Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that sugar (chocolate) addiction is real?

187 replies

JustCallMeSliths · 03/05/2019 06:37

Not necessarily up there with alcohol and drugs etc (as in harmfullness) but do you think people can be addicted to sugar, specifically chocolate?

I've gone cold turkey on chocolate. I was eating at least 2 family sized bars a day. I tried cutting down but couldn't do it. It's been 3 days and I'm struggling so much. I don't think it is just the sugar withdrawal.

Yes, I'm whinging and need to just do it.

OP posts:
Angelicinnocent · 03/05/2019 06:41

Yes I think it's a thing. I have found myself struggling to give it up and experiencing withdrawal type issues. It gets easier from day 5 for me.

I can do without chocolate now but if it's in the house, I can't not eat it.

Oysterbabe · 03/05/2019 06:44

Yes absolutely.

MeltedEggMum · 03/05/2019 06:46

Yes, for sure.

But it is a socially accepted addiction and people get very defensive when I don't join in their sugar eating. It's tough to resist.

LotsToThinkOf · 03/05/2019 06:47

Yes, and it exacerbates when we try and quit because it’s rooted in our behaviour and driven by cravings. I’m the same as you OP, it’s so hard. Wishing you luck.

TipseyTorvey · 03/05/2019 06:50

Oh it totally is. I gave up nicotine in my twenties and it wasn't as bad as giving up sugar. I managed it but god it was hard. Worse still because people keep offering it to you and its in EVERYTHING . I gave up wheat as well which is just sugar in the end too, but once you're clean it's really easy. Watch 'that sugar movie' on you tube. He explains it really well.

Calixtine · 03/05/2019 06:50

Yes, definitely! I’m hooked too Blush Good luck and well done!

Original poster
JustCallMeSliths · 03/05/2019 06:50

I was expecting to get told to stop being stupid so thank you. That's made me feel better.

Yes, to not being able to not eat it is of it's in the house. I will not eat my daughter's Easter eggs but I'm struggling not to "have a little bit" but obviously it never ends up being that. Just before giving up I ate a whole box of cream eggs in one sitting. I don't even like them!

I appreciate some of it is greed in my case too.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustCallMeSliths · 03/05/2019 06:52

@TipseyTorvey - wheat as well. Well done. X

OP posts:
BIWI · 03/05/2019 06:53

This is an American site, but it explains it very well.

Original poster
JustCallMeSliths · 03/05/2019 06:54

Will take a look as those recommendations this evening. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
JustCallMeSliths · 03/05/2019 06:56

@TipseyTorvey here's to day 5!

OP posts:
HarrysOwl · 03/05/2019 06:58

It's definitely a real thing.

Just a suggestion - it'll be hard going cold turkey. I had success by swapping shit sugar for natural sugar.

For a few weeks, at the same time you'd have your chocolate, have some dates and dried apricots or a big bowl of pineapple with natural yoghurt.

I love cutting up an apple, sprinkling liberally with cinnamon and stewing it down in a saucepan with a bit of water for 3 minutes. Add a handful of raisins and natural yoghurt for a yummy healthy pudding.

You won't find it such a struggle and you won't feel psychologically deprived.

Top tip, don't have any crap food in the house. If you don't buy it, you can't eat it. Temptation is my Achilles heel. If there's a chocolate bar in the house I cannot rest until it's eaten...

BIWI · 03/05/2019 07:00

For a few weeks, at the same time you'd have your chocolate, have some dates and dried apricots or a big bowl of pineapple with natural yoghurt

I'm sorry but this is really bad advice. Dried fruit is really, really high in sugar, and so it won't fix the problem at all!

BIWI · 03/05/2019 07:03

As an example - Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate is 57g carbs per 100g and 56g of sugar per 100g. Compare that with Sainsbury's chopped dates which are 66.5g carbs per 100g and 57.5g sugar per 100g! You'd be consuming more sugar if you were to make that switch.

(And by the way, your body deals with carbs in the same way as sugar, which is why I've put the carb counts in there)

HarrysOwl · 03/05/2019 07:09

@BIWI sure, eating two family size bars of chocolate is exactly the same as eating a handful of dried fruit. Hmm

No idea how I went from a size 22 to size 10 by implanting those healthier habits!

BendydickCuminsnatch · 03/05/2019 07:12

I thought it was common knowledge! I am definitely addicted. It sugar out before though and it was so worth it!! Felt amazing.

bumtickler · 03/05/2019 07:13

yes! today is day 4 of quitting sugar. the craving is strong!

but Ive noticed when I eat choccy/ sugar crap I get sugar highs/ lows and Im bloated and just feel yuk.

when I don`t I feel much better. Grocery shop today, must stay strong.

BIWI · 03/05/2019 07:14

sure, eating two family size bars of chocolate is exactly the same as eating a handful of dried fruit.

Of course it's not. But weight-for-weight the amount of sugar is more. So you're not actually helping deal with the sugar addiction, which was my point.

And the OP wasn't asking about weight gain, she was asking about sugar addiction.

HarrysOwl · 03/05/2019 07:22

Addictions are supported by habit.

By introducing new habits, you replace unhealthy ones (eating too much chocolate) with healthier ones (swapping those empty sugar calories for ones with nutrition).

I did say to try that for the first few weeks of battling a sugar addiction, I didn't suggest eating a kilo of dried dates every day for the rest of your life.

Sugar, in itself, it not 'bad'. Nor are carbs. It's about balance and making healthier choices for yourself, and implementing those choices so they become your normal habits.

If you're craving sugar, it's better to snack on a handful of nuts & raisins than a family size bar of Cadburys.

Good luck OP!

NCforthis2019 · 03/05/2019 07:26

yup - i see a specialist to help control it. I used to smoke and the addiction to sugar is a billion times worse. Once every few months i try to go teetotal and the come-down from it it horrid... I am alot better now though - i used to have more than 5 spoons a sugar in my tea, i now can manage on 2.

sallievp · 03/05/2019 07:38

I am definitely chocolate addicted...the best thing i did was made a vow to not eat chocolate for A YEAR!
I did it after my son was born as a sacrifice after years of infertility.
Then did another 9 mths when my my mum had cancer. I vowed i wouldnt eat it again until she was all clear.
Was actually not too bad. It easier to say i dont eat chocolate rather than ooh i shouldnt but i want it oh just a small piece etc.
Am going to do another fast from tuesdsy until my 40th snd end August.
I feel your pain. its very sdd2itcive.

BIWI · 03/05/2019 07:39

@JustCallMeSliths it's really hard to give up sugar, and just cutting down or looking for substitutes isn't easy either! TBH I think the only way to go is cold turkey.

But you need to be vigilant and be careful about what you're eating - it's amazing how many things contain sugar that you really wouldn't expect. One example is my jar of Chinese 5 spiced powder. I had no idea this would have sugar in it!

Mississippilessly · 03/05/2019 07:45

Yes it absolutely is. I give up chocolate every Lent. I always manage it but I always go back. I love it. I'm a perfect BMI but I know its ruining my insides but I cant stop. Much worse after having my baby.

Kitsandkids · 03/05/2019 07:46

I’m going cold turkey on chocolate and pop today. When I’ve done it before I always get a headache within the first couple of days which I see as a withdrawal symptom. For me it’s just convenient. I have 3 kids and sometimes it’s easier to just buy some crap rather than make a proper meal. But I must get out of those bad habits.

Treaclepie19 · 03/05/2019 07:51

I've found my people.
Total chocolate addict here. You're giving me hope that I could do it too!