Getting over the “treat” aspect of sugar

[Adatewithmyself]

I’m really addicted to sugar and it would work well for me to eliminate it completely. (I’m an abstainer, not a moderator, please don’t suggest I have it now and then!).

For those of you that are sugar-free, did you previously view sugary things as a treat? How did you replace the need for a “treat feeling” at the end of the day for example?

I have eaten healthily before but it’s currently ingrained in me that life (TV, after dinner) doesn’t feel complete without a treat.

i know it’s silly but I struggle with this, curious about anyone who’s overcome it.

I gave up sugar for health reasons.

Prior to that I’d spent most of my adult life ( 40 years) on terrible binges. Uncontrollable.

My weight hasn’t changed since giving up sugar and then binges stopped. I never think about ‘treats’ anymore.

l eat fruit but no cakes or biscuits or stuff like that. Or chocolate.

I totally had this issue! I just kept telling myself that it was actually more a treat for my body NOT to be drowning in sugar. I convinced myself of it eventually. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't at all easy and I honestly bored myself rigid thinking about it initially. Now that I know I can survive with sugar, I will actually have something (e.g. a slice of cake) on special occasions without feeling like I'm back at the beginning.
Good luck!

This is my experience. I tried to give up sweet things completely but couldn't . Now I only have one chocolate biscuit a day. Don't eat bars of chocolate or other chocolate stuff. Only at Christmas. Sometimes I have a hot chocolate made with skimmed milk

I looked to find other things that were a treat. Or more accurately gave me the comfort I was seeking.
So a hot bath, painting my nails, online browsing etc. The longer I didn't have sugar the less and less I craved it, and I didn't have to consciously find alternatives. My energy was more steady and so at the end of the day I didn't want to flop on the sofa and eat sugar, or feel the need to reward myself.

I gave up sugar for 7 days and it was a significant effort and that's coming from someone who already eats healthily. I think you need to define what 'giving up sugar' means for you. It's not realistic to 'give up all sugar' as you'd be surprised how many things contain sugar, even bran flakes. Whereas giving up sugary treats / chocolate/ sweets or whatever is more sustainable then you're not setting yourself up for a fail.

I guess the same way of thinking about sugar as cigarettes would work - you want it because you're addicted to it, but it isn't good for you. Substitute something else rather than going without.