Please motivate me to give up sugar!

[ToLiveInPeace]

I'm eating way too much sugary food, mostly due to stress and endless pandemic monotony. Please inspire me - what benefits have you seen from giving up processed sugar? And maybe fruit too? I probably eat too much fruit as well...

Alternative (non-cheese)snacking tips also welcome...

Same boat! Good thread for me to follow

I just find that I am far less exhausted if I cut sugar out of my diet.

It doesn't always stop me - I have periods where I'm aware I'm shattered, struggling with low mood and reaching for chocolate/sweets and that I need to stop. But honestly, I feel I have so much more energy if I can just force myself to not eat anything sugary at all.

It only takes a couple of days to start feeling better.

If you give up sugar you can snack on cheese. And nuts 😁

Definitely improves my energy and sleep when I cut out sugar. I like to think it helps the dark circles around my eyes too, but that could be wishful thinking!
Only takes a few days before I stop wanting it also and I am a sugar addict, quite capable of only eating sweet food for a full day.
The trick is to eat high fat/slightly salty foods for a few days to get rid of the sugar cravings.
So tuna/avocado for lunch, greek yoghurt & flaked almonds for breakfast, cheese& walnut for a snack etc.
Thanks for the post, you have made me remind myself how much better I feel off sugar. Back on the wagon in the morning for me

i found that taking a magnesium supplement reduced my desire for chocolate .

just need to find one that strengthens will power - the mince pie season is upon me .

Oh no. Mince pie season... I'm screwed Energy is the main thing that I hope giving up sugar will improve but my skin feels subpar too.

I already eat a lot of cheese but I'm going to give the high fat/salt thing a try - thanks for the suggestionn @M0rT. I know my cravings will reduce if I just distract myself from them for a few days...

I don't know whether this is a helpful suggestion, but a documentary called Fed Up totally changed my outlook on sugar

(I treat sugar like alcohol now - very little and not very often)

It was on Netflix and is now on Youtube (I think)

It's eye opening

Davinas sugar free book is really good
I felt soo much better slept better, skin flower etc still loosely follow altho not as strict because well Covid

Thanks @fredwinnie. I wish I treated alcohol like that but I'll look this up.

My trouble is sugar in coffee. I need my coffee but can't drink it without sugar. I've tried sweeteners instead but I get awful headaches.

All the non communicable diseases (dementia, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer etc etc) are linked to inflammation. Inflammation is cause by carbs. Our high carb diet is fueled by sugar, and its addictive qualities.

If that's not motivation enough, I don't know what would be. Mind you, I've got no room to talk. I just ate a whole chocolate orange.

The first 2 weeks will feel shit! You'll feel hungry, have cravings, maybe headaches and you'll feel tired.

After that has passed, you will have more energy, and consistent energy, not like now where you feel exhausted, have some sugar, pick up a bit and then get really hungry a couple of hours later.

You will feel less hungry overall because your sugar levels won't spike and drop significantly they will be stabilised.

If you currently get thrush or premenstrual itching that will reduce or even disappear.

You may lose weight.

@anothergloriousmorning

I used to drink my coffee with 4 sugars. I gave up the sugar altogether one Christmas, and for a fortnight, my coffee was almost unbearably bitter. I decided to put 2 sugars in, and it tasted disgusting and syrupy. Tried 1 sugar - nope, still gross. It somehow stopped being unbearably bitter and became my preference.

I recommend cold turkey. It's not fun but it's quick and it works.

Fast 800, or Michael Mosley's blood sugar diet. Very interesting, simple to follow. Six months latter I'm 2stone 7 lbs lighter, not overweight and am glowing!

Better sleep is my holy grail, @fortheloveofcatfood! I'll look that up too...

I came on to recommend the documentary Fed Up but I see someone had got there first.
I also recommend Paul McKenna's book about quitting sugar.

I quit sugar a couple of years ago and I remember having strawberries and they were so sweet, it was like eating sweets. After a couple of horrendous days the cravings will stop and you won't even fancy it.
It's very hard to do though because sugar is hiding in everything! The food shop takes a while.

I gave up sugar, dairy and grains/gluten on 20th July (planning to do 30 days, now on 110?)
Everyone says it is so strict, and yeah there are a lot of foods I can't eat. But you know, after 20 years, my whole adult life, on a diet of some sort....I'm free. I'm FREEEEEEEE. I don't feel deprived because I don't want it. I can eat everything I want, as much as I want, I don't count calories, I don't count carbs or macros. I've lost a stone and have increased muscle too so I'm looking very lean, my training has improved, and I feel fantastic (well, not this week because I have the rona ) I haven't binged in 4 months and I was really struggling with it, especially over lockdown.

When I tell people they think it sounds like some awful punishment but honestly, it is the greatest gift of self care I've ever given myself.

I've even managed a week of coronavirus quarantine, feeling shit, with not even a morsel of sugar, slice of toast or biscuit. For me, that feeling of control is life changing.

I would recommend it to anyone -and do- because what's the worst that could happen.

Energy, mood, sleep, weight loss, brighter skin.

Cinammon is a good alternative. I really like sliced apple rubbed in cinammon baked on low in the oven.

Thanks for the recommendations of the Fed Up documentary - watching it now and it's fascinating.

@Eckhart
Thanks for the suggestion! When I'm feeling brave I might give it a try!

Can I join you? Sugar is my downfall.

Solidarity.
I am addicted to sugar.
But I haven't seen a dentist for ages due to Corona and I am worried I am damaging my teeth. I also find I am bloated, uncomfortable and itchy. I am wrinkly.
We have been SI for a few days and no shopping delivery for a few more. So it's a good opportunity to stop.
I have been known to eat spoonfuls of sugar so each time I consider it I remind myself I want to keep my teeth!
Other than that there is no sugar in the house, so I'm hoping to break the habit.
Good luck OP.

Me too. I'm pre diabetic and shouldnt have any sugary stuff at all!!

Op what do you mean you will try the high fat salt thing? No diet advocates high levels of salt.

This video convinced me to cut sugar right down.