posted September 04, 2009 09:22 PM         

Part of me thinks that I have this natural "low" biologically and somehow sugar provided the right "kick" The problem is how do I kick this habit before it creates more health issues than it already has.

Am I lacking something? I think something is off since my mind says one thing and the next thing I know I ate 3 ice cream bars within 15 minutes. Then,I realize that maybe my thoughts have something to do with it because I just bought a pair of PJs (usually don't try on PJs in the store) and when I put them on they showed every bulge and roll. So what did I unconciously do, eat ice cream until I got a rush. Yet at times there is no belittling going on and I just eat it because it tastes really really good and I keep doing it. It's like having an orgasm of the taste buds, but it also is in the brain.

Is it safe to go cold turkey and not eat any white sugar at all? Is there a way to really cut the sugar? If my body is craving that rush, what can be done about it? Does anyone know any links, etc?

posted September 04, 2009 09:33 PM         

quote:

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Is it safe to go cold turkey and not eat any white sugar at all? Is there a way to really cut the sugar? If my body is craving that rush, what can be done about it?

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posted September 05, 2009 10:09 AM         

My 2cents worth...seratonin, possibly.

We "crave" in our diets what we lack physiologically. Often folks who crave carbs (in whatever form) are seratonin-depleted (been there done that.)

I would suggest as Z pointed out brilliantly, moving toward more healthy carbs...when you crave sugar, go ahead and have your fix, what ever it may be, but in a lesser amount, then add some fruit. Then move to whole grains and fruit. Slowly "wean" yourself off of sugar and incorporate more "good" carbs into your diet that are low on the glycemic index, ie: whole grains, anything brown. Move from white to brown.

All things in moderation, I suppose....I, never being a "sweet" person, will indulge in the occasional chololate, cookie or cake...just to satisfy my few and far between sweet cravings, my vice is carbs in the form of potatos and grain products.

Still different sides of the same coin, carbs are carbs.

I lean toward a greater protien intake in my daily food consumption, carbs can be deadly for me, but I have learned that we need carbs, quality carbs for complete and balanced homeostasis of the body.

blessings

posted September 05, 2009 02:14 PM         

but the trick they push is very simple...protein at breakfast, and at regular intervals throughout the day, and i think they suggest a WHOLE (in the skin) small potato a couple of hours before bed.

posted September 05, 2009 02:23 PM         

Great advice from the medical perspective/background, hippi
ala kat, I don't have any medical training, just a lot of reading on health issues, so don't take my word for any suggestions here -- do the reading yourself, and try different things.
All our bodies are different. Hippi doesn't "crave" sweets like you or I do, and there are definitely times when I cave in and get a 3 Musketeers bar.
But I feel so much better (healthier, happier) when I DON'T EAT SUGAR.

Here are some links:
http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/lower-your-sugar-intake/article15980.html
http://ask.metafilter.com/24281/Addicted-to-sugar
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13324.asp

All I did was google "weaning yourself off sugar" -- there are lots of hits.....
Whatever you do, DON'T substitute artificial sweeteners for refined white sugar!! Most of them are worse than the white sugar

See:
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/007734.html
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002264.html

posted September 07, 2009 09:37 AM         

Thanks for the links. they are fabulous I forget about the hidden sugars in condiments, etc.

Someone once sent me a link on how sugar destroys our bodies, it is really scary - I had no idea. Sugar is more addicting that heroin but not classified as an addiction. http://rheumatic.org/sugar.htm (I think this is it,)

I like the ideas as to limiting it to dessert at dinner or just odd number days, then just Sundays (hmm I'm suddenly thinking about vanilla ice cream)

I know someone who went on a weight loss diet, she counted the calories, fat, sugar, protein, carbs, etc. of absolutely everything she ate - all written down like an accountant (too much for me to tolerate) She quickly learned that much of her caloric intake was empty calories and was lacking in healthy foods. Her weight just dropped off and is maintained a couple of years later.

The thing that I'm concerned about - I just had surgery on a tendon in my foot/ankle. I was finding "cysts or fibroids" and some were getting bigger and I kept finding more. The doctor was going to do a small incision and remove them. When I came out of surgery the nurse showed me a jar and it looked like a heaping teaspoon full of couscous with a few bigger chunks about 5-9mm. I couldn't count accurately under the influence of anethesia but there were about 30 calcium deposits! I originally could only feel about 7 maybe 8. I now have a huge 5" incision. the doctor said when he went in he kept finding more and more! My sister said someone at work said I must have calcium issues. On the internet it say magnesium issues. Since sugar can interfere with the absorption of mag/calcium, I'm starting to wonder if my diet is to blame specifically sugar. I've got allergies, muscles issues, TMJ, minor arthritis, fibromyalgia all of these are iritated by ----- sugar. big wake-up

posted October 31, 2009 11:00 AM         

Raymond

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"Nothing matters absolutely;
the truth is it only matters relatively"

posted December 08, 2009 07:15 AM         

1. Know all the sneaky names for sugar. Read food labels and get rid of condiments, sauces, and dressings with sugar in them. Learn to make condiments and dressings with out the sugar.

2. Eat fruit. Fruit is a great way to eat something sweet, and control calories. Just stay away from dried fruit or sweetened fruit.

3. Avoid artificial sweeteners. These are just a crutch. They keep you from learning to enjoy the natural sweetness of real food. There are also studies that show that they can make you crave sugar, not to mention the studies that show other dangerous health effects like cancer.

4. Eliminate the white stuff. White flour, white rice, and white potatoes. These have the same affect on blood sugar as sugar, and this will make sugar harder to kick. These foods keep you on the insulin- low blood sugar cycle.

5. Avoid juice. Even 100% juice is sugar water in disguise. Drink water, and if you must, only a splash of juice for flavor.

6. Try stevia. Stevia is an herb that is very sweet and has a slight licorice flavor. While it is a stretch to make a whole dessert with stevia, it is great in coffee and on cereal. It may take some getting used to, but it is way better than loading your food with sugar or known toxic chemicals.Tip: Look for stevia in the dietary supplement section. It will not be with the sweeteners.

7. Learn to use honey. If you really need a sugar fix, eat some honey. Learn to cook with it. Learn how to drizzle it in thin steams. It is very high in sugar but, has other benefits that sugar does not and it is all natural.Tip: Buy honey local to your area. The local pollens the bees use to make the honey could help prevent some seasonal allergies.

8. Limit alcohol. Alcohol is made from sugar. It acts like sugar in the body. Especially when you first are trying to kick sugar stay away from any alcoholic beverages.

9. Bring a low sugar dessert to share. Temptations are everywhere. Show others how delicious a low sugar life style can be.

10. Keep it out of the house. Do not temp yourself with your child's pop tarts or your husband's ice cream. Tell your family what you are doing and then put your foot down. It is hard enough with out sweets calling your name all day long.

11. Eat sweet potatoes, red potatoes, and brown rice with meals. These are the foods to replace the white foods with. Sweet potatoes make a yummy dessert with a little yogurt. Steam small red potatoes or some brown rice to eat with dinner. If time is an issue, cook these items ahead of time.

12. If you must eat sweets, eat them after meals. After meals sugar has less of an effect on blood sugar. You will be less likely to crash and crave more later.

Sugar is a hard habit to kick. Cravings will lessen with time. The longer sugar is out of your diet the easier it gets.

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"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies with in us."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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posted August 16, 2010 10:25 PM         

Giving yourself permission to indulge once in awhile, WITHOUT GUILT....
will lessen your sense of missing out, or feeling deprived the rest of the time.
Like if I want a sweet.....
I have it, savor it, and then tell myself, you can have another whenever you want....
I then feel free to NOT over indulge.

If you have Diabetes, even carrots are high glycemic, and fruits, so not the safe things one usually thinks, same for honey.
Also...

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Tip: Buy honey local to your area. The local pollens the bees use to make the honey could help prevent some seasonal allergies.

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posted August 17, 2010 11:02 AM         

quote:

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Giving yourself permission to indulge once in awhile, WITHOUT GUILT....
will lessen your sense of missing out, or feeling deprived the rest of the time.
Like if I want a sweet.....
I have it, savor it, and then tell myself, you can have another whenever you want....
I then feel free to NOT over indulge.

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Well said, LEXX. I find that works for me as well. As long as I know I can get it, I don't crave it.

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One is most likely to be allergic to the local pollens!

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