Sweets

[JeSuis]

I've given up alcohol and my goal is to give up sweets, desserts, cakes etc (most of the time).

Has anyone done this and how big a gap did you leave between the two?

Alcohol is my priority, so won't jeopardise that by giving up cake too soon iyswim

Bump!

Hi @JeSuis. I’m trying it now. I gave up alcohol end of the summer, but ate a lot of sweet things Sept-Dec, especially at first. I feel able to tackle healthy eating and weight loss now. I don’t want to cut sugar out, I don’t think it does any harm in moderation. I’m allowing myself a treat a day, typically 2 fancy chocolates (from lovely Christmas box) or a very small slice of cake. What are your intentions? If I thought for a minute cutting down on sugar would lead me back to wine I wouldn’t risk it, as I’m very proud I’ve stopped drinking. Good luck!

Thanks @iamyourequal. I might aim for similar. Just a bit horrified at how much I'm eating in general and my sugar consumption is awful ! A friend who gave up alcohol about a year ago said she had the same and really doesn't now.

Maybe just need to accept it's a phase and hope it subsides.

not !

Hi @JeSuis. I’m on chats for going sober and most people eat a lot of sweet things at the start, and then this dwindles. There are physiological reasons (I’m sure you will have read up on this already so I won’t try and explain) but psychological too. I had a strong urge to have daily treats going AF and something ‘naughty’. I found eating sweets, chocolates and pudding a great comfort as it took me back to things that made me happy pre-booze. I avoided cake and dessert most of the time in my drinking years as I knew it would lead to more weight gain, on top if the wine, crisps &dips. I think I appreciate the taste of things more when not tipsy. I only lost a couple of pounds Sept-Jan, but I’m fine with that. I’ve started ‘phase2’ of my self improvement this week. Enjoy sugar until you are used to not drinking I say !

Thank you

And Phase 2 of service improvement in a few months time, sounds like a good plan for me too!

I think giving up drinking is a huge achievement, amazing! Don't be too hard on yourself about sweets. Especially early in recovery as sugar cravings are really normal and I think a bit of chocolate can help.

If you do eventually decide you are having too much sugar, one way I managed to curb the daily chocolate was to make a monthly cake to celebrate something or other. I would research cake ideas and look forward to baking the cake. So it was more a fun way of planning my future treats rather than feeling like I was taking something away from myself. But in general, I don't think a piece of cake or two when quitting drinking is a bad thing! Staying sober is 100% the most important thing.

Ah I love that idea! Thanks