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Abstract
#Sugar Addiction RSS Feed Sugar Addiction ŧ Sugar Addiction - Yes, It's
Real Comments Feed Contact Sugar Addiction and Your Instincts
Sugar Addiction
Why Sugar Addiction Matters, and What You Can Do to Stop Sugar Cravings
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Sugar Addiction - Yes, It's Real
The theories surrounding the issue of sugar addiction are still being
debated by scientists, but there is a growing pile of evidence
convincing nutritionists and doctors that sugar addiction is real. The
most famous researcher in this field is probably Kathleen DesMaisons,
Ph.D. , author of a number of bestselling books on the
subject, including Potatoes Not Prozac, Little Sugar Addicts: End the
Mood Swings, Meltdowns, Tantrums, and Low Self-Esteem in Your Child
Today, and Your Last Diet!: The Sugar Addict's Weight-Loss Plan.
Simply by reading the titles of her books, you can see that
over-consumption of sugar can affect both your weight and your state of
mind. It was this last symptom of sugar addiction - it's connection to
chronic depression - that first alerted me to the dangers of sugar and
other highly-refined carbohydrates.
I think the first book I ever read on the subject was called Sugar
Blues, by William Dufty. Research continues to be done, and sugar has
now been found to contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, type 2
diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and some auto-immune diseases.
How can something as innocent-looking as sugar, something we've eaten
since we were toddlers, do so much damage to the human body? And how
can a common food substance become addictive?
__________________________________________________________________
Edit 3/29/2011 - I just watched an 89 minute video that explains some
vitally important things about sugar and the American diet. I think
this video is so important that I'm fitting it into the middle of this
post - even though I know you may watch the video and never read the
rest of my article.
But that's OK, because what Dr. Lustig has to say if far more important
- if you feel you're addicted to sugar, if you have kids, if you're
worried about being overweight or getting diabetes, or if anyone in the
family has heart disease, you need to watch this video. I admit that it
isn't a short YouTube entertainment flick, but it's worth every minute
of your attention, I promise. He explains, among other things:
* Why sugar is the primary cause of obesity in both children and
adults, and where we get most of the sugar in our diets.
* The connection between sugar and high blood pressure, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, liver disease, insulin resistance, and
more.
* Why some calories make us fat, while other calories don't - which
also means that everything we've been told about dieting and losing
weight is wrong.
The video is by Robert H. Lustig, MD, Professor of Pediatrics in the
Division of Endocrinology and Director of the Weight Assessment for
Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF.
Sugar: The Bitter Truth
And now, to the rest of my article. Be sure to chime in with your
comments down below, and join the conversation.
__________________________________________________________________
A Short History of Sugar
Sugar has been around for a very long time, but it remained a luxury of
the very rich for most of human history. Extracting the simple sugars
from beets or other plants was a painstaking task, so only the nobility
could afford it.
Then, several events happened at around the same time - the
Industrialization of Europe began, which required lots of cheap labor;
explorers discovered islands in the Caribbean that were ideally suited
for growing sugar cane, a form of tropical grass; and the slave trade
made the growing of sugar cane cheap.
In addition, machinery was invented that could take the syrup and
refine it into the white powder we now all know as cane sugar. This new
substance packed a powerful punch of calories in a very small package,
and it was soon discovered that men, women and children working in
factories could be kept working at their machines if they were
occasionally given bread and jam and heavily sweetened tea, which they
could eat right at their work stations.
The beginning of sugar addiction, and its accompanying health problems,
began with the need for cheap labor in European factories. Almost as
soon as sugar became a cheap commodity in the eighteenth century,
doctors started to notice its ill effects on the human body. Current
research is simply reinforcing the opinions of doctors who warned
against sugar 200 years ago.
Why Sugar is Addictive
Sugar is a highly refined substance that does not appear alone in
nature. It looks a lot like cocaine, and sugar acts a lot like heroin
when it hits the brain. Although the idea that sugar was addictive was
controversial among scientists for years, they began to take note when
the paper titled Sugar and Fat Bingeing Have Notable Differences in
Addictive-Like Behavior was published in the Journal of Nutrition in
2009.
The study showed that sugar affects the brain chemistry and thus might
be expected to cause addictive behavior. In the study, written by
Nicole Avena and others, it was shown that sugar bingeing can cause
withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The behavioral effects are similar to the neurochemical changes in the
brain that also occur with addictive drugs. One finding of that study
is seldom discussed -- both sugar and the taste of sweet activate beta
endorphin receptor sites in the brain, the same receptor sites that are
activated by heroin and morphine.
The implications of this finding are that sugar substitutes, which have
become a major industry in the United States and other nations, may not
be the answer for people who want to lick their sugar addiction.
Children who are given sweet candies and drinks made with sugar
substitutes may still become sugar addicts when they grow up, and will
find it just as difficult as the rest of us when it comes to giving up
the sugar and other refined carbohydrates in their diet.
The bottom line - sugar is addictive, and it's dangerous to one's
health. Because of its addictive qualities, it is very difficult to
give up sugar, but the benefits in improved physical and emotional
health make it worth the work.
{ 396 comments... read them below or add one }
Carey Johnson October 6, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Fantastic and well thought out article. I believe that refined
sugar is addictive because I'm a recovering addict of sugar
myself. Thank you for the history and background information.
Reply
fran October 23, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Carey, how did you kick the sugar habit.
Reply
Bri October 31, 2010 at 5:17 am
Yeah how did u kick the habit? I'm a addict trying to stop
and need help
Reply
- Jonni October 31, 2010 at 3:57 pm
I used a simple meditation technique to improve my
awareness of the choices I made. I know other people
have used the same basic idea, and it does seem to
help. When sugar is an immediate threat to one's
health, as it is for diabetics, it's best to get
some advice from a doctor. I've heard that a
clinical hypnotherapist can do wonders.
Reply
mar November 14, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I attended an OA meeting Sat, full of recovering
sugar ad dicts!
Reply
MARIE February 16, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Yes, I want to know also...how do you kick the
habit.... have you had any luck
Reply
Ringvara July 26, 2011 at 4:36 pm
I have been eating a lot of chocolate and have tried
many times to quit it. My most successful attempt
was when I wanted a new cameralens to my Nikon. I
had to sell the idea to my wife and did it by saying
that I could buy the lens and afterwards save my
chocolate money. Needless to say, she didnīt buy it.
Instead she had the nerve to suggest to me that if I
first saved my chocolate money, I could get me the
lens. Well, I got a challenge and I took it. The
sugarcraving was gone, just like that. Next day I
had no need for chocolate, I was counting money, and
after about three months I could buy me the lens.
Unfortunately when the goal was achieved I didnīt
manage to stay away from the goodies.
Reply
Melanie December 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I was having the same problem but then I found
the Grapefruit diet. All it is is a 12 day
body cleanse from carbs and sugar. I have
found it wonderful, I used to think the only
way I could lose weight was from eating fat
free and sugar free foods. I found out I was
not giving my body enough healthy fats. The
grapefruit diet has helped me cut the craving
for Sugars by having me eat a piece of citrus
fruit with every meal, so now I am eating the
healthy sugar rather than the refined sugars.
I have to have me grapefruit, orange or
pineapple with every meal now, or I feel like
I need sugar.
Reply
bianca July 28, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Kathleen DeMaison's website
radiantrecovery has a wonderful step
by step solution to sugar addiction. Her research
and online community has personally helped me a lot
in finding recovery and hope that sugar addiction
can be recovered from. Hope you find some help there
too : )
Reply
- Jonni July 28, 2011 at 3:11 pm
What a great resource, Bianca. Thanks for
telling us about it.
Reply
Rita November 6, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Hi Carey, can you share how you kicked your sugar craving?
Mine is chocolate, although any sugar will do.
Thank you
Reply
sandy owney August 29, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Carey, you said that you were a recovering addict. Can you
give me some helpful hints that got you through the time
you were trying to cut out sugar. Thanks
Reply
KarenSue October 24, 2010 at 12:49 am
I am in the middle of a detox diet and sugar is the main element
I am reducing plus looking at reducing high GI foods with low GI
foods.
I am having somewhat of an education in how food really is fuel,
something I have always known but as weird as this may sound my
sugar intake which had really got way out of control I think was
blurring my thinking processes.
I am half way through my detox and already can feel the
difference with less sugar and low GI foods as the replacement.
Reply
MARIE February 14, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I am wondering how things are going with you....i woke up
today wondering if I will have the courage to break up
with my sugar baby....actually, perhaps , it is not
appropriate as it is Valentine's Day....My husband bought
me a very large box toffee....what to do? I am afraid to
stop as it usually causes me to have a 3 day banger of a
headache...HELP
Reply
vic February 14, 2011 at 11:44 pm
tell him you appreciate the thought, but would
really like it if he supported you in your new
healthy outlook on life. share a bite with him, then
toss it and go on a romantic evening walk.
Reply
deephree July 23, 2011 at 1:01 am
that's a really good idea, vic
Reply
Shantel August 8, 2011 at 5:38 am
What kind of detox are you doing? I am very curious of how
to do one myself.
Reply
sandy owney August 29, 2011 at 9:47 pm
KarenSue, what are you using to detox?
Reply
Donny deManigold November 6, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Yes, I cut sugar out a week ago, I can feel the difference. But
it is challenging when there's sugar in almost every thing. Now
I am going thru the caving stage. I see &feel i was an sugar
addict,
Reply
Ali November 14, 2010 at 10:36 pm
I have been off sugar for 4 days now, and still feel really
tired. What are some of the negative symptoms I might feel
before I get to the good feeling?? And how long will it take!!??
Reply
- Jonni November 15, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Ali, are you eating super-nutritious food to help your
body get back to health? That can help reduce the
symptoms. I also suggest that everyone check with their
doctor if they think the withdrawal symptoms are too
severe or last too long.
Reply
Sarah November 17, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I am glad that people start talking about this problem - sugar
addiction. I am a sugar addict. Three years ago I managed to
escape this addiction for a while, but then I just went on
low-calorie, high-protein diet plan and I had to let the sugar
go. It was hard, but after I lost all weight I wanted, I was
back to sugar. What I have noticed about myself - I can not eat
refined carbs in moderation. I can eat a little bit, but then I
will need more in a little bit and it is a vicious cycle. So I
am back now to combat this addiction. So far: two days in. I
already feel the difference. Yes, withdrawal, tiredness, but I
know from the experience that one has to stand one week and
these symptoms will go away. I do eat carbs in a shape of
rye-bread toast with my unsweetened coffee in the morning. I do
not eat bread after that until the next morning. Lunch: steamed
fish, poultry, beef, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, dill, broccoli.
Dinner: the same or steamed vegetables, or cooked in olive oil.
Out of all drinks available: water. Coffee (only natural from
beans) only in the morning. No alcohol. No salt. Yes, I do feel
tired and sometimes cold in the evenings now, but at the same
time I already notice that my mood is more stable and I have a
very positive outlook. This worth the battle!
Reply
- Jonni November 17, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Sarah, I'm glad you mentioned how easy it is to fall back
into eating sugar, even after giving it up for several
years. This is something that all addicts have to watch
out for - and it pretty much proves that sugar is truly
addictive.
Good luck - you have an excellent plan, and we all wish
you the best.
Reply
sandy owney August 29, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Sarah, can you give me the amounts of the food you spoke
about in your eating plan to overcome sugar addiction?
Reply
Carla November 18, 2010 at 9:22 pm
I am definitely a sugar addict! I'm am sitting here in my
cubicle having eaten at McDonald's. Now eating dessert, not one
but two hot apple pies. It's cheaper that way! I am not sure
where to begin. I have been a WW member off and on for years and
the thing I always notice is I feel better after when I'm eating
healthy. It happens very quick for me, usually 24 to 48 and I
can think straight again. My biggest problem is sticking with it
for more than a couple of weeks. I love the idea of some sort of
meditation that was mentioned earlier. Where can I find info for
that? Any other encouragement/tips would be greatly appreciated!
;)
Reply
- Jonni November 18, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Hi Carla. I wrote an excerpt from my book on this post,
outlining the basic ideas about the meditation technique I
use. And you can read my entire story in my book, which is
available on amazon
Good luck!
Reply
Sarah November 19, 2010 at 4:08 am
Johnny, thank you very much for the encouragement! It is the end
of my forth day and I already feel great. Though the fact that I
slowed down on sugar seriously the week before, I think, helped.
Also, what I find helps: elimination of inner debate. I set my
mind pretty firm - "No Sugar" and I do not debate with that.
Yes, the stores are full of sugar in all shapes and forms and
all I can eat is the steamed fish/meat and fresh vegetables.
This is my reality and it is my own choice and not a punishment.
I am not going to be seduced by the choices of others anymore.
Immediate benefits: clear head, no unpredictable moods,
immediately a nice body started emerging, MUCH better
flexibility at my Bikram yoga class (it feels as if I spent a
month of intensive stretching workouts, when the only thing I
did - I removed sugar from my diet), for women - I did not
notice my PMS this time, though I used to be bloated, gain 5-10
pounds of water weight, my skin would break-out, my moods were
all over the place and I would lose my flexibility completely so
the yoga class would become a sheer torture. Now I DID NOT
NOTICE PMS. It is fantastic for me! I sleep much better. On
sugar I used to wake up 2-5 times at night to go to the fridge
and get something to eat (I needed carbs). I used to think that
I have some weird disorder and was very sensitive about it. Now
I decided to hang on and not to eat at nights. I was able to do
it, because for the first time I considered that it was not a
disorder but another side of a sugar addiction. The first night
was difficult, then it was easier and easier. I wake up an hour
earlier and I wake up energized! I am glowing through the day.
It is scary to think how we medicate ourselves into sickness and
misery with this sugar!
I wish everyone the best on this journey.
Reply
Susan January 30, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Dear Sarah,
I just read your comments about getting off sugar. I
really like the part about ending the inner debate and
just saying NO SUGAR. I used to be able to do just that
with myself. I was sugarfree for many years but with great
life/job stress and needing antidepressants (they cause
overwhelming cravings), I have become addicted to sugar
again. My weight is a problem and I can think of nothing
else it seems. I would very much like to share a dialogue
with you and perhaps glean some coaching or encouragement
from you. If you are interested, my email is
sebennis@yahoo. Thank you sincerely. I look forward to
hearing from you. Susan
Reply
Angel cake November 19, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Hi all,
my name is Rebecka and I am a sugar addict....Help!
I have such a hard time. I do well for a while but, the minute I
get a taste of sugar then I go on a binge. I can't stop. it is
making me miserable. I copied the diet Sarah is on it sounds
good. I need to lose weight. thanks! pray for me everyone....
signed,
Hopeful.
Reply
Marilyn July 5, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Hi,
I am exactly the same way as Angel. I thought there was
something wrong with me but now I know I AM A SUGAR
ADDICT. I thought sugar must be addicting. I am a
recovering alcoholic and I have the same cravings with
sugar as I had with alcohol. I couldn't stop at only one.
I hope to recover this addiction and respond with
everyone.
Thanks.
Reply
sandy owney August 29, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Dear Angel cake, I can relate to where you are coming
from. I feel the same way and sugar and carbs have their
hold of me also. I look in the mirror and do not like what
I see. My will power is "0''. Let me know if you find the
thing that works for you.
Reply
Susie November 23, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Thousands of people have kicked their sugar addiction in
Overeaters Anonymous. It's free, and a wonderful organization. I
lost 15 pounds in two months just by recognizing and treating
the sugar addiction. Highly recommended!
Reply
Angel cake November 30, 2010 at 2:24 am
suzie,
i joined OA HOW friday and my husband came with me. I have
abstand from sugar for 3 days!!! it is amazing how much better i
am starting to feel!
anyone out there suffering? OA HOW!!! it is really the answer
:o )
Reply
Bmore4now December 3, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Wonderful article. I'm currently on day 4 of no sugars. I did 40
days prior to that, but caved on Thanksgiving and boy did I feel
horrible. I know I'm addicted, I can feel the bloating,
sleepiness, restlessness, unable to sleep because my stomach is
full of "nothing". When I start to eat salty foods, I can't
stop. It's terrible.
I just want to be cured of this. I feel so good when I'm off
sugar, but I don't know why I fall short and cave. Just like
drugs I guess.
Reply
Angel cake December 9, 2010 at 8:38 pm
hi all,
I have been off of sugar for 14days!!! I am so excited to have
control of my eating for the first time in a long while. I feel
good, sleep better, and have more energy. I have decided that
sugar is stupid! and I am going to try to never eat it again. I
know that sounds like a tall order but, with God all things are
possible.!
Merry Christmas everyone and happy New year
signed
victorious!
Reply
- Jonni December 9, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Congratulations!
Reply
Valena May 22, 2011 at 12:04 am
Yes, Angel cake all things are possible with God he is the
only one that can see us through any addictions we may be
stuggling with. I myself struggle with the sugar cravings.
My Doctor told me to give up the sugar and caffiene habbit
I do feel better, but it is a struggle the worst part is
that it is in so many things even in the "Health Food
Stores" items. All I can say is "keep going don't turn
back", your body and mind will appreciate it. It will save
you lots of money in Doctor and Dentist bills.
Reply
Nikki December 15, 2010 at 4:11 pm
My name is Nikki and Ive been off sugar and carbs for 3 days. I
still have cravings and have a hard time getting through till
the end of the day. I `ve heard that after a period of time I
will stop these cravings and start to feel wonderful... How long
does this take ? Anyone know? . In 2 weeks I will start to add
good carbs back into my diet such as brown rice wheat bread
whole grains etc.. I like to read all of your comments. I have
been on a sugar binge for months and have gained 20 lbs! FAST!
HELP
Reply
- Jonni December 15, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Hi Nikki. I think one of the best ways to overcome the
cravings is to pack in as much nutrition as you can. Lots
of veggies, grass-fed beef if you can find it, etc. It
will also help you feel better.
Reply
Angel Cake December 15, 2010 at 6:11 pm
hi,
again it is day 19! and I am still abstent from sugar!! I will
be weighing for the first time at the end of the month. I know
that I have lost weight I can see it in my clothes. I am very
happy.
later
feeling fabulous!
Reply
Clara Stevens December 19, 2010 at 12:30 am
I gave up refined sugar almost completely for about 6 weeks and
feel MUCH better in every way, although it was extremely hard
for the first 2 or 3 weeks.. The best motivation is not wanting
to go back to feeling awful (I have Lyme disease), so that is
enough to keep me on this healthy (lots of vegetables, no coffee
/ alcohol, no refined sugar) diet! What I would like to ask is,
is it OK to eat raisins..? I mean, I know fruit in moderation is
fine as it is natural sugar, and obviously raisins are very high
in sugar but at least are natural, but I have been eating
slightly too many of them in the last week or so, and wonder if
I should try to stop that as well, which would be hard.. Any
advice would be appreciated!!
Reply
- Jonni December 19, 2010 at 1:36 am
Congratulations, Clara. It sounds like you're doing great
with your new, healthier diet.
About those raisins - if you really believe that it would
be hard to give them up, that isn't a good sign. I would
try very hard to replace them with a fruit or veggie with
less concentrated sugars - something you enjoy, but which
won't give you that mini-sugar rush. Then enjoy your
raisins in moderation after you've had time to really get
your body back in balance.
Reply
Brittany December 21, 2010 at 2:15 am
Honestly, how do you get the mindset to stop the sugar
addiction? The thing is I feel like I can stop one moment then
the next I'm eating icecream. I really would like to get sugar
out of my diet permanently. Can you give me some good advice to
how you got yourself to stop because this is effecting me in the
following ways; I can't sleep, I'm not having very many bowel
movements, I'm angry, I feel sick majority of the time I'm
awake, It's just making my life a living hell. So I would
appreciate some advice from people who've overcome this
sucessfully.
Reply
- Jonni December 21, 2010 at 2:32 am
Hi Brittany. I found that the meditation technique on this
post helped me a lot. There were other things I had to
learn to control, as well, which I mention in my book.
Addictions are not easy to break, but it can be done. Good
luck!
Reply
Susannah December 21, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Jonni, I stumbled across your book just before Thanksgiving.
Thank God! Thank YOU for writing it! What a gem. It's small but
packed with wonderful advice. So far, everything and everyone
you've recommended has proven for me to be right on the money. I
am having a blast with your reading list and feel so much better
now that I'm on Dr. Fuhrman's diet. Your book is on MY Top 10 of
all time!
Reply
- Jonni December 21, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Gosh, thanks, Susannah. I'm so happy you think my book is
useful to you. What a treat to hear from you!
Reply
Angel cake December 21, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Brittany,
I join OA HOW.(overeaters anynimous) they help you deal with why
you overeat.
you have a sponsor that you call everyday and let them know what
you are eating. it helps me to have accoutablility. I have made
a good friend there to. she and I help each other. I know the
first few days are hard but, the long term effects are worth
it!. I don't have cravings anymore. I am not saying that I don't
think of the bad stuff but, I feel like I have control and can
say NO! to my cravings. I love the benefits to. I feel great, I
am not tired all the time and my legs aren't swollen anymore, my
clothes fit better and I feel free!
signed
hope at the end of the tunnel
Reply
Robin December 23, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Hi all! I've stumbled across this website after recently
realizing that I am a full blown sugar addict. So depressing. I
don't have the energy at the moment to go into specific details
of my addiction, and I have not stopped eating sugars (yet), but
I am so happy to have found a place where I can come for
motivation and support.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their stories I know I am not
alone in this - and I know I am not the only one who will
struggle to overcome it. I WILL be back...
Reply
Rose December 24, 2010 at 12:09 am
I just discovered this site after admitting to myself and a
friend - out loud, today, for the first time - that I am a sugar
addict. I really hesitated to admit this because, just like any
addict, I HATE the idea of a life without my drug of choice.
Sugar is definitely my way of numbing/stuffing uncomfortable
feelings. But I am so tired of feeling slightly sick and "hung
over" on the mornings after my sugar binges, which lately is
most of the time. Today is my first day without sugar. I'm sure
the cravings will hit, and some might say that the Christmas
holiday is no time to start this, but I honestly feel like now
is the time. Tonight, instead of binging while waiting for my
husband to arrive home, I am going to spend my time in prayer
and with my long-neglected journal, spewing my emotions instead
of sedating them. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing, and I
hope all of you will continue to do the same. It really helps to
share the struggle. God bless, and Merry Christmas.
Reply
Meihua December 24, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Good for you Rose,
Now is the time! Stick with it... I'm going sugar free
too.
Reply
Angel cake December 27, 2010 at 2:47 am
Hi all,
today is 30 days without sugar and white flour. I feel good and
I have lost the cravings for the bad stuff. I went to my
daughter's house for Christmas and the bad stuff was everywhere
and I am proud to say I didn't touch it! it was such an
adrenaline rush to be strong and abstain from it! I am weighing
for the first time tomorrow. wish me luck! let you know the
results later.
signed hoping for big results.
Reply
Angel cake December 27, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Hi all,
I weighed today after 30 days without sugar and white flour. I
am proud to say I lost 22lbs.! I feel great and am looking
forward to a new future.
see you all soon,
signed,
new life around the corner.
Reply
Noni January 3, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Wow!! What an inspiration! Here's to a Sugar-Free future!
I'm on day 2. Your post certainly gives me hope!!
Reply
margaret May 8, 2011 at 3:43 pm
what diet did you follow
Reply
Jenniferzwize December 28, 2010 at 3:09 am
I truly am amazed that there are so many people like me! I
really thought I was the only one with a sugar addiction. I was
supposed to start my sugar free diet today, but I just whipped
up cookies. Yes, I have been eating them while reading these
posts. I hate this! Usually once I get past the 4th day with no
sugar, my cravings are almost gone. It's getting there that's so
difficult though. Congrats to Angel Cake! You are an
inspiration! Congrats to all who have kicked the habit. To those
who have not, lets fight together!
Reply
- cg December 28, 2010 at 5:38 am
I've just started reading a book The Four Hour Body and he has
some interesting information. I've started on his diet and am
feeling much better but I have to admit, I have incredible
sugar, bread and chocolate cravings. I've fallen prey to this
addiction since starting the diet. From his book I've learned
this is the major cause of the gout I suffer from and I'm
willing to take the chance that this will help me. I'm
struggling but since losing about 5 lbs in about two weeks, I
see the light. I had a dream this morning that I was slim and
that I was in command of my life. This I take as a sign that it
is possible to get through this and I'll see it through in
stages. All I know is that anytime I fall for sugar I
immediately crave it again. Tonight I swear off sugar. I owe
this to myself and my future.
Good luck with your battle!
Reply
- Jonni December 28, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Hi CG. I had never heard of that book before, so I checked
it out at amazon. What a title: The 4-Hour Body: An
Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and
Becoming Superhuman
Whew! That's a lot of promises. Can you tell us what makes
this book different than others? (I also just now did a
really fast Google search for "gout," to see what the
medicos say is the cause. It looks like they don't really
know, although rapid weight loss can cause it. I had no
idea. )
Good luck with your new healthy diet. It sounds like
you're on the right track, and we wish you all the best.
Reply
Angel cake December 28, 2010 at 4:01 pm
to Jenniferzwize and cg,
you can do it! do it for your future. do it for your family and
children. I personally want to be there for my little grandson.
he loves for me to play with him. it is so much easier for me to
keep up with him when I am thinner. So hang in there. the first
few days are hard because your body is detoxing. but, around the
4th to 5th day you start to feel like a million bucks! so much
more energy! it is worth the pain to gain your life back. I am
praying for you all!
signed life in the thin lane :0)
Reply
LG December 28, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I am a sugar addict.. after reading some of these posts I am
going to kick the sugar! I have suffered from depression on and
off for the past 10 years, and sugar/carbs were always my
comfort. I've been on anti depressants for about a year, and I
want to get off them, and I think the best way is to get my diet
under control and cut sugar out of my life! I never realized how
many ppl were sugar addicts and I've been inspired to tough out
the withdrawal symptoms of no sugar and get better! Thanks
everyone!
Reply
Angel cake December 28, 2010 at 10:22 pm
dear LG
you can do it! it is such a free feeling. to have control of you
own mind and body. you will feel great and your weight will be
under control. really it isn't about weight it is about getting
healthy and feeling good. a lot of us who crave sugar are
probably allergic to it. you may be also. I am proud of you that
you made the decision to take back your life!
signed,
life is great when it is sugar free!
Reply
- Ivory Girl December 29, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I've just found this website for the first time as I was
googling "addiction to sugar". I've always known I was addicted
to sugar, but felt it was more emotional than physical. However,
after decades of binging, endless diets, and now realizing that
my many physical problems could very well be associated with
inflammation caused by too much sugar, I'm finally willing to
admit that things have to change. But I AM SCARED. I have always
aimed for "moderation in all things", but haven't been able to
accomplish this with sugar. I'm willing to admit that I need to
give up refined sugar and white flour foods. But I'd really like
to know what the rest of you think of other sugars, such as
AGAVE syrup, etc. Is it possible to enjoy a treat made with
something like that once in awhile? Or does it need to be ALL
sugars, cold turkey? I'd really appreciate as much feedback as
possible. I personally don't know anyone who has given up sugar
successfully. I need some hope. Thanks.
Reply
- Jonni December 30, 2010 at 12:31 am
I would suggest going "cold turkey" for now. The natural
sugars have more nutrition, but they might trigger the
same old cravings. I've read that artificial sweeteners
can cause the same kinds of physical problems that real
sugar does, and can even be more dangerous than real
sugar. So, I would suggest just forget about desserts and
breads for a while, and try to concentrate on eating good,
natural foods.
Reply
Angel cake December 30, 2010 at 2:51 am
ivory girl,
I have been without sugar for 30 days. it was hard at first but,
when I stepped on the scale after that 30 days it was well worth
it. I lost 22lbs! my swelling in my legs went down and my joints
don't hurt as bad. it also makes you feel good and gives you
more energy. I agree with Jonnie that you need to give up all
sugars but, I do use Splenda it doesn't both me. I need it in my
coffee.
good luck
signed life is good
Reply
Ivory Girl December 30, 2010 at 7:08 am
Thanks for your responses. I've decided to go off of all sugar
for two weeks, and see how I feel. Then I may try making
something with agave and see if it makes a difference or not. I
am nervous, but today was day one and I'm alive. :) Thanks for
your support!
Reply
Kat December 30, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Another wake-up call for me...intervention by my oldest
daughter, who was the target of one of my mood swings from all
the sugar-laden holiday foods of late (as well as years of
seeing me react unreasonably to her, her brother and sister as
they grew up throught the years).
I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia/chronic myofacial pain.
The two books I've been reading address this same thing. I just
didn't want to admit I was a sugar addict, b/c I thought I can
have it in moderation. I did give up sodas years, ago though,
but share many of the weaknesses of "falling off the wagon" as
many of you.
Inspiring posts -- I'm on board! Hi -- I'm Kat -- I'm a sugar
addict. I look forward to sharing my success with my fellow
recovering addicts! God's Blessings to all!
Reply
Angel cake December 30, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Hi,
just a note to let you all know that I am praying for you guys!
we can do it. we have each other for support. this website is
great. hope to hear from you soon!
signed,
a brighter future
Reply
Ivory Girl December 30, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Welcome, Kat. I'm only on Day 2, so not much of an inspiration,
but I definitely relate. I guess we're all in this together. I'm
just taking in one day at a time. Glad to have you aboard!
Reply
kristen December 31, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hi, I've been a sugar addict now for as long as i can remember.
I am 27 years old and sugar runs my life! Emotions have always
been the trigger, but because I've been doing it now for so long
the physical cravings overtake me and it's a vicious cycle. I
want to change this and am slowly building my strength by
dealing with my emotions but think it might be the biggest
challenge I've had to face. This is a big call after having two
kids in the last 2 years but this condition is just such a big
one and also not often recognised as being important. I have the
yeast condition Candida also and know I have to overcome my
sugar cravings to beat this. It's great to hear other peoples
storys and know your not the only person out battling this
condition.
Reply
Angie April 5, 2011 at 2:01 am
Hi-I just read your post and hopefully you still get on
this site? I can totally relate to what you are saying. I
am 36 and have been a sugar addict probably my whole life
or at least since age 10. I also have yeast problems that
started while trying to nurse my 3rd child and then I
stuggled with my 4th child. Last year I started breaking
out in red, itchy patches on my face and my scalp and ears
itch. My husband lovingly says I look like a meth addict!
He can tell when I'm on a sugar binge. So anyway, not sure
if you will read this but wondering how you were doing and
sure could use the support. Thanks
Reply
- heidi Wixom January 1, 2011 at 6:33 am
Being New Years Evem I have been trying to look at a different
picture of myself, and the rutt that I seem to be in. I started
thinking about the 3 years that I lived without sugar and the
effects that it had on my mind, body and enthusiasm for life. I
was so much happier. In reading some of the comments, I now
realize that it doesn't work for me to have moderation with
sugar. I seem to be "all or nothing" with this drug! I have to
leave it and have resolved to do that right now. I have
confidence that I can do it because I have in the past and yet I
am a little concerned because I have been eating it off and on
for 20 years now and am wondering how hard it will be to lick
the habit.
Any advice that some of the bloggers have would be most helpful.
Happy New Years to you all! I am impressed that so many feel the
desire to get the white-stuff out of your life.. I think it is
the ticket to longivity and a balanced life. Heres to Sugar-Free
Living!!!
Reply
Angel cake January 1, 2011 at 2:12 pm
welcome Kristen,
you can do this. everyday gets better and you feel like
conquering the world. I feel so much better I have more stamina
and energy is off the charts! everyday that you abstene from
sugar and white flour will be a small victory for you and your
children. the reason I say this is because they will benefit
from it. they will have the best of you. aren't they worth it? I
know you want them to have the best and it is you! so go for it
give yourself a chance to really live!
signed,
life is worth living sugar free
Reply
- Ivory Girl January 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Thanks for all of your encouragement. I am now starting Day 4 of
eating sugar free-white flour free. It was terrifying to start.
It's getting less-so with each day. Last night was New Year's
Eve and I was afraid it would be very hard, but we went to the
movies and I packed for myself an individual packet of dried
fruit and nuts in case I got hungry. I didn't end up needing it,
but it was nice to have something around that I could rely on if
I needed it. I haven't been on this long enough yet to feel
comfortable that I can find "something" wherever I am.
I am also discovering that one of the keys to eating sugar free
is to make it yourself whenever possible. Fresh is best.
I would be lying if I said that I'm not afraid I'll fail at
this. But I am focusing on only one day at a time. Here's to day
4 and the beginning of a truly New Year.
Ivory girl
Reply
Angel cake January 1, 2011 at 9:26 pm
congradulations Ivory girl! I knew you could do it. you will be
glad that you switch to a health life style.
signed,
victory from sugar!
Reply
- Callie January 3, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Hi Jonni:
I just learned of your book on FB and purchased it today through
Amazon..one question: do you still continue using caffeine?..and
if not, how did you quit?
Thanks,
Callie
Reply
- Jonni January 3, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Hi Callie. I did give up caffeine, but for some reason it
didn't stick. I now drink coffee in moderation, but I did
"fall off the wagon." However, I religiously avoid any
caffeinated soft drinks, partly because of the corn
sweeteners, but mostly because they have such a huge
caffeine punch.
I hope you enjoy the book.
Reply
Belinda January 6, 2011 at 5:11 pm
I found your site while looking into some strange symptoms I was
experiencing after a day without sugar.
I am dairy, gluten, and caffeine free and just entered a weight
loss competition with a girlfriend of mine. At a loss for what
else I could do to lose weight I thought, "hey, I'll go off
sugar. I don't eat that much (little did I realize) but we'll
give it a try."
Then I became really tire, THIRSTY, and had a headache for 3
days.
I started searching for some answers for my symptoms and found
this site. I did not realize how I was addicted even with the
little I do consume.
Just wanted to say thanks for making this site.
Here's to feeling better!
Belinda 35
Reply
Jesse Stoddard January 12, 2011 at 10:32 pm
How I cured my sugar addiction was to listen to a WANG LOADS of
AMM records. I would play several at once. At one point I
happened to be listening to their record, "The Crypt", in tandem
with this crazy-assed bootleg of an LSD-addled Cecil Taylor
performing live in some remote area of Morocco that my great
grandmother bequeathed to be on her deathbed. I landed myself in
the psych ward for a couple of weeks as a result, but have never
so much as LOOKED at a SINGLE GRANULE of sugar since. Good luck,
folks!
Cheers,
Jesse
Reply
Jesse Stoddard January 15, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Edit: WANG LOAD*
Reply
Karen W January 15, 2011 at 10:04 am
Now five days off white sugar and using brown sugar in my coffee
and tea. O and my family already do not use white flour and we
cook what we eat. We use specifically, brown restraunt Sam's
Club sugar, not the store bought stuff with the funky taste at
the supermarket. I am finally feeling better. My family has been
a real help because they dumped white sugar and flour 7 years
ago. Went through the wall slamming headache with alieve and had
odd palpitations for a day or so. But took MSM for the first
time yesterday and that might be it. The palpitations are going
away with a hit of melitonine. Just wondered if the strange
continuous palpitations for a day were a normal thing with the
withdrawl of sugar? No heart desease in family line. Anyone been
through that part?
Reply
MARIE February 23, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Sorry, girlfriend, brown sugar is just white sugar with
molasses in it...
Reply
chris January 21, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I gave up sugar a week ago and the cravings are really bad just
now. How long before the cravings stop (or at least reduce)?
Reply
- Jonni January 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm
To be honest, I'm not sure the cravings ever go away
entirely. You can reduce the impact of the cravings by
eating super-nutritious food. For some reason, that
reduces the body's need for the sugar high. Keep working
at it, though - kicking an addiction isn't ever easy. If
it was, it wouldn't be an addiction.
Reply
Molly March 25, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Jonni, I believe you are correct. 84 days without
sugar and I am still crawling the walls for sugar.
I'm eating a ton of fruits and vegetables, but the
sugar cravings are with me every waking moment.
Eliminating sweets has put me back in clothes that
had become a little snug. My skin now heals
incredibly fast. My teeth stay cleaner.
I set short term goals. "Just til the end of the
month." then "Just through lent." If I told myself
"no sugar forever" I'd never keep that goal. Oddly,
I get no support from friends or family. My freezer
is full of Valentine's Day chocolates...
Not easy at all!
Reply
Belinda January 21, 2011 at 8:12 pm
This is the end of week 3 with no sugar for me and I feel
fantastic. I eat fruit and lots of veggies but I simply do NOT
have that foggy, moody, PMS feeling all the time. I don't want
to forget how good I feel now and cave later. I cannot believe
how thirsty I was the first few days off sugar. It was really
strange. I had no idea it was making me so sick.
Reply
Marissa June 1, 2011 at 1:03 am
I am so glad to have found this web site I'm going sugar
free starting tomorrow. I have the pms like symptoms a lot
too! Hope your still doing well!!
Reply
Kathy January 24, 2011 at 12:26 am
Hello everyone,
I have come to the realization that I am a sugar addict. I have
been sober for 12 years and have switched my drug of choice from
alcohol to sugar. I was a binge drinker , now i am a binge sugar
eater. So, it is time to give up sugar! Any suggestions? I saw
several references to OA, which I will try. But, how do you
eliminate sugar? The obvious foods to eliminate are easy, the
binge foods, ice cream, cookies, etc. Any other suggestions?
Reply
Lara May 18, 2011 at 11:06 pm
For me, I have to not even eat fruit for a while....like
3-4 weeks....just meat, veggies, brown rice, ezekial
bread, brown rice pasta etc....no potatoes or corn either,
they're just sugar once inside!
Reply
Sophie January 24, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Hi.
My partner suffers from a serious sugar condition. I was
wondering what would be the best method to help him cope and get
him to quit it all together. I was also wondering what I could
do to help. He has serious bad cravings, and was wondering what
would be the best methods to get him through this.
Thanks,
Sophie.
Reply
- Jonni January 24, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Hi Sophie. It isn't easy to get someone else to change -
I'm not sure I've ever seen that work in real life. I just
checked amazon and found several books that claim to
help you change someone you love, but I'm not sure how
effective their methods are. It might be easier to forget
about changing him, and simply make great efforts to
improve your own health and energy levels with a healthy
diet. If he sees you feeling better, he might get curious
about how you're doing it, and might be inclined to give
it a try. But there's no guarantee - we all have to make
our own decisions and follow our own path.
Reply
Annie January 26, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Hi,
Wow, so glad to have found this site!! I was thinking about
joining FAA (food addicts anonymous) because I believe I have a
sugar/white flour addiction. Are there any other 12 steppers out
there?
Reply
IceKat February 1, 2011 at 3:36 am
I believe it....I know it. I wake up tasting sugar even before I
eat and think about Chocolate ALL the time! Working on it
though.
Reply
Andrea February 1, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hi im also addicted to sugar. I have put on about a stone in the
last year by eating chocolate constantly. It starts as soon as I
get out of bed in the morning. I dont have breakfast but buy a
chocolate bar on way to work. Its now two or three bars on the
way to work to much through the morning and by lunchtime Im
craving more. Its out of control, my head aches constantly, Im
dizzy, thirsty and constantly tired and withdrawn. I cant sleep
properly at night and seem to float about in a daze most of the
day feeling really ill. I know its sugar thats doing this to me
as when I manage to have a break from it I feel so much better
with energy then the vicious cycle starts again. I have really
dark lines under my eyes and they too get a lot better after a
few days of not eating sugar. I feel totally helpless to change.
I have decided to once again try tomorrow to go without sugar
but dont know if I will be able to accomplish this. Help.
Reply
- Jonni February 2, 2011 at 12:40 am
Hi Andrea. I was just mentioning to another reader that
switching to whole-food carbohydrates might help your
blood sugar levels to even out. The swings from too much
sugar to to little sugar, which always happens when we go
on any sugar binge, may be causing most of your current
symptoms. You might find yourself feeling a lot better if
you pay attention to the way you feel, and as soon as you
get any of the symptoms you mention, eat a piece of whole
wheat bread, a small potato with butter, some oatmeal -
anything with carbohydrates that the body will slowly
absorb. (Potatoes are absorbed quickly when eaten without
butter, so don't eat them plain).
Since all these foods are good for you, it sure wouldn't
hurt anything to give it a try. Good luck..
Reply
Keljam February 3, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I have been snowed in at home for 3 days in OK. I have found
myself eating nothing but cards and sugar. I'm not even hungry
and I find mitslef in the pantry. I am a stress eater and my
"destresser" is sugar ands carbs. Problem is, it doesn't really
destress me. I am 39 and am 5'5"' and weigh 140. I was a skinny,
skinny person my whole life, eating whatever I wanted. A few
years a go I gained 20 punds when I went back to work and sat at
a desk all day. I lose 10 pounds then put it back on. I cannot
NOT eat suagr and carbs. I sneka them all the time, feel guilty
about eating it and then hate myself for having no control. I
know I am addicted but the thought of trying to not eat them
while working full time, caring for my family and cooking meals,
I am completely overwelmed. My family likes carbs and sugar but
i have no self control. I think about Mt Dew and Heath bars etc
constantly. Any tips out there?
Reply
- Jonni February 3, 2011 at 8:46 pm
For some really good info on foods that will help reduce
or eliminate the cravings, check out the Weston A Price
foundation. I'm convinced that we crave food because our
body needs a nutrient that it "thinks" should be in
something sweet. We eat the food, the nutrient isn't in
there so the body is still starving, and it craves more
food. The trick, I believe, is to pay attention to what
the body is saying, and stop beating ourselves up about
it. Try one healthy food after another until you find the
one your body really wants.
Reply
Keljam February 3, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Thanks Jonnie for the tips. I have to agree, my body
is defeinately trying to tell me something. I just
have to figure out what is is! I will check out the
website you suggested. Just thinking about trying to
figue out what to cook for dinner tonight is giving
me a headache!! Thanks again for the info.
Reply
MARIE February 23, 2011 at 12:59 pm
OMG, I love heath bars...my husband bought me a huge box
of heathbar type toffee for Valentine's day...I had a
little binge then knew I had to throw it away...my skinny
daughter was dissapointed but she would eat one square for
a month and I would eat the entire 2 pound box in a
day...marie
Reply
Amelia February 5, 2011 at 1:41 am
I have been a sugar adict for over 20 years. I am now finishing
day 3 of no sugar. I am craving a cookie so bad my mouth is
salavating and I am tired and grumpy. Getting through the next
couple of days is going to be hard but I can make it through.
The toughest part is that I work for a bakery manufacturer and
am always making cookies, cakes, brownies etc to show customers
and for foodshows. I am around it everyday. After almost 10
years in the business I make a good paycheck and since my
husband has been out of work for 1 1/2 years so I can't quit my
job. Sometimes durning really long days when I don't have time
to stop for lunch I just grab whatever I bake. I am applying for
different jobs but in the meantime I need some suggestions to
keep my cravings at bay.
Thanks in advance!
Reply
- Jonni February 5, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Amelia, I suggest that you eat some high-quality protein,
and make sure you have some healthy carbohydrates with you
at all times so you can nibble on slow-acting carbs
throughout the day. I'm suggesting this because after
reading so many comments on this blog, I'm starting to
think that many of our withdrawal symptoms are caused by
low blood sugar. If we keep our blood sugar levels in a
constant roller coaster by eating sugar and white flour
products every day, we may have a period of adjustment
after the sugar stops. A lot of foods have good carbs -
beans, squash, fruit, and oatmeal are all candidates. I
think your cravings are telling you that you need
something that a human body expects to find in sweet food
- but that is no longer present in the factory-produced
sweet products that we tend to eat. If you concentrate on
finding what it is that your body is so desperate for,
instead of kicking yourself for having the cravings, I
think you'll have a much easier time. You might also
consult with a nutritionist or naturopathic physician to
see if there are any obvious vitamins or minerals that you
aren't getting enough of.
Reply
Beth February 7, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hey everyone! Wow...I'm 26 and am beginning to realize/accept
that I have a problem with sugar. My husband is gone half the
month and I have a 17 month old son to care for and so I find
myself turning to caffeine and sugar to keep myself going. I am,
however, a healthy eater outside of the sugar and workout 4 - 5
times a week. I go on 6 - 12 mile runs twice a week and am in
descent shape. The reason I want to give up sugar is because of
the way it makes me feel. I feel trapped and out of control when
I am eating it. Afterwards I beat myself up for hours and even
days. I am a usually happy and "sunny" person but this sugar
addiction is beginning to wear on my confidence and it has also
caused me to gain 10 pounds since August of last year. I am SICK
of it but wonder if I really can accomplish this goal. Any tips
would be appreciated!
Reply
mag March 14, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Beth....
I totally feel with you. I go through EXACTLY what you
describe. I work out, run love to eat healthy but also
have a secret love affair with sweets. I feel GROSS,
grummy and fat when I eat it but I keep going back for
more. I stopped having sugar for almost 30 days (lost 8
pounds ) only to get back into it and gain 10.
We need to cut sugar cold turkey!
Reply
Gayle February 10, 2011 at 1:06 am
I had gastric bypass 3 yrs ago & about 8 months ago developed an
intense sugar addiction. It is bad because it can actually make
me feel really sick. Prior to surgery had just general over
eating & really did not eat a ton of sugar but did like some
carbs like bread. This is intense need for candy 1000-1200
calories a day sometimes. Anyone heard of this? I am so upset as
I lost 130lbs but have gained back 30 lbs. I really need to
stop- I've been trying to find a treatment plan of some kind but
not sure where to go?
Reply
- Jonni February 10, 2011 at 3:20 pm
I recently read a book in which the author suggested that
sugar cravings might sometimes come from a vitamin C
deficiency. We normally reach for fruit when we need some
vitamin C, and fruit is sweet. I have no idea if this is
true or not. You might want to ask your doctor or
nutritionist for a blood test to see if you're deficient
in any of the vitamins and minerals - there must be
something causing your cravings. If I were you, I'd treat
this as a medical issue before considering some sort of
addictions treatment - with gastric bypass, the body's
ability to absorb nutrients is reduced (sort of the point,
really) and if you aren't careful with your diet you can
get into real trouble. I think you should talk to your
doctor and see if you can get a referral to a specialist
who understands the nutritional needs of someone who has
gone through gastric bypass.
Reply
Trish February 12, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Hi all
I am so grateful to have found this site! I have not perused it
all, but was happy to find people talking about sugar addiction
and how to get off sugar. I have been sugar/white flour/white
rice/potatoes/any sweeteners but fruit for 3 1/2 weeks now.
I was in quite a cycle of bingeing->crashing->more sugar to make
me feel better->horrible self-hatred->bingeing since I'm so
horrible anyway->crashing, etc. And always lots of fast simple
carbs for when I needed something "right now". I also ate very
fast, and rewarded myself with food that I probably didn't even
taste! I'm very sure there was quite a blood sugar problem in
all this...
I am vegetarian and have to be very mindful of preparing meals
ahead of time and always having some nuts around as a quick fix.
I am trying to eat more slowly, and avoid processed foods
(especially those that contain a lot of ingredients I can't even
comprehend). I am going to the health food store almost
exclusively for the produce and bulk rice/beans etc. This costs
more, but is better quality. Plus I eat out a lot less, so I
guess it evens itself out...
[Why are the foods that are worst for us the cheapest?!!! That
makes no sense, but it is true! Very frustrating!]
My cravings have not decreased very much, and that is so
frustrating! Also, I've been kind of a hermit because it seems
everywhere I go is a temptation! I can no longer eat out, which
I used to do several times a week, so that is a big hole for me.
I have a question Jonni: Is it better blood sugar wise to eat
protein or complex carbs when I feel myself crashing (like from
low blood sugar)? Or maybe some of both?
Thanks so much everyone for being there. I hope to be back often
to share/read experiences:)
Reply
- Jonni February 12, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Hi Trish - I agree that it isn't reasonable for the
unhealthy foods to be so cheap - but they're subsidized by
the government. That's why there's so much sugar, corn
syrup, and other non-healthy products in all processed
foods. So we just have to stay away from processed foods.
I'm not an expert on vegetarian diets by any means. I
recommend a really good, well-balanced diet - I think the
best resource for vegetarians is the books by Joel
Fuhrman. He's getting a bit commercial lately, but his
book Eat to Live is one of the best I've seen.
For that blood sugar issue, you might want to find some
good whole wheat crackers to munch on throughout the day -
the slow acting carbs in the crackers should help. Just
make sure they aren't loaded with sugar :)
Reply
Lara May 19, 2011 at 5:13 pm
As a nurse in the hospital when a patient has a low
blood sugar we give BOTH a carb AND a protein...eg a
cracker WITH peanut butter and a milk, both complex
and simple carbs and protein. The simple carbs help
with the immediate need and the protein sustains the
blood sugar for 2-3 hours.
Reply
- Jonni May 19, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Thanks, Lara. Good advice.
Reply
Patricia February 14, 2011 at 9:53 am
Ok, this is my first post. I just got out of bed (3:46 a.m.)
(woke up, trouble sleeping) and know sugar has to go. It's
Valentine's Day and I went out for a Valentine's dinner last
night and ended up with a massive dessert--and I am supposedly
on Weight Watchers! Weight Watchers is never going to work for
me if I don't give up sugar. I eat bags of M&M's in the movies
(that's a month of WW points) (I need to forget WW for now) and
really love the M&M's MORE than the movie. The only reason I am
fat is that I eat/overeat/binge on candy. Ain't nothing going to
work for me if I keep it up. I am joining you good people and am
going to stop this madness. I can have a heck of a life and a
heck of a body and a heck of a good time of it and feel
awesomely good if I give up sugar. Some fabulous person here
suggested I think that you deal with just the sugar for now (and
eating healthy and whole carbs not refined) and I am going to do
just that. Weight Watchers is going for now. I am going to get
the sugar out, feed my body WELL, and see how it goes after a
month. I need you guys to blab to and be inspired by and I am
really inspired by so many of your stories. Tomorrow is the Real
Valentine's and tomorrow is the first day of my new life.
Reply
Trish February 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Good for you, Patricia! I always think awareness is the first
step, and there you are!
I have just started posting here and am also hoping to get
strength from the others here:) Hopefully we can all encourage
each other!
Reply
Patricia February 15, 2011 at 12:24 am
Hi all, How's your day going? Mine is sure better than
yesterday. THANK YOU.
I am heading off to the movies and am taking my healthy home
popped popcorn with me and am having zero candy at the movies
tonight. Made a super healthy salmon dinner and even went to the
grocery and hauled into the house a good load of good things. I
want to make it until Friday with no sugar and then go on from
there.
You all have my encouragement and support. I am parking myself
on this website so please ask for support and you will get it. x
Reply
Angie February 15, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Wow-I can relate to everything everyone is going through. I have
always been a sugar addict. It is a joke in my family. I managed
to lose 20 lbs last year by sticking to high protein/low carb
diet but I still struggle with bingeing. I always think I can
handle a bite and I can't. I feel like a drug addict. I start
looking for more and more and then it takes over-like one person
said, they like the candy better than the movie-I'm the same
way-or I will be at a social function and can't really socialize
b/c I'm constantly looking for some cookies or cake. One cookie
ends up being several and that's all I care about-my next sugar
fix. My face breaks out in weird rashes that itch and peel. My
ears itch and bleed which have caused several outer-ear
infections. I take probiotics which helps with that. I can go
for several days and I feel great and my belly isn't bloated but
then one bite and it's all out the window. I know most is
emotional eating but also a cycle physically too. I am
unrealistic and think I can eat in moderation sweets. Never
works. How long do you have to give up sugar and then really
truly be able to eat in moderation? I am thinking at least a few
months. I have only gone 8 days. I am totally amazed I haven't
gained the weight back because I only eat "good" for a few days
then binge for a few days. I do workout but not hardcore. But my
face starts to break out-my husband can tell and asks if I've
been eating sugar again:) Does anyone have problems with diet
pop? I know the aspartame isn't good for you but sometimes if I
get that instead of candy it keeps me from eating junk. I feel
like it's a guilt-free treat but then again, maybe I'm doing
more harm than good. I don't drink it everyday. But if I drink a
regular pop I usually end up bingeing. I'm sure it's a mental
thing. Anyway, so nice to find a site that I can relate too
Reply
- Jonni February 16, 2011 at 1:59 am
Hi Angie. I would suggest that you cultivate a liking for
plain water, perhaps flavored with a squirt of lemon
juice. Research has shown that people who drink diet pop
don't lose weight, and often gain weight instead. And they
also have found a correlation between artificial
sweeteners and an increase in insulin resistance - one of
the causes of adult-onset diabetes. Plus, artificial
sweeteners are chemicals - and we really don't know what
the long-term effect of ingesting them might be.
You might want to check your library to see if they have a
copy of Dr. Weston A. Price's book - perhaps the first
scientific study of the physical effects of sugar. And for
ideas about what you can eat that will reduce or eliminate
the cravings, check out Nourishing Traditions by Sally
Fallon. You will have fewer cravings when your body is
getting the nutrients it really needs.
Reply
Angie February 16, 2011 at 2:42 am
Thank you-I refrained from buying diet pop today and
instead got that La Croix selzter water
instead-gives me that carbonated taste without any
sugar or artificial sweeteners. Deep down I knew it
was wrong to drink diet but just hanging on to yet
another bad habit. I will check out those books,
thanks!
Reply
Trish February 15, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Hi all
As of today, I am 4 weeks sugar/sweetener/white flour/white rice
abstinent. I am still so frustrated with these cravings!
Especially chocolate, ice cream, and bagels! I always try to
have something to munch on near by, but it's not what I really
want! There's definately a "mouth feel" component to what I am
craving...
I like to think of what I'm doing as a life plan, or something
like that. I don't like the word "diet" personally. I have been
trying to think of wording that encompasses what I am doing-I'm
not just sugar-free. And I'm not just sugar-addicted. When I
have spoken to others about my eating, I refer to it as "my
eating is going well" or "I'm still doing well with my eating".
I don't know if any of that makes sense or is an issue for
anyone else...Any suggestions? How do you refer to what you
eat/don't eat? I also would like to possibly frame it more by
what I "can" (choose to) eat than by what I "can't"/don't eat...
I suffer from severe depression. I am on several medications
which all have weight gain as a side effect. I expect that they
play a role in what I crave and/or how I process food. And of
course the depression itself is fed by self-hatred/shame/seeking
comfort in food. I have gained 20lbs in 6 months, but I'm trying
in my head to be clear that my primary goal is not weight loss,
but a healthier lifestyle. Weight loss-if it occurs-is a fringe
benefit:)
Anyway, just my ramblings...
Keep up the good work, everyone:)
Reply
- Jonni February 16, 2011 at 1:51 am
Trish, have you asked your doctor to do a complete workup
to see if you have any possible endocrine problems, such
as low thyroid? That's just one common condition that
causes weight gain, depression, and possible cravings for
food, and there are others, as well. If there is some
underlying problem that hasn't yet been diagnosed, just
cutting back or eliminating sugar won't fix it.
We often feel bad about ourselves when we overeat, without
considering the possibility that both the overeating and
the depression are symptoms of an underlying medical
condition - which might be easily cured if we can just
find a doctor who will take the time to find out what's
wrong.
Reply
Trish February 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Hi Jonni. Yes, I've had a complete work-up.
Admittedly, it was a medical work-up and not by a
naturopath or someone more holistic like that. I
thought my fasting blood sugar was high at 105ish,
but was told it was in the normal range. My thyroid
tests were all normal, etc.
I have a life-long history of depression, and there
is definately a connection between that and my food
issues. It's sometimes hard to tell which came
first-the chicken or the egg, you know? Whatever the
connection, it's so frustrating:(
Reply
Bev July 7, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Because of all the reading I've done lately, people like
us seem to do better with the cravings if we eat more FAT.
Here is what helps me - Breakfast HAS to be ground beef
with cheese melted on it. It even beats eggs for keeping
me fuller longer and less cravings. Snacks have to be home
made beef jerky. Stay away from ANY breads etc. Sounds
like a lot of protein and fat, but it keeps you sane, and
actually healthy as well. Cook all meats, veggies in
coconut oil or butter. So, in a nutshell, try to eat only
meat, eggs, veggies, cheese and the above mentioned fats.
Eat them whenever you are hungry. It works.
Reply
Patricia February 16, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Good morning you all. I am on Day 3 of my No Sugar Quest. No
cravings really so far but then I am coming off the most
horrible binge/freakout/total mess up so anything seems better
than that. Trish: I hear you, sweetheart. I am so much like you.
I did decide that if I am going to give up sugar, then I may as
well be on Weight Watchers since sugar is basically the only
problem I am having with Weight Watchers in the first place. I
also gained about 16 pounds over the last year or year and a
half -- and it really sucks. Boyfriend is Italian and he changed
my diet-lots of cheese, trip to Italy, risotto cooking at home,
wine every night etc. Of course he is tall and lanky and I only
porked up. He would taste and nibble and I would shove the whole
thing in my mouth and ask for more. Oh well. That's behind me
now. (brokeup) Also one other thing-I am gluten insensitive and
have inflammation and am also going to divorce myself from
gluten-but am thinking I will only work on the sugar for now and
leave that for next. So today is day 3 and I am just saying that
I will not eat any sugar today. Have a good one everybody.
Reply
Patricia February 17, 2011 at 4:13 pm
so far so good. however, I just had the thought that I
would like to go and eat a bunch of cupcakes. so it
begins.. but I am so inspired by the rest of you.
Reply
Lindsey February 17, 2011 at 5:48 pm
I have been addicted to sugar for years. I don't drink sodas any
more but I love candy. I can eat a whole bag of Life Savour
Sours (my favourite) in a few hours. I can stop for a long time
but if I have just one thing like candy, or some thing with
sugar in it then I have to have it again. I just have to stop
cold turkey and get any sort of candy out of the house to avoid
temptation, have more protine and take some aspirin when I start
to get with draw head aches.
Reply
Trish February 17, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Hey everyone...I have a (stupid?) question to ask...Looking for
your opinions.
Tomorrow is my birthday, and I am strongly considering going out
to eat some of my "forbidden" foods-just for tomorrow. I'm
worried that it could send me in a tail spin, or if I can just
do that for one day. All week, I have been thinking about what
I'd eat...I am embarassed to want this...I can definitely see a
comfort component...I was thinking if I really promise myself, I
could do it for just one day. I think of the alcoholic who just
drinks on New Years...Are they able to leave it alone the rest
of the year? I'm thinking of food as reward, I know...
Anyway, I'd love your feedback...
Thanks
(p.s. Have been sugar/sweetener/white flour/white rice free for
just over 4 weeks)
Reply
Patricia February 17, 2011 at 9:09 pm
This is a tough one, and one I will for sure face-in fact
TOMORROW since we are going out for a prix fixe dinner and
for sure dessert will be a part of that--but my 2 cents is
that you would feel really wonderful to just leave it
alone and get your treat some other way-new dress? big
bunch of gorgeous flowers and some perfume? fantastic
dinner w champagne? gorgeous fruit for dessert with
cappocino? My two cents is..you are doing great, you know
where sugar leads you, and just don't go there.
Reply
Trish February 17, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Thanks, Patricia. I like the idea of treating myself some other
way. I've scheduled a manicure for a treat. Some flowers might
be nice. I don't know...
What are you going to do about your dinner tomorrow night? I
know sometimes restaurants might be able to fix you up something
not on the regular menu...Look who's talking?! I should listen
to myself, right?! lol
I have to get myself out of this "celebrate with food" mindset.
Grrrrr.....
Reply
Patricia February 18, 2011 at 1:19 am
You know, tomorrow I am going to skip the dessert,
whatever it is. (And wish you a happy birthday!) I am so
burned out by what I went through last weekend w the M&M's
and everything else that right now it's pretty easy to say
No. Last weekend I was trying to moderate my sugar intake
(a la instructions from a shrink) and see if I could have
a little treat every day--oh! that didn't work out, at
all. I cannot moderate worth anything. I know the cravings
will likely come and I will be negotiating with myself and
trying to change my "plan", but if I do, it will be a
mistake. For me. Sugar to me is like heroin to a junkie.
Reply
- Rich D April 25, 2011 at 2:50 am
I know how elusive moderation can be. I often say
that "just having a little" is like just putting a
little hole in a balloon. Can't be done. POP!
Reply
Trish February 19, 2011 at 12:10 am
Hello everyone!
Well, it's my birthday and I made the difficult choice NOT to
venture outside of my current eating plan and indulge today. I
stayed out most of the day and was distracted, which helped:) I
am going to buy a single-serve blender for myself as a special
treat, as I make a smoothie every morning, and my old Hamilton
Beach is not up to the challenge!
Sending good wishes all around...
Reply
Patricia February 19, 2011 at 4:48 am
Trish, I am so proud of you. Happy Birthday too. You are
my role model.
Reply
Patricia February 20, 2011 at 4:08 am
Hello all,
I have scraped through the weekend with only a few
hours of sugar craving. I even made it through the
movies tonight where I usually eat 2 huge bags of
M&M's which I like better than the movie. I feel
proud of myself, and hopeful. I feel like a member
of the human race!
Reply
Dennis February 19, 2011 at 2:41 am
Hi,
I just realized I am maybe not a sugar, but a glucose addict and
I need help! I feel hungry all the time and no matter how much
high protein, good food I eat, I am still hungry if I don't eat
something that contains a large amount of sugar (to raise my
blood glucose level). The reason why I know it is not just
eating sugar is that when I smoke (rarely) I notice that
nicotine reduces my insulin levels and therefore increases blood
glucose which eliminates my craving. I don't eat a lot, I am
very fit and sports are my second nature. I haven't found a way
to deal with this... are you saying that your body adapts to
lower levels if you stay away from sugar long enough?
Reply
- Jonni February 19, 2011 at 3:32 am
Dennis, every body is different. If someone is just
overloaded with sugar and other processed foods, but
healthy in every other way, the body will go back into
balance if given a good, healthy sugar-free diet. But
remember that cravings for any kind of food may be a
signal that something isn't working properly - for that
reason, it's always a good idea to discuss these things
with your doctor. It should be possible for your body to
control the blood sugar level without the large amounts of
sugar - assuming that you eat healthy carbohydrates that
your body needs. Your doctor should be able to find out
why that doesn't seem to be happening. For many of us, the
sugar we eat at breakfast causes a blood glucose crash
around time for the first coffee break of the morning, and
the only way to make ourselves feel better is more sugar -
in cases like that, it's the sugar itself that's causing
the problem with blood sugar levels. Is that what's
happening with you? The best way to safely find out is to
talk to your doctor.
Reply
chantal February 19, 2011 at 4:32 pm
Hello everyone,
Lastnight I went to bed feeling as I do most nights that I never
want to give up my uncontrolable sugar addicton because I love
my addiction too much. Today however I woke up feeling defeated
and hopeless. I hate the control sugar has over my life. This
addiction is like a stranglehold. Once I've allowed the grip of
sugars tenticals to wrap around me that's it. I don't control
what I eat, it controls me. Once I've finished devouring a box
of chocolates my mind is preocupied with the next sweet thing
that pops into my mind until I give into that temptation and
then the cycle continues. So actually I have a love-hate
relationship with my addiction.
I'm a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic since the age of 4. I'm
now44 years old. Oops! I gave my age away, but that's o.k. So
you can guess what I'm doing to my body? I really was selfaware
of my addiction from an early age of about 8. My friends would
invite me over to their homes after school and they would offer
me a snack to eat. I'd always request the maple sugar bottle in
the fridge. I'd eat a nice big bowl of it and my freinds would
stare wide eyed in amazement at me then comment how weird I was.
I new I had a problem when after halloween I'd finished my huge
sack of candy in three days because everynight I'd wake up to
eat it. During the nights as long as candy was in the house I
was unable to control my thoughts or behavior until it was done
. I learned at a very young age how to hide my eating issues.
That time it was by sneeking around at night so that I would'nt
be caught. As I aged I became the master of hidding my secret
from people who would try to stop me from my drug of choice.
After all these years of eating like this, it truely is a
miracle that I still have my sight and kidneys and my weight is
very good. I am however suffering from other problems related to
poor diabetic control. I also have depression which I'm learning
sugar is probably a big source of the cause. My hope is that
these medical problems will be reversed as my health improves
with better eating and lifestlye changes.
Feeling upset this morning drew me to my computer in search for
help. I was suprised to discovered this sight. Just knowing that
there are people who have issues like myself and are discussing
and motivating each other for change gave me great
encouragement. This morning I made a decision to pull myself up
by the bootstraps and climbed back on the wagon. I made this
dicision after reading what you all wrote and shared about
yourselves. Your journeys towards better health and your battles
towards freedom from sugar addiction. I'm really proud of all of
you guys. I'll be happy to ride this one out with you to an
empowered and emproved life. May the Lord sweeten all your lives
in new ways. Thanks.
To all you prayer warriors out there, I could use some to keep
me going strong. It's 7:30 pm. I have'nt touched anything yet
today but the nights still young and I'm feeling like I'm going
to crack.
Reply
- Jonni February 19, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Hi Chantal. I hope you'll read Dr. Bernstein's book
Diabetes Solution. In fact, I recommend it to just about
anyone who still isn't convinced that sugar and white
flour can damage one's health. Most popular diabetes books
are for people with Type 2, adult onset diabetes, but this
book includes information about Type 1 diabetes, too. In
fact, the author has had this illness all his life, and
he's controlled it by diet.
The other thing the book includes, and which I have never
seen discussed anywhere else, is a medication that he
prescribes to his sugar-addicted patients who simply can't
give up the sweet stuff on their own. That's the chapter
you might be most interested in - it could even save your
life. If your own doctor is unfamiliar with the
medication, you might lend her the book.
We wish you all the best - keep us posted.
Reply
Rachel November 21, 2011 at 4:56 am
Hi Jonni,
Just stumbled upon this site, and I am aware that
I'm a little late to the party as your post is
almost a year old, but I had to respond to this
because I am a Type 1 diabetic.
Thank you for distinguishing between type 1 and type
2 diabetes, because many people think that diabetes
is all type 2. However you say that Dr. Bernstein
"controlled it by diet." That's impossible. Type 1
diabetes is not 100% controlled by diet. Dr.
Bernstein still has to take insulin to survive. Type
2 can be controlled by diet alone, but not type 1.
Just want to set the record straight!
I've been type 1 for 10 years now and I am still
struggling with sugar. I wish I could try Dr.
Bernstein's diet but it's too restrictive. Only
meat, cheese and veggies? I need more variety than
that!
In any case, I am glad I am not alone in this
struggle. Best to all!
Rachel
Reply
re February 27, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Chantel, how do you feel about lentils....They are so very
simple and quick to make....Get yourself some already made
chicken broth put about 1 cup of lentils boil for about
10-15 minutes....you can add whatever is leftover in your
fridge....and have a healthy lunch in 15 minutes....It is
healthy, filling and makes you feel good about yourself.
RE
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Hi Chantal - You should check out The Livin La Vida Low
Carb Show (online) and all the links that Jimmy Moore
supplies. I am a lot like you, and low carb, high fat, med
protein seems to be the answer for me. Use coconut oil as
much as possible. There is no way that even eating brown
rice, oats etc will stop my hunger and cravings. I have to
eat meat and cheese for breakfast, or eggs and meat. My
other meals have to be similar. This also keeps my blood
sugar in the proper range. But as soon as I eat carbs, up
go my numbers. Just a thought.
Reply
Chantal February 20, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Hello Jonni, and everyone,
Thanks so much Jonnie for replying back to me so soon. I'm
really glad I have you to turn to and I'm thankful for your
suggestions. I'm really interested in the book that you
recommended for me to read. I will be planning to purchase it.
I'll be informing my sister or my friend to buy this book for me
in Canada and will ask them to mail it to me, since I'm no
longer living in North America at the momment. Both my sister
and my friend are very aware of my sugar issues and are willing
to help me in anyway they can with this problem.
I'm a Canadian citizen from Toronto living in Tehran Iran right
now. Unfortunatly, I don't think the endocronolagists here have
or are aware of this medication that you have mentioned to me to
take for curbing my cravings. On my next visit to Toronto,
however I will be shure to inquire about this with my doctors.
I'm amazed I got on this site today. With the currant situation
going on in Iran and The Middle East, it's been hard to use the
internet and use my e-mail. The government has blocked this form
of communication all day today. I'm not shure if it will be as
easy for me to contact you guys on a regular basis these next
coming days or weeks. It will depend on the political situation.
I'll try e-mailing whenever I can. Hopefully I'll get through.
I wanted to share with you all, that I made it through last
night and most of today without sugar. I have a box of European
chocolates in my home that I was dying to eat all day yesterday
but I'm aware that I must get these out of my house soon. Today
I had a coffee with sugar but that's it. At that time I was
starting to have a low bloodsugar. Instead of making a better
desicion to drink juice, I had a coffee. I did'nt let my mistake
upset me. I just kept going on through the day with the mindset
that I won't give up. Actually I ate very healthy foods today
and I'm trying to eat at regular times everyday. I'm feeling
very positive and I'm optomistic that this is a problem behind
me. I'm very greatful for this site to come to and discuss my
daily walk. Now I'm flying high on positivity and when the time
comes that I'm struggling I know there will be a place that I
can come to without judgement. I can also come and read some of
the entries and know it will lift me up.
I've been down the path 3 times in my life where I really fought
to stay sugar clean. Once when I was pregnant for my son who by
the way was born very healthy. The second time was before I
moved to Iran. I did very well, but once I came here I screwed
up. Last year I tried again and for three months I did
excellent. I did'nt eat white refined breads or refined foods or
anything boxed or canned. I ate plenty of veggies and fruit that
I really loved. I love eating international vegetarian dishes
eg. Italian,Greek, Middle Eastern, Chinese, other Asian dishes
plus my North American and European foods too. All low in fat
and GI `s . I Love all different kinds of salads as well. When
you think about it, that's a lot of choices. It's funny, once
I'm on a healthy roll I don't think much about what I can't eat
but I'm aware of all the tasty things I can eat. I crave the
other stuff less and love eating healthty more. Once I'm on a
sugar roll, I eat only my sweet things and tend to eat less and
less healthy food until all I'm eating from morning till night
is crap. I don't feel to even eat fruit anylonger, which I
really love, especially here because it's so organic and sweet.
I find when I eat terribly, I become more afraid to eat real
food too, thinking I'm going to get fat if I eat ontop of all
the junk I just ate. So this is also apart of my problem. I'm
aware of my trigger foods too. Big Juicy Iranian dates is what
made me fall of the wagon last year, until yesterday when I made
my desicion to try again to be sugar free. If I eat just one
date, thats it. I'll end up buying a box of dates a day and I'll
eat the whole box in one day. My brain then starts thinking of
icecream and everything else bad for my health. I know to stay
away from diet pop too. It gives me a taste of that sugar rush
and then I want other things as well. If I drink tea I end up
eating biscuts or pastries so tea is a no no. Coffee is also a
no no because I'll want to eat chocolate , cake or put sugar in
my coffee for a fix. I have lots of triggers which makes it
really hard. I'm on day two of staying sugar clean but I'm
determinded this time to not back down. Here in Iran the culture
is very social and the people eat alot all the time. I'm safer
in my own home once I've gotten better control, but once I
venture out the door to someone elses home it gets more
dangerous. like Italians, people encourage you to eat constantly
here. I have more control in my environment when I get on the
good eating roll and don't keep anything in my fridge or on my
shelves that could be dangerous. There are social gatherings
that I go too at least twice a week, at least! That's alot of
temptation to deal with on a regular basis.
Thanks for listening today. Hope to hear from you soon.
Reply
Trish February 22, 2011 at 1:42 pm
You know, it really helps me a lot to hear other peoples'
stories. I am so inspired by you all! And I recognize your
struggles as so similar to mine...I wish none of us struggled,
but since we do, I'm glad we have a place to share...
I have been able to continue to eat "clean", and for that I am
grateful. Right now, I am frustrated because we had a snowstorm
and it is hard for me to get out and get groceries (I do not
drive), so what I have is not very much fresh stuff. I feel
healthier when I am eating carrots than nuts, for example.
Eating this way takes a lot of planning, that's for sure!
Wishing you all a wonderful day, and thanks for all the support!
Reply
Pam February 22, 2011 at 4:24 pm
I'm at a loss. I never knew there REALLY was such a thing as
Sugar Addiction. It's time I throw the towel in and admit
defeat. I'm a sugar addict. To be honest I've known this but I
never really thought it was a REAL ADDICTION like cigarettes or
other narcotic drugs such as cocaine & HEROIN!?!?! After reading
that it all made sense to me. My sugar addiction goes back to my
childhood - I'm 37yrs now and mother of 3. I feel my life
slipping away because I can't control my sugar intake. I have
really spun out of control with it. Normally through morning &
afternoon I'm fine. It's when evening hits everything changes.
It's like I turn into the Sugar Werewolf or something! I have no
control over myself And on rare days when I seem to hold the
beast back, it surfaces during my soundest of sleep. I wake up
dead of night in almost a sleepwalking form and raid the
cupboards and fridge for anything sweet. It's mainly peanut
butter & strawberry preserves by the spoonful. If there's candy,
forget it. I'm downing whatever I can get and wash it down with
a nice cup of ice cold milk! Then I head up to bed and in a
couple hours I'm back at it again. Not every night is like that.
Most of the time it only happens once but there's been a number
of times that I do this 3 or more. I haven't had a good night's
sleep in about 16yrs because of this! I'm tired. I'm scared. I'm
gaining weight rapidly. I'm 5' 3'' and weigh about 265lbs. I'm
HUGE!!!! I have NO energy. I'm depressed. I'm embarrassed by the
way I look. I just feel TERRIBLE. All my life I've been a yo-yo.
Always had a weight problem since I was about 6yrs old. I know
what foods cause me to gain weight. I know how big a role
drinking lots of water and exercising is. But the one thing
that's so darn obvious I can't stop... SUGAR!!!!! I HATE the
fact that I'm so addicted to it I can't make it through the
night without it. And I HATE the fact of knowing that my
children are missing out on things because I'm too tired to do
anything. I don't know what to do anymore... H E L P M E P L E A
S E! ! ! !
Reply
- Jonni February 22, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Pam, I used to feel exactly the way you do. I managed to
find a way to control the problem in a way that not only
allowed me to eat a healthier diet, but it also allowed me
to feel better about myself. I wrote down my experiences
in a book several years ago, and some people have found it
helpful. For me, the two keys were a simple meditation
technique that allowed me to notice my cravings without
acting on them, and understanding that our cravings are
perfectly natural - it's the food we eat that isn't
natural, but our bodies weren't designed for a world full
of industrially-processed food. Letting go of the guilt
and taking charge of eating choices really does make a
difference.
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Hi Pam - you need to read Jimmy Moore's Livinlavidalowcarb
. It's what saved me. High fat, medium protein....
Reply
- Trishann Couvillion February 22, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I have been addicted to sugar almost my entire life. Growing up
with a single mom, she found it much easier to keep us quiet
with cheap sugary foods so we basically grew up on just that.
Because of it I have always battled being overweight as well. I
am now a healthy weight, but it took me into my 30's to get it
there. And yet I still have sugar issues. I'm an Event
Photographer and LOVE photographing people and as I watch them I
always wonder what vices everyone else may have. I know that
sugar is mine and I really need and want to get to a point where
I don't feel like it obsesses my thoughts! Also, since I attend
to many functions around Seattle I always come across the
dessert tables and just can't say no. I use sugar as a source of
security and comfort. It's frustrating really, but I love it
too! After 35 years, I have no idea how to do this for the long
term. I can give it up for weeks at a time, but that's about it!
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Trishann you probably should carry your own snacks with
you at all times to these events - beef jerkey, hard
boiled eggs, nuts, cheese sticks.....
Reply
Nicola February 23, 2011 at 2:19 am
Hi everyone
Iam onto day 2 of no sugar, and i feel dreadful!!! The cravings
are there, but i seem to have this incredible anger, i feel like
a caged tiger that wants to rip someone to shreds. The smallest
thing (someone borrowed my pen and didnt return it) sets me off
like its world war 3!!
i literally am sitting at my desk clenching and unclenching my
fists and wanting to cry for no reason. Has anyone else
experienced this at all? im worried that there is something else
other than just sugar addiction.
thanks guys, you are all huge inspirations!!
Reply
- Jonni February 23, 2011 at 3:44 pm
It's interesting that Chantal mentioned her crabby moods
today, too. I think this is particularly interesting
because we only notice how sugar affects our moods when we
give it up for a day or two. How often do we even notice
milder mood swings during the day when we're still eating
those donuts and afternoon chocolate? I always used to
rationalize any negative emotion or my feelings of
irritation as being caused by something on the outside -
like that person who didn't bring the pen back. Now I look
first to see if there's anything going on inside - a
change in diet, too much stress, a change in schedule that
has me at odds with the world. I never even considered
anything like that when I still ate sugar regularly. It
just didn't occur to me, because there wasn't anything
obvious, like a deliberate switch to a no-sugar diet, that
would make me think about it.
One of the first books I read that got me thinking a bit
more about this issue was Sugar Blues by William Duffy,
written back in 1975. Unfortunately, I didn't really take
it to heart until I needed to lose weight, too. I can't
help but wonder how much easier my life might have been if
I'd paid a bit more attention to his book a whole lot
sooner.
Reply
MARIE February 23, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I am not an expert but I would like to make some suggestions
that I have gleaned over the years. I am a sugar addict and have
been for decades. Perhaps, it started when on Sundays our mother
purchased 3 1/2 dozen doughnuts for us to consume. We were each
allowed 5....FIVE DOUGHNUTS A PIECE....Maybe, our reward for
going to 6 AM mass!. Presently, every one of my siblings have
issues with sugar. I have some health issues which I believe are
related to sugar consumption but I am not overweight. But I am
over-carbed and over-sugared. I believe that the reasons that I
am able to keep the sugar from causing obesity in me include
several things....
I agree that it is best to go "cold turkey" but I am not sure
that that is realistic. i follow some simple rules....such as:
writing down , not everything I eat but just the sugar stuff.
Sometimes, i tell myself that I will only have my treats on the
weekends and if I find something I want during the week, I put
it in the freezer to save for the weekend. Tony Robbins says
that it is our Reptilian brain that says "hey you better hurry
up and eat this because someone else might get it first" He
believes that if you know that it is there for you whenever you
want it, you can avoid the binge. Of course, everyone knows that
you should not eat after 6 ...I am not a night eater but a mid
day binger. Another suggestion, is to choose what snack you must
have and just eat that whenever you cave( it's better than
eating everything.) i think that you must be kind to yourself
and patient. The more you beat yourself up , the more you will
eat to make yourself feel better. I think it is very important
to set up some rules for yourself such as those above. Rules
that you can live with....I continue to work on my sugar
issues....i have started to have whole wheat toast with honey in
the morning instead of a doughnut, I avoid the stores (and there
are many) which trigger me to buy my drug of choice. I make up
my oatmeal the night before so it is ready and waiting and when
the scale hits that "oh, my God number" I take notice. I am
fortunate that I like to exercise so I will be vigilant in doing
that. I have not cracked the case but I see improvement...i hope
that this is not considered heresy ....but cold turkey is just
too cold...marie
Reply
Chantal February 23, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Hi jonnie,
It's day 5 for me now. I'm feeling o.k. but the last two days I
was feeling so crabby. I woke up this morning in the same
miserable mood but now I'm fine.
I was at a large social gathering the other day. Tea was served
with pasteries, chocolates and later on a fuit flan. I actually
served the pasteries and the choclates around, but was'nt
tempted to my amazing suprise. I think it was more because I
did'nt like the particular treats. Fruit flan is'nt that
desirable to me either, however when I was sitting right in
front of it after it was sliced I wanted it. I had to move from
were I was sitting. Shortly afterwards I started getting bitchy.
I was like that for 2 days.
I was so proud of myself that I told my husband That I'm going
to treat myself to some flowers. " Not once but 3 times goodies
passed me by, and I refused them all". I told my husband . "So
I'm going to treat myself to some flowers." I said. He just
laughed. I told him about this site and explained that someone
recommended treating ourselves to other things instead of always
relying on sweets as a way of pampering ourselves. I love the
idea.
I'm trying to eat three meals a day plus 2 snacks on regular
sceduled times, but it's a bit challenging. I'm up to breakfast
and a semi evening meal. This is so tough for me. I'm afraid to
eat. When I was in Canada I actually did it. It took forever for
me to do it. The results were amazing. I never was hungry. Even
I could hardly finish my meals. The snacking fills you up so
much. So I'm on this path again. I've got good news. I've given
up my triggers of tea and coffee. I'm now drinking hot water
with fress lemon juice. It's not the same as my coffee at night
or after any meal but it's better for me. Drinking water has
always been a challenge so drinking it this way helps too. I
love lemons.
Tonight I have guests over at my home. I did'nt buy any sweet
things to serve my guests. In the past when I was trying to go
sugar free. I always felt guilty that I did'nt have something in
the house to serve my guests and I'd buy something. Later when I
was alone, I'd eat whatever was left over in a night or two.
Tonight I'm thinking about myself. If my guests bring something
over my husband said he'll bring it into work tomorrow. I prefer
the guests take it home immediatly. That's a whole evening that
sweets will be sitting in my kitchen. I think I need to talk to
my husband about this again when he comes home. I know I'm being
extreem, but I know myself.
Calling all prayer warriors out there keep praying for me.
Thanks all, bye for now.
Reply
Patricia February 23, 2011 at 3:47 pm
good for you, Chantel. just good for you. did you get
yourself some amazing flowers? I hope so.
I am sugar free today (and yesterday). had a few bites
over the weekend-no binge or anything which is improvement
and am back on the path again.
hugs to you all.
Reply
Trish February 23, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Wow everyone! Lots of people here today! I like that!
I can totally relate to the anger and frustration-especially in
the beginning. I have a friend who suggests hitting a pillow and
screaming! I haven't tried that. It feels so violent!
When I have cravings, I often change my environment (like go to
another room); if I'm really thinking and motivated, then I make
myself go outside. Maybe light a candle, put on some soothing
music, etc. Someone even said to dance! Hey, if it works for
you, great!
I learned a breathing exercise that always helps me (if I can
remember to do it!): Breathe in for 4(or however many seconds
works for you) seconds, then hold your breath for 4 seconds,
then breathe out for 4 seconds, then hold your breath for 4
seconds. It's called "4-square breathing". I usually imagine a
square and myself moving around the edges as I do it, if that
makes sense.
I've heard that engaging as many of your senses as possible is
also helpful.
My hardest challenge is wanting the textures in my mouth that I
can't get with other foods (like ice cream and bagels). And
getting too hungry and wanting the "quick fix" of sugar. So I
always try to have some kind of nuts around to pop into my
mouth, which really helps me.
Also, not having any "offending foods" in my house helps. And
avoiding going places where temptations abound.
I can get so frustrated and then I come here and know there are
more people like me who "get it". That is invaluable to me:)
So, thank you all for reminding me I am not alone!
Reply
BeeBee February 23, 2011 at 9:14 pm
It's really interesting to read all your comments. I feel really
terrible at the moment. I've been crazy about sugar my whole
life (I'm 36 now), and even though I've tried a zillion times, I
seem never to be able to kick this habit. The thing is that
other wise I'm really healthy, I love to exercice and I love
healthy food, but the minute I indulge and start "doing sugar" I
just can't stop.And I eat sugar every day. I'm so tired of this
now. For the time being I have this injury and can't work out,
so my cravings are worse than ever. I just finished my kids
sweets and the left overs from yesterday's birthday party
(chocolate cake), and I just want more and more. I tolerate a
lot of sugar, I never get sick from it, I won't even throw up if
I eat a lot, I really wish I did, maybe like that I could stop!
I want to end this sugar over-eating now! My mood swings are
terrible, and I know they are related to my sugar intake.
Anybody interested in communication and maybe some coaching on
this? Good luck to all:)!
Reply
Angie April 5, 2011 at 2:24 am
I have been reading all of these posts and can relate to
so many of them. I am also 36 and feel just like you do. I
love exercise and eating healthy but cannot tolerate sugar
especially cake and cookies. People think I'm gross
because I would rather eat the icing than the cake! I have
tried moderation, always fooling myself, feeling sorry for
myself because I can't have sugar but it doesn't work. I
always binge-if not the first day than the second after my
moderation experiment. It's a drug for me and no different
than cigarettes. I also never get sick from eating too
much sugar. Anyway, email if you would like some support.
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Hi Bee Bee - if you could try a low carb way of eating,
especially high fat, you wouldn't feel so hungry for food
or sweets. I had to do just that (found Jimmy Moore's site
) and now I can get through my days with no sugar - still
takes some doing though - I am nearly a diabetic so
figured this out to control my blood sugars. The nice
thing about eating this way is, you don't have to go
hungry - as long as you don't eat carbs, you can eat meat,
eggs, cheese, nuts, jerkey, vegetables , limited or no
fruit any time you like. Wish you would give it a try.
There are lots of links to this way of eating online.
Reply
Chantal February 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Hi Patricia,
Awww, thanks so much for your awsome encouragement to me. It
meant alot. I really needed it. Unfortunatly I did'nt buy my
flowers yet, boo hoo, because I've just been sooooo busy, but
yes for shure I'm going to get them. There is a specific place I
want to go to buy them, and I've made plans with someone to go
there next week. I'm excited to go.
I'm very proud of you too. The first few days are rough and your
hanging in there. You deserve a bouquet of your favourite
flowers too, don't you think? I'm celebrating your success today
with you. Keep in touch, Hugs Chantal.
Hi Marie,
I'm really exited to hear your making a change for the good, and
we are walking together down this path. I read your entry and
hope your plans are working for you. I personally can't do this,
absolutly not. It's all or nothing for me. I know myself too
well. I've tried what you suggested a million times before, but
I always end up binging eventually. I end up going around and
around in circles until I feel defeated, fed up and just quit
all together. Sometimes for years! I kept telling myself I can
do this, for example trying moderation or the other things you
suggested. I know now, if I get into that mindset I know I'm
lying to myself. If I ignore the mind games I play then the
eating eventually becomes a battle again. For me if I do this,
I'm sitting on the fence and trying to live on both sides. It
never works for me because I'm never completly committed to
quitting. Lots of anger came from me wrestling with the idea of
letting go cold turkey. When I wanted to quit, I kept saying to
myself, oh let me just eat some chocolate caramel bars first,
and then. It kept being and then. For me to go cold turkey is
the only way and it's tough. I notice on days that I'm mentally
committed, 100% I'm at peace through the day and I'm glad about
my decision. When I'm struggling with the choice to be sugar
free, It's because I want my addiction. On these days I'm
restless, pissed off, and depressed. I love my peaceful days and
the excitment I see in myself to continue on.
I'd like to hear from you to see how your method is working out
for you. I'm really curious. I'd like to know if these
suggestions you've made work for some sugar addicts and not
others. All the best.
Hi Bee Bee,
I can totally relate to what you described. When I'm eating
sugary things I'm really not human. The amout of sweet stuff
that I can wolf down would make a normal person throw up all
night, and they would'nt be able to touch sugary things again
for a very long time. I also love my healthy food. I really,
really love it. There is nothing like eating a fuffilling, tasty
meal guilt free. I always feel proud of myself for making the
right choice afterwards. Don't you? Unfortunatly, I eat so badly
if I start on the cycle of sugar. As I've mentioned before I
start eating more and more sugar, replacing healthy food with
junk. I end up eating nothing at all. This is usually at my
worst times. I get it when you say this is destroying yor life.
It's been destroying my life for years and destroying the people
around me too. Especially my husband and son.
You metioned that you started thinking about the textures of
icecream in your mouth and other creamy sweets. This for shure
will send you into a binge. You absolutely must get your mind
focused on good thoughts and onto other things. Even if you have
to do this 100 times a day at first. It eventually will go away.
If I think of the smell of chocolate, I've got to have it. If
your focusing on creamy textures and other sensations, Your
doomed! This is how advertising and commercials work. They play
on your senses. I even have to change the channe on t. v. l when
chocolate ads pop up. When something sweet comes on t.v. for
example like a dessert being made on a cooking program, I have
to change the channel.
You mentioned also that you would like to communicate. I'm up
for that too.
Keep in touch. All the best.
Hello everyone,
It's day 8 for me now.
I had my gathering the other night. I was so happy nobody
brought over desserts. Later on that evening someone mentioned
eating chocolates with the red that I served. My husband went
and got my favourite chocolates. No I did'nt get rid of the
chocolates like I said I needed to. My husband decided they were
to expensive to get rid of so he hid them instead. It was hard,
very hard for me not to indulge, but I did'nt. ( Hey, my bouquet
of flowers are getting larger.) That night they sat out on the
table, all night. In the morning I asked My husband to hide the
box before I attacked it. Then I left the house.
It really amazes me to see people have such control and eat only
one chocolate or even a half! In my mind that's too strange. If
I allowed myself, that night, to eat chocolate in front of my
guests. It shure would'nt have been half a chocolate! and the
remainder of the night would have been on planning to sneek a
lot more without looking too greedy. The rest of the night would
have been after everybody left and I was completly alone. I
would have eaten the remaining chocolates. All of them.
Thankfully, that's not what happened. That night was'nt the
typical sinario of my everyday life. I made the right move and
the picture changed.
I'm aware there is choclate still in my home. I could tear this
place apart looking for it or yet, I could go out and buy
another full box, but I don't want too. TODAY and I mean today,
I don't want to. For the first time in my life I've choosen
change for the right reasons. Before it was for someone else eg.
doctors, my son or my husband. Even I did it at times to loose
weight, but it never lasted. It was better than not doing
anything at all mind you, at that time. This time I want to do
it because I don't want to be controlled anymore by bombarding
sugary thoughts and behaviours because of my thoughts.. I want
peace. I want to be healthy and experience that, and be around
to live. This is what I want now after 40 years in bondage.
Bye for now.
Reply
Trish February 26, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Good morning, everyone!
I just got back from one of my favorite places: the health food
store. It is also a very difficult place for me. I love the
variety of fresh/organic produce and other things I can't get at
the regular grocery store, but I used to spend most of my money
there on baked goods and frozen desserts, telling myself that
because they were "natural" they were healthy. It is so hard to
be in the same store with all that yummy stuff! I want to feel
the same way about th produce. Yes, I love it...I try to revel
in the bright colors. But I don't love it like I love
frozen/baked goods.
I try to remind myself that I just need to abstain from those
foods today. Tomorrow and the rest of my life don't matter. Just
today.
BTW, do any of you have addiction in your families? Not only
food addictions, but alcoholism and such? Both my parents are
alcoholics (in recovery now), and I believe at least part of my
food addiction has to do with an addictive tendency that I
either inherited or learned. What do you think?
I got a book at the library that is so helpful to me right now.
It is called "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler. I've only
read the first 5 chapters or so, but am getting a lot of info
already on what makes us addicted to sugars, fats, and salt. The
chapter topics sound interesting, and it is an easy read. You
may want to check it out!
We are expecting snow today, so I'm going to make a big pot of
soup. Maybe the smell of the soup permeating the house will help
a bit.
Hope you all have a good day!
Reply
- Jonni February 26, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Thanks for mentioning that book, Trish. I checked the
book's page on Amazon, and the video on that page really
makes sense - I'll see if the book is available at my
local library. It looks like a good resource.
Reply
Chantal February 27, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Hi everyone,
I made a mistake yesterday. I posted that it was day 8 for me.
Today is day 8 for me. It's been a week now but I'm not feeling
any physical changes yet except for my dizzyness has
disappeared. Mentally I feel better. My mind is more clear and
at peace. I'm not struggling with sugar thoughts like before. I
am having problems when I go shopping. I attempt to stay away
from things that tempt me, but sometimes it's unavoidable. I'm
struggling with this and still with visiting people. Some people
don't understand my situation and think if I just eat in
moderation and take one, I'll be fine. I'm tired of repeating
myself to people. Especially to people who don't want to listen
or respect my disicion. I'm also really upset when people bring
deserts to my home especially when they know I'm a diabetic who
loves sweets. Don't they get it? Any suggestions? I need a bit
of help here.
I'm still trying to eat 3 meals a day plus snacks but I'm moving
very slowly in this department. Last night my Husband commented
on it and said I have to eat. I ate an orange and a small banana
for breakfast today. That's alot for me since I don't like
eating breakfast. I wasn't hungry at lunch today either but I
forced myself to eat. Usually I don't like eating lunch. I ate a
small amount of basmati rice with a small chicken leg that I
cooked with red peppers, onions garlic and corn nibblets. I also
drank a glass of water with my lunch which I don't usually do.
It was hard to eat but once I did I loved muy lunch. I'm worried
about eating a snack. I know today I can't do that. Dinner, I'm
not shure about either. I'll try to eat a salad or something. I
know I have to eat. I bought these humungous pomegrants today
from a street vender selling a mountain full of them in a huge
wheelbarrel. Beautiful pomegrants such richly coloured seeds.
They taste amazing. This is my dessert later on. I can't wait to
eat them tonight for my evening snack. I had to fight today to
eat. I think getting around to 3 meals a day will take me some
time, though I'm up for the challenge.
bye for today, Hope all the best to you all.
Reply
- Jonni February 27, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Hi Chantal. It's interesting that you bring up the problem
of people bringing sweets to your house, even though they
know you have a medical problem that makes sugar dangerous
to you. This is something that happens to almost everyone
who wants to give up sugar. Unfortunately, the people
bringing or offering the sweets really are trying to be
nice. They mean well - but they aren't very well informed.
I think that there are occasions when more explanations
don't really help much. We might need to practice a
one-sentence rule, perhaps to the effect that the doctor
has ordered you to keep all sugar out of the house. When
someone shows up at the door with a pie or cookies, that
would be the time to bring out the rule and gently
request, for the sake of your continued health, that they
take the items home for their own family. We don't usually
feel guilty asking someone to not smoke in our house, but
asking them to not bring something they offer out of love
is a totally different feeling. Therefore, the "blame"
must be laid on the doctor, who won't allow you to act as
graciously as you would like. Even if your doctor hasn't
told you to give it up, she should have - so go ahead and
use the "my doctor said" statement if it seems to help.
I also suggest to everyone that you don't explain your
no-sugar rule by saying that you have a "problem" with
sugar addiction. The problem is with the sugar, not with
you. Once you say that you personally have a weakness,
people will bend over backwards to prove to you that you
really can handle just one cookie, or just one piece of
pie. It's human nature.
If your guests just can't get off the subject and keep
trying to talk you out of eating healthier, you might grab
a copy of Weston A. Price's book Nutrition and Physical
Degeneration and leave it out on the coffee table. Then,
any time someone starts talking about how "silly" it is to
give up sugar you could show them the pictures in the book
and discuss some particularly disturbing fact that Price
discovered about the effects of sugar on health (about 80
years ago!). As soon as they try to change the subject,
"reward" them by putting down the book and talking about
something that they find more appealing. I think they'll
get the point soon enough, as long as you don't get
preachy and drive them away completely. :)
Reply
- alyssa February 28, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Hey! i am alyssa i am 23 years old i have been a sugar adict
sence i went to college i have just been craving sugar ever
sence i began college well wish me luck with my sugar addictions
and i will see how it goes :)
Reply
Patricia March 1, 2011 at 2:34 am
Hi everybody, I haven't been posting for a couple of days
because i have been headfirst into eating candy and cake, and I
am not sure how it started. But it did, I guess, Friday night at
the movies w 2 boxes of pretzel M&M's and one peanut. Acting
out. Anyway that started it and then I didn't know what to eat
and freaked out about being/getting fat and I don't remember
Saturday, oh yeah, grocery shopping, schlepping stuff upstairs,
chopping veggies-and feeling wayyyy overworked about food--and
Sunday, Cheesecake Factory and choc cake and ice cream and sick
sick sick-and more bad stuff today--still no idea what I am
supposed to be eating, freaked out about fat and know I need to
post today. Well, here I am.
Reply
- Jonni March 1, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Hi Patricia. Not to worry - a relapse is perfectly normal.
Since you're stressed out, you may be self-medicating on
sugar to reduce the stress (which only works temporarily,
as you obviously know.) So now it's time to take a deep
breath, relax, and remind yourself that you're going to be
just fine.
If you haven't found a good book on nutrition yet, I
recommend Eat to Live by Joel Furhman for vegetarians or
people who want to cut way back on animal products, and
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon if you prefer to
include eat meat and dairy in your diet. Both books are
excellent resources and interesting reads - although Dr.
Fuhrman's book is perhaps more academic, while Ms.
Fallon's book is more of a cookbook (and includes a few
political rants against the food industry). Trish also
recently recommended The End of Overeating, which I
haven't read yet, but it looks very inspiring. I
particularly like the fact that he doesn't beat people up
for eating sugar - it's the sugar that's the problem, not
you. If you need to feel better about yourself (and I
think that would be good for just about any of us), Dr.
Kessler's book would be a good choice. Your local library
might have one of these books. Choose the one that looks
like it would be most instructive and inspiring, curl up
in your favorite chair with a cup of tea and let go of the
stress while absorbing some good thoughts about food.
Reply
Patricia March 2, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Jonni! That Kessler book is fantastic. I see a big part of my
whole issue is not the whole issue. I downloaded it to my iPad
and skimmed it last night and went WOW in my head and am going
to read every word today. Making out my food plan for the
day-but am amazed at the info he gives and the slant on things.
I am soooooo excited!! Thank you so much for the recommendation.
Ah, it's a new day.
Reply
Chantal March 4, 2011 at 10:12 am
Hi Patricia,
I'm glad to hear that you dusted off your knees and got right
back up after falling down. I think slipping up is not the
problem. Getting down on yourself so badly and quitting is the
problem. I'm glad you did'nt quit. I'm really proud of you!
Getting back up is the difficult part but you did it so quickly
and with such grace. keep it going.
Today is two weeks for me. My husband said to me " Why are you
counting the days. It's your lifestyle now you don't have to
count the days anymore. " I never thought of it like that. I
found what he said to me something to ponder about.
Jonnie, thanks for your suggestions. I know people mean well
when they bring things over but sometimes some people don't care
either. These are the people I have a problem with. Thanks for
your imput. It's the Dr.s orders.
Take care all.
Reply
alie March 8, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Hi Jonni, What do you think of stevia? I started using it as a
substitute for sugar in my coffee in the mornings and I'm not
sure if it even is a healthier way of going about it.
Reply
- Jonni March 9, 2011 at 2:22 am
Alie, I'm not a chemist or biologist, so I can't comment
on the safety of stevia. Some countries ban it, but I'm
not sure why. This article on Wikipedia might help us
figure it out.
Reply
Lara May 20, 2011 at 1:12 am
WOW! Jonni, I have read a lot of books on preventing
cancer etc and they all recommend using stevia as it
is a natural sweetener and doesn't affect the blood
glucose (agave nectar is also low on the glycemic
index). I can GUARANTEE the reason it was banned in
the USA is because of the big business of the sugar
industry. They blocked it's approval to be used as a
sweetener because it would be cutting into their
profits....then that keeps us from getting sick and
cancer and then that keeps the drs from being
needed....ok, ok, ok, I'll get off my soap box! LOL
I'm so amazed at that statement in the wikipedia
article! WOW
Reply
Trish March 11, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Hello all
I haven't written for awhile because I experienced identity
fraud a few weeks ago and am just now starting to get my
computer up and running.
This has been a very stressful time for me. I have found it VERY
difficult to follow my clean eating plan, but have made it
through so far! I have been doing this since 1-20-11. I don't
really count days, but I must say I'm proud of myself!
I have found when my cravings are the worst it helps to change
environments (going outside especially helps), and to notice old
patterns (any uncomfortable situation used to lead to
overeating).
I am glad to be back again, and send all of you support:-)
Reply
Linda March 14, 2011 at 12:28 am
Wow! What a wonderful site! I was searching on "How to kick my
sugar addition' and here you are.
All of the posts above are very helpful and insightful. I am a
60 year old diabetic who craves sugar. Even when I try to set my
mind against it, I can't. It is not helpful that the snack table
is at the end of my row of cubicles at work. I must walk past it
to go ANYWHERE! I find myself taking just one bite of whatever
as I pass. The problem is that I pass several times a day
(printer, bathroom, meetings, lunch, water fountain etc). Rarely
is there a day when someone doesn't bring in something.
Jonnie, I've written down the books you have recommended. Maybe
this site is just what I need.
Reply
Engel March 15, 2011 at 9:56 am
I have read somewhere on the net about one girl who also battled
the sugar addiction and here's what she wrote:
"I thought my body was rebelling against me with sugar cravings.
But what if my body was doing its best to keep me in health?
What if my body was right in wanting some nutrients but my mind
was misinterpreting the signals?
I thought about this possibility. At first, it felt like a crazy
proposition. What's right about craving ice cream and
cheesecakes? They are loaded with sugar and . . . fat.
Huh? Is it possible that my body was craving fat rather than
sugar, but I kept feeding it with these sweets? I thought about
this. I knew that, even though cookies and pastries can trigger
my cravings, what I really craved for were these highly fatty
foods."
This was so true for me. I have been eating high fatty foods for
the last few days and no sugar cravings...at all!
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Hi Engel - I'm like you in that I need to eat lots of fat
in order to stay off sugar and junk food. So I eat very
low carb, high fat, med protein. It works
Reply
Quita March 18, 2011 at 12:53 am
I have really enjoyed reading all of you guys comments. I have
been staying away from my worst enemy for the past week. I love
cake,pies, cookies and fruity candy!! I have noticed that the
past few days I have become very jittery and nervous, are these
signs of withdrawl? I have not cut flour out my diet, and I must
admit I have had a diet coke here and there. Should I be letting
go of the flour and artificial sweetners also? I want this to be
realistic, im not sure if I can go sugar-free for the rest of my
life, but I want to make some changes! Please someone give me
some feedback, I am going crazy!!!!!
Reply
- Jonni March 18, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Yes, the jitters are normal when coming off sugar. As for
all the other things you might also give up, it's totally
up to you.
Reply
ernie March 19, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Hello,
I have been eating large amounts of sugar for quite a while. I
have been eating a whole package of Hershey's chunks of
chocolates followed by 10 ice cream cone every night. And
sometimes 1 to 3 sugar frosted doughnuts also on these days. I
just fisished my second week after stopping cold turkey. I still
have the jitters and chills. I have 4 mental illnesses and my
medications are only working ― as well as they did before. I get
pains in all my bones. Will this massive amount that I was
taking make my symptoms last longer? My doctor said that if I am
not better by April 1st she will have t do something about it.
Reply
- Jonni March 19, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Ernie, there really are no "typical" symptoms, since we
all react so differently when we give up sugar. However,
it's good that your doctor is monitoring your progress. If
you stay jittery for too much longer, you might want to
ask for a blood test to make sure your glucose levels are
within a normal range. We do sometimes self-medicate with
sugar when some other system in the body is out of
balance, and a blood test will help your doctor find out
if everything is still OK.
Reply
Sandy March 20, 2011 at 2:06 am
Hello everyone! I just found your site as I was looking to see
if sugar was addictive. I have cut out sugar for the past 5 days
and it wasn't too bad at first but today was an eyeopener for
me. I began adding extra milk to my coffee to make it a little
more palatable and it was okay. Then by bedtime I wanted
something but didn't know what really and felt restless so I had
a few crackers with peanut butter night before last and again
last night had a few crackers with cream cheese and rasberry
jam. All day today I was fine until dinner time and my coffee
just wasn't getting it and I had a partial container of Coffee
House Hazelnut creamer left and decided just a little bit might
make it taste better and when I began drinking it the strangest
feeling came over me. It startled me and I decided to see if
sugar was addictive and find it is. That explains a lot about
how I have been feeling and reading your blogs. I know good
nutrition will help with the withdrawal from my best friend who
began this ahead of me. She takes one of the nutrient packs from
Dr.Wallach. I am going to try the Healthy Blood Sugar starter
pack next week and will come back and let you know how its
working. I eat fairly healthy but am focused on getting rid of
the junk in my diet because I know I will feel better. I have
fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome that comes with it and
I fight the fatigue all the time and started asking for advice
from my friend and thats what she gave me so will let you
know...hang in there all of you, we can beat this!
Reply
Trish March 20, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Hi all! I haven't written in awhile. I hope everyone is hanging
in there...I am sugar/simple carb free since 1/20/11. Every day
seems to have it's own challenges, and I've had more than my
share lately. And what does stress/sadness/anxiety etc make me
want? Precisely what I've chosen not to eat! Some days I can't
stand it, and today is one of those days! I am SO GLAD I don't
have anything in my house to binge on!
I have a question for you guys. I seem to be craving salt a
lot-namely, salted nuts. I'm trying to be aware of when I eat
them and how many. It kinda scares me that I have the nuts here
and reach for them a lot. I'm wondering if I should eliminate
them, too. Has anyone else experienced this salt craving? I am
not usually a salt person-I am much more a sweet person.
Although when I binged on lots of sweets, I would want something
salty sometimes to cut the sweet.
The other thing I have found myself doing is drinking more
coffee when I want something sweet. Doesn't matter if it's decaf
or regular. I have always been a black coffee person, so it's
not that I want the sweetness, but maybe to distract me from
eating something sweet?
I am so tired of all of this and think seriously several times a
day that I can't do this anymore. I don't have many friends and
the ones I do have think I'm doing something that is not
"natural" and that sugar addiction is all in my head, or the
latest fad.
Is anyone out there? Can anyone relate?
Reply
Patricia March 21, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Hi Trish,
The coffee helps I think so I wouldn't worry about that.
The nuts-here's my guess with that-the nuts are sort of
sweet, and they are taking the place of sugar. I would
watch how much you eat of them, but again, your big
challenge is to cut the sugar-and nuts are not sugar, so
eat some of them. I go for nuts for the sweetness frankly
and that they totally cut my appetite and are satisfying.
So is decaf in the afternoon. That's my 2 cents worth.
Just cut the sugar like you are doing. You are doing
great.
Reply
- Jonni March 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Trish, your friends may need to reject your ideas about
diet simply because they feel threatened or judged - even
though you aren't trying to convert them to your way of
thinking. If they did agree that a sugar-free diet is
healthier, they would need to look at their own diets and
think about making changes that they aren't ready for. I
don't know the answer to this, other than to avoid
discussing it with people who aren't supportive. Try to
talk about something else that they find less threatening.
Also, try to focus on something more positive than simply
giving up sugar - like cooking fabulous meals, for
instance. Take a trip to the library and pick up some
cookbooks that have tantalizing pictures (no desert
cookbooks, of course) and plan your day around the
shopping, cooking and eating of those meals. We need to
have something to move towards, and not just things that
we're running away from. Italian, Middle Eastern and Asian
cookbooks will have lots of ideas for healthy, exciting
meals.
I wonder if you're drinking more coffee to make up for the
loss of your regular sugar highs. It will be interesting
to see if anyone else has encountered this, or the salt
cravings.
Reply
linda March 21, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Trish, the cravings for nuts may be as much for fat as for salt.
When we give up sugar, we are also avoiding a lot of the high
fat foods we once ate. So your body may be craving the fat in
the nuts.
Reply
linda March 21, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Trish - You are probably craving the fat in the nuts. When we
give up sugar, we also avoid much of the fat we preveiously ate.
Nuts are high in fat- albeit good fat - it is still fat. Eat and
enjoy them in moderation.
Decaf Black coffee never hurt anyone.
Reply
Trish March 22, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Hi all
Thanks so much for the ideas and support. I am going through a
hard time right now, and am very overwhelmed. As with any other
addicition, I will take this all one day at a time-or one hour,
or one minute! lol
And I will be more mindful of my food choices and my feelings
before I make them.
BTW, I have been experimenting with different foods and
combinations. My favorite cuisine these days is Indian! Yum!
Take care everyone!
Reply
Beaulah March 24, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Hi all,
What a wonderful forum. I decided to stop sugar AGAIN on
saturday gone after having ice cream and chocalte cake for
breakfast !!!
I have done it in the past and always feel so much better and
then start eating it again. I find it very hard if im at
someones house and they have any kind of homemade cake etc. Im
determined to stick with it this time though.
Reply
Kelly Blakey March 29, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Hi, I need help for my 11 year old daughter. She is 100%
addicted to sugar and the pain this addiction causes her is
difficult to watch. This started as young as 1.5 years old, the
other kids were playing on the play ground and her mission was
to dig in the sand for candy! I have taken her to many doctors
to find out if she had a deficiency, asked her psychiatrist if
this is related to her ADHD, and no one has an answer for her.
If anyone has any ideas how I can help her and of course being
on Aderall leads to a decreased appetite. Sometimes sweets is
the only way to get her to eat any calories even though I have
tried every positive and consequence method I know of.
Reply
- Jonni March 29, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Kelly, it does sound like you could use some help, and
fast. For what it's worth, I suggest that you grab a copy
of Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. He's a diabetic
himself, and works with diabetic patients, so he takes the
sugar issue very seriously. He also offers some
suggestions for adults who find it almost impossible to
give up sugar, even though they know the stuff is killing
them. Since your daughter is not an adult, you might want
to read the book and then try to find a way to contact him
for advice. He does recommend a medication that takes away
cravings, even for full-blown sugar addicts, but I don't
know if it would be safe for someone your child's age.
It looks like you're already considering the possibility
that she could be self-medicating, in response to an
underlying medical condition that has not yet been
diagnosed. Even though no medical problem has yet been
found, that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't there.
Finding the doctor who knows where to look will continue
to be a challenge.
Another expert on the metabolism of sugar is Robert H.
Lustig, M.D., of the Department of Pediatrics and Weight
Assessment at University of California, San Francisco. You
can find a video of one of his lectures here. The lecture
is about the connection between fructose and obesity,
which may not be of concern to you, but since he has much
knowledge about sugar and metabolism, he might at least be
able to point you in the right direction. If you go to
that page and click on his name in the right-hand column,
you can find his contact information.
Good luck - I hope you find the help you need soon.
Reply
Kate March 29, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Hi, I decided on Sunday to stop eating sugar and flour. I have
always been thin, so weight wasn't necessarily an issue,
however, I can tell as I'm getting older that I am no longer
able to eat whatever I want without it effecting the way I look
and feel. I didn't think it would be too hard to give them up,
but today (Tuesday) I was at the grocery store, and when I
walked past the bakery I wanted to cry. I suddenly feel like a
drug addict who wants to have "just one more hit" before I start
eating healthy. My family is great, but I have almost no support
from friends. Can someone please give me a general time frame
for the withdrawl period? I know removing sugar from your diet
is supposed to stabilize your mood, but right now all I feel is
angry and sad.
Reply
- Jonni March 29, 2011 at 8:06 pm
The mood swings are perfectly normal at this stage, so you
can confident that they will soon go away. In fact, within
a few weeks you'll feel better than ever. Right now,
however, you deserve to pamper yourself. Take nice long,
warm baths, curl up with a good book if you can, and
remove all stress from your life that you possibly can.
And don't make any life-altering decisions right now.
You'll feel much better soon.
The only way I know of to get support from friends when
giving up sugar (and alcohol, too, for that matter) is to
frame your explanation in a way that makes sense to them
without making them feel defensive. And the best way to do
that is to simply say that your "doctor" ordered you to
give up sugar. That might be a little fib, but you are
your own best doctor, right? Mention the word "diabetes"
casually, in passing. Then try not to talk about your new
diet at all unless someone else brings it up. Perhaps that
will help your friends will be a bit more supportive.
Reply
Kate March 29, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Thanks Jonni! It's a huge relief to know these mood
swings are normal, especially after reading so much
about how cutting sugar is supposed to stabilize
you. My MIL was just diagnosed with diabetes and
watching her deal with that has definitely put the
disease on my radar in a way it never has been
before. Thanks for your advice and encouragement!
Reply
Kate March 29, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Kelly- I was researching this very thing for myself (I was
diagnosed with ADD 2 years ago-suddenly, much of my childhood
makes a lot more sense!lol) I ran across this article
adders/info74.htm
this is probably stuff you've read before, I just wanted you to
know you're not alone!
Best of Luck!
Reply
- Jonni March 30, 2011 at 12:16 am
I just added a video to this post. It's a lecture by Robert H.
Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of
Endocrinology, and Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen
and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF. It's called Sugar: The
Bitter Truth.
If you haven't seen it, I strongly urge you to set aside some
time and watch it all the way through. You'll find it here, or
just scroll up almost to the top of this page.
Just a few of the things Dr. Lustig explains:
Why sugar is the primary cause of obesity in both children and
adults, and where we get most of the sugar in our diets.
The connection between sugar and high blood pressure, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, liver disease, insulin resistance, and
more.
Why many babies as young as 6 months old are now obese.
And why some calories make us fat, while other calories don't -
which also means that everything we've been told about dieting
and losing weight is wrong.
After watching it, come back to our comments section and let us
know what you think.
Reply
linda March 30, 2011 at 3:48 am
Just finished the video. 1.5 hrs long, but well worth the watch.
the only issue was that it did not finish the last 10 minutes. I
could not see what the FDA would possibly do about it. I now
understand why fructose produces fat. Should we write our
congressmen, the FDA or who?? to get fructose banned? If corn
were no longer subsidized would that make fructose expensive
enough to make it less appealing to food processors?
Reply
- Jonni March 30, 2011 at 6:03 am
Linda, Dr. Lustig said, in the part of the video that you
missed, that the FDA won't regulate sugar because that
would have a bad effect on American food exports, and that
would affect our economy. I agree that the government
shouldn't be subsidizing the huge corporations that
benefit from the sale of high fructose corn syrup and
other forms of sugar, but that change probably won't
happen very soon. However, we can change their own diets
by throwing the sugar, corn syrup and processed foods out
of the house, and going back to a diet based on real,
whole foods that actually keep us healthy. That's
something that doesn't require legislation or government
oversight, but it does give us power, just the same.
One website I often recommend is the Weston A Price
Foundation. They carry on research and public education
that was started almost 100 years ago by Dr. Price, one of
the first strong voices against the health risks of sugar.
His book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration contains
photographic proof and plenty of scientific evidence that
sugar is bad for us, and describes the kind of whole-food
diets that keep people healthy. He also found, as Dr.
Lustig pointed out in the video, that each generation has
more problems, as mothers are weakened by sugar before and
during pregnancy. Yet we still use tax money to subsidize
the corporations that sell the products that make
Americans sick, and then spend more tax money on health
care for chronically ill patients with heart disease and
diabetes. There really is something very wrong with that,
isn't there?
Reply
claire March 30, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Hi all
I have been following this site for a while now as struggle with
my obsession with sugar. I just wanted to know when you say you
have been `sugar free' do you mean just the obvious ones like
sweets chocolates etc or is it advised to cut out carb packed
potatoes and pasta. Don't know if this is a silly question but I
am so confused!
Thankyou
Reply
- Jonni March 30, 2011 at 5:16 pm
I think that depends on the individual, but when I say I
don't eat sugar, that's exactly what I mean. Carbohydrates
are not bad for us, as a general rule. If you have time to
watch Dr. Lustig's video, he has an excellent explanation
of the difference between "normal" carbs (glucose) and the
deadly carbs (containing fructose, like table sugar and
high fructose corn syrup). The way I see it is this: for
millions of years, humans ate high-carbohydrate foods,
along with their veggies and meats. What they didn't eat
is refined sugar, whether it's made from cane, beets or
corn. Once you give them up, it's amazing how much better
you feel, and how much better food tastes.
Reply
claire March 30, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Thanks for your reply! That clears things up nicely.
:)
Reply
Emily April 1, 2011 at 3:49 am
Hi everyone,
Well, like everyone else, I'm feeling encouraged just to know
there are others out there who also struggle with sugar
addiction! I'm 26 and have always had a love for sugar, but have
felt out of control with it for the past 2 years. I've gained a
bit of weight, and it's definitely affected my self esteem. I
just don't like the feeling of something controlling me.
I've also found it hard to gain support from friends, as I know
to most people it doesn't seem as serious as a drug or alcohol
addiction for example. But I think anything that controls you
and negatively affects your life is pretty serious! So it was
lovely to find this page and feel supported even just by reading
everyone elses' comments and advice to each other.
My personal experience - I'm a Christian and have sensed God
bring up this area of my life lately, as He knows it holds me
back and is just determinental on all fronts really. I know we
all have our own beliefs, but I honestly find help in Him, and
so I have to give Him credit in helping me kick sugar these past
3 weeks (no lapses). I just CANNOT do it on my own - I've proved
that to myself time and time again. It's been a vicious cycle
for the last couple of years! I've also told myself that perhaps
I just can't eat sugar again - it may be for life (and let's
face it, there aren't really any health benefits of sugar so my
body would probably thank me!). In the past, if I've let the
sugar back into my life a tiny bit, it's come flooding back in
and I've felt horrible :( Recovering alcoholics usually can't go
near alcohol again, so perhaps it's not that dissimilar with
sugar...
I'm feeling good now after 3 weeks without it. I know it's a
journey and it's one step at a time (and there will be failures
along the way). But the cravings have well and truly subsided
(I've been able to say no to chocolate and cake that's beeen
right in front of my face), my clothes are starting to fit
better and my emotions are MUCH more stable. One of my friends
also made a good point - we have to separate sugar from our
identity - i.e. I've been known for my love of chocolate, and
people have bought it for me as a present knowing I'd love it.
But chocolate is not part of who I am in any way. It does not
shape me or control me!
No matter what, there's always hope! :)
Just thought I'd share my own little journey and help to let
others know they're not alone.
All the best everyone! :)
Reply
- Jonni April 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Good thoughts, Emily. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Cath April 1, 2011 at 7:18 am
I have a question for everyone who has been off sugar for longer
than two weeks. I am in my second week of no sugar, not even
fruit and I am lactose intolerant as well. The first week I felt
so terrible I couldnt even drive by day 4 I was so shaky. That
was my worst day and I am feeling less shaky now - day 12- but
still tired, lightheaded, depressed and weepy. I am not trying
to lose weight so I am eating well and regularly. How long did
people take to start feeling well? I thought a week would do it
but honestly there hasn't been much improvement. It makes you
want to give up. Did anyone have withdrawal symptoms that lasted
a long time and when did it finally get better?
Reply
- Jonni April 1, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Cath, are you eating enough carbohydrates to give you the
glucose you need? You might be able to get over the
symptoms more quickly if you add fruit back in to your
diet, and build your meals around winter squash, sweet
potatoes, whole wheat bread and other healthy carbs. If
that doesn't improve things in a few days, it might be
time to talk to your doctor.
Reply
Julia April 3, 2011 at 1:30 am
I have been sugar-free for two weeks. I've never felt better in
my life. I eat whole grains and fruits in addition to
vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. I have also cut out
white flour. I feel like I've been given my life back. I am 44
and have been addicted to sugar for a long time. All the male
members of my family are/were alcoholics. The women were all
overeaters and heavy. Both of my parents were diabetic, and I'm
pre-diabetic. I'm hoping for weight loss (I've lost 12 lbs), but
that's only a bonus. I want to live to enjoy my large family (I
have six children) and, one day, play with my grandchildren. I'm
walking daily also. Before I went off sugar, I hated any kind of
exercise. I felt too lousy to do it. Now I look forward to
walking and looking at the flowers and trees. My mind is no
longer on when and what I will eat next. My husband is very
supportive and has cut down on the amount of sugar he eats and
has lost weight. The food I eat tastes so good. I never thought
I'd enjoy the taste of a fresh grape tomato so much. After a few
days, I didn't miss the sugar most of the time. I still have
some tough moments, but all I have to do is remember how bad I
felt before. I hope I will never forget. I am a true believer in
sugar addiction because I am a sugar addict.
Reply
- Jonni April 3, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Very inspiring, Julia. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
tina April 6, 2011 at 11:11 pm
This is what I know...
When I was young I remember my grandpa sleeping under a buffet
in his dining room, he was always sleepy. I also remember my
father sleeping all the time, he died from diabetes.
Now I see my 60 year old diabetic sister sleeping all the time
even during the day and my youngest brother has this disease
also he is 42 years old.
I have tested in the past for diabetes but my numbers were below
100.
It has been about a year and I am feeling so bad. So sleepy
after I eat, and my vision gets
blurry, and my brain goes into freeze mode.
I am consuming more sugar, it seems I am craving it like an
alcoholic would crave a
drink. After I eat the sweet, I feel so bad and guilty, but I
can't stop the next day I just eat more, after I say I won't. I
exercise on my treadmill regularly and am of normal weight for
my height, but I am starting to feel my clothes getting tighter.
Everyone in
my family have big bellies. I am so scared. Where do I start?
Tomorrow I know I will
just find myself back in the kitchen whipping up another batch
of cookies. eeeeks!
Please help me I don't want to end up like my family.
Reply
- Jonni April 7, 2011 at 3:54 am
Hi Tina. I highly recommend that you read Dr. Bernstein's
Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal
Blood Sugars, and pay special attention to his chapters on
methods that help patients give up sugar. Even if you
aren't diabetic, the information in those chapters will be
invaluable. He gives instructions on self-hypnosis, and
suggests clinical hypnosis if self-help doesn't work. And
if that doesn't work either, he recommends some low-risk
medications that will help curb the cravings. Highly
recommended.
You might also want to pick up a book on nutrition by
Sally Fallon called Nourishing Traditions. I found
personally that the whole foods in the cookbook helped to
eliminate my food cravings. I think one big reason why so
many of us crave sugar now is that we've accepted the
low-fat diet advice that's been handed out for so many
years. It isn't working, so it's time to find something
else that does.
Reply
Tina April 8, 2011 at 9:22 pm
What kind of low risk meds help with cravings?? I
have never heard of anything like this before?
Thanks for the advice.
Reply
- Jonni April 8, 2011 at 9:50 pm
The only place I've ever seen them mentioned
is in Dr. Bernstein's book. I gave my copy to
a friend so I can't look up the name of the
medication, but I remember that it's something
that has been proven to work for heroin
addicts, and that there are very few risks.
His patients all have diabetes, so he sees
uncontrolled sugar cravings as a
life-threatening condition.
Of course, your own doctor probably hasn't
read the book either, so she might not be
willing to consider prescribing it. The book
would be a nice gift for a doctor, and it
might be one way for patients to get their
doctors to take sugar addiction a little more
seriously.
Reply
- Jonni April 9, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I just found it - the medication is
called naltrexone. As with all drugs,
there are some side effects, especially
if the dose is excessive. I seem to
recall that Dr Bernstein recommended a
very low dose, much lower than the dose
used for heroin addicts.
It looks like a new weight loss pill is
coming out soon that includes both
naltrexone and an anti-depressant,
Wellbutrin. The combination appears to
have rather serious side effects,
including high blood pressure, heart
attacks and strokes. Half of the
participants in the study dropped out
before the study was half finished, and
the amount of weight lost was an
unremarkable 5% of body weight (10
pounds lost in a year for someone who
weighs 200 pounds.) . The FDA approved
it anyway. Naltrexone alone, as
prescribed by Dr Bernstein, does not
appear to have the heart-related side
effects.
Kathy April 8, 2011 at 6:22 am
Your post sounds so scary. I am very sleepy every day and
have a big belly but not overweight. Igave up sugar four
days ago and feel I am learning a lot of good reasons to
stay off the stuff but it seems impossible. I use to drink
and stopped thirteen years ago but definitely switched to
sugar. You must stop. Learn all you can, be aware of
social situations and pressures do it as a gift to
yourself and break the cycle. Embrace the
uncomfortableness and just say I may be super miserable
for a few weeks but all will be so much better for it.
Good luck
Reply
James April 7, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Wow -- this is a really great and inspiring thread. I quit
drinking 15 years ago, and I think the first night I did I had
three bowls of ice cream. There were several Jameses at the
meeting I went to, so they called me James Sugar! I've tried to
lick the cane juice over and over, over the years, and have
never been able to do it, but I don't keep it in the house, and
try to avoid it whenever possible, because otherwise -- get out
of the way. You could lose a finger.
One thing I've always noticed is how little will power I have
over eating sugar and carbs when I am out at dinner....I am so
quick to give in when someone presses bread or dessert or french
fries on me, and part of the reason -- or part of the addiction
-- happens in my thinking that I have to say yes to be a good
guest. The concept of choice goes out the window. That's
probably a rationalization, though -- since I am also very quick
to filch french fries off of someone else's plate (with no
thought of "propriety" there.)
Anyway, what I've been trying this week that has been really
fascinating is not eating in public. I've always noticed how
helpless I get around carbs in general when I am out with people
at dinner or lunch, how my level head just goes out the window
and next thing you know the bread basket is GONE. So on Monday I
started this weird thing -- tactic, strategy, what have you --
of simply eating nothing in public and only eating Monday night
I went to a very fancy gala dinner, and was seated at the host's
table and was very, very nervous that I was going to get
shamed/guilted into eating....but not one person commented. At
all.
I am on Day 4 of this -- and as I am sure we all know this is
the honeymoon period, where the novelty of a new plan keeps your
spirits afloat and your mind engaged. We will see how it goes,
but so far so good. AND I have noticed that I even want
healthier choices for myself at home, which has always been an
enormous struggle. Anyway, I highly recommend trying this out.
I've known for a long time that with alcohol, the important
thing is NOT attempting moderation, and I've known in my gut --
no pun intended -- that sugar (and for that matter, white flour)
was the same thing.
Thank you everyone for contributing to this forum. It's really
inspiring!
Reply
Angie April 7, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I agree that the low-fat diet only made my sugar addiction worse
back in the 1990's when I was a teenager. I consumed huge
amounts of white rice, white bread, and of course a lot of
low-fat desserts that only contain even more sugar than the
regular. Last spring I managed to lose 20 lbs by eating high
protein, low carb diet. I ate eggs, turkey bacon, butter,
turkey, beef, chicken, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes,
peanut butter in moderation, cream cheese on celery in
moderation, full-fat plain yogurt, and I would limit bread to a
serving or 2 of whole wheat, etc-I didn't eat desserts and I
felt great-now it's just trying to stick with that-once I eat
sugar ie cookies or cake, I fall off the wagon. I definitely
have a sugar addiction-I am just now truly coming to terms with
that and it's a feeling of freedom which is strange, but I can't
eat it even in moderation at least not now or maybe never but
that's okay. It's easier to abstain from all of it. New symtoms
for me are a red itchy rash on my face. That's what scares me.
What other symptoms could I develop if I don't get this under
control? Anyway, I also was known for my love of candy and
that's what people would buy me. It was part of my identity. I
grew up with a diabetic father and ate a lot of sugar-free
desserts that only made me crave the real stuff even more. I
agree with Jonni that eating whole foods will diminish those
cravings greatly. Thank you for this site-it truly is
encouraging as I've been praying for this for years and feel God
helped me find this site. I have always prayed He would heal me
from this but that is not His will right now. He wants me to
learn how to treat my "temple" with respect and learn
self-control. It could always be worse. I am not an alcoholic or
illegal drug addict but a sugar addict. My health is very good
considering and I don't want to ever take advantage of that. I
have 4 children that depend on me greatly.
Angie
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Yes, thanks so much for this site. I also can only eat any
kind of meat, eggs, cheese, jerky, limited nuts,
vegetables, preferably no fruit ( increases my appetite),
lots of coconut oil and butter (fats are filling and also
GOOD for the heart, cholesterol etc), almond butter,
homemade "bread" made from eggs and coconut flour (very
low carb) etc. The reason I have to eat this way is like
most of you folks I can't stop eating sweets. I keep track
of my numbers, and this is the ONLY way I can keep them
normal. I have to cook meat ahead to have in the fridge at
all times, or jerky or pickled eggs etc. Otherwise I would
get in to real bread and jam and all the other tasty
things in life- ha. If you put 8 or 9 hard boiled eggs in
a jar of dill pickle juice and let them sit for a week,
they are tasty and apparantly eggs are one of the only
"complete" healthy foods. I take one to town when I go
shopping so I don't buy a sweet snack. The book Sugar
Blues many years ago clued me in to my problem with the
"white stuff" but I didn't get real serious about it until
a few years ago unfortunately. I'm 62, 5ft3 and 133
pounds. If I eat this way I can get a good sleep and wake
up feeling fine. I do "fall off the wagon" once in a while
but only for a short time as I get too sick with headache,
feel awful, dry throat, fuzzy thinking, blurry vision etc.
All the best to everyone....
Reply
- Jonni April 12, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Another good source for recipes that fit Bev's diet
is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.
Reply
Bev April 12, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Another great easy healthy meal is home made
soup with meat, tomatoes, veggies like kale,
cabbage etc. When you get hungry, just go have
a bowl of soup instead of the sweets. Keep it
frozen ahead in the freezer. Yummy
Reply
Cath April 11, 2011 at 10:38 am
Hi
I posted a week ago about how bad mt withdrawal was and how long
it was taking. Take heart I felt TERRIBLE for over two weeks and
started gradually feeling better. I'm still very tired but at
least the shakiness has stopped. Other people have been asking
about cravings. I take glycemic balance which has really helped
me. There is also a really good book by Patrick Holford called
How to give up without feeling sh*t. I can highly recommend it.
It's for all addictions drug alcohol food anti depressants etc.
He recommends taking amino acids to help with the withdrawal and
cravings. I havnt tried them myself yet as I havnt had too many
cravings yet but I will if things start getting bad.
Keep going guys - it's terrible that we have no support and
information from doctors and other authorities re the state of
our modern diets. Thank heavens for the Internet.
Cath
Reply
- Jonni April 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm
It's good to know you're feeling better. And thanks for
recommending that book. It looks like the author has a
number of books on the subject of diet and emotions - good
to know.
Reply
Renee April 11, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Hi All - I am definitely a sugar addict. I have been facing this
for about 8 years now, however, I am hitting an all-time low. I
need to get off it, and I start off each day well. But as the
day goes on, I give in to any temptation that presents itself. I
think I just need to go cold-turkey from white sugar and white
flour. Looking for support through all this...It's starting now.
I want my life back and I don't want to be a prisoner to food
anymore. My plan is to hop on here anytime I have a craving to
help get through it. Thanks for the inspiration to those above.
Here's to a long, tough trip ahead!
Reply
Patricia April 11, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Hello sugar friends,
I am in a mess. I have been relatively clean of sugar for a
while now but last weekend I ended up with some candy at the
movies and then the next day, or the day after, not sure, I felt
so awful, so depressed, such a mess--and only now (day 2) am
wondering if it was the sugar?? Could something I chugged down,
er, ate enthusiastically, er, binged on much/most of my life
really make me now feel JUST AWFUL? I am going to stay away and
see how I feel over the next day or two but this is just
unbelievable. I am useless and numb and flatout depressed.
Actually I hope sugar is the prob because I can do something
about that and this is bad enough that I doubt if I will touch
the stuff much in the future.
Reply
- Jonni April 11, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Yes Patricia, it's entirely possible that your sugar binge
caused the symptoms you're feeling. When we eat sugar all
the time, our bodies change to accommodate it. When we
stop eating sugar, the body gets a chance to get back into
balance. Some people do experience your symptoms when they
go back to it, especially if they eat way too much all at
once. As for the depression, the book Sugar Blues was one
of the first books I ever read explaining the connection
between sugar and depression. It was one of the reasons
that I moved to a sugar-free diet.
However, there's always the chance that something else is
causing the symptoms. The way to know for sure is to give
it a few more days and see if you feel better. If not, it
might be time to see the doctor.
Reply
Renee April 13, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Hello everyone - thanks again for the inspiration. Day one with
no processed food: Went well. Still had the cravings for all of
those foods, but opted not to eat them. Clearly I wasn't hungry,
just used to giving into my desires. Last night was difficult
for about an hour, then the cravings passed and I was less
anxious. I woke up this morning feeling really good. I know it's
going to be difficult, but with the help of this site, it will
help to make it managable. Anyone else give up processed foods?
If so, how far are you into it?
Reply
Trish April 13, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Hi all. I haven't been here for awhile, but still plugging
away:)
Yes, Renee, I too have given up almost all processed foods.
Takes a lot more planning for me! That's the biggest thing for
me. Having a variety of quick foods on hand, especially
leftovers that I put in the freezer when I make a big stir fry,
or chili, or soup. And I notice that I actually USE the veggies
I buy, instead of throwing all of them away when they rot in my
fridge!
Unfortunately, I still experience a lot of cravings for my high
sugar friends:( What helps most is not having anything in my
house that is tempting, and not eating out or ordering in. Which
I used to do a lot.
I occassionally buy a prepared "simmer sauce" that I add veggies
and beans to, or a can of soup. But these always have very few
ingredients, and they are "real" and I know what they are.
Reading labels has been very enlightening for me...
When I look at the ingredients of the processed foods I used to
eat, they have a whole paragraph of ingredients-most of which I
don't recognize. I do that occassioanlly for a reality check.
And someone pointed out that when a processed food says "vitamin
fortified", the vitamins had to be added, because the "food"
lacked them in the first place! And who knows how much of these
added "nutrients" are even absorbed or used by our bodies?
Thanks for the support, everyone, and I'm sending good vibes
your way to keep on keepin on!
Reply
Janice April 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm
I have had a few health problems and have finally come to the
conclusion with the help of my doctor that sugar addiction may
be my problem. I was eating so many sweets and actually not
eating meals. It got really bad. The more I ate the more I
wanted. I have atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, I've had
pancreatitis, I've had digestive problems and now I have a leaky
heart valve. The doctor says I have to give up the sugar and I
have to eat a sensible diet and lose 30 lbs to put less stress
on the heart valve. I have been without sugar for 9 days now.
Everyone here says they feel better after just a few days. Well,
I don't. I feel crabby, shaky, headachy and just plain awful.
Called the doctor and he says its withdrawal. Has anyone else
had a longer period of withdrawal like this. My anxiety level is
very high too because I am craving sugar so bad and having to
fight it. I go for short walks or find something to do or just
pace (haha). So far I am staying off it and will continue to do
so. I want to lose that 30 lbs, get the blood pressure down and
save my life. Thanks for this site.
Janice.
Reply
- Jonni April 14, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Hi Janice. Congratulations for being so determined to get
your health back. Unfortunately, some people do experience
the symptoms you describe for several weeks. It helps to
eat lots of very healthy carbohydrates so your blood sugar
can become more stable. Eat things like sweet potatoes,
apples, even potatoes. Also, make sure you're getting
enough fat in your diet - good fats, like butter and olive
oil. And don't try to go on a very low calorie diet to
lose weight just as you're also experiencing the symptoms
of sugar withdrawal, because that can make the mood swings
even worse. It will get better soon, I promise.
An excellent article was printed in the New York Times
this morning on this very subject - the connection between
sugar and heart disease and other illnesses. You can read
it here.
Here's a short quote from the article that makes me feel
much more positive about the healing effect of a diet
without sugar:
Feed animals enough pure fructose or enough sugar, and their livers
convert the fructose into fat -- the saturated fatty acid,
palmitate, to be precise, that supposedly gives us heart disease
when we eat it, by raising LDL cholesterol. The fat accumulates in
the liver, and insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome follow. ...
Stop feeding them the sugar ... and the fatty liver promptly goes
away, and with it the insulin resistance.
Reply
- Karl April 19, 2011 at 10:10 pm
I am the in the same boat as everyone else trying this no sugar
in my food and drinks. Does anyone have a good solution to what
to eat or drink? I am used to drinking G2 gatorade & sweet tea.
I am also used to snacking on bad food. Any suggestions of what
works for you would be great. I would love to hear what you are
drinking and snacking on. Thanks
Reply
Vikki April 20, 2011 at 7:36 pm
For about two years now I have been seriously researching the
effect of carbohydrates and sugars on the body. Before I saw the
video on this site I was convinced sugar and carbohydrates (in
the vast quantities the north American diet purports to be
healthy) were unhealthy. I knew sugar was a drug, I knew it
acted much like heroine and cocaine, I knew about sugar
withdrawal and the effect on insulin and some of the other
things in the video. What makes it that bad? I still eat sugar
like it's going out of style! and I'm 26 weeks pregnant! O_o.
About 2/3 through the video I looked at the pop I had beside me
and decided I was going to throw out much of (if not all) the
products in my kitchen and pantry that had sugar in ANY form. If
my husband isn't happy with this, well honestly, too bad. I love
him to pieces, but this (sugar) isn't love.
I am a Paleo diet girl at heart, so all the things I read about
people eating high fat diets to counteract the sugar cravings is
EXACTLY what I should (and everyone else who want to seriously
kick the habit) do to stay off sugar forever. The one
stipulation? Eat natural fats like olive oil, butter, skin on
chicken, nuts, prime rib, skin on fish. They taste fabulous AND
take away the craving for sweets! It's an amazing switch, fat
tastes so good, it seems unnatural to not eat it once you know
how good it tastes. The other thing about eating lots of fat, is
that you WILL stop eating once you've had enough fat and you
will NOT want to eat anything until it's time for the next meal.
This has been my experience with unlimited fats and limited
sugars anyway...
What to eat or drink some people ask?
Drink water. You can flavour it with lemon, cucumber, orange or
fruit you like (citrus works best I think) by slicing some fresh
fruit and dropping it in your glass/water bottle. It really is
good.
What to snack on?
Eat nuts. It has lots of fat. Fat is good.
Eat fresh veggies. More prep than opening a bag doritos, but
then again...no sugar. :)
Make your own snack crackers with low carb/sugar ingredients
like almond meal or oat flour, eggs and milk.
Have nut butters available for dipping
Have some fresh fruit available...like grapes, cherries,
watermelon. Eat whatever fruit you like, just don't go overboard
with this one, or you're not doing your body a service.
Reply
- Jonni April 20, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Thanks, Vikki. Good advice.
Reply
Michael April 24, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Kicking the sugar habit isn't easy. There's sugar and high
fructose corn syrup in many things we eat. Just look at the
ingredients label on the box or bottle. I had two heart attacks
which I blame sugar (donuts, pies, donuts, cakes, donuts,
cookies, donuts, candy, donuts, ice cream and donuts) for. Even
though I exercised (walking, jogging, doing push ups, weight
lifting, doing physical therapy exerices) every day, I went to
the hospital for chest pains one day in 2008. The doctors didn't
know what was killing me. I had to be resusitated. I was in the
hospital for a month. My second heart attack was in 2010. I had
two blocked arteries for which I underwent bypass surgery. I had
been eating chocolate ice cream and potato chips. So I gave
those up. From what I've read, refined sugar feeds the parasitic
worms that infest 90% of Americans. That and the two heart
attacks are incentive enough for me to kick the surgar habit.
Reply
- Jonni April 24, 2011 at 8:20 pm
I don't know about the parasites, but I know that sugar is
implicated in heart disease and all other illnesses
associated with the metabolic syndrome. According to the
sugar- the bitter truth video that was recently posted,
fructose is almost immediately metabolized and stored as
fat in the liver, among other icky things. But the good
news is that diet can make us healthier.
Reply
Trish April 24, 2011 at 10:12 pm
I have a family history of heart disease, and was diagnosed a
few years ago with sleep apnea and elevated triglycerides. The
carbohydrate/heart disease connection was never even explained
by my cardiologist. I was not even "tried" on diet before
starting on a statin, and I figured it was the easy way to
"cure" myself. Sure, he said I should lose weight, and
recommended at least an hour of exercise a day-which to me was a
pretty drastic mandate. I mean, how to talk someone out of even
exercising at all is by setting a seemingly overwhelming goal
(in my opinion)! When I asked for a pamphlet or brochure on
weight loss, he looked at me like I was an idiot then said they
didn't have one, and told me to eat lots of different colors at
every meal. I mean, that's all!
At follow up appts, they always liked my "numbers" and would
shame me for not losing weight or exercising an hour a day! And
wrote me more prescriptions for statins.
In my quest about sugar addicition/sensitivity, I listened to an
interview with Connie Bennett (who wrote Sugar Shock) and a Dr
Sinatra re: the connection between sugars/simple carbs and heart
disease. Luckily, I had learned this several months before, and
had already eliminated these foods from my diet with great
results! To this day I can't figure out why my cardiologist
didn't tell me this. I see him in July, and I plan to ask him to
emphasize this with his other patients as well. Currently I am
off the statin to determine if my dietary changes have improved
my triclyceride level.
I am so glad to have found this site and especially appreciate
this forum. Thanks and praise to Jonni!
Reply
- Jonni April 24, 2011 at 11:27 pm
Thanks, Trish. I think that diet isn't studied much in
medical school, and the research on sugar isn't getting
the attention it deserves because of the prevalence of the
low-fat idea. When it was deemed "common knowledge" that
fat is the cause of all our problems, any researcher who
said it was really a sugar problem was ostracized. It may
take a long time for the medical profession to get up to
speed - but it will happen faster if consumers (patients)
start insisting.
Reply
Engel April 25, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Noone and I mean NOONE can convince me sugar is good anymore
because of a little test I did. Every spring I go through all
the joys of hayfever....and this year I was off sugar, dairy and
fruit....and my hayfever didn't come! So I wanted to see if it
was really because of sugar and dairy stuff and wouldn't you
know it the day I ate one chocolate I couldn't sleep all night
due to all the sneezing, itching and all. As soon as I went back
to no sugar again, it was gone!
So it seems hayfever cure has been discovered afterall!
Mind you, I do stay off of all sugar...including fruit, organic
honey, non refined sugar etc. Those kill my immunity as well and
my hayfever reappears.
I hope the pharmaceutical mafia isn't reading this cuz theyll
have me tracked and killed XD
Reply
Mariah April 26, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Oh my gosh I totally agree - I have such a bad sugar addiction
that I can go through family-sized bags of candy in one go...! I
always have to add sugar to everything, and I literally get
withdrawal symptoms like cravings, irritation and headache, if I
don't get it...How am I going to kick the habit?????
Reply
- Jonni April 26, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Mariah, I've read a lot of studies about addictions and
how people overcome them. What they almost always say is
that there's really only one way for someone to give up a
dangerous habit - it happens when the individual decides
that something else in life is more important. For an
alcoholic, the more important thing might be their
family's love, keeping a job, or their own self-respect.
For someone addicted to sugar it could be the possibility
of living a healthy life and gaining the possibility of
avoiding heart disease, diabetes, yeast infections or
obesity. It all depends on what you want more - that bag
of candy, or your health. And, unfortunately, we often
choose based on short-term pleasure instead of long-term
health.
I suggest that you read as much as you can about the way
sugar affects your health, make sure you watch the video
above if you haven't already, and then decide that your
willing to pay with a few weeks of feeling lousy for a
lifetime of health.
Reply
Sandy in NY April 26, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Hello Everyone! Its been a few weeks since my post and wanted to
let you know what is working for me. I find that my sugar
addiction is such that I cannot handle zero sugar. It is in
fruits and vegetables but we can't leave out entire food groups
for our healths sake. One snack that I have found really
satisfying is a fresh apple with a bit of peanut butter. I was
totally amazed in how it was that "pick me up" that I expected
from coffee. I felt more like taking a nap when I chose the
apple with a bit of peanut butter and was amazed at how
refreshed I felt in a short time. Never did take that nap but
was able to get more housework done that day! If I focus on
organic fresh foods I feel better. I found for myself that
weaning myself off a little at a time seems to bring success
rather than cold turkey. I do find that I crave sweets less and
less. Much of the processed foods on grocery store shelves have
chemicals in them that cause us to crave them more. Its to sell
a product I guess but deceitfully so because we tend to crave
the food itself when its the "excitotoxins" they add to shelves.
When the expiration date is years from now is a good indication
there is substantial preservatives in them. I find I no longer
crave that big mac or whopper burger. I think for some of us in
order to have any success it has to be a weaning process. I
don't buy candy at the store anymore and buy fresh so I know
what I am eating. Some have mentioned protein and protein is
good. It satisfies hunger for longer periods of time. I used to
eat a lot of Special K red berry cereal. I found that seemed to
be a good choice and then looked at the label on the breakfast
bars? Partially hydrogenated fat there! That is not for weight
loss for sure! Be a label reader! Be careful what you put in
your mouth. Fruit and vegetables are good for us and we know too
much of anything is not good. Eat all these things in
moderation. I learned lately that there are a few good
vegetables for weight loss and some are: avocados, broccoli and
cauleflower. Natural occuring sugars are a good way to cut some
of those cravings and help you get over the mountain. Don't beat
yourself up if you fall into a cookie now and then. Many of us
do, just get back on track and you will find those times will
become less and less. We can beat this thing! Don't give up!
Some progress is better than none!
Reply
Trish April 26, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Hi all!
Jonni, I wanted to say thank you for posting that link to Dr
Lustig's talk! Lots of good information, and this guy knows his
stuff! In his children's obesity clinic he encourages his
clients to make four changes :
1. Drink only water and milk-no other fluids (I'm not sure I
agree with the milk thing, but I'm sure he has a scientific
reason)
2. Always eat fiber with any carbohydrates (This makes you feel
fuller longer)
3. Eat "seconds" only after 30 minutes (I think this is to make
sure you're really still hungry or if eating more is more of an
emotional complusion)
4. Ration exercise with screen time (ie, a half hour of exercise
gets you a half hour of "screen time") He said this one is
difficult for most people. (Screen time is time in front of the
TV, computer, video games, etc)
Lots of other stuff, too, including that basically once you get
into a cycle of excess carbohydrates, the body signals you that
you are STARVING and will do anything to get you to eat more to
survive! It's not will power. It's not our fault:-)
Again, Jonni, thanks for that link.
Reply
- Jonni April 27, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Thanks, Trish. This is a great summary of his
recommendations.
Reply
linda April 27, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I'm a `Keep it Simple, Simon' (KISS) kind of person.
If the food isn't a good protein source or high in
fiber, it's probably not natural and therefore
useless to my body. Don't eat it. But as with all
things - easier said than done.
Easter Sunday was the usual family gathering.
Everyone brings their latest dessert creation and
insists that `one piece of cake' won't hurt you as
they push a fork full toward your mouth. I noticed
that no one pushes the green beans at you. Once I
get sugar in my mouth, I want more. And no one seems
to understand that.
Reply
Mary April 28, 2011 at 4:21 am
For me, my sugar addiction is eating powdered sugar. I will
crave this stuff bad. I am so ashamed of this addiction that I
eat it in private. Why do I do this?
Reply
- Jonni April 28, 2011 at 4:31 am
Being sneaky is one of the symptoms of addiction. The good
news is that you don't have to analyze it and figure out
what's wrong with yourself. There isn't anything wrong
with you at all! The problem is the substance that you're
craving. It isn't fair to beat yourself up over something
that really isn't your fault, and it doesn't help in any
way.
Since sugar is making you feel bad about yourself (and you
deserve better!) I suggest that you go through your
cupboards and throw away all the powdered sugar - and
anything else that contains any type of sugar or corn
syrup. It might be hard in the beginning, but in a few
weeks you'll be very glad you did.
Reply
Patricia May 10, 2011 at 12:21 am
Hello fellow sugar addicts,
I have stopped sugar (again) (after hellish time w sugar), and
am eating similar to the South Beach diet-in other words high
protein, lots of veggies, soups- and after a few days I felt
HORRIBLE and the worst was that I couldn't sleep well or deeply.
Getting 4 or 5 hours of "slumber" a night. Is there any
connection between stopping a sugar addiction and insomnia? Also
depressed and blah and unmotivated too. But the insomnia will
drive me back to my bad ways faster than anything. Although if
this is my body adjusting and getting better and healing,
than..sure thing, I will carry on as they say.
Reply
Trish May 10, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I'm no expert, but I would think insomnia is common when coming
off sugar, and I can totally relate to that making you want to
go back to it! And depression, and feeling blah, and having no
motivation, etc all sound very "normal". From what I understand,
there are biochemical reasons that you are wanting sugar. Your
body thinks you need it. And of course your mind thinks you need
it too. I think the worst part is the first 3-4 days.
Sometimes when I have that seemingly irresistable urge to eat
something that I don't want to eat I s start doing a gratitude
list. Almost in desperation! lol I'll think of as many things as
I can that I am thankful for: people, the sun in the sky, the
color of nail polish I have on, the comfy sweats I'm wearing,
that flower I saw the other day, the smile of a baby-anything!
Even the littlest things. And I may say them out loud, or write
them down (occupies my hands too!). This list can go on and on
and on, and often if I'm in bed, I fall alseep thinking up new
things to be thankful for:)
I think Jonni has a meditation on her site that you may find
helpful, too. Sometimes focussing on my breathing and just
slowing it down can help me a lot. Also, getting out of bed when
I can't sleep is often helpful. So is going outside-even if just
for a minute or two. And not having any foods that I don't want
to eat in my house helps.
I have heard that the South Beach Diet is very strict, and hard
to stick to long term. I don't know what others think of it...
Anyway, perhaps one of the things I mentioned here might be of
help to you. You are going through a very tough time right now.
Think of ways, if you can, to nurture yourself without food: a
bath, lighting some candles, listening to soothing music,
curling up with a soft blanket, sending yourself a card telling
yourself how proud you are of you (I know that might sound
weird, but I've done this before, and it's actually very
gratifying). And come here and write and ask for support.
Good luck to you:-)
Reply
Patricia May 10, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Thank you Trish. That is really helpful. What a wonderful
reply. It helps just hearing your voice. I have eased up a
bit on the South Beach and am adding a few, select carbs
into my diet-and it helps I think. More later. The sun is
out and I am taking my dog to the dog park for a romp.
Reply
nicole May 15, 2011 at 4:27 am
Hi,
I am begining to believe I am addicted to sugar as well. I know
I need to stop and I am going to start trying to get off this
sugar thing as of this monday. I have a few questions...are
there any pills that you can take to reduce the craving
associated with sugar? I did take a pill like this when I was in
my teens and trying to diet..it worked but not sure now that I'm
older if it would have the same effect. Also what do you do
about birthdays, christmas, easter, halloween, and all the other
holidays coated in candy if you know what i mean. I have two
kids and an unsuportive husband. One that will eat and eat and
not even gain an ounce. He is constantly buying soda's with
sugar not diet soda and bringing it into the house. How do you
change this behavior if the people around you are not willing to
help the situation??? Please help any comments or suggestions
are greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Nicole
Reply
- Jonni May 15, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Hi Nicole. How can you change the behavior of other
people? If they're over the age of 12, that's a pretty
impossible task. However, you can take total control of
your own life. I haven't heard of anyone physically
forcing another person to eat sugar, although they may use
a lot of psychological tricks to get you to eat "just one,
it won't hurt you." If you spend your energy trying to
change other people, you won't have any energy left to
change yourself.
Watch that video in the post above, if you haven't
already, and then remember each moment that you don't have
to poison yourself, even if your friends and family insist
on poisoning themselves.
There is a pill that will, supposedly, reduce the craving
for sugar. It was originally developed for heroin addicts,
and most doctors have probably not heard of this use for
the medication. You might borrow the book Dr. Bernstein's
Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal
Blood Sugars from the library, and take it with you when
you see your doctor. However, I don't know how well it
works. There are also books at the library that deal with
sugar addiction issues, and the more you learn the easier
it is to change your diet.
Reply
shauna May 15, 2011 at 10:45 am
I am getting to this thread a little late, but better late than
never! :) I am 31 years old and a very severe sugar addict. I am
also a recovering heroin addict. So i know exactly what an
addiction feels like, and this definitely is one. It started out
6 yrs ago...i began methadone maintenance treatment and i was
warned about the intense sugar cravings i would experience. But
i could have never been prepared. I would get off of work at
6am, go to the clinic, and on the way home stop and buy 1/2
gallon ice cream and a 3 liter of root beer and then i would go
home and have root beer floats until either the ice cream or
root beer was gone. Then i would walk over to the corner store
and buy 2 or 3 cheese danishes. Eventually i would pass out on
the couch for awhile only to wake up and have a dinner of at
least 4 bowls of cereal. On the way to work a box of hot tamales
and or some twizzlers, and on my break at work chocolate chip
waffles. I did gain a significant amount of weight, but i was
still not fat and i felt fine. So, i thought i was fine. 6 yrs
have gone by and i am just as bad if not worse, i eat candy
until i am nauseous.... so i have some pep-to, and i am back on
the candy. Yesterday i ate 1 whole box of cinnamon toast crunch,
1 box of hot tamales,1 box of sour dots, 1box gobstoppers...1
carton of caramel praline crunch ice cream 6 reeses peanut
butter eggs, and oh yeah, a plate of spaghetti. Is there anyone
who has it as bad as me, or am i a disgustingly severe case? It
really was put into perspective when i found myself hiding boxes
of candy in my underwear drawer. Not because i didn't want them
stolen, but because i am embarrassed and i didn't want my
fiancée to see it.
The point is, as long as i wasn't fat i thought i had some kind
of immunity to it. well i still am not fat, but lately i just
feel ill all of the time. I get horrible debilitating migraines,
i have nights when i feel so sick, weak and nauseous , that i
don't know how i manage to finis h work. Please hel[p, does this
sound like a result of all of the sugar? What will happen if i
quit cold turkey given the amount that i consume. Any advice
would be greatly appreciated. I would go to the doctor but i do
not have insurance and i am broke :( Thank you for listening :)
-Shauna
Reply
Bev May 15, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Hi Shauna- myself, I would have to stop cold turkey or I'd
never do it. If you do that, have things like beef jerkey,
raw cut up veggies, cheese sticks, appples ( peel and cut
into pieces as you might not eat it otherwise). I put this
cut up apple into a container and sprinkle cinnamon on
them - keeps them from going brown and also healthy.
You would likely have to go through awful withdrawal but
you need to persist through it. No sugar stopped all my
headaches, also can't take any caffeine because of that.
Mainly, you will need alternate foods handy at ALL times
or you will reach for the sweet stuff. Hope this helps...
Reply
- Jonni May 15, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Wow - yes, you do consume more sugar than the
garden-variety sugar addict. This might be caused by the
connection between sugar and the brain chemicals that make
people feel good - very similar to heroin, in fact. Or it
could be caused by a hormone imbalance in your body or
some other physical problem that needs to be dealt with.
If you haven't watched the video up above in this post
yet, you'll want to do so now - it will explain why you
aren't feeling very well. Among the other problems that
sugar can cause, diabetes is a very real risk. All of the
symptoms you describe can be caused by changes in blood
sugar levels or high blood pressure, and that means you
must find the means to get to a doctor. Perhaps you can
borrow the money, or find a local clinic that charges on a
sliding scale. Whatever it takes, I recommend you get that
appointment, and do it as soon as you can.
Reply
Cath May 16, 2011 at 9:36 am
Hi shaun a
I too am similarly addicted I can eat a HUGE amount of
sugar yet am not overweight but the sugar led to hormone
imbablance with mood swings depression and just feeling
tired and awful. I gave up sugar and fruit and almosr all
carbs cold turkey and I thought I would die. Terrible
withdrawal for three weeks. It's been about five weeks now
and I am gradually starting to feel good again.
Please if you can read a book called potatoes not Prozac
it has made me realize so much about my life ( all
addictions come from the same low seretonin/ low beta
endorphins which is why recovering alcoholics often become
sugar addicts) this book really explains what's happening
and gives you a fab way to help. I was crying when I read
it, it really spoke to me. If you can't read it then just
don't go cold turkey. Try this at least 1 Make sure you
have protein with every meal 2 cut out all drink with
sugar in it 3 if you have food with sugar make sure you
eat it with protein eg a desert after a protein meal 4 try
and fit in some a bit of walking yoga or meditation every
day. Once you can do that start cutting down gradually on
all the sugars in your food. Watch out for all that sugar
hidden in all processed food.
Another good book, I've been reading heaps of them, is one
by patirck holford called how to quit without feeling
sh*t. If you are going to read any book though read the
potatoes not Prozac one I forgot to say it's by Kathleen
desmaisons.
Good luck
Cath
Reply
Danielle May 21, 2011 at 1:17 am
I am now Day 5 sugar free. I actually woke up early this morning
without feeling sluggish and needing to sleep in. I felt
motivated to get my day started. Believe me this is a FIRST!
This is not `me'. I am in shock, thus needing to write this!
I havent had any chronic side effects, apart from feeling moody
and teary.
I am worried this is the calm before the storm though!!!
Cheers,
Danielle
Reply
- Jonni May 21, 2011 at 1:39 am
Don't question it - enjoy it!
Reply
Amy May 26, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Hey,
this is a brilliant website, really interesting how sugar can
cause so much in our bodies! I am currently trying to give up
sugar and carbohydrates, i'm on day 3 (slipped up yesterday with
a glass of wine as I've just handed my dissertation in!) The
craving for a chocolate bar hasn't set in...yet! I am however
getting quite bad headaches in the evening and finding it pretty
hard to get up in the morning. How long does this generally
last? I am also having a freshly made smoothie every morning
containing mango, banana, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
and some natural yoghurt. Is this too much sugar?...it's just I
never feel hungry for anything more substantial than a smoothie
in the morning, but if this is counter productive to my trying
to give up sugar then I will try and have something else.
Thanks for the website! Really interesting!
Amy
Reply
- Jonni May 26, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Hi Amy. Your symptoms should go away in a week or so. As
for the smoothie, that's totally up to you. According to
the video up towards the top of this page, the fructose in
fruit is counterbalanced by the fiber and other elements
in the fruit -- plus, you're getting the protein from the
yogurt. If it was just fruit juice there would be a
problem, but your headache is indicating that your body is
getting far less sugar than it's used to. I wouldn't worry
about the smoothies.
Reply
Bev May 26, 2011 at 3:00 pm
For what it's worth, I can't even have the fruit, especially
that much, and I'm not even diabetic. I'm trying to eat just
meat, veggies, eggs and some cheese.
Reply
Marissa June 1, 2011 at 1:57 am
I am a 31 year old who for sure after reading all the posts has
a sugar addiction. I have been feeling tired, moody, sluggish
all day . Are these side effects for sugar? I plan to start
tomorrow to eliminate sugar from my diet. I love healthy foods,
lean mets and veggies ... It's just once I get started I can't
seem to stop. I truly want to be rid of sugar forever and look
so forward to ridding myself of the strong uncontrollable
cravings. I feel sugar is responsible for my exhastrabated pms
symptoms, mood swings and just not feeling good. I find this
site so encouraging and look forward to reading more as I start
on this adventure!
Reply
- Jonni June 1, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Marissa, one of the reasons that I first got interested in
this whole issue was the book Sugar Blues, which was
published many years ago. The mood problems you described
are very typical of people who eat too much sugar. There
are other things that can cause the same problems, of
course, and the first week or two after giving up sugar
the mood swings actually get worse. After that, though,
it's like being a whole new person. If the symptoms don't
go away after a few weeks, then you would know that
something else is causing the problems, and you would go
see a doctor.
Giving up sugar is much cheaper than any medical
prescription for mood swings or tiredness. And, after the
first few weeks, there are no side effects. I think it
makes sense to always do the easiest thing first and see
if it works, so I think you're on the right track.
Good luck!
Reply
Athena June 1, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Thank you for this site... I'm 40 and have been down the sugar
free road a few times.
I can go up to 6 months then I let my guard down and eat a slice
of pizza and bam...the cravings are back ..Another thing that
trips me is when family and friends look at me like I'm a leper
when they notice I'm not eating most of the food they are. Then
the questions and the judgments. I get tiered of having to
explain myself most people I know don't understand. I know I
need to thicken my skin in order to be healthy..Besides my
sister I don't know anyone who admits they are an addict..Now
I'm at the hight of another uncontrollable sugar consuming
insanity fest and looking for that spark to get me back on
track. I think I have found what I was looking 4...
Thank u Thank u . All who have commented I know for sure I'm not
alone in this fight.
Reply
Lyrra June 1, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Athena,
I can relate to how you feel. Social situations frustrate
me sometimes because I know I want to eat what everyone
else is eating. I feel like I will hurt my friends'
feelings if I don't eat their cooking or share their food.
I don't know if my method will work for you, but I'm
trying to focus on the end goal- which for me is to end
the addiction and to lose some weight. I bet if your
friends see your results, they will become jealous or
start asking "how did you do it?"
~Lyrra
Reply
Lyrra June 1, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Greetings everyone,
For most of my life, I have been addicted to sugar and have been
overweight. In my senior year of high school, my best friend and
I stopped drinking soda in a way to help reduce sugar intake and
lose some weight. We both managed to do this for a year, and I
lost 15 pounds. Then, somehow I started drinking it again- as
well as craving more and more sugary foods afterwards. About two
months ago, I started trying to cut out soda again. So far so
good on the soda part, but I still crave chocolates and cookies
or anything sweet to eat. After finding this website, I am going
to attempt to cut out sugar. I have to say, this site (and the
link to the video) have motivated me to try this. The hard part
is is the motivation to keep it up. I have been reading your
posts, and hope that I can follow everything that you all have
done!
Reply
- mac cogdill June 2, 2011 at 1:24 pm
I have trouble with ice cream and chocalate candy, I was
dignoised with diabeties back in dec 2010 i started out
elimanated the sodas but couldnt stop the other the issue is
also the amount of intake to over indulge make your sugars spike
and feel bad i say these things from my expereince also ive
noticed the longer you do with out sugar and high carbs, your
body changes and you do eventually feel better this is not a
easy thing to stop but one sure way if you dont have it at home
then your forced to do with out
Reply
Ann June 6, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Just wanted to throw in another unpleasant side affect of a high
sugar diet - premature aging of skin.
For anyone looking to kick their sugar habit, one trick that
worked well for me was keeping a jar of peanut butter on hand
during the transition. You're body will quite literally go
through a withdrawal process while it readjusts itself away from
burning sugar as it's primary source of fuel and the symptoms
felt are indeed very real. If weight loss is your ultimate goal
for cutting sugar out of your diet, don't let the high
calorie/high fat content of peanut butter scare you away - it's
just meant to be used temporarily in moderate amounts for the
first few days where symptoms are the worst and the few days of
excessive calories are negligible considering the long term
benefits you'll gain of kicking the habit for good. After
adjusting your diet to eliminate simple carbs and well, sugar in
general, eat ONE measured tablespoon of peanut butter as soon as
you feel a sugar craving or unwanted symptoms (dizziness,
shakes, headaches) coming on. Don't scarf it down, eat that
tablespoon slowly, lol. Drink a glass of water afterwards and
try and give yourself at least twenty minutes to see if the
cravings or withdrawal symptoms have resided. If they haven't or
you simply can't wait the full twenty minutes because the
symptoms are so bad, take another tablespoon. Eventually you'll
find that the peanut butter will curb your sweet craving or make
your symptoms tolerable. For me, the hardest day was day 2 and
it took me a total of 6 tablespoons spread out over 3 hours. Day
3 took about 4 tablespoons in the afternoon, about 2 tablespoons
on day 4 and now I don't get ravishing sugar cravings or
headaches/shakes at all. It won't take away all of your
symptoms, all at once, but it certainly takes the `edge' off
making it easier and far more tolerable to quit sugar. Try and
find a peanut butter that isn't hydrogenated and uses (yes, I'm
gonna say it) sugar as it's sweetener, lol. The brand I use has
6 carbs per serving (2 tablespoons). Think of it as the nicotine
patch, but for sugar. The fats, protien, calories - don't worry
about it. The goal isn't to get you sucking down a jar of peanut
butter a day to `substitute' your sugar habit - just to eat
enough to take the edge off of things until your body no longer
relies on dietary sugar as your sole source of energy. I
personally used a chunky peanut butter during my self experiment
because I felt the little crunchy bits made it feel more
satisfying to me.
On a side note, some unexpected benefits Ive personally
experienced from cutting sugars and simple carbs from my diet
were clear skin (first time in my life I've been acne free), no
more chronic fatigue symptoms (normal energy level all day long
- I used to require a two to three hour nap daily, not any
more!) and a feeling of control over my eating habits. I never
had weight issues before or after my sugar experiment but I used
to have uncontrollable cravings for snickers bars, cakes,
pastries, etc and eating those items only made me crave more of
those foods immediately afterwards. I do allow myself some
dessert now on special occasions and find that it's easy for me
to eat them in smaller portions (for instance, if I get
ice-cream with friends I always get the kiddie size serving) and
I find it satisfying without the need to have more immediately
afterwards.
Great article! Wish everyone lots of luck with cutting sugar out
of their diets :)
Reply
Maria June 12, 2011 at 6:37 pm
I'm so glad to have found this website today. I think I've
always been a sugar addict. I managed to control my sugar intake
for about a year when I was 23 but I found the pressure to eat
sugar socially too great around the holidays and fell off the
wagon. I'm about to turn 30 and I've been unable to control my
sugar addiction for the past 7 years. I find that times of
emotional upheaval really challenge my will power. I've had one
huge change after another for the past 7 years. Things are
finally starting to settle down in my life though and I'm ready
to conquer my addiction. I've been cutting back on sugar for
about two weeks and have lost 4 lbs, but last night I ate too
many chocolates and today I had white rice as part of an
otherwise winner of a lunch and then I got a serious craving for
sugar! I found this site and read and read but still wanted to
go to the store and buy something sweet. Instead I made a Jiffy
natural peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat with jam sweetened
with juice and drank some skim milk. I feel much better. I'm
disappointed in myself that I couldn't talk myself out of eating
all together, but I'm so glad I didn't drive to the store and
buy donuts or Nutella.
I'm committing right now to not eat any bad treats tomorrow and
to plan a sugar/white flour free alternative to cake for my 30th
birthday party on Saturday. Everyone in my family is addicted to
sugar. My dad has type II diabetes and gout. He is my hero
though. He's been eating whole grains and no sugar for 2 or 3
weeks now and has begun losing weight. He made a chart that
looks like a thermometer that he dates and colors in red when he
reaches his next goal. It has funny/inspirational sayings on it
from the bottom to the top like "Look in the mirror, fatty!",
"Don't think that way!", "Join a gym!", "Doing great!", "You
look marvelous!", etc. He also said that when he gets a feeling
that he NEEDS sugar he really beats the thought back in his
mind. He tells himself that he absolutely can't think that way
because it's killing him. I know how difficult it is when other
people try to sabotage me when I'm working hard on my addiction
so I'm trying to be really supportive of him. That's another
reason I don't want sugar at my party, so that I can support him
and myself. My husband offers to go buy me sugar when I tell him
I'm having a craving. I was strong enough to say "no way!" today
but some days I'm not. He sounded disappointed yesterday when I
said I didn't want a cake at my party. I think he tries to love
me with food. He's really thin and doesn't like sugar too much
so I don't think he understands what it's like to have a sugar
monster living in his soul. That's me. Maria with the sugar
monster in her soul.
Reply
Crystal June 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Hi ladies! I just came across this page and read some of your
comments. I am currently on a journey to kick the sugar habit
myself. Last year I successfully stopped eating or drinking
anything with sugar for a few months. I felt better in those few
months (healthier, more energized) than I ever have in my whole
life. Then the holidays happened and I caved to my cravings
little by little until by January I was totally hooked again. I
just finished reading this book "The Sugar Fix" by Richard
Johnson M.D. and I highly recommend it. He talks alot about how
sugar is bad for your body but also provides some tools to kick
the habit and start a new way of eating.
The first week is definately the worst. I noticed, for myself,
that artificial sweeteners (splenda, nutrisweet) and coffee made
the cravings and moodiness come back. I haven't been able to
find any research that supports these causing the symptoms that
sugar addiction does, but I seem to be very sensitive. I plan on
keeping away from these most of the time.
I've been trying to find a message board or something for people
like us who are trying to stop consuming sugar or who already
have. Does any one know of any good ones?
Reply
- Jonni June 13, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Hi Crystal. You're certainly welcome to use this page as a
message board. We have a large number of readers who are
very supportive.
Reply
David Larson June 14, 2011 at 5:38 pm
I have had great success following the FAA (food addicts
anonymous) food plan. I still have my occasional setbacks and
temporary relapses but this has taught me a whole new way to
eat.
foodaddictsanonymous/faa-food-plan
Reply
mg June 16, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I lost significant weight more than a year ago by changing my
lifestyle. But, this summer semester in college, I lost it. I
regained all of my weight in less than two weeks.
I hate eating sugar, but I'm addicted to it. I used to just not
buy any sugar, but my roommates have a lot of sugary foods, so I
ate all of their food. Yes, it's that bad.
Reply
Amina June 20, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Thank you so much for posting the video. I ended up finding this
on accident after being confused as to why my "100% Pure
Squeezed Orange Juice" that had "no sweeteners" still had 56g of
sugar in a 16oz bottle.
Through this website I've become more aware and I am now going
to purchase "Pure White & Deadly" to read more about it, while
slowly reducing my daily sugar intake.
Reply
Claudia June 27, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Sometimes I think I might have more of a problem than a sugar
addict. I used to sneak little sugar packets when I was about 6
yrs old and just dump them down
Reply
Claudia June 27, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Sorry, I'll continue! Then it progressed to if I couldn't get to
any other sugar, I'd wet my finger and put it in dry jello and
keep licking it off until the whole box was gone. Then when I
could ride my bike, I'd steal money from my Mom and go to the
drug store and buy as much candy as I possibly could, then hide
the wrappers. I would eat it all at one time and still feel like
it wasn't enough sugar. I am 55 now and to this day, have no
desire for any "meals". Just sugar. I usually eat a bag of candy
for dinner. Of course, always hiding. At work, I tell everyone I
ate while they were out and eat candy. Something is wrong more
than just an addict. Don't you think? I'm overweight, but not
obese. My body is starting to break down with all the lack of
nutrition, but I can't even describe how I NEED the sugar. HELP
Reply
- Jonni June 27, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Claudia, I do believe there are metabolic reasons why some
children (and adults) crave sugar to the extreme. Some
doctors believe this can be caused by a variety of
reasons, including under- or overactive adrenal glands;
digestive problems or enzyme deficiencies that reduce the
amount of nutrients absorbed by the body; some vitamin
deficiencies; and insulin resistance. There may be many
more. Since most MDs will not consider any of these
problems (it's all in your head, you don't have enough
will-power, etc.), you might want to make an appointment
with a local naturopath. Even better, if you have a
naturopathic college nearby, check in with them. Tell them
just what you told us, and that the problem started at a
very early age. Then ask them to run some tests. (If they
find anything, and you don't mind sharing your medical
info, please let us know. It could help a lot of people in
the same circumstances).
Also, consider reading Dr. Bernstein's book about
diabetes. He has advice for people who absolutely can't
give up sugar, which runs from clinical hypnosis to a
medication first developed for heroin addicts. Even if you
don't think you have diabetes, that one chapter is worth
reading. Your local library might have a copy.
Reply
Claudia June 28, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Jonni, You just about made me cry. For someone to
realize that this may not be
"IN MY HEAD", "YOU HAVE NO WILL POWER", is so
powerful to me. I have said all along that there is
something in my body that craves this so badly that
it's just not normal. I used to smoke and it didn't
even compare to what the sugar is.
I will definatley check out the naturopathic lead. I
have never heard of that. I certainly hope there is
one in the area. I live in Northwest Indiana. I will
also get Dr. Bernstein's book right away. I will do
ANYTHING to get this even under control if I can't
stop it all together.
And I certainly will let everyone know everything I
have found out. Has anyone else had this as severe
as this? I feel like I'm the only one that eats bags
of candy for dinner!! And can still crave more sugar
after that!
Jonni you have made my day! I love you already!!!!!
Claudia
Reply
- Jonni June 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Claudia, I'm so glad my comments were helpful
to you. I have a very strong belief that we
should respect our bodies, especially when our
bodies keeps telling us that something is
wrong. Good luck - and if you learn anything
that might be helpful to others, be sure to
let us know.
Reply
Suzette July 6, 2011 at 9:16 am
Hi there, i am also a sugar addict, i will eat
sugartreats in secret. . Today is my 2nd day without
sugar, its tough. But my friend bought me some
hoodia, a d it seems like it helps me not to think
about the sugar stuff as much. I eat a lot of
natural food now and drink alot of water and green
tea. What book would you recommend for me to read
and motivate me? I think this is anmamazing site and
feel better that im noy alone in this. Good luck to
all of you. ! Will keep you posted on how im coping.
Reply
Bev July 6, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Hi- Sugar Blues , read the first few chapters
- the rest is a bit hard reading - but this
book got me thinking about how bad sugar is.
Author William Dufty. I'm 62 and have been off
sugar for a while, although the cravings never
really leave. For me, complex carbs just make
me more hungry, so I need to eat fat and
protein instead. Lots of research out there
now that high carb low fat is not the way to
go. Also, check out Livinlavidalowcarb with
Jimmy Moore. Good luck. You can do it.
Reply
suzi July 6, 2011 at 10:29 am
Hi there,
A truly amazing site. Im a sugar addict, sometimes i will eat
peanut clusters in private, hiding it or a box a cookies and
then feel so terrible and guilty afterwards. But it seems like
it is all i am thinking of. I am on my 2nd day of being sugar
free. Its tough, but a friend of mine bought me some hoodia and
it feels like it helps me not to think about the sugar as much.
I drink a lot of water and greentea and eat veggies and fruit
and complex carbs. When i was 24 yrs old, i managed to focus on
my intake and never looked better, but then i went through a
hard time in my life and everything came crashing down. I am
32years old now, I am doing some excercise , to keep my mind
focused. To everyone out there, good luck. I will keep you
posted. Its great to know that i am not alone in this.
Reply
- Alicia Reece July 9, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Hi Suze,
My name is Alicia Reece and I'm a producer with Primo
Multimedia. Primo Multimedia is an ambitious full-service
production house and digital network, employing modern
technologies to build communities, bridge communication
gaps and help our viewers navigate life. I'm currently
producing a piece on sugar addiction. Would you be
interested in being interviewed to share your personal
struggle and/or success with sugar addiction?
Primo is currently located in the Southeast; however, a
Skype interview will be sufficient if you are in a
different part of the country. I really appreciate your
help. We at Primo believe that sugar addiction is a very
serious issue and needs to be addressed. We would like to
get the word out there to help our viewers enjoy healthier
lives. Please email me at areece@primomultimedia if
you would like to be a part of this endeavor.
Thanks!
Alicia Reece
areece@primomultimedia
Reply
suzette July 7, 2011 at 7:53 am
Thanks for your reply, I will see if I can find the book around
here in SA, otherwise i
will look on the internet.
Its day 3 now, and i must say, reading all the above, give me
motivation. I used to get depressed, because it felt like no one
understood me. And then my emotions will take over, and i will
think of what to eat. This site feels like a support group.
Thankyou..
Reply
Bev July 7, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Because of all the reading I've done lately, people like us seem
to do better with the cravings if we eat more FAT. Here is what
helps me - Breakfast HAS to be ground beef with cheese melted on
it. It even beats eggs for keeping me fuller longer and less
cravings. Snacks have to be home made beef jerky. Stay away from
ANY breads etc. Sounds like a lot of protein and fat, but it
keeps you sane, and actually healthy as well. Cook all meats,
veggies in coconut oil or butter. So, in a nutshell, try to eat
only meat, eggs, veggies, cheese and the above mentioned fats.
Eat them whenever you are hungry. It works.
Reply
- Alicia Reece July 9, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Hi Everyone (and Jonni),
My name is Alicia Reece and I'm a producer with Primo
Multimedia. Primo Multimedia is an ambitious full-service
production house and digital network, employing modern
technologies to build communities, bridge communication gaps and
help our viewers navigate life. I'm currently producing a piece
on sugar addiction. I appreciate anyone who is interested in
being interviewed on air to share your own personal struggle and
success. Primo is currently located in the Southeast; however, a
Skype interview will be sufficient if you are in a different
part of the country. I really appreciate your help. We at Primo
believe thatsugar addiction is a very serious issue and needs to
be addressed. We would like to get the word out there to help
our viewers enjoy healthier lives. Please email me at
areece@primomultimedia if you would like to be a part of
this endeavor.
Thanks!
Alicia Reece
areece@primomultimedia
Reply
- Onionskin July 11, 2011 at 11:23 pm
I trained as a Patissier. I completed my main kitchen
apprenticeship under the auspices of Mark Best in both of his
1990 something Sydney restaurants - before he became the darling
of Sydney. I've gone on to worked in some of France and
England's most elite restaurants. I know intimately the misery
and the pleasure of sugar, of its differing grades and food
qualities, and most of all its hypnotic effect on people. I
don't care whether you love McDonald's Apple pies, or whether
you love feasting on my handmade petit four - the fact is you
have a sugar addiction. I'm overcoming a long struggle in my
sugar addiction - I still occasionally splurge. I have had
expensive dentistry in my mouth because I used to eat my
creations so that I could maintain the quality control of my
cuisine. I don't anymore. I don't believe in my profession, so I
recently gave it up. I don't believe that it's just the problem
of eating refined carbohydrate sucrose, I believe any refined
sugar is evil i.e. fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, raw
sugar, corn syrup, inverted sugar blah, blah. If sugar and its
less refined variants are listed on any product in the top 5
ingredients mentioned on a packet, then don't buy it. I don't
eat any refined carbohydrate products made with wheat flour i.e.
pastry, bread, cake 'cause it's all the same. Complex starchy
carbohydrate is broken down by human spit into simple sugars or
sacharides as the first stage of digestion. Why is the world
becoming fat? Well for a start the so called Health food Pyramid
preached for more than two decades has the broadest food group
carbohydrate as its culprit. Basically anything not protein is
carbohydrate or fat. Humans evolved for hundreds of thousand
years on a low carbon footprint diet of protein, animal fat from
lean beasts, seasonal berries, raw vegetables, insects, and very
occasional grains. Very recently in our evolution we discovered
sugar, manufactured fats, dairy products, wheat flour and the
refridgerator, and chemical food preservatives - then we started
the mass decent into obesity. Starch and sugar represent the
mainstay of modern disease.
Reply
Bev July 12, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Onionskin, would you mind giving us a sample menu of what
you eat now? That is amazing that you are trying to quit
eating sugar after being a pastry chef.
Reply
Kass July 14, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Hi Everybody!
My name is Kassie and I am twenty years old. I will be starting
my junior year of college in August. I love college, but the
college environment is so full of easily-accessible foods that
are high in fats and sugars and chock-full of empty carbs and
calories; processed food is around every turn. Unfortunately, it
is not just the college campus environment in which I am
vulnerable, it is everywhere. Whether I am home at one of my
parents' houses over a school holiday, or if I am on vacation
with the family or friends, or if I am at my apartment at
college-I am a full blown sugar addict and despite hundreds of
"I am going to stop eating sugar" attempts (all of which are
genuine and honestly well-intentioned, I must add) I am still
eating ridiculous amounts of sugar. I found this website last
night, or rather around 2:00 a.m. this morning. I had gotten out
of bed for the second time (I don't sleep well and have a
problem with eating late at night) and gotten a handful of
Starbursts, as I was on my way back to my room I stopped and
turned around and headed back to kitchen where my laptop was. I
sat down and Googled "Sugar addict" and this was the first thing
I found, and I cannot tell you how glad I am to find it. I read
the article and then slowly but surely started to scroll down
and read everyones comments and own personal stories until my
body finally allowed me to go to sleep. This morning I woke up
knowing that today is the day I cut out all sugar. I've always
loved sweets, but especially candy. I've known that I am a full
blown sugar addict, but I don't think people take me seriously
when I try to confide in them, hell, sometimes I start to think
that I am sounding crazy, and "maybe I should just believe what
other people are telling me, it shouldn't be that hard for me to
quit." Well it is hard for me to quit, and it is definitely not
a joking matter. Today I told my mom and my friend, and the
first thing they said was that I didn't have to quit sugar, it
is all about moderation. While I do believe that in many
respects, I told them I know I can't do that. Sure, "moderation
is key" but if you are physically unable to control how much
sugar you eat, than trying to live by that adage is useless. I
think that someday eventually I will allow myself a treat here
and there, but right now it is all or nothing, and I absolutely
have to quit sugar once and for all, cold turkey. I have
earnestly tried to be healthier so many times, and sometimes I
get really down on myself and feel pathetic that I am having
this hard or a time controlling the sugar that I consume. I have
been on medication since the 8th grade for anxiety, which I have
gotten so much better at controlling, but I know that sugar sure
as heck cannot help my anxiety or the focus issues that I have
with a learning disability. The reason I chose to tell you guys
about the medication is because even though I am trying to start
to ween myself off of medications, one at a time (and yes, under
my doctors supervision and with her guidance), one of my
medications does have some "possible" long term affects that are
no good, one of them is being at a higher risk for diabetes. I
have to get my blood tested every year to make sure the levels
are normal and the medications are not putting me at risk, but
even with the peace of mind that those tests give me, I have
realized I am doing nothing to help those odds out by eating the
amount of sugar that I do. My mom is healthy and raised me with
healthy eating. I eat relatively healthy meals (actually really
healthy meals) but in addition to that, I eat lots of sugar-and
most of the time I sneak it, no matter how old I get, because I
guess if I really analyze it I don't want to be the way I am,
and in trying to hide it from others, I guess sometimes it makes
me think that maybe it isn't as bad as it really is (sorry, that
sentence made absolutely no sense). Anyways, I want to live a
long, happy, and healthy life. If something like a sugar
addiction is going to end up being the reason for future health
problems, well that is just silly. Because even though it is
going to be hard to change, it is something I do know that I can
change. In August of 2010, my grandma, my little brother (who is
just a kid), and one of my best friends (who was older than me)
were diagnosed with cancer. It was around this time I realized
just how fragile life can be. I watched people who lived
relatively healthy lifestyles (and I watched my younger teenage
brother who is just a kid) become very sick. In February 2011 my
friend passed on. In May 2011, my little brothers' dad had a
massive heart attack and died, and with my dad and step mom out
of the country celebrating their anniversary, I had to rush to
the hospital as they tried to revive my brothers' dad.. in the
space of an hour I watched a little bit of their innocence be
taken forever, a 9 year old and a 16 year old grew up in an
instant. The doctor telling them they did everything they could,
and the look on their faces-that was one of the most devastating
moments of my life. In the last week I learned my step dad will
have to have heart surgery due to a heart defect he didn't know
he'd since birth.
I'm sorry for the long and somewhat "sob story", I promise I'm
not trying to make it that way. The reason I have chose to tell
all this is that they are my reasons for changing. I know that
life is precious, and even those who lead healthy lives can have
everything changed in an instant. It has been a difficult last
year and a half, and I have realized that it is so wrong for me
to be treating my body the way I am. I sometimes get mad at
myself for how bad I nourish my body because so many loved ones
would give anything to have the healthy body that I have. I have
this healthy body and instead of treating it as the absolute
blessing and gift that it is, I have to chosen to trash it. Life
has been hard, but I absolutely love my life, and I plan on
being here on this earth for a long time. This website is
awesome and I am going to need everybody's help to make this
entire lifestyle change that I really need. I already do a bit
of exercise, and I have started back up with one of my biggest
passions, dance, again. Thank you to all who have contributed
here, you have inspired me to stop giving in to my weakness. I
am going to need your success stories, your advice, and your
support-and I would more than love to give support and help to
anybody else who needs it, anytime. This life is a blessing, and
I am so grateful for all that I have-it is about time that I
start taking care of my body in a way that reflects the
appreciation that I really do have. Thank you for taking the
time to read this-just now realized I practically wrote a novel.
Here is to taking care of our bodies and showing appreciation
for the health we've been given-so many others would give
anything for that health but are not as lucky.
-Kassie
Reply
Valena July 15, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Hello Kassie,
I feel for you, you gave a wonderful testimony. I wish I
had learned my lesson when I was your age I pray you will
have the strenghth to continue on this journey, you will
reap great health benefits by not eating sugar of any
kind(sugar comes in many diferrent word forms). Do not get
discouraged. I know there has been times when I would take
a few bites of a cookie then put it down and think "wow
that is enough" and throw it away or a candy bar, it has
taken a while but have weaned myself off of sugar. For me
I have had two Doctors now that have told me to stop
eating sugar(and a few other food items such as coffee,
white flour,and dairy products) that has also helped, they
have explained what sugar is doing to my body such as
inflamation in my system which in turn will bloom into
some kind of cronic disease. For me I have Osteoporosis,
trying to avoid cancer and diebetes which runs in my
family. Kassie you are a lovely young woman stay strong
and sweet:)
Valena
Reply
Kicking Habits July 23, 2011 at 10:20 am
I just found this site/article. I've been struggling with weight
loss for decades. Once I approached it as a drug addiction,
everything began falling in place. Nutrisystem's diet had worked
for me, shedding 180 lbs. in under 2 years and going down to
normal BMI, but I put back half of it when I let go. So 180lbs.
off, 90lbs. back. Finally realized I was only addicted to ONE
thing in life: sugars. Used prayer to God after many failed
attempts on my own will power, and the diet started again with a
greater ease 1/10th of the struggle previous. Today is 14 weeks
without sugars, 60 lbs. off. Yes, it goes that quick when you
eat normal portions without sugars or processed foods. I have
had 5 or 6 "bad days" where I baked my own break with processed
flours (sans sugar, tho!) and stuffed myself with bread and
butter. What I found works to sate appetite is dairy: FATS.
Butters, milk, cheese, sausages, meats ,yogurts (homemade
without sugars or addatives) are all great to eat when trying to
kick sugars and lose weight. I make my own goudas and yogurts in
my house, save money, keep out the weird additives and
preservatives, and then use those as meals in morning and
afternoon. Great stuff.
Anyway, the sugar was a beast. 14 weeks ago I was unable to
budge a pound, had been trying for 5 weeks at a 1600 cal/day
diet. The problem was sugar: sugars in processed oatmeals and
other items I ate. Almost directly after halting the sugar, the
weight tore off at 1 lb/day for 5 weeks, then slowed. There were
strong addictive tendencies through the first 8 weeks-crazy
pains, irrational fears or death, digestive irregularity-but I
stayed the course and it is out of my system now. Or so I hope,
but it has been over 4 weeks since I had any addiction symptoms.
Should sugar be illegal or regulated? NO. It should be
understood and used in great moderation. Our society now uses
sugars in all our breads and drinks and sauces and ... it seems
like everything has loads of processed sugars. Once people
understand how to control themselves and their diets and how
they relate to these industrialized foods, we can kick obesity
and overeating. Sugar is, I believe, the nexus of the dietary
problem in America and the West.
Reply
Kass July 23, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Thank you Valena! (: I just got back from a vacation out of the
country with my family, and I was constantly surrounded by
sweets. One night I had one scoop of ice cream with everybody
else and immediately felt guilty about it, but I know I cannot
dwell on that. Other than that it has been nine or ten days
without any sweets or desserts, although I am still working on
cutting out the processed food that has sugar in it!
Reply
Lee July 24, 2011 at 1:30 am
I did not read all of the replies because there are so many!
However, I kicked processed sugars and carbs a couple of years
ago and I was SICK for two weeks! It was horrible! I swore I
would never touch the stuff again. But here I am again, eating
it like crazy. And I'm afraid to go through that again, but I'm
going to. I am extremely addicted. Mine started when I started
eating my meals in restaurants in the 90s. I immediately gained
weight and lost energy. Bingeing, overeating. It's horrible. But
I am glad that science is finally backing up what many of us
know - that it is addictive! Not everyone gets addicted, but it
is an all or nothing thing for me. I cannot do processed sugars
and carbs in moderation. The cravings are overwhelming. Thanks
for putting up the video - loved it! By the way, I went
cold-turkey last time, because that works for me. Good luck to
everyone! We should all petition and educate so that the medical
world catches up and helps us get off this stuff safely.
Reply
darlene July 25, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I came to this site out of desperation. At the risk of sounding
melodramitic...sugar addiction has had a profound negative
affect on my whole life, so, young addicts,stop it before it
damages your life, too. I have been depressed for over 50 years
and spend way too much time in bed. I'm overwight although not
severely. I hide my addiction from everyone. I routinely turn
down social engagements because I'd rather be home with my
"drug." I have delusionally prided myself on taking care of my
health by shopping at wholefoods and not smoking or drinking. I
now believe sugar addiction can be almost as destructive as
alcohol addiction. It is much easier to hide.
Reply
- Jonni July 25, 2011 at 10:27 pm
You're not being melodramatic - you're just telling it
like it is. With an addiction this intense, you might want
to start with a clinical hypnotist. We all wish you the
best!
Reply
darlene July 26, 2011 at 3:46 am
Thank you, Jonni. Your kind words are appreciated.
No, I have not thought of hypnosis. When I am
especially affected my ability to think rationally
seems to disappear. This habit has the potential to
harm an important relationship. It is getting harder
to fake being normal.
Reply
- Jonni July 26, 2011 at 2:48 pm
You don't have to struggle alone, Darlene. Try
to get some help. You'll be happier, and
you'll be healthier. It won't be easy to find
help, but it will be worth it.
Reply
Lee July 26, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Great post. I feel your pain. When I see someone else eat
the way I eat, I think they are totally addicted. Then I
think, "Oh yea, that must be how I look to others." Sad
moment.
Reply
Valena July 30, 2011 at 10:48 pm
I agree Darlene. I try and be a good example for my Son
(he is 22 years old) I keep trying to explain to him about
the negative effects of sugar he understsands and trys to
cut back but has the same attributes as I have toward
sugar it is very addictive, For me I have had two Doctors
tell me to stop eating sugar. About 32 years ago I started
suffering from a reacurring sore on both my legs (Simlar
to a boil) went to a few Medical Doctors but they were
unable to help me and didn't know what it was. I suffered
for about 5 years with these painful sores until I went to
a Natrophathic Doctor and he advised me to get off of all
sugar and caffeine. I did what he told me and they went
away. It has been an up hill climb through out the years.
I have slipped for a few years for short period of times
the sores would start to return then I would quit for a
while again. Now I am seeing another Natrophathic Doctor
and he has me on a similar diet only more strict than
before, he also has me taking high doses of vitamins and
minerals to help rebuild the damage done by all the wrong
eating habits. I am feeling better it has taken a while
but is worth it. Darlene take courage. With the example
you are leading you can help others through their
addiction. God Bless you as you carry on.
Reply
Bookchic August 2, 2011 at 9:20 am
Hi, everyone! I'm 33 years old and the daughter of a diabetic
who did the gastric bypass thing and is now slowly gaining it
back. Scares me to death to think that if it ever gets that bad
for me, the surgery probably won't help me, either. :(
I picked up a copy of The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet at Goodwill
the other day and was pretty much convinced this was me.... I
stumbled upon this forum while searching for help with a
low-carb mostly veggie diet, and after reading everyone's
stories I am wondering if just plain sugar isn't my problem...?
I was vegetarian for two years (well, almost vegan, as hubby and
I both have unpleasant reactions to ALL dairy products and he
can't do eggs or corn, either), and the thought of not eating
even brown rice, quinoa, garbanzo beans, or fruit for breakfast
or lunch (as recommended in The Carb Addict's Diet book) made me
want to cry! But now I am wondering if maybe I will eventually
be able to eat these foods again once my body has purged all
unnatural refined sugars...?
I used to eat so healthily... I dropped about 20 lbs in two
months when I first went veggie and cut out all the dairy that
was bloating me up... I was a size 12 for the first time in
YEARS! But somehow, I have returned to an unhealthy lifestyle of
eating snack foods that are pretty much pure carbs and/or sugar
and don't even get me started on the bags of candy... I justify
it to myself because I buy them for Tuesday night gaming and
plan to share with everyone. Never mind that I eat half the bag
myself and then feel like I need to hide my pile of wrappers.
I went and checked out my pantry after reading that book and
realized that virtually EVERYTHING on my shelves is a carb! I
considered things like pita chips, rice cakes, beans, and whole
grain cereals to be healthy... but to look at my shelves, one
would think all I am eating is carbs! I have even started
craving sodas lately, which is totally crazy because it has been
YEARS since hubby and I have had sodas in the house! Well,
lately friends have started leaving them in our fridge, which
may be part of the problem. :(
I definitely have a "sweet tooth" and it makes total sense to me
that I am a sugar addict. Baking "vegan" cookies is a terrible
habit hubby and I have gotten into because I will eat so much
dough while they are baking that I feel just gross, but then I
also have to have one or two right out of the oven because they
smell so darn good. All justified because they are "vegan," so
they must be ok, right?!
I am just wondering if giving up sugar in general will be enough
for me or if I am going to have to cut all carbs, good and bad,
so drastically that I will be gagging down meat just to have
something to eat? I do eat chicken and pork on a pretty regular
basis now, as it does not always gross me out the way it did two
years ago when I stopped eating it altogether. But still. I
definitely cannot live on it!
I just feel like there has to be a way to get rid of this extra
weight (about 35-40lbs), the odd dizzy spells I have been having
lately, and the feelings of lethargy that pretty much consume my
life nowadays. Is cutting the sugar the answer? If so, should it
be a total ban - no more cereal, slightly sweetened almond milk,
or fruit of any kind? Or is it enough to cut the candy and added
sugar? Help! I am tired of being overweight and feeling like
crap and you gals are an inspiration to figure out what I need
to do and just DO IT!
Reply
- Jonni August 2, 2011 at 1:59 pm
There may be only one way to find out if cutting out sugar
will give you the health benefits you're looking for, but
I say go for it and find out! There's certainly nothing to
lose. I think that the doctor in the video at the top of
this post mentions that the primary source of body fat is
fructose. He says the exception to this is the fructose
found in fruit, because the high fiber and other natural
ingredients help to soften the effects of the sugar. To
eliminate fructose, you'd need to get away from all
sucrose (table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup, which
is in almost all processed foods. Other carbs, like the
ones you find in whole wheat, squash, potatoes, etc., do
not contain fructose.
Please let us know if you do go on a no-sugar diet, and
tell us how you're doing.
Reply
Bev August 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm
hi -I would say you will have to bite the bullet and stop
ALL forms of sugar for sure. I'm the same as you, was
getting very dizzy spells but I don't get them if I stay
off the sweets. Hard to do but I keep working at it. And
to lose the weight, you'll probably have to cut all carbs.
I ideally eat veggies, eggs, meat and that's about it.
Reply
sweet16 August 3, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Hi everyone!
I am sixteen and have always had a problem with sugar. I have
big, close family, most of whom are amazing cooks. It never made
sense to me how I could easily turn down chips, or pastas but
its almost impossible for me to say no to sweets. I also love to
bake, which has tripped me up several times. I came upon this
website a couple days ago, after researching info about sugar
addiction. This is day 4 with no sugar for me. The first three
days I had no sugar or sweeteners, today I'm adding back fruit
and complex carbs, like wheat breads and pastas. It has been a
battle to be certain but my cravings have already subsided
considerably. My first day, I had a pounding headache, but after
some coffee and prayer, I felt fine; I haven't had any kind of
headaches or nausea since then. I'm going to keep up sugar-free
eating for the month of August and then see how I feel! I am not
overweight by much, but I do hope to lose around 15 pounds from
this. Thanks to everyone on here for the inspiration and wish me
luck!
Reply
Bookchic August 3, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Thanks for the clarification! Hubby and I do really eat pretty
healthily most of the time - we cut out all the HFCS when we
found out he had a sensitivity to corn, so that wiped out a
large portion of the crappy "food" we used to eat and drink...
It makes sense to me that fruit is better for me than candy, but
it seems a lot of low carb diets want you to stay away from
fruit, which feels so wrong to me ! :)
I think my real problem happened in the past year or so - I
started consuming more cookies, candy, snack foods, and soda
(especially when hubby lost his job and took up baking as a
pastime!) because not only did I have a super stressful job
(which I finally quit in Nov.), but I rationalized that I ate so
healthy the rest of the time and worked so hard that I
"deserved" a treat. And it seemed like one day I woke up and was
kind of fat from all those treats. LOL. I know it didn't help
that I started being able to find some favorite old snack foods
that used "real sugar" instead of HFCS... like somehow that made
it healthier. :-P
I agree with the above poster who said moderation does not work.
I am so much better off if I just stay away from sweets
altogether than if I try to only eat small portions! I talked to
hubby about cutting out the starchy carbs and sugar (no boxes of
snack crackers or baking cookies anymore!) and eating a lot more
salads and veggies again, and he agreed. The only problem I
foresee is the fact that I do the grocery shopping and
therefore, I have to have the willpower to stop bringing sugar
into the house! Here's hoping I can be strong enough to NOT bake
cookies and buy snack foods anymore! :) I'll keep y'all
posted... maybe being accountable here will help me out a bit.
Reply
Phlebowie August 20, 2011 at 12:53 am
Correction, McDonald's fries actually do contain sugar. Not sure
when the lecture was filmed, but as of today, they do contain
sugar, salt, and fat.
Reply
Carol August 29, 2011 at 12:38 pm
I took the "kick the sugar habit" challenge from a friend of
mine who is a vascular surgeon. It has been one year since I got
rid of not only sugar, but dairy and wheat, too. (dairy for my
sinus problems, wheat for my digestive issues). I lost 45 lbs in
one year. Everyone says "what DO you eat then?" Fruit, Veggies,
fish, chicken, gluten-free cereal, organic soy milk, sushi,
salads, brown rice, quinoa. I make soups from scratch in the
winter time, salads in the summer. We grill either fish or
chicken for dinner each night with at least 2-3 servings of
veggies. I reversed my periodontal (gum disease) issue - dentist
said it was due to getting rid of sugar and eating a lot of
antioxidant fruits (blackberries, blueberries every day). I used
to be a huge sugar addict and had to have candy, chocolate
cake/muffins, ice cream, etc in the afternoon and after dinner.
No more. You can do it...just takes one day to wake up and
realize that you don't need refined sugar in your daily food
intake! I am a big cook and baker. I still bake cakes and pies
for friends or dinners we have. I use organic agave nectar in
place of sugar - can't tell the difference.
Reply
Bev August 29, 2011 at 3:08 pm
If you eat gluten free cereal, what kind is it? Do you
also eat gluten free bread?
Good for you to keep eating like that for such a long
time.
Reply
Carol August 29, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Bev, we chose to stay away from Gluten-Free bread,
muffins, bagels, etc. Two reasons: 1) we both love
bread and can eat a lot of it if it is around and
the gluten-free varieties don't taste that good
anyway, and 2) The muffins and even some of the
breads are loaded w/sugar to make up for the lack of
taste and they are very high in calories - just not
worth it. The only one brand I found that is
tolerable is Udi's brand of bread and I can only eat
it if I toast it! So we just don't even bother with
bread anymore. I found that the Glutino brand of
gluten-free crackers are very tasty and I snack on
them with a little peanut butter in the late
afternoon. The brands of cereal we found that are
really good are Nature's Path brand, Mesa Sunrise
and Cornflakes. They have a few grams of sugar but
it is only evaporated cane juice and not nearly like
refined sugar at all. I get all of them at Whole
Foods and despite what people say at Whole Foods,
they have the best prices on these brands of
gluten-free products.
Reply
Bev August 29, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Hi Carol - thanks for all the info. We live in
Canada so don't seem to have any Whole Foods
around, but do have a good Health Food store
in the area. I get a gluten free wheat free
bread, no sugar etc, made with rice flour
there. I have it frozen for the odd time I
really want a piece of toast with coconut oil
and almond butter.
I even found a place that sells grass fed
beef, so just buy the hamburger and it goes a
long way. I find that I need to eat meat and
egg for breakfast in order to go until noon or
later.
Now sugar is another thing! I pretty well
don't eat any, as it gives me hot flashes, as
well as feel terrible, especially in the
night. I have substituted a bit of Stevia at
times, and the odd time Splenda, but not too
happy about using them either. Ideally, I feel
best on meat, eggs, cheese, vegetables and
that `s about it!
Anyway - all the best, Bev
Reply
Jane August 30, 2011 at 12:15 am
Well, this has been great to read these posts. ONCE AGAIN, I
find myself in the slump of sugar addiction - almost makes me
cry to actually write it. I'm 58 and have been a sugar junkie
all my life. I have been able to have moments of time away from
it when I've decided that enough is enough. I'm around 85 kilos
which is about ...lots of pounds - 187 apparantly. Last year was
75 kilos. I walk with a group twice a week, play golf twice a
week and the rest of the time sit at work on my computer. I
can't tell you how depressing it is to be in the cycle of sweets
and potatoe chip longing again. It's such a reward to me to have
something after dinner in the evenings. Daytime isn't as bad as
the evenings - I've switched from chocolate to jelly things like
snakes and bears, thinking they're not as bad, but they are
really just straight sugar. The tiniest bit and then all of a
sudden 20 are gone. I bought four huge bags of them yesterday
and even lied as I went through the checkout, saying they were
for a birthday party - that's how embarresed I am by this
addiction.
I know that going off sugar completely means headaches and I
always try to look at those headaches as a good thing, that
something is obviously happening - but, it rarely
lasts....before long I feel I have to treat myself to my
favourite - any excuse will do. My whole life with partner is
work, golf, tennis, eating out, glass of wine - he smokes - I
used to have one or two - Now I feel I have to give everything
up except the sport. When I write it down it sounds so
feeble....what's wrong with just having sport!!
I know how well I feel without sugar - but it's like giving up
an old friend and that's why I keep allowing it back in my life
- I always think it's going to be just lovely, settling down
with a box of smarties or a packet of crisps. Trouble is the
mood swings and saddness that comes later and especially the
feelings of guilt are hardly worth it. (along with the extra
weight).
Anyway, here I go again.....today will be my first day and
hopefully the last time I ever have to do this again. This will
be it!!
It's great to hear so many of you are doing so well and that
gives me inspiration. I'll get David Kessler's book too. By the
way I don't eat meat, eggs, dairy - my only non vegan food is
fish occasionally. Meals are lots of veg and salads, whole
grains, Beans etc. Followed Dr McDougall for ages but with the
sugar too!!
Again, thanks for the inspiration - it gives me hope.
Jane
Reply
savannah August 30, 2011 at 6:06 pm
im 17 and i have a serious addiction to candy, this sounds
really pathatic but its really hard to stop eating candy. please
help. i eat veggies and fruits all the time i was raised like
they were candy but i need help to stop eating sugar at all, but
see im hypoglicemic so i have to eat sugar but not like i do! im
really scared please help!
Reply
- Jonni August 30, 2011 at 6:22 pm
I would strongly advise you to talk to your doctor - the
one that diagnosed your hypoglicemia. She should give you
a diet that will make you feel good and healthy, and
without the extra sugar. The only way to stop eating sugar
entirely is to just stop. It isn't easy, since it's all
around us. But as you can see from all the posts on this
page, it can be done,
Good luck.
Reply
savannah September 1, 2011 at 5:57 pm
thanks so much :)
Reply
Valena September 4, 2011 at 1:25 am
Hello Savannah,
I am glad you found this website, it is your first step in
getting your sugar addiction under control. It is nice to
have a place to pour your heart out and receive
encouragement. Yes, your Doctor should give you some
advise on how to eat proper.
But, in the mean time eating good carbs will help you
maintain your low blood sugar such as: a good breakfast of
oatmeal, fresh fruit, and whole grain bread/toast, a good
start to your day makes a big difference.Try experiencing
with other whole grain items for lunch and dinner with a
good supply of vegtables. Take care.
Reply
Kass September 1, 2011 at 1:18 am
Hi everyone. So I am having a rough time. I did the whole "no
sugar" thing I guess back in July I think, I even went on a
vacation to the beach and did awesome there the whole time! I
did it for I guess like two weeks, the only time I had sugar was
one small scoop of ice cream. But I screwed up somewhere along
the line, now I am back to just as bad if not temporarily worse
than when I started and I am really bummed and upset with
myself.
The hardest thing for me during those two weeks of no sugar
wasn't the cravings, although those could sometimes be bad.. and
it wasn't the gross feelings either, it was the scrutiny from
others. Why the scrutiny? Excellent question. I thought that
people would be supportive of me adopting a healthy lifestyle. I
was wrong. Instead people judged me. I am twenty and even though
I have things about my body I need to work on , I am in
relatively good shape and at a healthy weight. People around me
acted like I was extreme dieting. Instead of being supportive of
my lifestyle change, I felt that people were reacting as if I
had just told them I had an eating disorder. I had no clue it
would be that way-maybe it isn't for most people, I don't know
what the deal is. Don't get me wrong, I had support from my mom
and dad, but that is about it. Most people just parroted the
dumb "moderation is key" phrase, and didn't take me seriously if
I opened up to them and said I had a legitimate sugar addiction.
I was frustrated that people were acting negatively rather than
positively about this. As if it was offending them that I
wouldn't eat sugar and tried to stay away from processed food-as
if by me not eating it I was making them feel bad? I don't know.
Does anybody have any suggestions? Am I the only one who has had
this kind of negative response? It is upsetting because support
is crucial, yet I found myself not supported by many I thought
would back me up.
Reply
- Jonni September 1, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Kass, the response you received is not unusual,
unfortunately. I think that people feel somewhat judged if
we tell them we're sugar addicts, because they know they
eat just as much sugar themselves. And "addict" has such a
negative connotation. I always suggest that we don't try
to convert anyone to the new way of thinking, since it may
be a bit too early for that. Science is catching up, but
the news outlets haven't really picked up on this issue
yet. You can simply tell people that "your doctor" or some
other figure of authority (make one up if needed) told you
that, for health reasons, you need to stay away from
sugar. Vaguely mention diabetes if you have to.
Or, just eat the way you want, and don't bother to try
explaining it to anyone. After all, it really isn't anyone
else's business, is it?
And by all means, stop beating up on yourself. That's
actually a sign of "stinking thinking," a term from the AA
movement. You are not personally responsible for the way
certain chemicals react with your brain cells, or for the
cravings that come with a lifelong addiction to a
commonly-available and highly advertised substance. Give
yourself a break, and honor your own body's wisdom. Almost
all of us make many tries before we're able to become
sugar-free - and we still give in occasionally after that.
Just pick yourself up and give it another try. Maybe even
do something non-food related to celebrate the very fact
that you're trying.
Reply
Valena September 4, 2011 at 2:06 am
Kass,
It is hard out there. People can be rude, even our own
friends. Especially when you try to make improvments on
yourself. They look at themselves and feel alittle guilty
at what they are doing and so lash out on you to make them
selves feel better. Don't take it personally it is a
natural response from some people.
I have been through the same thing from those at my work
and from my church they don't really understand. When you
have been raised eating a certain way for so many years it
is hard to comprehend what negative side effects sugar has
upon our bodies.
Kass, you can be a great inspiration to those around you.
Don't give up and don't let people upset you. Stay focus
on the good choices you make, even tho you may fall you
can pick your self up again and start over, try eating
some(raw) nuts when you get the urge to eat sweets and
make sure you drink your 8 glasses of water a day. You're
going to make it!:)
Reply
Carol September 1, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Hi Kass,
I know exactly what is going on with you. When I stared my
no-sugar-no-dairy(for asthma) and no wheat" thing a year ago I
had so many friends and co-workers saying I was crazy and that
there is nothing wrong with sugar. Then when I lost all the
weight, they still said I was crazy and that eliminating sugar
was not the reason I lost 45 lbs. Really? Then what was the
reason? I was a total sugar and dairy addict - candy, cakes,
sweets, pastries, desserts, lots of cheese.... every single day
- those are very high calorie foods with a ton of sugar and
sodium in the cheese.
For one whole year I have eaten only veggies, fruit, some meat,
chicken, fish, sushi, brown rice, lentils, quinoa, potatoes,
gluten-free cereal, soy milk, peanut butter (no sugar brand) on
gluten free crackers- that is it. No bread, no pastries, no
candy, sweets, cheese, nothing with refined sugar. So my daily
food intake has allowed me to lose the weight because not only
did I reduce my caloric intake but I am eating food that is not
laden in sugar which wrecks havoc on your system.
But back to friends and co-workers. They are your worst enemy in
this no-sugar thing. I believe they are all very envious of the
fact that we are losing weight and looking and feeling more
healthy and they would like to do the same but I get comments
like this: "Wow you look great but I could never do what you are
doing - completely depriving yourself and really not eating any
yummy foods." Really? Quite the contrary. Or I will get comments
like this when out to eat w/friends as we peruse the menu. They
will call out things like:"Mmmm....pasta with cheese and tomato
sauce and garlice bread...oh wait though...you can't eat that
stuff, right?" My reply is always: "Yes I can eat that if I want
to but I choose not to, thank you." It is like they want to make
you feel guilty for what you are doing. I even had a friend get
a little upset with me because she said sugar isn't bad and even
Weight Watchers meals have sugar in them!!! Well that's fine but
WW, in my opinion, does not talk about the evils of sugar and
they should but that is a whole other story.
In the meantime, do not listen to people - it is hard and I have
almost lost a couple of friends over this whole thing - it is
your choice and you are making an excellent one. Just wish I had
done the same when I was your age but good for you - keep it up.
Load up on good food and you won't crave sugar anymore. Then the
more healthy you become and look, the more people will notice.
Believe me, this no-sugar thing is going to take over soon and
we will be the ones at the forefront of it all! :)
Reply
Valena September 4, 2011 at 1:38 am
Carol,
Yes, I like your last sentance "the no-sugar thing will
take over and we will be at the forefront." I am greatful
that I am not eating sugar, even, tho my Natropath has
allowed me to have stevia it is a hard taste to aquire.
Reply
rtist September 1, 2011 at 7:09 pm
What a great article + video, and its great to see so many
comments! I'm not sure I would have believed that sugar could be
addictive, or cause so many health problems, unless I had become
extremely ill several years ago. At the age of 20, I was
diagnosed with a chronic illness called Interstitial Cystitis
which is extremely painful and debilitating. I also had symptoms
of chronic fatigue, PMS, skin rashes, depression and anxiety and
hypoglycemia.
Looking back its clear why: As a young college student I used to
drink sodas & coffee (with cream and sugar) like water, and eat
muffins (basically cupcakes) regularly for breakfast. Although I
was a vegetarian, my diet was very low in nutrition since most
of my calories came from sugar and carbs, which we now know have
fructose in abundance. In addition to being in extreme pain I
also gained weight despite severely restricting my calories.
I was very lucky to find a doctor who attributed my health
problems to my sugar intake and saved me from my downward spiral
by completely changing my diet. I now only drink water
(sometimes black coffee that I make at home), eat 75% raw
veggies, some fresh cooked meats, natural fats like olive oil,
and very very very limited carbs in the form of brown rice or
other complex carbs like quinoa.
It took some time, but the amazing thing is that I used to be in
so much constant pain that I could barely walk, and now I hardly
ever experience pain or discomfort. My skin has cleared, my PMS
symptoms are barely noticeable, and I've lost the weight and
bloating. It certainly hasn't been easy, and I know that I still
have the potential to be a sugar addict. I still fight cravings,
and if I give in then I notice immediate discomfort and rashes.
I honestly don't know if I would have had the willpower to stop
eating sugar if not for the pain I experienced.
I completely understand people struggling with a sugar
addiction, and I also completely understand people doubting it
even exists. I was young, thin and seemingly healthy. I wouldn't
have believed sugar to be the cause of so many types of disease
unless I had become so ill that even strong pain meds couldn't
mask the pain I was experiencing. Changing my diet, and
specifically cutting out sugar and processed foods, changed
everything :)
Reply
Kass September 2, 2011 at 5:49 am
Thank you Carol, Jonni, and Rtist!
It was genuinely surprising to me to discover just how little
support I would get. The thing is, support is too strong a word.
I didn't want cheerleaders and supporters and people saying
"good job, you're awesome". I didn't want that at all-all I
wanted was acceptance, or at the very least, respect for my
personal choices, even if the person decided to respectfully
disagree. Additionally, I was in no way trying to talk to them
about my decision, convince them to do what I was doing, or be
preachy or overbearing. Instead I felt like people decided to
make my choice their business. I know that's how life
goes-people poke around in your life where they don't have a
right to, and they judge you regardless of who you truly are,
but this just kind of bummed me out. What bummed me out the most
was that I received a lot of disapproval and negativity from
people who were close to me, just like Carol had mentioned. The
other thing that really bothered me was that people who heard
what I was doing treated me like a complete idiot, like I was
making up a problem or trying to get attention. I want to get
back on track and lead a much healthier lifestyle, but it can be
hard! And I feel like it can be even harder when you don't have
much support from those closest to you!
Reply
Sandra September 2, 2011 at 10:49 am
Hi! I have one major question how do you kick the habit? Just
cold turkey? Sandra
Reply
Carol September 2, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Sandra,
Yes, pretty much cold turkey. But again, I did not only
sugar-free but dairy and gluten free because of sinus and
digestive issues I as having. My doctor/surgeon friend
suggested that I do this (actually he gave me a challenge
- he did it 10 yrs ago and lost a ton of weight and kept
it off for 10 yrs doing just that and I decided to take on
the challenge!) I started August 1, 2010 - went from
eating tons of sugary stuff daily (candy, cookies, cake,
ice cream, pastries, lots of pasta and other starchy
foods, lots of cheese and bread) to nothing but fruits,
veggies, chicken, fish (mostly salmon), salads, brown
rice, quinoa, eggs (eggs are not diary). If you get enough
of a balance of proteins and good carbs (fruits and
veggies for the good carbs) then you will feel fine but
everyone is different. May take a week or two for your
system to get settled into eating good stuff. Everyone
always asks "Well what DO you eat since you don't eat all
those yummy things (like sweets, etc)" Here is my typical
daily food intake:
Breakfast: decaf coffee w/soy milk, Fruit Smoothie (1 cup
blackberries/blueberries combined, 1 banana, a few
raspberries, 1/2 cup water, packet of Emergen-C Vitamin
fizz in a blender).
Mid-Morning Snack: a little peanut butter on gluten free
crackers OR an Atkins Day Break protein bar (really
good...10 gms protein and gives you a big lift).
Lunch: Salad (any kind, with chicken or just veggies) or
sushi w/brown rice; Thai food is great because it is
mostly rice-based noodles and lots of veggies.
Mid-Afternoon Snack: an orange or banana or whatever fruit
is in the bowl; maybe some peanut or almond butter on
crackers.
Dinner: chicken or salmon or other fish; 2-3 servings of
veggies; side of brown rice or Quinoa.
Let me know if you have more questions! Good luck starting
- it is not that difficult once you get going!
Note that there isn't any bread or potatoes in this food
plan. That is because I know I have a total weakness for
those two items so I have decided to keep them out of the
food plan until I get to my goal weight (lost 45 lbs in
one year, 10 more to go). Then I will introduce
gluten-free pasta and some potatoes at that point. I have
tried all the gluten-free breads and they just don't taste
that good so didn't bother with them - don't miss bread or
cheese at all.
Reply
Lisa Nash September 11, 2011 at 8:24 am
Hi
I stopped eating all obvious sugar 2 weeks ago but don't feel as
fantastic as I thought I would. I am eating brown/ seeded bread,
mayonaise, potato chips (as well as veg, fruit, nuts,brown
pasta, basmati rice, cheese, humous, peanut butter, eggs, nat
yogurt, fish ) which contain small amounts sugar. I don't like
meat so get protein from dairy, Quorn etc.
No weight loss, think I am eating more savoury food to combat
sugar cravings. Period due today so hoping will feel better
after this week???
Reply
Sylvia Leo September 14, 2011 at 7:00 am
I refer you all to a book, well 2 really, but I only got the 2nd
one. Sweet Poison:The Quit Plan, by David Gillespie. You should
be able to get it through Amazon.
I've been fructose free for just over 12 months now, it was
easy. You mainly just have to read the Nutritional Panels on all
packaged foods, & reject all that say they have more than 3
grams of sugars per 100 grams. Go through your cupboards & chuck
it all out. If it still tastes sweet, then you must check out
the ingredients, to make sure you're not being conned with sugar
substitutes that are just as bad for you. Some things to Google,
50 different names for sugar. The Worst additives. and look at
the Aust & NZ Food Standards link for how much fructose is in
the different foods we eat. It's the fructose that makes you
fat. Another one to Google, Fat doesn't make you fat.
I've lost 17 kilos, not without some `tweaking' on the way. I am
very low carb, eat lots of protein & steamed veg, you can snack
on almonds, use Greek style yoghurt add your own crushed
berries. Try the Sweet Poison forum after you've read the book.
Lots of help & Info there.
I'm just wanting to spread the Word (and Spread the Love)!!!
Sylvia x
Reply
- Jonni September 14, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Sylvia, I checked Amazon, and could only find the first
book by that author available here in the States: this is
the only book listed under David Gillespie. It looks like
it would be well worth reading, and I'll definitely check
it out. The print version of Sweet Poison: The Quit Plan
doesn't appear to be available here, and buying it from
his website to be shipped would cost almost $50! There is
an eBook available, though, through Borders. It's a bit
more expensive than most eBooks, but it would be worth it
if it it's as good as you say. Thanks for letting us know
about it.
Reply
Sylvia Leo September 14, 2011 at 7:04 am
Just one more thing, After reading Carol's post, I now eat full
fat dairy, use butter & oil to cook my protein in, watch that
peanut butter, most of it's got heaps of sugar in it, buy the
sugar/salt free Sanitarium one.
Sylvia
Spread the Love xx
Reply
Carol September 14, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Sylvia, that book sounds fantastic. As you have read, I am doing
pretty much what you did the last year and I lost a total now of
48 lbs. in one year. My peanut butter is low sodium/no sugar
added organic from Kirkland (Costco). I eat about a tablespoon a
day on gluten free crackers. It is the only organic one without
sugar that I found that doesn't get all caked up and hard in the
refrigerator, too! I am completly off dairy (no milk, cheese,
etc) for my asthma which has improved dramatically in one year.
I use only Smart Balance butter spread and Mayo. Basically I
only eat veggies, fruit, fish, chicken, brown rice, quinoa and
that's about it. Also just got my blood test results back from
my annual exam: Total Cholesterol reduced by 60% to below 100,
LDL reduced 39%, Triglicerides reduced 66% to a fantastic low
number of 43 and Glucose of a new low of 87. Best is the CRP
reading which is the C-Reactive Protein number that shows if you
have internal inflammation going on in your body (caused by
overeating of refined sugar for one) - mine was high last year
before I started on this new food plan - it was hovering around
10 and now it is 1.9. I eat a lot of the anti-inflammatory
foods: dark leaf veggies, cherries, blueberries, salmon (4 times
weekly), ginger, green tea. In addition to all of the above, I
was on the verge of having to have those horrible dental
treatments for periodontal disease (i.e. they scrape way below
your gum line - yucko!). In one year, I reversed the disease and
my dentist said my gums are so firm and perfect now - he
attributes it to the elimination of sugar and the amount of
antioxidant fruits and veggies that I am eating (blackberries,
blueberries, raspberries are the best). I think I need to write
a book about this or at least start a blog of my own to spread
the word!
Reply
- Jonni September 14, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Carol, I think that both the book and the blog are great
ideas. I just happen to have put together some free info
on other blogs to help people do both things, if you're
interested. You can find videos showing the cheap software
I used to self-publish my paper mache book and my
endangered animals coloring book here, here and here
(three videos). The free build a website easy tutorials
are here. If you do write a book or create that blog,
please let us know so we can check it out. The natural
cures for gum disease are particularly interested, and I'd
love to read more.
Reply
Sylvia Leo September 14, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Jonni, your readings are great. Good on You. Glad you're showing
the Dr Lustig vid, if that doesn't convince people I don't know
what will, except to try it. I didn't any `before' readings
taken, but did have blood & urine samples taken & tested and as
they always have been, are all in the `normal' range, whatever
that is, my cholesterol has always been good. My only problem
was an elevated blood pressure, that was deemed to be caused by
an infection, and came down 60 points after it was fixed up. So
I'm very happy and my candida has almost disappeared. I was a
mushroom addict, but recently gave them up. After reading an
excellent Canadian site on the problem, have now cut back on a
number of the things recommended. At the moment, I am doing Dr
Jack Kruse's Leptin re-set. I urge anyone who is still having
weight problems to check this out. He is a neuro surgeon, and
has done extensive patient related (his own) research on the
subject. I am much the same as you, eating at the moment,
eggs/chicken/avocado/a little cheese (not supposed to behaving
any dairy except full fat cream in my coffee !!) But I was
determined to give up coffee, too, as a possible cause of my hot
flushes, and have gone the green tea route. I also am having
heaps of veg, except potatoes, and a little rice/lamb chops/
things are cooked in real butter, but Jack recommends coconut
oil as it's so good for us. But it's expensive! I just mainly
eat protein, veg, a little rice & a little cheese.
I've never had a problem with limiting what I eat, as long as
I'm not hungry, and this does it for me. I do miss my nuts
(almonds) after dinner though, as I always had some kind of
dessert after dinner, in my old life. But that's only for a few
short weeks, then I can add back the nuts & full fat dairy
again. The Jack Kruse leptin reset regime is only for 6 - 8
weeks, so I needed to kick start my weight loss, as I was stuck
at 14 kilos down, now I'm 17 kilos down & very happy. You have
to shop in advance for it though, I find, make sure there's lots
of protein in the house. I still have another 15 kilos to get
back to the weight I was before I started any sort of dieting,
then anything after that is a bonus. In saying that, I just want
to be comfortable in my skin, not stick thin, I'm getting on,
now & will be happy at that weight, I'm thinking. Anyone having
a problem losing that belly fat, (if you have a way to go)
remember walking is one of the best ways to lose it & tighten up
that skin. Here's a link to the Jack Kruse site:-
jackkruse/why-is-oprah-still-obese-leptin-part-3/
Read that one first, then this one, here:-
jackkruse/my-leptin-prescription/
Loved your site, Jonni, keep up the good work. I think it's
worth getting the Sweet Poison Quit Plan e-book, as it teaches
you how to manage the day to day stuff & how to read labels,
etc...and much more.
There are 2 forums associated with the book, too, so lots of
support for newbies and others that have been trying other
things to get their `light bulb' moment.
I urge all of you to keep up the new fructose free life, and try
to get your children on to it as well. You will find that if you
involve them in the cooking/baking process, they will become
`sugar Nazis' (!) eventually and that can only be a good thing
in the long run, as you will no longer be poisoning yourself &
your children with fructose. Just sit the family down & if
possible get them to read the book, the younger they are, the
better, (this is if they can read, of course) lol....explain how
it will stop them being fat & miserable. But slow & steady is
the way, so even though you may be feeling low now, in around 20
weeks you will be feeling fantastic. You can thank me later, she
said modestly....lol....hehe!!
Good luck to you all, listen to Jonni, and read David Gillespie.
Sweet Poison the Quit Plan ASAP. as well as Jonni's excellent
book. If you need any more motivation, go to SparkPeople &
join one of their many Spark Teams. They are not fructose free
informed yet, but the motivation is very highly recommended,
some very inspirational stories on there.
Bye for now from Australia....waves.....
Love
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
PS. Jonni where are the emoticons? So we can express ourselves.
Reply
Sylvia Leo September 14, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Sorry, girls, got the names mixed up. Just went back & read your
posts!! I'm embarrassed, but plead being in a bit of a hurry, as
must go now & get ready to go & get my eyes re-tested for new
glasses. (eye roll & lol)
Jonni where are the emoticons, so I can show just how
embarrasses I was & how happy I am etc etc. lol
I commend you for being `green' it's not that easy, is it?
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
Don't forget to laugh, and smile a lot!!
Reply
Rebecca September 21, 2011 at 11:12 am
I agree with Sylvia Leo - David Gillespie's books have
completely changed the way I look at sugar and our digestive
system. Gillespie has done all the hard work - looked at all
those impenetrable research studies and re-written them for
people like me who prefer to read things in plain English. His
blog is worth checking out too - Sweet Poison Free Forum and
raisin-hell
What helped me just as much was Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink
- just a revelation, very witty, easy to read. His research
forms the basis of many current media articles.
mindlesseating
Reply
Alex September 24, 2011 at 2:46 am
thank you for this information. my desire to quit sugar lead me
here. this information will make my future food choices much
easier. thank you again.
Reply
- Steven Ballard September 24, 2011 at 5:25 pm
My 13 yo son sneaks a couple teaspoons of sugar in the evening
and he can's sleep afterward because of the sugar rush and also
gets gastric gas and discomfort.
I also have a "sweet tooth", but can control it to a degree.
Unfortunately the substitutes are as bad as the sugar itself,
look at aspartame...
Reply
Clay September 29, 2011 at 11:54 pm
I've known sugar to be my problem for oh so many years, but the
addiction has been so great. Sugar have devastated my life on
what could have been achieved. How many of us are underachievers
because of the ill effects of sugar. Its unbelievable . And now
I have come across this wonderful site with all of the stories
and knowing that there are so many more people out there that
have stories. I am in my 5th day sugar free and I intend to
continue. I also intend to read each and every entry thats
posted on this site. God Bless.
Reply
Sarai October 2, 2011 at 7:47 pm
sarahhh you said that you dont eat sugar now just meat and
vegetables. Only carb in morning, what kind of carb or food you
eat in the morning? are you cut fruit too?
thanks for the help other can give to me
Reply
Sam October 4, 2011 at 7:08 am
I gave up sugar on 1st June 2011, which means I have been sugar
free for 4 months now. I have to say the first 4-5 weeks were
hell. I gave up smoking a few years ago and that was easy
compared to giving up sugar. The first few weeks I ate all day
and was constantly hungry and tired. Then I got really grumpy.
After about 4 - 5 weeks the cravings went down and my diet
settled back down. I still have cravings now, especially when
I'm stressed or really tired, but I know I can't go through that
again so just try to see anything sweet as "not food". I eat a
tonne of bananas and other fruit which tastes really sweet. The
2 things that kept me going were my stubborness, I thought
you're not going to beat me you b***h, it became a competition,
and the thought that if my body was going so crazy when I gave
sugar up, then it must be really bad for me. Anyway, I feel so
much better. I have energy now, I eat less and have a better
diet. I haven't felt depressed since I gave it up. My mood is
stable. My skin is better, I sleep better. It is hard, but worth
the few weeks of cravings and feeling yukky to come out the
other side. As I said, I still have cravings, but they pass
quickly and I know I am much better without sugar in my life.
Reply
Sylvia Liney October 4, 2011 at 7:32 am
Sarai, I'm like Sarah, & can't eat too much carbs. They just
make me very hungry for more. I am not just sugar free, but also
I am fructose free. It's the fructose that makes you fat, not
the sugar per se. (Not really fructose-free, but as low as I can
be). I have a high protein breakfast, 3 or 4 eggs in an
omelette, with a little ham, avocado, cheese & mushrooms. This
keeps me satisfied for 5 - 7 hours. I often just have a little
snack for lunch, usually a cuppa soup. I will just have
meat/chicken with steamed veggies for dinner, or make a big
one-pot meal with heaps of veg in and dried barley, lentils &
split peas to thicken it, then a handful of nuts after dinner,
if I run out of nuts, I will maybe have a lo-cal jelly with
cream. I eat full fat dairy, and have cut right back on
potatoes, pasta & bread, I still have brown rice, but only half
of what I used to have. I've never been a big fruit eater, and
so if I can't have my bananas, (still too expensive for me) I'm
not interested. The only other fruit I eat are pears, and
they're high in fructose, but they tell me that Greek style
plain yoghurt with crushed berries through it is very nice, and
yoghurt is good for you.
Just add more of the protein of your choice to your regime, and
cut back on bread, potatoes and white pasta, use brown. & use
brown rice. Also, remember to soak your brown rice for about 2
hours, also dried legumes & lentils. This makes them easier to
digest. I read that on Sarah Wilson's blog. She's got heaps of
recipes, you should check it out.
Or, check out the Sweet Poison and How much Sugar forums for
more help with cutting out fructose.
Another thing to Google, `fat doesn't make you fat'.
Good luck Sarai. I hope that helps.
Silver Angel xx
Spread the Love
SMILE !!
Reply
Sylvia Liney October 4, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Sam, read my reply above. The reason that you still have
cravings is all the fructose in that sweet sweet fruit you are
eating, and any simple carbs you are eating. It's the fructose
that's addictive & makes you fat. Do you own research, look at
this link here:-
au.search.yahoo/search?fr=yhs-avg&type=yahoo_avg_hs2-
tb-web_au&p=YouTube+Sugar+%3a+The+Bitter+Truth
Google Gary Taubs Sugar and read some of the stuff that comes
up. Don't take my word about it. I have been fructose reduced (I
can't say, free, apparently some people have a problem with
this!) for 13 months now, have lost 17 kilos in weight, and
never feel hungry any more like I did for most of my adult life.
This is because it's the fructose that deadens your appetite
control, that little receptor in your brain that tells your body
it's had enough to eat.
Sam, if it tastes sweet, that's usually because it has some sort
of sweet things in it. Some Fruit is better than others, the
worst ones are apples, bananas & pears, the best ones are all
the berries. Look at this link to the Food Standards of
Australia & NZ, I brought up `F" for fruit for you. Just scroll
down to whatever fruit you like, & see how much fructose is
actually in it. If it's got more that 3 grams per 100 grams then
it's too much, and above all, DON'T DRINK FRUIT JUICE OR EAT
DRIED FRUIT, as these 2 things are concentrated fructose (&
sugar), rather, make a smoothie using the whole fruit, or eat
the whole fruit, limit your fruit to 2 pieces per day. the link
is here:-
foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/nuttab2010/n
uttab2010onlinesearchabledatabase/onlineversion.cfm?&action=alph
abeticalList&letter=F
So, take that next step & you too will lose your cravings, like
me. I also found I had to cut right back on bread, pasta &
potatoes, and I now only eat half the rice I used to, I also
changed to brown rice & pasta. I eat more protein to keep me
full for longer, as the simple carbs make me more hungry. I'm
not saying cut out all the bananas, just be aware. I still have
half a banana on my low sugar no fruit Muesli.....Oh I forgot, I
also eat full fat dairy, I no longer buy low-fat everything like
I used to. Try eating a handful of nuts, the best are raw
almonds, you can freeze them, too, as I read on Sarah Wilson's
blog, so you can buy a big packet & they can even be eaten
frozen (?) not sure about that.
Good Luck Sam, I hope all this helps and congrats for being
sugar reduced for so long, it just shows that if you make that
decision in your head, and are determined, you will succeed.
Love
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
Reply
ce'ce October 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm
u did not help me at alll
Reply
Sylvia October 10, 2011 at 5:12 am
ce'ce, If you give us a bit more info about what your
intake of food is daily, just a rough guide, maybe we can.
But you have to want to do it, I mean make that decision
in your head that you are going to change your life.
You know the saying, `if you want your life to change, you
have to change your life'......cutting our fructose is not
a diet, it's a way of life, your new life, if you want it
to be. Maybe you are not quite ready to change , no shame
in that, it took me years to find this info & change mine.
But in saying this, it is fairly new info, just around 10
years the research has been going on, with new trials etc
going on all the time. Just remember, when you are
researching this info, that the people who are publishing
their findings are not on the board of some Multi National
food company, just wanting us to buy their poison. Another
thing to avoid, is the western world's way of extracting
soy. It's bad for us. Eat brown rice too, as when they
polish it, all the Thiamine is stripped off it. Get used
to reading Nutritional labels, read the column that says
`per 100 grams'. Look at the sugar, and if it says it's
more than 3 grams, then don't buy it. Also look at the
ingredients for those '50 other names for sugar', some of
the sugars may be from lactose, which is ok.
Good Luck
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
KEEP SMILING!!
Reply
Drue October 10, 2011 at 1:26 am
Hi everyone! Reading all of these comments is so inspiring!
Well, I've been a sugar addict almost all my life and have been
overweight almost all my life. I think I always knew it was
sugar, but I didn't feel like I had the resources or the
willpower to stop eating it.
Finally I did stop though, and have been completely sugar/white
flour/and white rice free for a month and a half! I've lost 23
lbs, and I feel so much healthier. My sleeping schedule is
normal, my skin is healthier and more elastic (I think my pores
have even shrunk!)
I kind of hate that it took me so long to finally try and kick
the sugar, but I'm so proud of myself that I have. The first
week was really tough, I almost caved several times. It's still
tough for me too, especially because I work at a coffee shop
that specializes in sweets and pastries. Almost every day I eye
a blueberry muffin and think oh, maybe just one....
I just try and take it one day at a time, and when I crave sugar
I reach for fruit or drink some water. It's so awesome on this
side of the sugar addiction, bravo to all you other ladies and
guys who are fighting your battle and slaying that dragon!
Reply
Sylvia October 10, 2011 at 5:00 am
Oh, and yes, Drue, I forgot to say, just watch which fruit
you are eating. Apples, pears & bananas are high fructose
fruit. Plus you should only have 2 pieces of fruit a day,
never eat dried fruit or drink fruit juice, have the whole
orange, as it has the fibre, and all the berries are goo,
low fructose fruits.
Good luck.....
Sylvia
Reply
Drue October 10, 2011 at 1:33 am
Oh and I agree with Sylvia above. If you want to cut out sugar,
you also have to cut out fructose. They work the same way in a
person's body! You really have to commit to reading packaging
labels, companies put fructose and sucrose in everything from
bread to lunch meat, and consistently call it things like
"evaporated cane syrup" or "sucrose". So far I've only found one
brand of bread that is sugar and fructose free: Natures Own
Sugar Free Whole Wheat. Anyone else have any bread suggestions?
Reply
Sylvia October 10, 2011 at 4:54 am
Drue, hi, do you know where I can buy this bread? I'm in
Sydney, Southern suburbs.
You are right about the other names for sugar, people who
are interested should just put '50 other names for sugar'
in their search engine & hit go!!
Fructose is highly addictive, and just dampens down your
appetite control, which in turn keeps you addicted to
sugar. You don't have to give up sugar, just the fructose
half of the sugar molecule. Use dextrose powder (Big W,
home brew section) and Rice Malt Syrup, (Coles, Health
food Aisle) in place of all things sweet. Use Stevia or
Natvia or Xylitol for your sweetener for hot drinks. Using
dextrose powder you just use 1 for 1 ie 1 cup of powder
for 1 cup of sugar in your recipe. And use the Rice Malt
syrup the same. I make terrific Anzac Biscuits using these
substitutes, and the ladies who bake out there, well, you
can make all sorts of treats for the children, freeze them
in individual portions, great for the lunch-box, make very
small biscuits for them, I wouldn't give them every day
maybe 3 times a week, & try not to have too many of those
dextrose treats while you are going through the sugar
withdrawals, as they may, in some people, give you
diarrhoea.
I'm never hungry now, was always hungry for the last 40
0dd years of my life, not now, I started 13 months a go, &
have lost 17 kilos in weight, and, if you find it, I
really don't want it back, thanks all the
same....lol........
Good luck to all of you in your quest to give it up, you
can do it. If I can do it, anyone can. Just make the
decision in your head, shop for it, pick a day and then
just go for it. If you have children and maybe a hubby who
could lose a few kilos, have a family meeting, and
discuss, tell them the truth, that it's bad for us, and
that they will thank you later on, after they are all free
of the poisonous stuff. Get the smaller children involved
in cooking, they will become your little sugar nazis.
hehe, to keep you on the straight & narrow.
Bye
Silver Angel
Spreading the Love
KEEP SMILING !!!
Reply
Clay October 13, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Detox of sugar is so hard but it will be worth. Who in this
community can tell me from their own experience how they now
feel compared to their sugar days. I could use this knowledge
for support. Thanks
Reply
Carol October 14, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Hello Clay:
I have been posting here for awhile now. I feel like another
person. On August 1, 2010 I gave up sugar, dairy and wheat - as
a challenge from a friend of mine who did the same and lost a
ton of weight - he is a vascular surgeon here in town and was
close to being diabetic because of his carb and sugar intake. I
never thought I could do it and kept telling him every excuse in
the book as to why I could not give up bread, cheese, chocolate,
crackers, cupcakes, candy, ice cream - all my favorite things to
eat. I am 5''10'' and very active physically - was on the rowing
team in college and play tennis, walk a lot and lift weights on
a regular basis (4 times weekly, at least) but since 1995 have
been carrying around about 50 extra pounds and it is sort of
easy to hide that when you are tall and very muscular but I
never felt good inside - clothes too tight, bloated, etc. Within
one month of going off sugar, dairy and wheat I lost 10 lbs and
for the first time in 15 years, not bloated or gross feeling. I
kept going and one year and 3 mos. later, I am still doing it
and don't plan to change. I have lost 48 lbs and on my way to
lose another 15 which is my goal. I eat only fish, chicken, some
meat (love BBQ'd ribs and steak!), veggies, fruit, brown rice,
quinoa, sushi, some Thai food, gluten free crackers w/peanut
butter (for snacks), eggs, big salads, tuna salad, ...that's
about it. Basically gave up all processed food + sugar, dairy
and wheat. When people see me they say that I look 10 yrs
younger and that my skin is glowing. I am off my asthma
medication finally and I have reversed all my blood test
readings to incredible low numbers. And the best part is that I
don't miss any of the sugar things I used to eat and it was not
that hard at all. I am on a mission to get everyone to try this
now! Hope this helps.
Reply
Clay October 15, 2011 at 1:39 am
Thanks Carol for your post, your story is so inspiring. All the
best.
Reply
Grace October 16, 2011 at 1:23 am
I have loved sweets for as long as I can remember, from 4 years
old I would eat cornmeal porridge with gobs of condensed milk
for breakfast. I think from then I not only enjoyed the taste of
sweets but how they make me feel. I'm 37 years old now and a
pastry chef for the last 15 years. I recently had a baby and so
I am not working right now which is helping a bit that I'm not
preparing desserts on a daily basis. I am frustrated as I love
healthy food but often feel like I'm on autopilot when eating.
Even though I plan meals and buy healthy food I will find myself
headed in a different direction than I set out. For the last few
years I have gone to bed each night thinking I will do better
tomorrow. I enjoy eating pastries, cakes or cookies that are
buttery and often eat a box a day which is about 1200 calories.
I have come to enjoy the richness of high quality baked goods
and find that I actually do only enjoy sweet things that are
both sweet and buttery or laden with cream. I find myself not
wanting to believe this is an addiction because it means I need
to stop and I find myself more compelled the more I do try to
stop. My greatest challenge right now in quitting sugar is
sticking to the plan. Sometimes like now my head is clear and
I'm motivated but other times its like my head is in the clouds,
I'm tired and I'm doing the same old thing. I have increased my
protein but seem to end up subconsciously craving and cooking
heavy meals which also make me tired. The people says its
because I'm tired with a new baby but I know this is a problem.
Any tips on how you stay focused and clear headed and not let
the rise and fall in your blood sugar and moods dictate those
first days sugar free?
Reply
Carol October 16, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Grace, just read your post. First, do NOT listen to what other
people are saying. I know you probably don't have time to read
some of the previous posts here but there are a couple
(including me) of people who find that it is their friends and
family who sometimes sabotage the efforts to get rid of sugar.
Yes, you are probably tired w/new baby but you are most tired
because of what refined sugar is doing to your body, your,
metabolism and how you feel! After losing 48 lbs in one year, my
friends still say "Oh that is NOT from eliminating sugar!" They
don't want to believe how good I feel, how I fit into nice
clothes, how I can still cook and bake for gatherings and not
eat any sweets. Like you, I am a huge baker (not professional
like you, but I love it and do it all the time). But if you read
my latest post just above yours, I hit a brick wall on August 1,
2010 and looked at myself in the mirror as I squeezed into my
size 20 capri pants and thought to myself - this is enough. You
just have to believe that you can do it and if you just try it
for 30 days, you won't believe how just 30 days will change your
life. If you can manage to get rid of dairy and wheat, you will
feel even better and it will give you a big jump start plus you
will have boundless energy - guaranteed. And you can still bake
- just don't eat it! That is what I do - I made pies, cookies,
cupcakes, beautiful birthday cakes for friends...I just don't
eat them and I do not miss them at all. Good luck and go for it
starting today!
Reply
Grace October 17, 2011 at 3:50 am
Carol,
Thanks for the encouragement. Had a successful first day
and feeling cautious but optimistic. I have decided to
stop eating things with sugar, wheat, refined carbs and to
reduce my intake of whole grains, fruit and root
vegetables. I have dairy marked for a future goal and am
not ready just yet but excited at the possibilities.
Baking is both a profession and a hobby but I'm also
developing my interest in gardening and I hope that will
become a more healthy preoccupation but it would be great
to bake and yet resist the temptation. I've got 29 days to
go and counting, I'm planning my meals and snacks and
trying to be mentally preparedf for any unforeseen
emotional potholes that may derail my efforts. Thanks
again!
Reply
JS December 11, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Carol,
Just a quick note for now, but today is Day 3
sugar-free/white flour free/ etc. And I'm feeling great! I
just have one question for now, why are you dairy free?
Cottage cheese and other cheeses are low carb and high fat
which is what my body needs. No whole, organic milk
either? I love these foods and eliminating them will
decrease variety. Just curious about your experiences.
I LOVE THIS GROUP! THANK YOU
Reply
Sylvia October 17, 2011 at 4:35 am
Hi Grace, I agree with Carol, up to a point. If you really want
to do this, it's the decision you make in your head that counts,
you must realise it's not a diet, it's a new way of life, & it's
not that scary, when you think of how you won't be poisoning
your child with fructose, (the nasty, addictive half of the
sugar molecule).
I've been on the low fructose regime for 13 months now & have
lost 17 kilos.
I would like to refer both of you to two sites, one is Jack
Kruse, a neuro-surgeon, and his leptin reset regime, and Mark's
Daily apple, a sort of eating similar to Paleo.
read this first:-
jackkruse/why-is-oprah-still-obese-leptin-part-3/
then this:-
jackkruse/my-leptin-prescription/
and Mark's Daily apple here:-
marksdailyapple/forum/thread17722.html
Carol, this should continue on for you, as I have done, and
Grace, this way of eating should make you feel great, and the
leptin re-set is only for 6 - 8 weeks, in which time you should
be feeling fantastic and very virtuous, all in time to maybe go
back to work? There is a lot of anecdotal evidence on the site
that different peoples have regained their health, after being
sick with all sorts of ailments.
Just remember you do need to do the reading, and make the whole
thing work for you. We are all different, and what worked for
me, may not work for you.
But you must not get into the way of substituting one thing for
another. Try Stevia for a sweetener, but if you like coffee, try
Natvia, which is Stevia developed with coffee in mind. Also you
could maybe try Xylitol, which is also very good for your
teeth.. The leptin re-set regime needs you to only cook with
butter, ghee or coconut oil. And you must use it, as you will
get constipated if you do high protein & lo-carb......I hope
this helps someone out there, I do miss sugar occasionally, your
appetite will return after a few weeks of maybe having
withdrawal symptoms, but the bloating will go, and the high
protein will keep you full for longer and longer the more you go
along. I never ever thought I'd be able to give up sugar. My
fave thing as a small child was meringues. My Nanna always would
buy me one when we went shopping! 2 little ones sandwiched with
whipped cream, & dusted in icing sugar!! Who Knew? lol....when I
came to Australia, Loved the Pav!! Just be careful which fruits
you do eat, apples, pears & bananas are all high in fructose, so
limit these, berries are really good & the best fruits as far as
fructose goes.
Please educate yourself about the 50 different names for sugar
on ingredient lists, just Google it. Also Google `fat doesn't
make you fat", it's the simple carbs that turn into sugar that
see to that. Plus, give honey and fruit juice the flick, also
dried fruit. There are some really nice muesli's out there with
low sugar, fruit free, yummy & crunchy with nuts, Macro has only
1.4 % sugar, While Carmans is ok to have now & then, is 8.5 %
sugar.
I'd better stop now, on my soap box again. I just want to let
everybody know about it all & urge you to do your reading.
Jonni's books are terrific, you should read them.
Grace, you should read while Baby is asleep, and Carol, I have
another 20 kilos to go!!! So I'm a little stuck at the moment.
Ladies, think of it as not being on a diet, but as `I release
the weight, for my higher good', do the self love exercises, etc
etc....to feel good about yourself, like you did, Carol, you
feel great now, don't you?
Good luck to everyone out there....you can do it. Start
Today....
Spread the Love
Silver Angel x
Reply
Carol October 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Hi Sylvia,
I should have made my posts a little more clear. I never have
called my food plan a "diet" and that is the first thing I tell
people - it is a food plan for life. The side benefit is losing
weight since refined sugar is empty calories. I don't limit my
fruit intake either and don't necessarily choose low glycemic
fruits. I eat lots of fruits, veggies, fish, chicken, quinoa,
cooked sushi, salads, tuna, eggs, soy milk (organic and calcium
fortified), brown rice. I don't use artificial sweeteners since
I lost the urge for sweetness in everything I eat. I was never
one to put gobs of sugar in iced tea, for instance. I do
moderate exercise - walk 20 -30 minutes and lift weights for my
upper body at least 4 times weekly. I attribute my weight loss
to this new lifestyle of eating less, eating better and moderate
exercise. When I get rid of the last 10 lbs, I will introduce
other foods back into the food plan. I purposely eliminated
pasta and potatoes because those are two things that both me and
my hubby can go crazy on so it wasn't worth it. Also we loved
bread! Bread and cheese, cinnamon toast, sandwiches - but most
of the gluten-free breads taste horrible so we just tossed bread
out the window, too. I have 5 friends following my food plan and
losing weight and feeling good about eating only foods that are
not processed.
Reply
Sylvia October 18, 2011 at 12:09 am
Hi, Carol, sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything, that
was more for other people reading, for a basic tip. I can
identify with the bread & pasta & potatoes.
My partner isn't doing this with me, but has cut back a
bit, but I'm working on him, slowly & (I hope)
subtly!)....as if there's bread in the house, I'm tempted.
I find as long as I've got something to snack on after
dinner, in front of the TV, usually almonds, I get hungry
and am looking around for things to eat, even though I'm
not really hungry, then I feel really bloated.... So I've
just bought a big stash of them, so that should help a
bit. Plus he's found a place where he can get them really
fresh & at a good price, so I think I should be back on
track now, I was a bit `up & down' there for about 6
weeks....I started in Sept 2010, and have lost 17 kilos,
but do need to lose that much again, wasn't exercising at
first, so still have that belly fat to get rid of. I am
walking now, so that should drop off, I hope, it usually
does when I am walking regularly.
Good luck with your last 10 lbs....
Sylvia x
Spread the Love
SMILE!!
Reply
Carol October 17, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Hi Grace,
Congrats on the first day being sugar-free! Like I said before,
just try it for 30 days, just like my doctor friend gave me the
30-day challenge last year. He said after 30 days I would feel
so good that I would want to continue and it worked for both me
and my hubby. Also don't limit your intake of fruits and
veggies. They are good for you and are the "good" calories that
your body wants. I posted before that I reversed my periodontal
disease and my dentist attributes it to two things 1) no sugar
and 2) getting lots of antioxidants in the fruits and veggies.
Good luck and keep it going!
Reply
trish October 19, 2011 at 1:45 am
I have been reading these comments on a regular basis but not
writing anything. Now I have something to say. I have struggled
with sugar for years and now am overweight as well. I started
seeing a nutricianist who worked for years at an eating
disorders clinic at a major hospital here in chicago. Anyway now
she is my nutricianist. She wants me to factor sugar into my
diet/food. I have to learn to live with and eat sugar, and lose
weight. I did pretty good for about 2 weeks (honeymoon) but now
it is a crash and burn for the past month or two. I cannot
moderate it for long before it turns into a total binge and then
bulimia etc. I think this is insanity...or is it?....trying to
get me to eat "like a normal person"?? I am really confused and
so disheartened at the moment. I think it is too late for me to
eat like a normal person, but this nutricianist is not someone
who doesn't know about eating disorders, sugar, etc. I really
think anytime I am eating sugar that I am asking for a complete
crash and burn and if it doesn't happen right away, it will
happen the next day or the day after that. I am so bummed. Any
comments or support would greatly be appreciated. I am sad and
hurting and confused and feel like a failure.
Reply
- Jonni October 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Perhaps your nutritionist feels that most of her clients
wouldn't be willing to drastically change their diets, so
she recommends moderation instead. There is no nutritional
content in sugar, so her recommendations seem a bit odd to
me. Ask her why she thinks you need sugar in your diet,
and what health problems she thinks you'll have if you
give it up. I would love to hear her answer.
Getting good emotional support for a dietary change isn't
easy. If you're also anxious or depressed, that might be
making the change more difficult than it needs to be. If
so, you might want to talk to your doctor about a very
short-term prescription to help you relax a bit. You are
definitely not a failure (most people don't even have the
courage to try altering their diet and taking control of
their eating problems, so you're a winner right from the
start.) However, the fact that you feel like a failure may
be an indication that you need a bit more help than your
nutritionist is able to give you.
I'm currently reading Dr. Esselstyn's book about diet and
heart disease, and he mentions several times that "normal"
doesn't come close to describing the way Americans eat.
Our diet is a cultural aberration, and it's making us all
sick. I've also noticed from most of the comments that are
left on this blog that very few people can successfully
moderate their sugar intake if they're really addicted,
which almost everyone is if they find this page. All these
people can't be wrong. I suggest that you have another
talk with your nutritionist and request a diet that will
work better for you.
Reply
Trish October 21, 2011 at 1:23 am
Thanks Jonni,
I think she is trying to get me to see that I live
in a world w sugar--which is true. And that there is
no way around that. I think she knows that I really
love it AND have a problem with it. I guess by
accepting that reality and that there is no easy
solution, nothing outside of myself, to deal with
the facts-that I have to go deep inside and decide
what I want for myself. I am someone who always
looks for the expert, the diet, the book, the
mantra, the 12 steps-and tho there are many really
good ones out there, at some point I blow it off and
hit the sugar. At first I thought she was nuts, and
now after a night of little sleep and being really
upset, whether i am interpreting her correctly or
not, there is a point to be made here w my
situation. Should I be eating sugar? Absolutely not.
Does she want me to eat sugar as a good group? Of
course not. She is just saying that this is the
reality of your life--as you have explained it to
me-which I have. She came to this after I sent her
my food journal, which was pretty truthful and raw
stuff. What I want is to let go of the sugar, to
feed myself really well w healthy stuff, cut gluten
(I was told from bloodwork that I should prob never
eat it again) and that's it. That is what I am going
for-but I am going to have to be going for it in the
midst of a raging storm of desire at times for
candy, cake, etc, and in the midst of that
availability of those things on every street corner.
Everywhere. So, can I have it? Of course. We all
can, and some do. That's the reality of us in this
group. My job is to make the choice NOT TO.
And Jonni, thanks so much for your reply.
Reply
Victor October 19, 2011 at 9:59 am
I used to eat tons of sugar, like 8 teaspoons in tea and 4
teaspoons in coffee and tons of chocolate and biscuits. But
after a few years of this I started to feel bad sometimes after
eating a chocolate. So I thought it could be related to sugar
and I decided to eliminate almost all sugar. I know only eat 2
teaspoons every two days.
But the problem is I started to loose too much weight. I don't
wanna be a skinny guy. I am already under the normal male weight
for my age and it seems I loose some more pounds every week. Any
solutions ?
Reply
- Jonni October 19, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Victor, you might want to pick up a good book on nutrition
- one with lots of really interesting recipes. Sometimes
we get so much of our calories from sugar that giving up
sugar puts us into a very low calorie diet, which isn't
really very healthy. Also, check with your doctor - you
may actually be at an ideal healthy weight, even though
you weigh less than most other guys you know. It's always
a good idea to talk to your doctor anyway whenever you
seem to be losing weight without intending to.
Reply
Carol October 19, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Trish, just my opinion but you need a new nutritionist!! No one
should be telling you to "factor sugar into your diet" and to
"learn to live with sugar"....that is just insane. Eating sugar
should not be characterized as "eating like a normal person".
Get rid of the refined sugar in your diet and go on a food plan
that includes only fruit, veggies, fish, chicken, some meat,
brown rice, quinoa, cereal and anything that does not include
sugar and avoid all processed foods that include things like
High Fructose Corn Syrup, Partially Hydrogenated Oils, and of
couse, sugar. That is why I only eat what a listed above. Most
everything in the grocery store is either loaded with refined
sugar or tons of sodium that can sabotage weight lose and your
path to a healthier body. I struggled with an extra 50 lbs for
over 15 years but being tall, 5'10'' I was able to "hide" the
excess but I felt horrible. I lost 48 lbs in one year. I did "no
sugar, no dairy, no wheat". I stopped my constant addiction to
candy, cupcakes, ice cream, bread and cheese, loads of pasta,
etc. It worked for me.
Reply
Trish October 21, 2011 at 1:28 am
You are so inspiring Carol. I love what you have to say!!
I know what you are eating is what I need to do, and I am
going to get back on track and re-work myself, make new
habits, lose the sugar habit, go gluten free and quit
being El Fatt-o who can't get into her clothes. x
Reply
Sylvia October 20, 2011 at 1:54 am
Trish, I agree with Carol, & before I had read her post, was
just thinking, `why doesn't Trish change her nutritionist?'
I agree with Jonni, too. But, don't forget that sugar is made up
of 2 molecules, sucrose & fructose. I have given up fructose, as
I am fructose intolerant. There is something called fructose
malabsorbtion, you can get tested for it, but here in Australia
it's expensive. So I just followed the research, and found that
giving it up was easier than I thought, as once you give up
fructose, you give up the highly addictive part of sugar, and
after some withdrawal symptoms, you will slowly feel your
`appetite control' kicking back in. You have a computer, be your
own researcher. Here's a couple of sites to check out.
youtube/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
nofructose/?p=97#more-97
sciencedaily/releases/2010/11/101122172002.htm
I started by hearing an interview with David Gillespie, who has
written a book (2) called Sweet Poison, I got the 2nd book,
Sweet Poison:The Quit Plan, and have now lost 17 kilos in
weight. My next goal is to give up coffee! (Because I like it
sweet)....
I now think of `releasing' my weight, as loosing it implies that
I still want to find it & welcome it back!! Not!!
In regard to nuts, I find that nuts are the things that keep me
from eating after dinner, as a handful , say12 raw almonds, take
a long time to eat, if you just `nibble' on them. I can make 8
nuts last an hour. Otherwise I find I get hungry `cos I'm bored
during the ad breaks!! lol....Worth a try. Try just getting
unsalted nuts.
I see you have been trying the `do something else' technique.
It's a great way of deflecting your mind off food. But if you're
not addicted to fructose anymore, then you won't need to do it
so often. Limit your fruit to two pieces of low fructose fruits,
or eat berries, they are very good for you and low in fructose.
Also try plain yoghurt with the smashes berries mixed in. Use
rice malt syrup as a sweetener, you won't need much, just a
level teaspoon in it. Try it without first, or have it &
gradually lessen the amount. Don't have honey, dried fruit,
fruit juice, and watch those sugary breakfast cereals. Porridge
is good & lovely with the rice malt syrup.
Trish, the research into fructose is in it's infancy, around 10
years old, so a lot of people have a vested interest in keeping
you addicted to sugar. Even nutritionists. I saw one on Aussie
TV just recently, advocating a brand of yoghurt that is full of
sugar, she went down in my estimation very quickly, as now she
has a vested interest for getting us to eat something loaded
with sugar, and getting paid for it. So you must be aware of the
people & company's that are trying to keep us addicted. Also, as
Jonni said, the friends/relatives who are giving you negative
feedback may not be ready, so just be nice to them, as one day,
they may come to you & say, "what was the name of that
book/website you read & recommended?" And won't you feel great!
You are very courageous, Trish, never forget that. You know it's
a way of life, not a diet, so you are being very sensible and
determined. You can do it, I know it. One tip, get out and walk
in Nature. Even if it's cold, rainy or warm, dress for the
weather, ignore everybody and just experience Mother Nature in
all her glory. Birds, trees, flowers. Rain, snow, whatever, it's
all beautiful. You just need to pay attention to it. Get out and
walk in it as much as possible. You will feel soooo much better.
I wish you well and success, don't be sad, look in the mirror &
say to your reflection, "I love you Trish", and after a few
`feeling silly' moments, it will begin to work, it does take
practise, practise this every day, as much as you can, love
yourself first, everything else will follow.....
I send you Love, dear Trish....
Sylvia
Spread the Love
SMILE!!
Reply
Trish October 21, 2011 at 1:34 am
Sylvia! Lustig is amazing and it makes so much sense. I love
hearing all of you guys stories. My father owned an ice cream
factory and invented all sorts of stuff that people who are into
sugar binge on. (Like me.) I grew up basically on ice cream and
cake and fried chicken. I thought fruit was sour, and veggies
were yuck.
I could sort of get by as my weight wasn't too bad, but now it's
crept up so now I am 30 pounds overweight. By the way, do you
worry about quantities and do you measure? or do you just keep
to a clean diet and follow your appetite?
Now my doctor is on me to lose weight, cut high blood pressure
and lower cholesterol. Also I am becoming a candidate for
diabetes as well. So this is not joke and it's not just to get
guys!
I live by Lake Michigan in Chicago and am out all the time,
Sylvia. You are so sweet and I so appreciate your comments and
your support. xo
Reply
- Jonni October 21, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Trish, if you're worried about high blood pressure and
cholesterol, I highly recommend I'm currently reading Dr.
Esselstyn's book about diet and heart disease. Not only
does it give you the scientific reasons why a diet can
reverse the problems, but it also has a lot of really good
recipes to get you started. There's even a movie about the
diet - called Forks over Knives, that you can watch on
Netflix if you're a member, which follows a guy with both
heart disease and diabetes who reverses his illness in
just a few weeks. Very impressive.
Reply
Sylvia October 23, 2011 at 3:31 am
Trish, thanks for your lovely words, and girl, you're most
welcome.
Glad to see that you can get out and about. I am about to
start taking my own advice on a more serious level....
I don't measure things, I just am currently taking Jack
Kruse's advice & eating high protein, low carbs, with lots
of veg, enough each meal to keep me full for 5 -6 hours
and no snacking in between, except at night when I do
snack on almonds, and sometimes have a cocoa made on hot
milk and a small piece of hard cheese, as I have to take
arthritis pills before bed, and not on an empty stomach
(!).....
I would definitely refer you to the Jack Kruse site with
your health problems.
You have to read it from the top down, as he gives his
info away like that. (In answer to people's questions),
and there is an eating regime that is only for 6 - 8
weeks. I think it's worth 6 - 8 weeks out of the rest of
one's life to just give it a go. There is a lot of
anecdotal evidence to suggest you too can help yourself
this way.
I wish you well on the rest of your Journey, Trish, you
seem to be determined, and that's always a bonus.
Sylvia xx
Spread the Love, Folks!
SMILE !!
Reply
Kelly Williams October 28, 2011 at 2:04 am
Its true I believe that sugar is truly an addiction. I feel like
a hard core drug addict even though I have never done any thing
such as that it my life. I can't explain the effect sweets make
on my life. I don't go with out them. I don't go without
thinking about them and truth be know I don't believe I can make
it with out them. Sweet things don't last don't go sparingly. I
will go through a whole thing of cookies. I tell my self to stop
but I just can't. I'm not obese yet but I see it come as I put
more and more weight on each year. I'm only 22 and I have 2 year
old. I was like 120 a few years ago now sitting at 150 but I'm
not to short so I can hide the weight well right now but it not
easy. I'm super insecure about my weigh how I look. And being a
small person was the only thing that made me feel good about
myself. It like I eat chocolate to hide away and as a streess
reliever. With out it I feel so down and depressed when I have
to tried to not have it. It super over whelming and becoming
embarrassing
Reply
- Jonni October 28, 2011 at 3:14 am
I know exactly how you feel. We all do - we've been there.
But it's possible to kick the habit. Grab a good book on
nutrition, maybe one of the great books out there about
sugar addiction, and give it a try. The biggest obstacle
is the way we allow ourselves to keep putting ourselves
down, which makes us feel too powerless to actually take
control of the problem. But you're not powerless - just
read through all the great comments on this site. We all
started out feeling exactly the same way, but then we
found the courage to work through it. You can too.
Reply
bonnie October 28, 2011 at 10:19 pm
OMG! I never realized it before, but I am a sugar junkie. I am
49 and was recently diagnosed with insulin resistance. I know I
can change it with exercise, which I do every day. And getting
off the carbs. I've been practically carb free for 4 days. My
mind has been clearer, I've been in a more stable mood. Lucky
for my husband, cuz did I mention Im also post menopausal? LOL
and yes, post menopausal women still have mood issues. In fact
it can be a reason for insulin resistance. I am a nursing
student and have had all the classes on nutrition and for some
reason I ignored it when it came to me. My compounding
pharmacist suggested to me that I not eat carbs for 4 days and I
did it. I like the way I feel, but I must be honest and say I
miss the taste of sugar. I dont eat much bread anynore and I
cant drink milk anymore cuz it makes me sick to my stomach and
thats fine cuz I've lost the taste for it. Ive been sleeing
better and waking with a smile.:) But I know I am a sugar junkie
and could fall back into the sugar shack. Wish me luck
Reply
- Jonni October 28, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Good luck. And if you're a Netflix member, I strongly
suggest that you watch the movie "Forks over Knives."
There's a segment in there about a lady who totally turned
her diabetes around with the diet recommended in the film.
Well worth a watch for anyone who's concerned about heart
disease or diabetes.
Reply
Jenny October 29, 2011 at 10:23 pm
After gaining over 50 pounds in the past 5 years, I am ready to
fight back. I am 43 years old and realize if I don't do
something drastic now, it won't be long before I experience
serious health consequences. So I have been researching diet and
nutrition along with weight-loss resources and was hoping
someone could recommend 1 or 2 of their favorite books on sugar
addiction. I would like to start with a safe detox plan and
proceed with a solid weight-loss plan that will help me
permanently change my eating habits so I can kick this sugar
addiction for good! Any suggestions for reading material would
be greatly appreciated!
Reply
- Jonni October 29, 2011 at 11:08 pm
I'm currently following Dr. Esselstyn's book about diet
and heart disease. Weight loss is a side benefit of the
diet, which has been proven to reverse several common
chronic illnesses. I know a lot of other people have made
recommendations about their favorites in the comment
section. Does anyone else have a favorite book that hasn't
been mentioned yet?
Reply
40misty40 October 30, 2011 at 12:52 am
Trying to kick the sugar habit still? I, too, am a sugar addict.
I also have bipolar disorder. Latest episodes seem to have been
encouraged by sugar. I began taking 5,000 mg/day of Barlean's
Triple Potency EPA Fish Oil, and 5,000 mg/day of the triple
potency DHA. 3,000 mg/ day Flax Oil. The combination has
assisted my efforts to quit sugar. No to mention my health
depends on sugar being absent. It was difficult at first and I
cheated here and there, but it had been 3 weeks and I am proud
to say I am sugar-free, happy and 7 lbs. lighter. Yes, 7 lbs in
3 weeks just from cutting sugar out of my diet. You can do this!
Try. If you stumble, try again. Your mind needs to understand
how unhealthy this substance is.
Reply
Trish November 1, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Hi everyone, This is going to be an update. I haven't had any
sugary stuff for over a week, or more, and I am eating really
healthy stuff. I find that eating three solid meals a day plus
an afternoon snack really reduces the cravings--but I really
haven't had any to tell you the truth. But I would if I were
trying to cut back or diet or give up 10 other things at the
same time. I am sort of aggressively feeding myself with good
meat, fruits, nuts, lots and lots of veggies-just good food! I
scared myself with my last sugar forays-IT WAS JUST SO AWFUL,
and the memory sticks with me in vivid color. There is nothing
there for me except misery and throwing up in the toilet and
throwing my whole body into a several day mess. However, you
must know that I am gaining weight. I can't believe that I am
eating more calories than before (I mean a whole huge bag of
Almond M and M's has a monster amount of calories), but my body
is really holding onto the weight and even packing more on. I
have to believe that this will even itself out and I will begin
losing. All you guys seems to really shed the weight when you
give up sugar, no? Am I doing anything wrong, or should I just
chill and be patient? I don't want the sugar again, that's for
sure.
Reply
Bev November 1, 2011 at 11:27 pm
I quit sugar also and don't lose weight - possibly because
I'm 62, and just looking at carbs puts the weight on. To
lose, I also have to watch my portions. Nuts are fattening
also, so you could try cutting those out.
Reply
Carol November 1, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Hi Trish...not knowing what you might have going on from a
medical perspective but if you cut out sugar and only eat
"good"food, you should lose weight EXCEPT...that one little rule
of thumb..."Calories in, Calories out". Even if you are eating
all good food (i.e. no processed foods, no refined sugar) but
you are eating a ton of it, you will gain weight. Like it or
not, 3,500 calories = 1 pound. If you create a deficit of 3,500
calories, you lose one pound. However, it is a total pain to
count calories and no fun at all. Your body may not need 3 meals
a day and a snack. That is what I ate in my old days. For the
last year, I have two small meals a day and a snack. In the
summer when I exercise/walk more, I can eat more but once the
sun goes down in Fall/Winter, I have to cut back unless I keep
up the same level of activity. I aim for 1,500 calories a day.
Since I used to go to Weight Watchers, I know how many "points"
most things are - each point = 60 calories, roughly. So hate to
say it, but just eliminating sugar isn't enough. You do have to
cut back on the quantity of food you are ingesting. If I were
you and you wished to also lose weight (besides being
wonderfully sugar free!) then cut out the meat and stick to fish
and chicken for awhile until you start losing weight. Also
increase your exercise. We don't need to be marathon runners
like the world thinks we need to in order to be healthy. Walking
20 minutes a day, 5 days a week will work wonders for your body,
your legs, your mind and you will see the weight disappear.
Reply
trish November 2, 2011 at 3:36 am
Oh bummer! Now I have to rachet down on the good food too.
Okay. I get it. Here goes. Cutting back now. xx
Reply
shannon nelson November 3, 2011 at 4:35 am
my 3 month old baby to my baby daddys ex girlfriends brother
addicted to sugar ever since he stopped eatin those fetanyl
lollies
Reply
Sylvia November 3, 2011 at 7:22 am
Hey, Trish & Bev. Carol is giving good advice, but have you
tried the leptin reset regime? You will definitely lose weight
on this. Just google Jack Kruse.
Bev, some nuts are better than others, almonds are the best, I
love them as a snack after dinner. I've been fructose free for
14 months now, have lost 17 kilos. I eat high protein low carb,
as I just have to look at bread & I put on weight. Eggs and
chicken are mostly my choice of protein, as I'm very poor at the
moment. 3 - 4 egg omelette for breakfast, with anything protein
in it, ham, chicken any left over meat from dinner, cooked in
real butter, or coconut oil ghee or lard. As I'm retired, (I'm
69, Bev!) I usually have my first meal around 10am, then a snack
about 4pm, cuppa soup with some crackers & cheese, then a normal
dinner, at 6.30 - 7pm, usually a one pot meal, with chicken or
beef and heaps of veg, and brown rice of sometimes pasta, though
not much. Or just steamed veg with pan fried chicken, or a pork
chop......
I was a major sugar-holic, but not any more. My problem though
is I have to have my 1 cup of latte every day, with sweeteners,
having great difficulty giving this up.
So, ladies, up your protein and eat simpler, cut out the
bread/pasta, swap white rice for brown, and you should be ok.
Good Luck........let us know how you go....
Sylvia
Spread the Love around
SMILE!!
Reply
Andre November 4, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I am on day 5 with no sugar and am so sick I think I am dying.
Extreme nausea, anxiety, agitation and more. Yesterday the same
with my face burning and severe headaches all day. My sleep is
worse.
We have eaten a whole food almost totally organic for over 30
years. My only sugar was home made cookies a few times a day
with an occasional ice cream and corn chips. This past month a
few Halloween candies at work did find their way into my pocket.
Oh and I love bread - especially artisan bread!!
Is it possible to be this sick with so little sugar - I had no
idea. Does this mean it really was poison to my system
Andre
Reply
- Jonni November 4, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Andre, have you greatly reduced your total carbs, as well
as going off sugar? Or have you reduced your calories to a
dangerous level? Your symptoms do seem a bit excessive,
but there's no way to know from this distance if you're
having sugar withdrawals or if something else is going on.
Try eating a sweet potato or some other healthy, high-carb
food, get plenty of protein, snack on whole-wheat
crackers, and drink lots of water - it should help you
feel better. If you don't, I suggest a visit with your
doctor.
Reply
Adam November 10, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I eat about 6 pounds of candy per week. Reese's cups, Skittles,
Starburst, Pretzel M&M's and Whoppers. I go to Target once a
week for groceries and buy $10-15 worth of candy (the big bags)
and go through it within 3 or 4 days.
I've been this way for years. I don't think anyone eats more
junkfood than I do. It's 12:41pm and so far today I've eaten 6
Reese's Cups, 5 funsize Skittles, 10 funsize Starburst packs (2
in each pack so 20 Starbursts.)
Does anyone eat candy like I do? I keep finding these articles
and people are freaking out about eating like half a bag of
candy over the course of 3 days and it's their first time.
That's NOTHING.
I do not have diabetes that I know of. I am 6'0 185lbs and I go
to the gym 4 or 5 days per week and work out HARD. I'm talking
sweat from head to toe, drink 5 bottles of water per day, no
soda anymore but I used to drink a 2 liter of Mt. Dew every
single day.
Every.
Day. For like two years straight.
How am I not dead yet?
Reply
- Jonni November 10, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Adam, I'm not sure if you've achieved a record or not, but
I do hope you'll consider giving up the sugar. As with
chronic alcoholism, the effects are cumulative. Did you
watch the video by Dr Lustig, at the top of this page?
Reply
Kerrymacca November 11, 2011 at 9:59 am
I too am a recovering alcoholic and cannot believe that my
craving for sugar and processed foods like crisps and chocolate
late at night and in secret - just like my drinking was - I even
hid the wrappers in the bin so that my chilcren did not know
what I had done! This is crazy behaviour. My email addy is:
kerrymcivor1@hotmail if any of you successful recovering
sugar addicts can offer me support I would be so grateful. I am
determined to overcome this addiction.
I am not obese - yet - but I am not comfortable with my weight
and hate the fact that I am unable to eat just one biscuit or
one paket of crisps... Abstinance seems crazy but maybe like
alcohol it is the only way...
HELP!!! I have tried all kinds of dieting and as I am obsessive
I do well but then I go back to eating `normally' and put on the
weight plus a bit more...
Many, many thanks.
Reply
- Jonni November 11, 2011 at 3:32 pm
The only thing I know of that works is to make a
commitment to give up sugar and white flour. Throw all the
tempting non-foods in the garbage. Live through the
initial withdrawal symptoms, and then focus on eating
good, healthy food. A good book on nutrition, like the one
by Joel Fuhrman, would be a good read while you're coming
off the sugar.
Sugar affects the body in much the same way as alcohol, so
it actually makes sense that total abstinence is the only
thing that works. For the medical reasons why this is
true, watch the video at the top of this page.
When will-power isn't enough, the next step is meditation.
If that isn't enough, ask your doctor to recommend a
clinical hypnotist. And if you go without sugar for a week
or so and then give in to temptation, don't beat yourself
up about it. Just remember your commitment, and try again.
It isn't easy, but it's worth it.
Reply
Sylvia November 14, 2011 at 6:32 am
Hi, Kerry, great advice from Jonni, but, as with
everything, it's that decision you make in your head. If
you've made that decision, and are determined enough, it
will happen.....use this affirmation, write it out & pin
onto your computer, or where you will see it & say out
loud as many times as possible..
I love change. I embrace the new....
I know I can create whatever I set my mind to, and I
do.....
Once I make a decision, all the forces in the Universe are
mobilised to bring about my highest good......
I ask for what I want. I am open to receiving it in
whatever way or form it appears that is for my highest
good.
Read Jonni's book, also Sweet Poison, by David Gillespie,
and do watch that video....this is not a diet, it's a new
way of life, and you do want that, don't you?
Be good to yourself for a change, do this for you.....look
at yourself in the mirror each morning & night & say, `I
Love you Kerry' and mean it....
I wish you well, and am sending loving thoughts to
you......I know you can do it, Kerry, just don't obsess
about it all, be calm and it will happen. Remember, slow
is best....
Love
Silver Angel aka Sylvia
Spread the Love
SMILE!!
Reply
- Jonni November 14, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Excellent advice, Silvia.
I've been thinking that the word "addiction," or
"addict," may be appropriately descriptive of the
problem we face - but it contains such negative
connotations that we may need to invent a new word.
When the world is awash in sugar, and kids become
addicted to it almost as soon as they're weaned, it
seems unfair to brand as an "addict" the person who
recognizes the danger and decides to do something
about it. It's not like we're meeting in an opium
den, after all... ;)
Weston A. Price may have been one of the first to
point out the damaging health effects of sugar (and
who was mostly ignored by the medical establishment,
of course). I wish his book (and especially the
photos inside) was mandatory reading in high school
health classes. Until then, though, we need to keep
celebrating the courage of people who are willing to
put their own health ahead of the expectations of
our culture. It isn't easy - but if you give it a
try, you're on the right side of the issue.
What word could we use that would celebrate that
courage, and remove all the negative connotations
that are implied by "addiction?"
Reply
Sylvia November 15, 2011 at 1:52 am
Thanks Jonni, you are right as far as I'm
concerned in what you say. The only word I
could come up with is `dependency', as in `I'm
determined to reduce my dependency on this
insidious thing that less informed people put
into my food.'
It really is as easy as making that decision
in your head/mind, and as hard, a paradox, if
you will.. ....I well remember giving up
smoking cigarettes. I made the decision to
stop in my head, thought of a date, and
stopped then. After 5 days my spouse & I had a
fight, and I retired to the laundry for a good
cry, and a cigarette. But as soon as I lit it,
it tasted awful and I spat it out, and never
had another one. I did make sure I was going
to be busy, to keep my hands from being idle,
and every time I would reach for one, I would
say, in my head, "Oh, that's right, I don't
smoke anymore' ....that was reinforcing the
message, but I didn't actually realise it at
the time, only when I looked back & de
constructed it all, did I realise, I was
programming my mind to think positive, not
negative.
So when I want to stop doing something now, I
often think back to how I gave up smoking
cigarettes, all those years ago, around 25
now!!
I hope this may be of some help to someone who
is currently struggling.
My tips, keep busy, don't obsess about food,
only eat when you are hungry. Be kind to
yourself, self love is very important, if you
slip up, don't get so down on yourself, just
accept that this time it didn't work, but that
you will get right back on that sugar-less
train and keep on trying. Never give
up....Courage indeed....eat more protein & cut
back on whatever carbs you can. Have a high
protein brekky, you will feel fuller longer,
and it makes you feel fantastic, when you
realise you haven't eaten for 5 or 7 hours!!
Know when your `weak' points are, mine is
after dinner, I need my almonds otherwise I
just want to pick at things.
Above all, never give up!! Tell yourself
often, `I can do it, I know I can'....
I wish you all well. If you like to eat
healthy and would like some good recipes, see
Sarah Wilson's Blog, her Tuesday Eats link
will have you drooling. And, remember, if you
want your life to change, you have to change
your life.
Love to all
Silver Angel aka Sylvia
Spread the Love
Reply
jen b November 14, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Any other medical references besides the jourrnal of nutrition?
Reply
Melani November 16, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I think that I'm addicted to sugar. I eat more candy than an
average person probably should throughout the day. It makes it
hard to lose weight because when I try to stop i have even worst
sugar cravings.
Reply
Carol November 16, 2011 at 11:12 pm
Melani,
Sugar is the big culprit to not being able to lose weight but
check your other eating habits too for things that have excess
sodium levels (fast foods, packaged foods, frozen meals (even
the so-called "diet ones" are loaded w/sodium). But back to
sugar...I was like you - very much into a LOT of candy each day
plus cupcakes, sweet rolls for breakfast, cake, pie, cookies -
every single day. You might not be a "numbers" person like me
but if you look at these numbers, they should shock you and
everyone else:
The average person in the U.S. consumes 22 teaspoons of added
refined sugar a day and most comes from sweets, soft drinks and
even a lot of packaged goods (breads, cookies, crackers). 1
teaspoon of sugar = approx. 16 calories so 22 teaspoons x 16
calories = 352 added empty calories per day. By "empty" I mean
EMPTY. Refined sugar does not have any nutritional value
whatsoever. Multiply 352 calories of sugar consumed per day x
365 days in one year and you have racked up 128,480 empty
calories. 1 pound = 3,500 calories. Divide 128,480 calories by
3,500 = 36.7 lbs gained per year. Note this is AVERAGE amount
consumed per person; yours could be much less (or more). It is
recommended that we consume no more than 6 teaspoons (close to
100 calories) of refined sugar daily. Since most nutritional
info on food products is expressed in terms of "g"or grams then
you need to know that 1 teaspoon = 4.2 g. So as your read your
labels, you need to keep your refined sugar at 6 teaspoons x
4.2g or 25 grams per day. Example: One Snickers bar has 30 grams
of sugar! You do not count the naturally occurring sugar in
fruits, veggies, or milk in this calculation - only added
refined sugar. When you start reading labels on processed food
items you will be shocked at how much added refined sugar is in
almost everything that is pre-packaged in the grocery store.
Now that I have probably bored everyone to tears with my little
numbers game, let me tell you that I probably rivaled Melani
(and a lot of other folks!) in candy/cake/cupcake/frosting/sweet
rolls/pie consumption for most of my life and while not
overweight until the last 15 yrs. even the extra 50 lbs I gained
didn't stop me from continuing down the evil sugar path. But
when I stopped all refined sugar consumption on Aug 1, 2010 and
saw the weight drop and the cravings gone, I knew I was onto
something. I do not eat any refined sugar now except at special
occasions (I am a big baker/cook) I will have a small slice of
something sweet but not like I used to do in the old days (3-4
slices and more the next AM w/my coffee!).
One day at a time Melani. You can do it. Just put the candy and
sweets away, chuck the sodas (if you are a soda drinker) and
start moving (walking is good!). You can do it!
Reply
Carol December 12, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Author: JS
Comment:
Carol,
Just a quick note for now, but today is Day 3
sugar-free/white flour free/ etc.
And I'm feeling great! I just have one question for now,
why are you dairy free?
Cottage cheese and other cheeses are low carb and high fat
which is what my body
needs. No whole, organic milk either? I love these foods
and eliminating them
will decrease variety. Just curious about your
experiences.
I LOVE THIS GROUP! THANK YOU
I am replying to my own post in hopes that the author of
this reply to mine "J" gets my reply to her post since I
can't seem to find her post anywhere here but I got an
email that said the above. So to J...if you find this post
- here is the reply to your question: I got rid of dairy
because of my asthma problem. Dairy causes a big build up
of mucous in the system, especially lungs, that can make
asthma worse. I do not drink milk and don't eat cheese,
yogurt or any other milk based product. I drink a calcium
fortified soy milk instead. I thought I would miss cheese
and yogurt but don't at all. I am off my asthma meds after
20 years.
Reply
Kerrymacca November 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Hi Y'all
Thank you for the amazing support you have shown me and great
tips. I have discovered a healthy sweetener - natural - called
Agave Nectar - Low GI etc. I have also joined Slimming World -
well, I have enrolled and have my first meeting on Tuesday this
week - so I will keep you posted. As my AA Meetings 3 times per
week on average keep me focused I guess that meeting people who
understand my food cravings and obsessions may help.
I have been listening ot a Louise L Hay CD which has helped me
to love myself and also with some affirmations...
BIG LOVE to you all....
Kerry xxx
Reply
Silver Angel November 22, 2011 at 5:42 am
Hi, Kerry, sorry t0 disappoint you, but there is heaps of
fructose in Agave Nectar, and that is what we're trying to
avoid here, not so much just the sugar, but the fructose
half of it. (The other half being glucose).
Here is an extract from Wikipedia,
Composition
Agave nectar consists primarily of fructose and glucose.
One source gives 92% fructose and 8% glucose; another
gives 56% fructose and 20% glucose. These differences, it
is presumed, reflect variation from one vendor of agave
nectar to another.[6][7]
Agave nectar's glycemic index and glycemic load are
comparable to fructose,[8][9] which in turn has a much
lower glycemic index and glycemic load than table sugar
(sucrose).[10][11] However, consumption of large amounts
of fructose can be deleterious and can trigger fructose
malabsorption, metabolic syndrome,[12]
hypertriglyceridemia, decreased glucose tolerance,
hyperinsulinemia, and accelerated uric acid
formation.[13][14][15]
If you need any more proof, about fructose, watch the
little video posted by Jonni at the head of this page, by
Dr Lustig....also there are haps of links to other
diseases, one is gout......
Try Rice Malt Syrup instead, it's made from Organic Brown
rice, and it's only the rice boiled down with enzymes,
maltose and glucose, no fructose....you can use it instead
of honey, molasses, golden syrup, treacle, and Maple
syrup, all of which have heaps of fructose in them....it
can be used in heaps of ways, in baking, on porridge, in
tea/coffee/cocoa it's yummy and I have to stop myself from
eating it straight from the jar. Buy it at Coles, Health
Food aisle.....around the $3.- $4 mark. I buy Pure Harvest
brand, you can put that into Google & check it out, under
products.
Good luck with your weight loss, now you have made that
decision, and are determined to stick with it, the rest
should fall into place. Don't obsess about it all, and
keep busy. If I'm busy, I don't eat, simple as that, I've
lost 18 kilos now, just by giving up fructose.
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
SMILE!!
Reply
Erinn November 20, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Hi guys, I was so happy to find this site with comments from
real people that reflect exactly how I feel. I'm only 22 but
growing up we never had much money so treats were cheap biscuits
and chocolate etc. My friend is bringing over a slice of
homemade cheesecake tonight so as someone else said, it's my one
last hit! Looking forward to a new lifestyle now, I really am.
For lent this year, I gave up chocolate (but replaced it with
every other form of sugar I could get my grubby little hands
on), and I found that when 00:01 came round on Easter Sunday,
and I took that first bite into my Easter egg - it actually
didn't taste very nice. I could've easily thrown in away, but
something made me keep on devouring it. Very strange.
To be honest, I'm looking forward to Yorkshire puddings and
stuffing at Christmas, but I'll stay away from the desserts, and
KNOW that they actually don't taste that great!
Reply
Sylvia November 22, 2011 at 6:00 am
Hey, Erinn, if you've read all the info, along with the
video from Dr Lustig, you'll now know why you ate that
choc egg. It's because the fructose is keeping you
addicted to it. If you now up your protein, it will fill
you up. I was ravenous for the first few weeks because
no-one told me about that little fact. so I was eating all
the bread in the house, pasta, rice, and I was losing
weight, but then I got to a certain point and stopped, so
I had to lower the carbs a bit & up the protein. then I
was ok & started losing again. I love Yorkshire puddings,
being an Englishwoman from way back, (I emigrated to
Australia in 1968), so I'm old. lol....Have nuts as a
snack after dinner, they will keep your hands
busy......other advice is, don't obsess about it all, just
go with the flow, keep your mind and hands busy, and make
sure you shop for your new way of life, as this isn't a
diet, it's a way of life.
I wish you well on your journey, Erinn....good luck
Silver Angel
Spread the Love
SMILE!!
Reply
- Rita November 20, 2011 at 11:21 pm
see how they are tricking us to overeat, watch Sugar the Bitter
Truth children's version
youtube/watch?v=_PMQvamaAcc
Reply
Silver Angel November 22, 2011 at 6:10 am
Thanks for that, Rita, what a hoot!! Well, it would be if
the message weren't so serious.........Hmmmm
Silver Angel aka Sylvia
Spread the Love
AND SMILE!!
Reply
Cassie December 3, 2011 at 8:58 pm
i found when im excercising at least once a day, i dont crave
sugar as much. the first couple of days getting started are
really tough but after a couple of days i get it out of my
system and the excercise becomes a habit instead.
u get a high from endorphines instead of the sugar and you dont
have the tiredness or bad moods afterwards.
when im really struggling i try to think of sugar as though it
is sabotage; its poisoning my mind and my body and i try to
think i deserve better than to harm my body (if i slip once, im
off the wagon for a few days!)
Reply
JS December 12, 2011 at 1:47 am
Carol,
I posted the below comment after reading your Oct 16, 2011 post,
but it was placed underneath yours so I'm posting again in case
it may be missed.
Just a quick note for now, but today is Day 3 sugar-free/white
flour free/ low carb/ high fat, etc. and I'm feeling great! I
just have one question for now, why are you also dairy free?
Cottage cheese and other cheeses are low carb and high fat which
is what my body needs. No whole, organic milk either? I love
these foods and eliminating them will
decrease variety. Just curious about your experiences.
For others readers of this post (including Carol please), our
new eating plan sounds very similar to Atkins/South Beach/Zone
etc. I have yet to read LivingLaVidaLowCarb, but I'm guessing
the ideas are similar. Read all of them, then modify as needed
to meet individual goals?
I LOVE THIS GROUP! THANK YOU
Reply
Carol December 12, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Hi JS,
Yes I could not find your post to reply so thanks for
re-posting. I am dairy free for my asthma. All dairy
products create mucous in the lungs which can make asthma
symptoms worse. After 25 yrs on a steriod inhaler, I am
off all asthma meds. I don't drink milk or eat cheese
products or any milk products at all. I use a calcium
fortified soy milk instead. I don't eat those horrible
tasting cheese subsitutes made from soy or tofu either. I
just don't miss the cheese at all or the yogurt or cottage
cheese either. My food plan consists mostly of just
fruits, veggies, fish, chicken, occasionally red meat,
Quinoa, brown rice, potatoes, gluten free pasta, peanut
butter (organic, no salt, no sugar variety) and that is
about it.
Reply
Carol December 12, 2011 at 8:34 pm
JS:
Thought I would also show you this list that I just gave to a
friend who could not believe what I was doing and had a
difficult time understanding what exactly I do eat.
This is prior to August 1, 2010 - Typical Day for Me (I work in
an office)
AM: Almond Croissant, Large Muffin or Scone & decaf latte
Mid-AM: Banana or bakery-type of leftovers in work kitchen
Lunch: Big sandwich, potato chips/pretzels, cookies, candy
PM snack: Peanut M&M's or dessert item from local coffee shop
(banana bread or chocolate chip cookies).
Dinner: Big dish of pasta or ravioli; hardly any veggies to
speak of.
Dessert: Cupcakes, cookies, candy. Sometimes cinnamon toast and
a glass of milk later on in the evening.
Calories: Approx 2800-3000
This is as of August 1, 2010 going forward and presently:
AM: Fruit Smoothie w/small orange, banana, 1 cup combo of
blueberries/blackberries/raspberries and 1 cup water. Later on,
a decaf soy latte.
Mid AM: 1 Tbsp. peanut butter (organic, no salt, no sugar) on
gluten free crackers.
Lunch: Sushi or a big salad or chicken salad on gluten free
crackers. Sometimes Thai food since most of it is rice-based (no
wheat).
Mid PM: Pear or orange or banana.
Dinner: Fish or chicken; 2-3 servings of grilled or steamed
veggies. Sometimes brown rice or red quinoa on the side.
Daily Calories: Approx 1200-1800
No dessert. Walk for 30 minutes after dinner. Lift free weights
4 times weekly. I have totally transformed my upper body and
when I see people for the first time in a while, that is the
first thing they notice.
Reply
JS December 14, 2011 at 2:25 am
Carol,
Thank you so much for your post :-) . Today is Day 5 of
following the Paleo eating plan and I FEEL FANTASTIC! I have so
much emery, cravings are gone, m
No withdrawal symptoms (yet), and today is the first day I
havent walked/hiked/jogged 5-7 mi because I've had a super long
day. I'm fit, maybe 15 lbs over what I look best at, but very
much an addict whonsimply exercises to shed the unwanted excess
calories from a 1-2day/week binge.
I purchased DesMaison's "The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Plan"
book and I'm 10 pages in. The book describes me to a T.
I cannot explain how thrilled I am to have finally found a
diagnosis and a cure! I've been sugar addicted since 1994 (I'm
now 42 years old). I've explained my symptoms FOR YEARS to
anyone who would listen, only to discover no one could relate
(obviously, I
never spoke with another sugar addict who heard of the sugar's
addictive properties).
Anyway, I am thrilled to have found this Group and I'm
especially thankful to everyone to continues to share their
honest stories. I certainly can describe mine, but in a
nutshell, they all sound similar to the ones already posted.
There is much comfort to be derived from now knowing I am not
alone and there is a cure. I feel fantastic. THANK YOU to
everyone. I cannot wait to finish reading my book :-)
JS
Reply
JS December 14, 2011 at 2:35 am
I apologize for the typos/grammatical errors. I'm typing on my
iPad and haven't quite figured out how to scroll and re-read
without fear of losing content. My original response to Carol I
typed using my iPhone while at Barnes and Noble yesterday (yes,
I was skimming through one of Wolf's books), but the content
erased as soon as I sent it. There was an error with the
bookstore's WiFi. Darn!
Reply
JS December 15, 2011 at 4:47 pm
To All Dieters on this eating plan,
Today is Day 7 on thi new eating plan and I'm still feeling
fantastic. Im curious to know for those of you who are tryin to
shed a few lbs, are you also counting calories along with
counting carbs? To lose 1 lb, we need to create a deficit of
3500 calories, so eventhough this forum doesnt mention calorie
counting, it is critical to weight loss, correct?
Reply
- Jonni December 16, 2011 at 1:11 am
If you watch the video near the top of this post, the
doctor seems to be saying that fructose turns to fat. No
mention of counting calories.
Reply
Carol December 16, 2011 at 1:19 am
Hi JS again!
I know what you mean...calories in-calories out and the
deficit for one pound is indeed, 3500 calories. But I do
NOT count calories. I used to do Weight Watchers about 10
yrs ago and know the "point value" of most foods that I
choose to eat (approx. 60 calories in one point). But if
you stick to fruits, veggies, chicken, fish, lean meats
and things like brown rice, Quinoa and totally avoid
pre-packaged-processed-and-frozen foods, you should be
fine. If you start to count calories you might drive
yourself nuts (like I did at first!). Now that I am only 5
lbs away from my goal weight, I just have found that I
only eat when I am hungry and I make sure that what I eat
is GOOD food. You will find that you don't need to count
and the weight will come off. Key though...moderate
exercise. You don't need to run freaking marathons! Brisk
walks for 15-20 minutes a day are great to keep your
metabolism going and stretch the muscles. If you decide to
try lifting free weights, I can give you some good tips.
Seriously, you don't have to join a gym - I can show you
how to completely tone your upper body with two simple
7-lb dumbells. I did it myself - took a year but the
results are incredible. 10 minutes every other day - no
big deal and easy to do. Let me know and I will tell you
how to do it. I understand this stuff, too. I was a rower
in college and for 10 yrs after college so I understand
how exercise and resistance training (weights) can help
you lose weight and re-shape your body. It is very
exciting! After 20 yrs, I am back into tank tops, shorts
and a bathing suit!
Reply
LaRonda December 19, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I recently saw an article on the "Ice Man". He was a frozen,
5,000 year old man that was studied. He had all the diseases
that we have today, right down to Lyme Disease. He had heart
disease, arthritis, etc., and this is a person that ate an all
organic diet. No fast food, sugar and had an active life. No TV
to watch. I think a person should eat whatever makes them feel
the good. The stress of worrying about what to eat is worse than
just eating it and moving on with your day.
Reply
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