How do i stop craving sugar?

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Replies

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    That reminds me -- I reject the popular notion that you shouldn't deny yourself. That you should occasionally indulge. Not me! I'm as bad with sugar as the worst drunk is with alcohol. Sugar is my heroin. Sweetener is just methadone. Sweets are simply something I can never have.

    After all, if I DO eat a sweet and I enjoy it at all, then I'm right back to enjoying sweets. I'd rather keep looking at them with revulsion.


    That’s awesome that sugar abstinence works for you! Sugar can be just as dangerous as a drug, and I agree with the comparison. Everyone’s experience with sugar addiction is different. I allow myself one piece of dark chocolate every single night and it’s enough for me! Some people can’t moderate it like I can, but some people can’t give it up like you can!

    Semantically, sugar can't be as dangerous as a drug, because your body literally runs on sugar. The bigger issues are certain foods are hyperpalatable (i.e., bake goods, candy, etc...), which are generally made up of sugar, fats and salt.
  • glacierlilly1
    glacierlilly1 Posts: 47 Member
    Eating it sets in motion new cravings so you have to stop eating it. Once you stop, then when you get the craving and hunger feeling, you just ignore it, distract yourself and it will go away, keep doing that then it will become a lot easier and then healthy foods will begin to taste wayyyyyy better and you'll crave the healthy stuff.
  • CoxUkkers
    CoxUkkers Posts: 2 Member
    ^ it’ll take some time, but start to gradually reduce your sugar intake per day. Eventually when you’re consuming less per day, you cravings for it will be eliminated.

    But again, plan it and this takes time.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    That reminds me -- I reject the popular notion that you shouldn't deny yourself. That you should occasionally indulge. Not me! I'm as bad with sugar as the worst drunk is with alcohol. Sugar is my heroin. Sweetener is just methadone. Sweets are simply something I can never have.

    After all, if I DO eat a sweet and I enjoy it at all, then I'm right back to enjoying sweets. I'd rather keep looking at them with revulsion.
    Do like fruit? Do you eat fruit?

    Fruit doesn't trigger me the same way baked goods or ice cream does. I have never come close to eating 1000 calories of peaches, but I could easily eat 1000 calories of peach pie or ice cream. Or the flourless chocolate cake I had at Easter. Oh my.

    It's very easy for me to eat a moderate amount of fruit, but I fail at moderating sweets with added sugar or flour.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I crave sugary things like yogurt covered pretzels, ice cream, etc... How do i stop eating it as much?

    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. See also http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
    4. Eat moderate amounts of fruit. This makes me less interested in higher calorie sweets.
    5. Take a magnesium supplement. This can be especially helpful for women premenstrually.
    6. Save foods like chocolate for after dinner, in small amounts
    7. Stay hydrated
    8. Have a calorie deficit that is appropriate for the amount of weight I need to lose. An overly aggressive goal can definitely lead to cravings.
    9. Eat at maintenance when my appetite goes up premenstrually.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I crave sweets in the evening.....
    Does anyone else have the same problem?

    I used to want dessert after dinner, but eating more protein and vegetables for dinner changed that.
  • Tq43
    Tq43 Posts: 85 Member
    I find allowing a daily treat treat...about 100-150 kcal... helps me, as I don't feel deprived then ;) ...its all about balance for me.
    If I feel deprived, that's when I cave in and eat all around me, therefore this works for me .
    Best of luck!
  • artbyrachelh
    artbyrachelh Posts: 338 Member
    Someone may have already suggested this, but evenings that I crave sugary treats, often a hot cup of herbal tea helps me forget my craving.
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