Sugar addiction- Going cold turkey?

[CommissarySushi]

It's honestly embarrassing how much sugar I consume in a day! And once I start, I really struggle to stop. I really want to cut sugar out because it affects my mood and I know it's not good for my health. I also need to start setting an example for my DD, she's only 10 months but it won't be long before she notices that I'm snacking on sugar all day. I am on the lower end of a healthy BMI but all the sweet snacks do not leave a lot of room for healthy balanced meals, which I also enjoy.

I'm also having a really bad acne flare up and I'm wondering if it's linked to my sugar intake too.

Has anyone gone cold turkey successfully?

If anyone else wants to join me, then they're welcome too! Some accountability would be handy.

Bump! I'm already chewing my fingernails.

It's very addictive and dangerous to health. I am the worst one going. I nibble on Nairns oat biscuits. No sugar and tasty. I lost a stone that way

I can relate to what you’re saying. I found using an app to track no / v low sugar days. Sugarless was the best I found. I liked the motivation of trying to get a really long string of days in a row.

But now I just try and make sure most days are balanced, with limited high sugar foods. I try not to have much in the house, out of sight out of mind.

I think children are good motivation. Now I just tend to join in with whatever I allow them to have. We all have one or a couple of biscuits per day. Parties/bbqs/grandparents etc there tends to be more treats or puddings available. We’re sensible but don’t overly restrict. Most days aren’t like that, so I think that’s ok.

First few days you'll be :
Irritable
Headachy
Tired
Hungry

but! once you're over that bit you'll feel fab!

It get better after the first three days, the are headaches bad.

I managed four months with no sugar last year.
Can recommend nuts as a snack, and herbal tea to drink.

I have, I literally started eating apples/ grapes/ frozen grapes/ raw green beans/ popcorn/ drinking water every time I felt like sugar. It took a week or two before I stopped seriously craving but also before I stopped shaking/ having headaches. I lost weight/ felt better etc but fell off the wagon a few times, in as bad a way if I’m honest!

I’m a fizzy pop addict . I stopped two weeks ago and can already see a visible difference. I do this pattern often though long periods of having sugar and then giving up. It’s hard for the first week but that’s your body getting rid of the sugar out of your body. Once that’s done you won’t get the cravings it’s more in your mind and you just need an alternative to eat as often it’s habit for me that I would eat something at that time of the day. Apples have been my friend here.

I've done this. Never had any physical symptoms of withdrawal, so not in the same boat, but hopefully this advice still holds good. To make things easier for yourself you need alternative snacks. Unsalted natural nuts are great. Or pumpkin seeds (if you don’t like them raw try toasting them in a pan on a low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown or the skins pop). Lots of apples and other fresh fruit that doesn't taste too obviously sweet. Boiled or hard-boiled eggs also make a good snack if you want protein. Snacks that are reasonably high in fat or protein will be more satiating. Avoid swapping your sugar addiction for a salt addiction.

If you find it hard to break the snacking habit then wash some vegetables that are suitable for crudités, keep something you can use as a dip in the fridge and then when you're desperate to graze you can chop up a carrot/ stick of celery/ cucumber portion and munch away!

If you're craving sweetness then go for a banana or an upmarket full-fat fruit yoghurt (because the posh organic brands tend to be lower in sugar). Having plenty of fibre with your sugar will help to smooth the sugar high, so steer clear of fruit juices and bought cakes, muffins and biscuits (very little wholegrain or wholemeal content). If truly desperate then dried fruit (apricots, figs or prunes would be best) or a couple of squares of very high cocoa chocolate.

Going cold turkey will make it much easier and quicker to re-educate your taste buds. You’ll get to the point where the sweeter veg. taste really sweet. Butternut squash, sweet potato, fresh corn on the cob, roast root vegetables (carrots, beetroot, parsnips), slow-cooked onions - all these ‘naturally sweet’ veg. are going to be your saviours as you adjust.