Sugarholics Anonymous

[Annabel]

Hi, my name is Anna, and I have a sugar problem. I mean a serious, in need of help, almost impossible to get rid of problem! I'm completely addicted to sugar - and I know I'm not alone, which is why I started this thread . Otherwise I am healthy (lots of exercise, water, and sleep) but every time I try to cut sugar out of my diet I only last about 8 hours, and then I go crazy! Any suggestions/advice/ideas on how to kick this habit? I'm trying to get in shape for the summer and I know that I can't unless I cut the sugar out. Help!

 

[mouko]

Sugar cravings can be solved a few ways. This is how I kicked my sugar and soda habit.

Processed foods have added sugars which aren't easily used by your body, they cause spikes in your blood sugar levels and you end up crashing, screwing with your body. Most of the time since the sugar isn't easily used it becomes stored fat, which is why most high sugar stuff is horrible if you're trying to become healthy.

What you need to do is part going cold turkey and part getting your body used to different amounts of sugar.

1st you have to stop eating high sugar foods like candy and soda for a short period of time.

During that time you need to eat more fruits. Fruits contain fructose (not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup in most processed foods). Fructose is more concentrated than real sugar but is more usable than added sugars. By eating more fruits you basically adjust your bodies sugar tolerance levels. As long as you eat fruits for a while and stay away from the bad processed stuff, you will find that after a while, the foods you used to love like soda and candy are too sweet for your tastes.

This doesn't mean go out and drink a bunch of juices, juices often have added sugars which are just as bad as sodas. The key is eating more fresh whole fruits, this way you get all the nutrients, fiber and sugars your body craves and needs, curbing your sugar and food cravings while still being healthy.

 

[Elegance.Is.Refusal.]

replace it with artificial sweetener if you cant completely kick it. since it has alot less calories than sugar.

good luck

 

[Hanne]

I have an undying love affair with all things sweet as well, but I noticed that when I'm in really hot climates I crave sweet things far less.

I think mouko gave some excellent ideas has to how to kick the sugar..but I'd like to add that it might be easier to start kicking your sugar habit on a vacation somewhere really warm..a holiday usually takes you out of your rutines (incl. eating habits) as well, and might actually make it easier

 

[strawberry daiquiri]

I need this thread

 

[Luna]

I stopped drinking soda... and switched to Crystal light.. they even make those little packets you can put into your bottle of water.

 

[scrappy beauty]

and here i thought i was all alone...
the only advantage from being on a sugar high most of the day - it keeps me jumpin from place to place... keeps me active

 

[Ungaro Kitty]

Mouko gave excellent advice about fruits. Ever since I started eating more fruits I don't have cravings for sweet chocolate anymore (sometimes I have dark chocolate - 70% cocoa solids), or as much sugar in my coffee (which I only have in the morning). I never drink soda either. I stick to green tea, chamomile tea in the evening (no sugar in either, they have a natural taste, but you might have to get used to it), and water with lemon juice (don't like the taste of plain water).

Mouko is right, your body will adjust to the difference in your diet and you will need much less sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth.

 

[Annabel]

Thanks to everybody for the advice and support! Tomorrow I am going to start mouku's plan; luckily I only drink water, green tea, and peppermint tea so pop has never been a problem. Unfortunately I am not going on vacation until the beginning of June, but hopefully I will have some success anyway. What are the healthiest fruits to eat?

 

[Bluestar07]

I have the same problem!!!! I eat sugar straight out of the packets to get a fix .....

 

[james]

I used to not be able to eat sugary things, but when I went to England, everything changed.I was there for a week in Feb, and since that, I've lived with this annoying addiction, again. so many times I have been like "I stop this NOW!", but then again,the next day "I have to get that bar of chocolate, or I'll die".this weekend, I just ate crappy things for two days, but now, I'm really starting a war against this silly addiction.I had a splitting headache today because of that, but I have stuffed myself with vegetables and fruits now, it's going away.I advice you to eat many fruits in the first days, as it's been said here...this is awesome thread, btw!

 

[tiffany]

Honestly fruit and fruit flavoured youghurt are the only things which keep me from overdosing on chocolate Plums, apricots, clementines, watermelon, grapes, and such really work for me when I crave sugar

I also think it helps to which to sweetner in your coffee/tea and diet coke/sprite etc. That was you get the sweetness without the calories

 

[mouko]

Though artificial sweeteners are lower in calories (they have zero actually) they are not considered "better" if you're trying to kick the habit.

Artificial sweetners have been shown to cause headaches and actually make you CRAVE more sugars because of how they're made as well as stimulate the appetite and even severe allergic reactions in some cases (such as seizures)

 

[yourbestfriend]

Though artificial sweeteners are lower in calories (they have zero actually) they are not considered "better" if you're trying to kick the habit.

Artificial sweetners have been shown to cause headaches and actually make you CRAVE more sugars because of how they're made as well as stimulate the appetite and even severe allergic reactions in some cases (such as seizures)

i hear splenda's good because its broken down from real sugar ??

 

[Plastic'sWife]

I have a major problem with sweets.
I will leave my house early to get some sweets on the way to work, I will crave it all day long if I dont get my fix, I make an ice cream, frozen yogurt, candy bar, etc, ...run in the middle of the day/night to get it...

I literally think that it controls me too much!

 

[mouko]

i hear splenda's good because its broken down from real sugar ??

Yes it's made from real sugar but it doesn't mean it's safe. It's really hard to say now though since there have only been a little more than a dozen real studies on it (while things like saccarhin and aspartame have had like thousands)

I've read though there are many people that have allergic reactions to sucralose (splenda), along with the normal altered sweeteners affects such as headaches, sugar cravings, etc....sucralose is the only sweetener I've seen to cause breakouts and rashes.

Check out this pic of a sucralose reaction. I linked it instead of posting the pic just because the content. Don't worry there's not nudity, it's a shot of someone's neck after eating splenda.

Splenda Reaction

My advice, if you're going to use sugar, use the real thing. Just do it in moderation. Or use honey instead, since it's much sweeter and concentrated.

 

[yourbestfriend]

Yes it's made from real sugar but it doesn't mean it's safe. It's really hard to say now though since there have only been a little more than a dozen real studies on it (while things like saccarhin and aspartame have had like thousands)

I've read though there are many people that have allergic reactions to sucralose (splenda), along with the normal altered sweeteners affects such as headaches, sugar cravings, etc....sucralose is the only sweetener I've seen to cause breakouts and rashes.

Check out this pic of a sucralose reaction. I linked it instead of posting the pic just because the content. Don't worry there's not nudity, it's a shot of someone's neck after eating splenda.

Splenda Reaction

My advice, if you're going to use sugar, use the real thing. Just do it in moderation. Or use honey instead, since it's much sweeter and concentrated.

thanks for the info

 

[Ungaro Kitty]

So sucralose is splenda? Dang! I bought some raspberry spread earlier today that said it had "no sugar added" so I checked whether it had other sweeteners. It said sucralose but I didn't know that's the same thing as splenda..
I really hate how the stores don't stock natural foods.. this store at least had natural peanut butter, but no natural jam (or fruit spread or whatever).

 

[luxmode]

I need this thread

me too. thanks for the info mouko!!!

 

[Annabel]

Thanks to everybody for the advice and support! Tomorrow I am going to start mouku's plan; luckily I only drink water, green tea, and peppermint tea so pop has never been a problem. Unfortunately I am not going on vacation until the beginning of June, but hopefully I will have some success anyway. What are the healthiest fruits to eat?

Sorry, mouko, I accidentally misspelled your name and I can't edit my post! Today is day one without sugar - so far I have resisted the temptation but it is soooo hard! james, your relationship with sugar sounds oddly familiar! but we can do it