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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Tips to quit sugar

31 replies

Clomid1 · 08/10/2024 20:59

Sugar is my biggest enemy. I am obsessed.

I love chocolates, biscuits, cakes and other sweet treats. I also add a lot of sugar to my hot drinks.

I am addicted. I go into a shop and never leave without a sweet treat. I have no will power.

Please give me some tips on how to quit sugar.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 08/10/2024 21:01

Honestly cold turkey but you need to eat low carb too other wise you will still crave it. Things like crisps, sweet fruits, potatoes.

Plan meals for 2 weeks of very low carb.

Original poster
Clomid1 · 08/10/2024 21:09

@RandomMess I forgot to add I am breastfeeding 🙈 and I can’t edit the original post. Baby is 8 months now.

Low carb could be something I do once she’s 1 but I can’t do it now.

If I go for carbs that are lower GI would that work?

OP posts:
ChocolateTurtle · 08/10/2024 21:13

For me, eating more protein helps as well as not letting myself get overly hungry. I do still let myself have sweet treats but try and keep it in moderation. I will be watching this thread though as I still have a sweet tooth that I would love to lose!

RandomMess · 08/10/2024 21:22

I'm not sure why you don't think you can low carb whilst breastfeeding. It's not low calorie?

Plenty of protein and fats stops you feeling hungry and craving the quick fix of sugar.

Candaceowens · 08/10/2024 21:25

Here for the advice because it's exactly the same for me. I'll do the food shop and purposely not buy anything sweet and then I find myself ravaging through the kitchen like an addict looking for a fix. I have PCOS and that doesn't help in the slightest.

QueenAstrid · 08/10/2024 21:29

Watching 👀 as someone who can’t keep away from the biscuit tin..

NaanAnaan · 08/10/2024 21:29

My ds had a lactose intolerance s a baby and so I had to go dairy free for his sake whilst breast feeding. No dairy meant no biscuits, cakes, hot chocolate, ice cream, butter etc. It’s amazing how often my sugar comes with a dollop of dairy.I felt physically amazing (albeit missing my favourite treats).

I lost two stone in a year and was happy with that.

Howmanyusernames123 · 08/10/2024 21:41

Define “sugar” to start.

do you mean refined sugar, in tea, cakes etc, or do you mean anything carb based right down to fruit?

it depends on what works for you. Low/no carb absolutely does not work for me. I end up eating my body weight in cheese, have no energy, and want to eat constantly. Two slices of whole grain toast or a bowl of porridge and I’m fine for several hours.

I know protein is supposed to fill you up but for me it just doesn’t. A baked potato or an apple does the job better.

bear in mind if you are breastfeeding this may be driving your appetite to you increased calorie need which is why you feel “addicted” to high calorie density food. I could not lose weight while bf- I was totally starving while also hanging on to every calorie. Once I stopped the weight fell off. I’m the same with exercise, it really drives my appetite so the more exercise I do the more I want to eat. After about 3 months it settles and my appetite drops- as long as I don’t exercise more.

i don’t believe one diet fits all. It’s finding what works for your body, your metabolism, your gut flora, your exercise levels. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet, and pay attention to how you feel after certain food groups. Do you prefer high volume? Lots of fruit and veg? Or does an omelette do the job? Eat your 3 meals a day and work out what suits you.

BigDahliaFan · 08/10/2024 22:21

I crave sugar far less when I eat 3 meals a day, protein, lots of veg and carbs, but whole food carbs. Also when not drinking...

So poached egg with tomatoes on sourdough
Or omelette or porridge with full fat Greek yoghurt and fruit and nuts

Lunch of soup with beans and veg

Dinner sea bass, rice, stir fry.

Eat well and go cold Turkey on the sugar. My nemesis is crisps, I've cut them out completely for a year doing this when I could have eaten a family pack on my own in 30 minutes...

FjordFancier · 09/10/2024 06:50

Following as also obsessed…I went to a pt session yesterday without eating lunch and then straight to the shop for 2 chocolate bars 🙈

RandomMess · 09/10/2024 07:26

Download MyFitnessPal and start logging what you eat. I think you will have to put your weight in and hopefully there is the option to put in you are breastfeeding. Anyway you can ignore any calorie suggestions etc.

Again not about calorie counting but using the nutrition button each day. Is it motivating that dropping refined sugar will stave off diabetes and high cholesterol and tbh lots of other heart diseases and strokes?

Sajacas · 09/10/2024 07:43

Read 'The case against sugar' by Gary Taubes.

It's a great book, and really goes into a huge amount of detail. The history of sugar, the impact it has on the body, why and how it is promoted in and by the food industry.

It's a huge book, but well worth reading. I wish I had read it when I was 20 something, and definitely before having kids.

Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:10

@ChocolateTurtle My issue is that once I have a bit of chocolate or something sweet then I just feel like I need to have more.

I also find that if I have some chocolate or cake in the house, I can’t stop thinking about it. It would be great not to buy but i don’t live alone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:12

RandomMess · 08/10/2024 21:22

I'm not sure why you don't think you can low carb whilst breastfeeding. It's not low calorie?

Plenty of protein and fats stops you feeling hungry and craving the quick fix of sugar.

I don’t think low carb is recommended when breastfeeding. I can’t risk my milk supply dropping by going low carb. I can reduce my carb intake though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:12

Candaceowens · 08/10/2024 21:25

Here for the advice because it's exactly the same for me. I'll do the food shop and purposely not buy anything sweet and then I find myself ravaging through the kitchen like an addict looking for a fix. I have PCOS and that doesn't help in the slightest.

Lol I have PCOS too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:14

Howmanyusernames123 · 08/10/2024 21:41

Define “sugar” to start.

do you mean refined sugar, in tea, cakes etc, or do you mean anything carb based right down to fruit?

it depends on what works for you. Low/no carb absolutely does not work for me. I end up eating my body weight in cheese, have no energy, and want to eat constantly. Two slices of whole grain toast or a bowl of porridge and I’m fine for several hours.

I know protein is supposed to fill you up but for me it just doesn’t. A baked potato or an apple does the job better.

bear in mind if you are breastfeeding this may be driving your appetite to you increased calorie need which is why you feel “addicted” to high calorie density food. I could not lose weight while bf- I was totally starving while also hanging on to every calorie. Once I stopped the weight fell off. I’m the same with exercise, it really drives my appetite so the more exercise I do the more I want to eat. After about 3 months it settles and my appetite drops- as long as I don’t exercise more.

i don’t believe one diet fits all. It’s finding what works for your body, your metabolism, your gut flora, your exercise levels. Eat a healthy, well balanced diet, and pay attention to how you feel after certain food groups. Do you prefer high volume? Lots of fruit and veg? Or does an omelette do the job? Eat your 3 meals a day and work out what suits you.

I think high volume is a good shout. At the moment my meals are very good, balanced but my snacks is just constantly sugar. Maybe I need to up my food volume and have no snacks at all?

OP posts:
MetalGearSystem · 10/10/2024 15:15

Clomid1 · 08/10/2024 20:59

Sugar is my biggest enemy. I am obsessed.

I love chocolates, biscuits, cakes and other sweet treats. I also add a lot of sugar to my hot drinks.

I am addicted. I go into a shop and never leave without a sweet treat. I have no will power.

Please give me some tips on how to quit sugar.

with drinks eg tea i switched to healthy sugars then reduced the amounts, however if its coffee then i need 2 tspoons of sugar. biscuits i limit to 2 per drink to make them last

Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:16

Thank you for give me an idea of meals too. I think the soups are a really good idea. Have you got any recipes.

OP posts:
TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 10/10/2024 15:17

Put one of these spoons in your sugar bowl.

Tips to quit sugar
Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:19

RandomMess · 09/10/2024 07:26

Download MyFitnessPal and start logging what you eat. I think you will have to put your weight in and hopefully there is the option to put in you are breastfeeding. Anyway you can ignore any calorie suggestions etc.

Again not about calorie counting but using the nutrition button each day. Is it motivating that dropping refined sugar will stave off diabetes and high cholesterol and tbh lots of other heart diseases and strokes?

I’ve only ever used it for the calories but its a good idea to use the nutrition options. I’ll put a meal plan together using it and then maybe cook and freeze all my meals 🤔

OP posts:
Not2identifying · 10/10/2024 15:20

I could have said 'I'm a sugar addict' too (with a weakness for crisps and pizza as well). But actually I was a binge eater. If I tackled the bingeing, the amount of sugar (and crisps and pizza) would also massively reduce.

I tackled my binge-eating by focusing on what I 'should' be eating rather than what I 'shouldn't' be eating. This meant meal planning and putting as much F&V in as possible. I don't completely avoid but I did significantly reduce UPFs.

I've been following that for 3 and a half months now. I no longer feel like a sugar addict. I have a few good quality chocolate products at home and if I open them, they last for around a week at a time. That was is not something I've achieved before.

I don't mean to suggest that I am 'cured'. I know from yoyo experience going back many years that I could easily slip back into bad habits. But I'm not tracking anything at all, not calories, not sugar/carbs and not even my weight (although I know I have lost weight). So I feel I've made sustainable changes towards having a healthier relationship with food and I don't feel like I'm owed a reward for my efforts (in the past, I was in danger of bingeing if I didn't lose the weight I felt I should have lost). I'm simply aiming to do things that support my long-term health.

Original poster
Clomid1 · 10/10/2024 15:23

Not2identifying · 10/10/2024 15:20

I could have said 'I'm a sugar addict' too (with a weakness for crisps and pizza as well). But actually I was a binge eater. If I tackled the bingeing, the amount of sugar (and crisps and pizza) would also massively reduce.

I tackled my binge-eating by focusing on what I 'should' be eating rather than what I 'shouldn't' be eating. This meant meal planning and putting as much F&V in as possible. I don't completely avoid but I did significantly reduce UPFs.

I've been following that for 3 and a half months now. I no longer feel like a sugar addict. I have a few good quality chocolate products at home and if I open them, they last for around a week at a time. That was is not something I've achieved before.

I don't mean to suggest that I am 'cured'. I know from yoyo experience going back many years that I could easily slip back into bad habits. But I'm not tracking anything at all, not calories, not sugar/carbs and not even my weight (although I know I have lost weight). So I feel I've made sustainable changes towards having a healthier relationship with food and I don't feel like I'm owed a reward for my efforts (in the past, I was in danger of bingeing if I didn't lose the weight I felt I should have lost). I'm simply aiming to do things that support my long-term health.

A lot of the things you mention really resonate with me. I am never hungry when I am eating all that sugar. Maybe it is binge eating.

It sounds like meal planning is the way to go. Can you help with ideas of meals?

OP posts:
smallsilvercloud · 10/10/2024 15:25

I've near enough given up sugar, due to health issues with my liver but before I couldn't go a day without sugar, especially a daily chocolate addiction, going cold turkey, did it for me, I can't just have a small amount without eating it all. The cravings do subside after a while, occasionally I'll make myself a hot chocolate from the Dulce gusto machine, and I'll eat yoghurts daily for something sweet and fill up on nuts for snacks other than that I try to make interesting dinners to look forward to.

amoreoamicizia · 10/10/2024 15:56

As the first reply by @RandomMess says, for me the only approach that worked was cold turkey. I guess that makes it like other addictions.

I also tricked myself psychologically by using other rewards in place of sugar.

Once you have got through the worst initial stages it becomes a lot easier to keep going.

Also think of how expensive the dentist is these days (it really is)! Literally anything that gives motivation.

amoreoamicizia · 10/10/2024 16:00

Also consider what role sugar is playing for you. Are you fatigued and it's giving you an energy boost (this applied to me)? Are you bored? Are you stressed? Angry? Even using it to harm oneself is a possibility.