sugar and me

[RonSwanson]

I just wanted to ask advice really. am just addicted to sugar, and more so when stressed and feeling like getting last stone or so is unachievable so i kind of sabotage myself. i feel a sense of calm as soon as i eat sugar which is quite worrying!

Am i deficient in something to be so craving of sugar or just a greedy old caah? Can any other sugar addicts advise on how they lost weight in spite of the sugar?

thanks

[HeySoulSister]

you just have to go cold turkey and give it up!! very difficult when its I everything!

[isitsnowingyet]

I'm glad you've started this thread, as I would like to cut all sugar from my diet for the next month because as you say, it is really addictive.

The only way is cold turkey - I'm starting today and could use some support!!

Anyone else want to give it go?

[isitsnowingyet]

I meant - give it a go

[HeySoulSister]

I would start by looking at what you CAN eat. I did a search on Pinterest for 'clean eating recipes' .... Lots of ideas there

Then make a meal plan and shopping list

Throw out/remove from temptation any bad food

Weigh and measure yourself maybe? My boot camp friend lost 15 inches in a fortnight!

[WillieWaggledagger]

Have you read Robert lustig's book 'the bitter truth about sugar'?

It might help your resolve in terms of cutting back to understand what the sugar is doing to your body? Also, it highlights how hard sugar can be to avoid in western society

[Ipp3]

You could be me! My sugar eating has gone back up massively since having a baby and really need to get it under control again. Only way before was cold turkey! Reminding self that nothing bad would happen if I never ate that cake/ choc. Eventually cravings do subside to manageable. Takes time though and falling off wagon and getting right back up again. You feel massively massively better once you have broken through though.

[HeySoulSister]

my problem was not 'sweet' foods.....more the savoury stuff,which is also loaded with sugar

mine was bread products...crackers,sauces etc

[Figgygal]

Oh god me too when pg I couldn't control my sweet tooth I ate marshmallows by the bag I put on 3 stone but lost it all quite easily however 18months on I'm still addicted. I literally wake in morning and think scout when I can eat a biscuit, a yoghurt some chocolate ANYTHING it's all I think about!! This week hit a new low as im hiding my eating I have those little milk bottles in my bag and marshmallows in my car it's disgusting.

Drastic measures required

[gostraighttojail]

Same here. I give sugar up every Monday. But by Tuesday at the latest (Monday lunchtime on a bad day) I am back on it. I am at my wits end. Can I take a supplement to help with the withdrawal?

[WillieWaggledagger]

Chromium can help apparently but I haven't tried it

A slice of mature cheddar cheese can help with the sugar cravings I found (I stopped eating sugar about 18 months ago, except for truly special occasions like at a high-end restaurant where I'm unlikely to get a pudding that special elsewhere). However, I was going low carb altogether, so the high fat aspect of cheese wasn't a problem. After a few days it did get easier.

[LadyMaryCrawley]

You have to go cold turkey with sugar, I'm afraid. I've just realised I'm a "sugar addict", which in a bizarre way is helping me stay off it. I'm low carbing and have lost 11lbs in the last three weeks. My energy levels are much more stable and I don't get those carb-induced afternoon slumps any more.

Chromium supplements do help. And stay away from diet coke. It's sugar free but it's sweet and makes you want more sweet things.

Good luck!

[ofcoursethisisanamechange]

I was about to start a 'help I am addicted to sugar' thread so this is perfect. Thanks for the cheese tip- any other suggestions of snacks to replace my biscuit binging? I must have had 3 sugar lows/crashes today- it was awful- problem is I have very little will power.

[Choccywoccydiddlyboo]

ofcourse I'm similar. I have no willpower and crave chocolate when stressed or hormonal.

[ofcoursethisisanamechange]

well today is day one of sugar cold turkey- may pop out later for some chromium. Any suggestions/advice gratefully recieved!

[PinkCustard]

I'd recommend the book Potatoes Not Prozac, it gives a 7-step plan on how to give up sugar, definitely worth a read. I'm gearing myself up to follow it as am wanting to drastically change my eating but currently can't get past a day of no sugar!

[GobblersKnob]

Was about to reccomend the same book as PinkCustard, is brilliant, changed my life. I have to admit I have had relapses, but they are rare now.

[GobblersKnob]

Oh and cold turkey is not really the way to go, you are almost guaranteed to crash and burn, probably over and over again. Although it's a much slower process you are far more likely to succeed on a steady plan.

[postmanpatscat]

I spent two hours in the dentist having a crown fitted a few months back. The sight of the remains of my tooth after he had drilled away all the decay is still very vivid in my mind. I did that to myself by eating sugary foods (no fizzy drinks, no booze, no smoking, but sugar was my vice) and I don't want to do that damage to my teeth any more. It's not just about my waistline!

[PinkCustard]

Ooh Gobblers good to hear from someone who has had success with 'the Plan', I've got myself a big planner so am ready to start my journal! I've only ever attempted cold turkey before, and like you say, I've failed every time, I'm hopeful that this slower method will be better suited to me.

Yes Postmanpat I'd agree that it isn't just about losing weight - although I wouldn't mind losing a few lbs, I'm actually at a healthy bmi and it's really much more about health for me. The more I read about the health effects of sugar, the more I want to give it up, it's just achieving that state that's the tricky part...

[GobblersKnob]

Good luck PinkCustard I'm sure you will do much better this way, it's still hard but feels achievable. It's great how it changes your whole mindset.

[Choccywoccydiddlyboo]

So if going cold turkey isn't a good idea, how should you wean yourself off sugar? I've stopped taking sugar in drinks, don't drink fizzy drinks or eat processed food (hidden sugar), I don't have sweet yog hurts, but milk chocolate is my weakness. I've cut down but still crave it.

[WillieWaggledagger]

I went cold turkey and it worked for me, so horses for courses. It was crappy for a couple of days but I went cold turkey on caffeine at the same time which perhaps wasn't wise, but I still managed it. I have continued for over 18 months now, though I did have sugar at Christmas and I do occasionally eat a few squares of 90% cocoa chocolate. After Christmas I just got back on the wagon again, and all the sugary things I had at Christmas were eaten mindfully, enjoying every mouthful

One thing that helps me if I get sugar cravings (and it does still happen, but less and less frequently and potently), is thinking 'is this the first and last chance I'm ever going to get to eat this?'

Usually the answer is no - there is not a world shortage of chocolate brownies or dairy milk. They will still be there tomorrow, in a year, in ten years etc. if on th other hand you're at a Michelin-starred restaurant and you have the opportunity to eat an exquisite pudding that you're not going to get anywhere else, go for it and enjoy every mouthful. Don't waste your enjoyment of sweet things on crap you can get in any supermarket.

It is hard, because we are attuned to sweet things (the majority of naturally sweet flavoured things are not harmful to us), and western society is geared up to so much sugar-pushing and it's very difficult to get away from, but if I can do it anyone can

[WillieWaggledagger]

Also, do read the book I mentioned in a previous post above - it helps to know the biological processes behind it all

[GobblersKnob]

Im really glad you managed to do it cold turkey WillieWaggledagger, but I do take objection to your comment of 'but if I can do it anyone can', I certainly can't, I know, I tried many times. For some of us it is very, very hard to beat the addiction.

[WillieWaggledagger]

You misunderstand me gobblersknob - I meant if I can keep my sugar intake low longterm anyone can. I'm not talking about the method by which you do it. As I said, horses for courses, some people will find it easier to wean off, others to go cold turkey. You know your eating behaviours and I know mine

I certainly didn't mean to imply it was easy for me to cut out the sugar, it was bloody hard and at times is still hard