how to avoid sugar

[cheeseplantistakingover]

Now I know part of this is in my head.

Where to start? I have a tendency to get really addicted to sugar.

So, for example, it will start with crumble and custard then it progresses to eating two desserts, like the two cheesecake slices in one go as I have no self-control. The calories just turn straight into pounds.

It’s not really the weight that is the (only) issue, it messes with my stomach, appetite, concentration etc.

My way of dealing with it is to cut it out. The truth is I actually don’t especially love that many desserts, maybe the odd cheesecake or chocolate mousse. Most others I find a bit sickly, except when I’m on a binge.

I can manage this pretty well at home (not having them in the house). The problem comes when, like today, I went on a course (took my own lunch of chicken, rice and salad as just over an IBS attack) and then mid-afternoon a plate of fucking giant cookies turns up, and is plonked right in the middle of the table.

I can’t even recall my thought process. It’s like the resolve went out the window. I was like the female Homer Simpson. I ate four, in case you are wondering.

Part of it is this ‘well I must have one of those or it’ll be gone’ mentality. I think this comes from home – I was always scrabbling to finish my food lest DB rabble his way into my plate. Also DM wasn’t very ordered about cooking and food. We’d hang onto the shopping trolley because we were starving by Sunday then rip the ends of the bread on the way home. Also and mainly no impulse control.

I know the healthier way to be is to allow myself a little, and practise exercising choice e.g. having a bite or two then leaving it, coming back when I fancy it, as an alternative to this rather unsuccessful all or nothing approach. At least then I will have a neural pathway that says I can have some and stop, rather than EAT EAT EAT.

Anyone else manage to learn this self-control and have any tips?

Good god is that the time - see, sugar haze.

[ChocOrCheese]

I have hugely reduced sugar intake, mostly because hubby has to watch it very strictly so we tend not to have sugary stuff in the house. Weaning yourself off a sweet tooth is important, and you have to watch the sugars in supposedly savoury things. Reduce as much as you possibly can. I would suggest doing this for as long as you can - because you are trying to wean your palate off sugar.

Then, when you have something sweet, really think about whether it is nice and actually worth eating. If it is - finish the damn thing. If it isn't - leave it. Also, try not to do this when you are hungry. Dessert after a meal is the ideal time to try - not mid afternoon when lunch has gone down and you are peckish.

It can be done. At least I found it could be done. I could happily devour a family sized bar of Dairy Milk or a substandard chocolate fudge cake at a carvery some years ago and would have laughed in your face if you had told me I might one day take one bite and think "yuck - way too sweet".

Good luck.

[paddingtonbearsmarmalade]

I have a massive sweet tooth (though actually don’t like many desserts which does help) and I have a self imposed “allowance” of sweet treats two days a week. I use a tracking app & find getting the ticks really satisfying so the visual motivation works for me! I find that knowing I have a couple of days where I “can” have sweet things means it makes me think about whether I want whatever sweet thing is on offer. I also have a load of 6 cal jelly pots at home which tick the sweet tooth box without impacting my waistline! I’ve been doing this for about 3 weeks and have noticed the difference in my approach to sweet things already - I have them if I want to but it just means I don’t have them another day. And we don’t have sweet things in the house.

[Bluewavescrashing]

Cookies are my nemesis. I can't just eat one! So you're not alone.

Sugar is so addictive. I'm trying not to eat desserts or biscuits after a meal but it's hard. How about natural yoghurt instead of a dessert? Or you could brush your teeth straight after eating. Go and do something else straight away to distract yourself maybe.

[cheeseplantistakingover]

Thank you all for your replies.

@ChocOrCheese Thank you for sharing that. You are absolutely right about the sweet tooth. It takes time. The longest has been four months (post-surgery) and I remember having a celebratory pizza with wine and cheesecake, thinking I would enjoy the taste (it was a non-event) then feeling out of sorts the next day. That's strengthened my resolve.

That's a very good tip about not having sugar when hungry. I suspect that's a big factor in my consumption- empty calories.

I've been having raw cacao powder in milk, with no sugar. Also frozen grapes. I also like stewed apple with a little cinnamon and yoghurt. App tracking is a good idea.

I'm glad it's not just me who has to work at it, as everyone else seems so able to walk past the biscuits, leave a half eaten chocolate bar on their desk etc. (whereas I am wondering if it's appropriate to ask for some of it and having to restrain myself!)

[managedmis]

The only solution I found was stuffing my face with high fat, low carb foods : loads of eggs, veg, meat, lentils, cheese, squashes etc.

The cookies you mentioned? I'd have had four, easily. And not felt full afterwards at all. Those stoopwaffels? Once ate a full pack, they didn't even touch the sides! It was about 3000 calories!

But if I'd have eaten a bowl of creamy lentil and veg soup and a chunk of cheddar I wouldn't have felt hungry AND I'd have had loads of fibre, veg, good fat, calcium. Sugar really is just junk.

Listen to this : if the food you are eating DOESN'T make you feel full, you are eating the wrong foods. You need to eat food that satiates you and nourishes you. Sugar doesn't do that.

[managedmis]

You mention stewed apple, I eat this all the time. It is sweet - ish, but I think the fibre in it really fills you up. Also, dried fruit has the same effect, I struggle to eat more than 5/6 dried dates, but could easily eat 4 double packs of twixes!