Breaking a sugar addiction ...

[Wenchelda]

For months now I've been needing wanting to cut down on the crap I eat but have had zero willpower. But enough is enough. Over the past 2 years, I've somehow gone from enjoying the occasional (once a week or so) treat, to having cake or chocolate (or sometimes both) on a daily basis. I have developed the most incredibly sweet tooth and I think it's right to say I probably now have a sugar addiction. Over the weekend, I was reading about giving up sugar and I think it's why I need to aim for. Not quite brave enough to go completely cold-turkey and cut out fruit/bread etc yet but I am determined to stop the daily sweet treats and sugary drinks. So today I have had only one sweetener in my hot drinks (usually 2, sometimes sugar), and have resisted any other treats/fizzy drinks. I'm aware I've still had sugar in bread and other foods but hoping the fact I'm now aware that sugar is even in all these foods will help me control it. I've got 2 books on order about cutting sugar completely so am looking forward to finding out more about it. I know it's only day 1 and very small victories today but somehow I feel different and more determined this time. I'm fed up of always feeling tired and grumpy - hoping this will help. Anyone else cut down/out sugar and seen great effects?

I've been trying op- my main problem was fizzy drinks and chocolate snacks/cakes.

I've been eating better for three weeks, I've lost ten pounds so far. The first week I lost 7lb- probably all due to sugar reduction.

Obviously I know the weight loss will slow and it has- I only lost a pound this week but like you I've been making small changes.

No full fat fizzy drink, halved the sugar in my coffee.
No more crap snacks at all really- if I'm hungry I'll have an apple or some grapes.

If I feel myself getting peckish(usually late at night when ds in bed) I occupy myself online somehow. Or clean!

My eating habits were disgraceful beforehand. They could probably be better now but I'm not desperately hungry now and still let myself have a treat on a weekend.

I don't feel any different yet, or look it but am in it for the long haul so am hoping I see and feel the difference soon.

Good luck

Well done - losing 10lb in 3 weeks is great. I really need to do more exercise too (could do with losing a stone really) but the only chance I get is about 9pm when dcs are settled and jobs done and by then I'm too knackered to tackle my Davina DVD. Hoping the sugar reduction will kick start some weight loss for me too and that in turn will motivate me to exercise. Great to hear a positive story, thanks

Today I have resisted flapjack (a big thing - as I LOVE flapjack!) and am currently having to almost sit on my hands to resist eating the chocolate & strawberry cornetto that my daughter has left.

Haha well done. I struggle with binning the left overs too.

I'm slowly getting there I think, whenever I crave something sweet I glance at my rather large tum and think "nope, only me can change that"

Being organized helps me massively, making lunches for work rather than buying while I'm there. Taking healthy snacks instead of resorting to vending machine etc.

I'm even thinking of doing the shred tonight(almost dies at thought)

It's really hard, once you're in a sugar cycle. I eat well, apart from the chocolate / cake. It's such a physical urge. I sneaked a Mars Bar last night & I got such a high! Felt terrible when I woke up this morning. I'll join you on cutting it out. I've found times when I've had three meals a day, no snacks, to be the best for keeping in shape. I'm carrying enough timber that my clothes don't fit anymore... And I know it's my sweet tooth...

I've done it and I was a massive sugar/sweetener junkie. It worked easily because I swapped the sugar for good fats like full fat Greek yogurt and cream. I actually had a chocolate croissant today (only because friend bought it for me), enjoyed it, and have not pigged out or had any cravings because of it. I cut sugar out in February and don't miss it at all. Without the fat this would not work for me. I also use lots of butter. I have lost 1 stone 5lbs since I started (with no exercise either!) I have cut out ALL sugar though, so have to be an avid label reader. Bit hard to pig out really once you remove the sugar.

Why not try giving up the sweeteners in your tea etc?
You are actually changing one source of sugar for another- and aspartane ( if that is what is in it) has a very mixed reviews- banned in the US.

I used to be a sugar in tea person until I gradually gave it up- 30 years ago now. I reduced slowly from 1 spoon to a half, to a quarter to nothing.

I do want to give up the sweeteners too, but I don't think I can go cold turkey on everything straight away. I've reduced from 2 to 1 so that's a start, and when I get the books I've ordered and can read more about cutting out (or at least greatly reducing) sugar altogether then I will do more. For now though I am focussing on resisting the chocolate/cake/treats that have become a daily habit. It's hard! My sweet tooth really really wanted that cornetto earlier!!

can you try some distraction activity like cleaning your teeth, doing some housework, or pressing on with work, or eating something sweet but healthier- eg an apple?

I just had some fruit when really I wanted some chocolate so that's a small victory for me.

I'm looking forward to getting the books and finding out more as I'm keen to know more about eating full fat yogurt, cream and real butter but still losing weight!

Ha- you need to give up the carbs though at the same time as eating the fat!

I knew there'd be a catch ....

I gave up the fruit too (temporarily) to avoid the taste of all sweet things. I know that sounds counterproductive with fruit being a healthy food but you can get all the same benefits from veg without the fruit sugars. I used to hate eating vegetables but if i add butter to them, or even nicer, garlic butter I love the taste!

Good tip about butter with the veg. Sounds very yummy and like it shouldn't be "allowed". Giving up fruit seems wrong somehow, what with all the "5 a day" campaigns etc. plus snacking on veg just seems weird to me!