Has anyone ever had any success with completely cutting out sugary treats?

[mumof1littlebun]

As in for a few weeks to kickstart a healthier lifestyle? I'm very all or nothing and even if I say I'll have a small treat a day I just can't stick to it and then end up eating loads.

Will being super strict for a couple of weeks help me??

Yes. I used to be capable of eating an entire bag of Haribo in a sitting. Started snacking on very sweet and slightly indulgent but healthier treats (medjool dates are good for this because they have a fudgy quality), then fruit more generally, and whilst I still eat fruit when I fancy it, I don’t particularly crave it. And can now, if they’re offered or around, eat a couple of Haribo and not want more!

Yes but I did have the occasional sweetenered treat. I did it in the summer which is far easier because I guess with the big heatwave I had less appetite and drank more water between meals. Since then I’ve kind of reintroduced treats but I don’t crave them nearly as much. In fact I can only eat a few squares of chocolate then it’s enough (rather than a full grab bag!).

Yep but I had to go completely cold turkey and went Keto for a while. I had a haribo and Diet Coke habit.

I only did let for about 6 weeks but it broke the cycle and I can't even entertain the idea of them now.

Thanks for the replies, I am struggling so much and just gaining more and more weight 😩 tiredness is a big factor as I have a toddler whose sleep isn't great

I did it once for lent - not diet - I had crashing headaches.

what I would say, you need to deal with being “all or nothing”, because if “nothing” isn’t going to be sustainable for the rest of your life, you’ll go back to all and regain any weight lost plus a load more.

Yes, I find personally carbs create the craving for sweet treats, so I really reduced my intake of bread, pasta, potatoes etc and notice I then don’t feel the need for a biscuit or sweets

I found the first 2/3 days tricky and then it just clicks. Up your protein and water intake. The cycle of extreme tiredness and reaching for a sugary treat to boost energy levels can be torturous, and it’s so easy to get trapped in. The problem is that the treats aren’t satisfying for your body, and you will crash in a few hours and reach out for more of it, keeping you on the sugar hamster wheel.

Intermittent fasting is another useful tool to reduce the cravings for me.

Ask yourself why you eat them.

A: because they are there in the house. So don't buy them in the first place, and if you have to get things in for other family members, choose things that you personally don't like much, so you will be less tempted to scoff them yourself.

A: because you're bored. So do something else instead. Eat a few grapes, a cracker or two, go and put a wash on, drink some water, anything.

A: because you're tired and need an energy boost. Have something filling for breakfast like porridge or scrambled egg on toast, and try to keep to regular mealtimes. If you feel fatigued, then getting out in the fresh air will wake you up, and you'll sleep better at night.

A: because you like eating sugary treats. So do I. Tough - go cold turkey. That's what I'm having to do on doctor's orders at the moment.

yes, the first 3 days are the hardest, and every tine I lapse, the first 3 days after are hard again. Once you are over those first 3 days though, its fine

One thing, avoid artificial sweeteners too, the taste triggers insulin, just as much as sugar, and its insulin spikes that mess your metabolism up