsibility and ability to make better choices. I think your attitude has to change. Good luck0
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