I'm a sugar addict. Join me getting clean

[FrenchFriesSurprise]

I have a terrible sugar habit.

Today I've eaten a packet of shortbread biscuits, a lemon cheesecake portion and a scone with jam. I have two young kids and I'm bored. I was a 'two squares of dark chocolate after dinner' kind of person before having babies, but motherhood has driven me to the Dairy Milk. In abundance. I'll get diabetes if I don't sort myself out.

I ate the biscuits in secret. I mainly eat my sugar in secret.

From Monday I'm going to cut out all high-sugar foods for 4 weeks. That's all cake, biscuits, chocolate, sweets, sweetened drinks, sweet sauces such as ketchup, stir-fry sauces etc, dried fruit. I think I'll keep berries and apples, but will avoid most fruit.

If you would like to join me, sign up here! It doesn't have to be a sugar addiction you'd like to kick - if you have any habits you're struggling with, or changes you'd like to make, feel free to join the thread and we'll work on them together 💪

Totally fell of the wagon yesterday. I’m blaming (in no particular order): the weather, hormones, sleep deprivation. My resolve just crumbled and I hit the chocolate. I honestly felt like an actual addict, it was slightly alarming. Back on the wagon today though, one day at a time!

@FrenchFriesSurprise you are completely right about lack of sleep hitting your resilience. I also found it hard to eat sensibly when I was breastfeeding, especially once they were on solids, my appetite was still entirely out of control! Hope your first day back is going well, it’s never easy.

I don't know what day it is but I have managed to stay sugar free till now. (Day 4 or 5 may be) I took DD to Castaway play today in the morning and we had a lunch there. I had falafel wrap and one of the ingredients in it was : Sugar !! well I didn't beat myself for it because I skipped breakfast this morning and was in a rush and really hungry.

Currently holding a packet of chocolate cookies for DD as she is eating and playing. I am teying not to look at it though 😂

Got through the day with just one slip - apple biscuits x2. Now aiming to get through the evening without further slips.

Wondering what people flavour porridge with? I'm trying to cut out the maple syrup. Quite like cinnamon but my family complain about the smell.

@Bluebells81 I swirl a bit of nut butter into mine and top it with mixed seeds. It's quite plain, but the crunchy texture of the seeds helps. Well done for getting through the day! Couple of biscuits isn't too bad.

Hey @Aozora13 how did the rest of your day go? Hot weather irritability certainly isn't great for the will power. I kind of want to ask was it satisfying? Living vicariously...

Today went OK, thanks (aside from my colleagues basically queuing up to tell me how annoyed they are with each other 😂 The department I'm in is merging with another. Everyone is very cross, it certainly made looking after a 3yo and a baby seem easy).

I was thinking I might do some kind of mini celebration/treat for myself on Sunday as that will the end of all full week. Will need to think of a reward that's not chocolate!

@Theeasypeasywoman I wonder if it was in the dressing maybe. Or the wrap itself? Not to worry, I don't think a small amount like that is the end of the world. You'll know next time. It sounds like a fun day though!

Yes @LivingDeadGirlUK breakfast burritos for the win! I actually think it's a great breakfast idea

How's everyone else doing? ☺️

@Bluebells81, have you tried berries in porridge? You can get those big bags of frozen ones. It turns the porridge pink, as a bonus.

I did ok yesterday by my own targets - no sweets, chocolate, biscuits etc, although I did have some yogurt that has sugar in it again. Tbh I'm less trying for no sugar at all than eliminating the disastrous habit of thrice daily chocolate, but actually that yogurt is the only added sugar I've had as I'm cooking from scratch.

Three bean quesadillas for tea last night, which was great (although now I come to think of it, the wraps were shop bought so doubtless had some sugar, and I put shop bought chili sauce, so probably sugar there too).

I'm noticing the hardest time is later afternoon/before dinner. By then I'm bored of the non-sugary snacks I've been eating, basically cheese, nuts or fruit - what else should I try?

Also after dinner. We sat and watched a film last night and in the old normal I'd have been scoffing chocolate on and off throughout. Had some raspberries and after a while it wasn't so bad.

@FrenchFriesSurprise well done for getting through the first day back successfully. 💪Sounds like "interesting times" at your work!

Just looked up the hot sauce and no sugar!
https://www.franksredhot.com/en-gb/products/franks-redhot-original-cayenne-pepper-sauce

Reasonable 2 days - trying not to beat myself up for the slips , and there has been a definite improvement in the inhaling while packs of biscuits/whole bags of haribo.
glass of cider with dinner last night and my goodness I’m feeling it today as well as having a ‘sugar hangover’ taste. Not great .
family birthday party today so trying to work around the inevitable food fest.

Hi team! I’m so grateful for this thread! It prompted me taking the leap to stop the sugar guzzling, and I’m now five days in. I am feeling much better and it’s not feeling too bad for now. in fact I’m feeling happy and energised!

im used to this pattern - it’s like a honeymoon phase for me. Often something will then happen in life - a stress, disappointment or maybe circumstantial - being at a conference and seeing a table of free desserts while stressed etc….. and it all slips away. I decide I’ll start some other time.

im hoping this thread will help me stay more cognizant when those moments come.

well done everybody who is working hard at this, and if you have a slip just get back straight on if you can….. we can do this!

I'm making chilli for dinner, so now I'll obviously need to have it in a wrap tomorrow morning 😅

I didn't manage to take a picture of my overnight oats, but here's a picture of the baby's bowl, who had a few spoons of mine, plus strawberries and apple.

Yesterday went OK. Managed to go until lunchtime without snacking, so the overnight oats with added bits definitely worked. I did have an ice lolly on the way home, but got the 100% juice ones. I did manage to avoid all if the snacks at our home ed group yesterday, which was an achievement. It's a monthly group and everyone brings things to share.

I saw 100% chocolate in the shop today and was tempted.

@FrenchFriesSurprise I so get the hiding thing. I would do the same, hiding things in the changing bag and using bins outside the house. We have two on the walk between sainsburys and my house that I always use when I pick up snacks when out.

I'm glad your first day back went OK.

@Aozora13 the breastfeeding hunger is real. I need to snack, otherwise I feel really ill. It's just choosing what to snack on.

@bluebells81 my go to is apple and cinnamon. Although I noticed yesterday how much sweeter oats tasted, even after 5 days without sugar, so maybe I won't even need that.

I'm about to batch cook chilli for future meals, I say about because it's not really the temperature for cooking but if I don't do it today I won't do it at all.

Been invited to someone's house for tea and toast tomorrow, wondering if it would be rude to bring my own overnight oats as I am trying to cut out white bread.

Forgive me thread, for I have sinned. I ate a whole tub of ice cream today :( It was Halo Top so only 370 calories but still demonstrated a phenomenal lack of control. Just something about the hot weather meant I kept going!

I was on day 5 yesterday and ate Ice pop ! It was sugar free but had some kind of sweetener. I blame the weather 😂 But I have managed to stay away from anything sweet or dessert entire 5 days of period which is the first for me ! 🙂

It is SO hard in this weather. I made it through yesterday sugar free, but inhaled 2 portions of salted roast nuts as an alternative.
I was up until 2 with a poorly child and up again at 6 with a not poorly child, so today is going to be a challenge.

I have been doing so well until I remembered there was chocolate in the cupboard which wasn’t even mine! Anyway a small bit eaten and I didn’t overly enjoy it. Feeling less bloated now. I’ve been trying to eat more salad too.
breakfast yogurt, berries, granola
lunch prawn poke bowl
dinner cod and salad
snacks nectarine and feta/spinach parcel
I feel less hungry I’ve been swimming too.

I'm planning for our lessons for this week. Normally I would have a cup of tea and a pack of biscuits, but I don't have any biscuits in the house and I can't face unsweetened tea. Really wishing I had a biscuit though 😅

Going out for lunch for my sister-in-law's birthday today. She's chosen a place that pretty much just sells breakfast stuff and the menu feels 50% sweet. I won't be able to worry about any added sugar to savoury things, and am going to try my best to choose something with some veg - either the shakshouka or huevos rancheros.

Hello! Sorry didn't mean to go MIA!

Will read all the posts and update later ☺️

I would love to join if not too late. I have always loved chocolate, bit the last 10 days( i have had covid) all i have been eating is chocolate,ice cream,shortbread biscuits, ice pops. Literally out of control ,this has too stop as i feel bloated, swollen, nothing fitse except for big dressed. Tomorrow is a new day, i have a wedding in 25 days and i am not buying another dress!

What do you do if you're at a birthday party etc and there's cake? I have the same thing that I can give it up for a while, but eating any at all starts the whole cycle again

Oh I do think totally cold turkey is the best, if you are addicted. I have so often told myself that ‘just one slice of cake’ etc shouldn’t matter. I’ve even told myself it’s healthier to be able to eat in moderation than to block a whole type of food….. but reality is my body just can’t do it. One taste always leads to a collapse and back to overeating sugar. And the collapse can last months if even years.

im just at that point - about ten days in, when I often forget’ or tell myself I don’t to need to be strict….

im really going to try to stay strict

Breakfast/Brunch is my favourite meal :D I really love turkish eggs, eggs benedict or royal, steak and eggs, there should honestly be lots of lovely savoury options. Enjoy!

I'm an older person, not overweight and don't have a huge appetite anymore. I have breakfast- usually toast then an evening meal..but just lately seem to binge on sugar inbetween..eg last night I had 4 x Malteser ice creams. A scone with jam and spread. 2 pots of rice pudding and a hot chocolate drink as I went to bed. Although that amount was a tad OTT it's creeping..I need to stop. Doesn't help my husband is an eater of sweet things now too.
Here for support.

Hello and welcome aboard to the new people! I've definitely found this thread helpful in feeling less alone and feeling more motivated.

I was in the supermarket over the weekend and did well in the chocolate aisle. Previously I'd have stocked up for the week, but this time I told myself "I don't eat that stuff anymore" and walked on by. I feel this is going to harder at a different time in the month though.

Breakfast today was Greek yogurt and frozen berries.
Snack small bowl of no sugar nutty muesli
Lunch will be eggs and spinach on toast (working from home!)
Dinner - chili and brown rice!

I am entering week 5 of cutting out daily chocolate/biscuits/cake. I have been allowing myself a tiny bit more flexibility on Friday and Saturday evenings but otherwise been sticking to it.

Well done to everyone for all the wins, small or big! Even one less biscuit a day than usual is a step in the right direction.

I am at the stage that I don't really want or crave junk now. However, we went away this weekend and as we were going hiking I did pack loads of snacks, including cake bars, snickers and fizzy sweets. I'm proud to say I didn't eat a single cake or chocolate bar. I snacked on some fruit and a few nuts instead. I did open the fizzy sweets and eat some. Annoyingly this wasn't at a time I actually needed them. We were back from the hike and just chilling out when, out of habit, I opened the bag and grabbed a handful. Once I knew the bag was open and I'd had a taste, they were all consuming of my thoughts! I stayed strong and didn't have any more.
I had an ice cream on Sunday as it was so hot. Was proud that instead of eating junk for dinner after the long drive home I made a lovely Greek salad instead.

Feeling good and committed to keeping this up for as long as possible. I think knowing I am more flexible on the weekend helps, as it has sort of tricked my brain into being less bothered. If I had gone full cold turkey, I know I'd never stop thinking about all the things I can never have.