Sugar addiction?

Okay, so I feel I have a pretty unhealthy obsession with sugar and delightfully delicious sweets. I think about dessert constantly, it is one of my ultimate weaknesses. I LOVE junk food of any kind though, and do obsess about it far more than I should, and far more than is healthy. I understand that craving sweet and sugary foods, or any sort of junky foods is relatively normal on occasion but I literally think about them constantly, at least several times a day. Maybe I need a life to distract myself from the only enjoyment I can really think about, which is currently food. I can’t stop thinking about eating, it’s basically the only thing I look forward to every day.

Now I’m not exactly overweight but I believe I could stand to lose around 6-12 pounds or so to be a more “ideal” weight. I know I’m not overweight, but I do feel a little too fat right now. It’s not a HUGE difference, and even if it is just a number and I think reaching that would make me feel better, even if just psychologically. It isn’t even just about the weight though, I don’t think all this junk food in edition to completely unbalanced eating habits can be healthy for the body and mind. Often times when I eat sweets or junk I will just replace those calories consumed for a meal, or sometimes practically starve myself for a day or two afterwards to make up for it. I could very easily eat an entire cake, a huge bowl of frosting, or a gigantic bag of chips in one sitting. One question I have about healthy eating is does it really make that much of a difference though? I’d like to hear from some people if they can say how much eating healthier has changed anything for them, whether it’s your health, mood, or whatever. I really do want to start eating healthier but I am sooo addicted to junk and sugar. There is also the cost factor, it’s hard to eat healthy when you are completely broke.

Does anyone else here have an obsession with sugary and/or other extremely unhealthy foods? If you do or did, do you have any suggestions or insights on how to lessen this problem? And of course does anyone have any tips on how to curb these insatiable cravings? Also, any advice or personal stories would be very much appreciated. :)
 

Rawz

Well-known member
Does anyone else here have an obsession with sugary and/or other extremely unhealthy foods? If you do or did, do you have any suggestions or insights on how to lessen this problem? And of course does anyone have any tips on how to curb these insatiable cravings? Also, any advice or personal stories would be very much appreciated. :)

Ah yes, sugar. Sweet, sweet sugar. And the huge variety of sugary junk food.

When I was a kid, I ate lots of junk food every day. And drank a lot sodas daily. Heck, for years often times the only healthy meal I had on any given day was dinner. It's had some negative effects.

My diet slowly became better during my teenage years, but it wasn't until I was about 19 that I started to really change my diet and started eating healthy. I've been working on it for 2-3 years now. It's been a slow conversion and I've backslide some at times. I couldn't do it overnight for sure. I think it's best to go slow.

What I put most of my focus on in the beginning, was just reducing the amount of junk food I consumed in a day. I didn't worry about making any meals healthier really. I waited until I had some amount of control over how much junk food I ate/cravings.

It is interesting how your tastes buds will/can change and/or readjust once you've reduced your sugar intake a lot for long enough time. Some of the things that you used to eat become too sweet and other things that you used to think were bitter, are now almost sweet and very tolerable.

There is also the cost factor, it’s hard to eat healthy when you are completely broke.

I would like to think that if you did things right, it could be done cheaply. Shopping at the right stores, capitalizing on sales (would need enough money for this), etc. Having a freezer or two is very helpful.

I live out in the country with my parents and they have plenty of land for a garden(s). So every year we have a garden. And in the past few years I've become more involved in it. So we can have a lot of fresh grown tomatoes, snap peas, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, some spinach, etc.

You don't have to live far away from all cities/towns and have plenty of land to grow things though. I know a guy that lives in a suburban area right next to a small town that grows some vegetables in his backyard. Heck, other people in the same town do it too.

I have recently backslide some on this. I would like to cut out any and all junk food from my regular diet, and only have these things during 1 or 2 cheat days (the weekend).

As far as the effects of diets consisting mostly of junk food/processed foods, I would assume it would depend a lot of genetics. Someone people may feel miserable and they may end up with a lot of health problems after enough years of this. Others may feel great and never have any health problems.

You are never going to know how much better your health will be with a healthier diet if you never try it. So if you're really curious--work at having the healthiest diet you can, or the healthiest diet you can tolerate.
 

Draconess25

Well-known member
I think there has to be a balance between convenience and commitment. I've never really been that big on junk food, but when I was 11-14, I was a major health nut. I stopped taking all medication, even something as simple as aspirin or cough syrup, and I tried to get my parents to go organic and everything. They wouldn't shop as healthy as I wanted, but I stuck to my non-medication belief.

15-17, I was too depressed to care. I started drinking nothing but booze and soda, stopped exercising, and almost stopped sleeping and eating completely. The lowest weight I recorded was 86 lbs. So eating unhealthy is better than not eating at all.

When I met my boyfriend, he made me stop drinking and cutting. That was easier than I expected. He also tried to get me to start eating and exercising regularly, sleep more, drink more water, and quit drinking soda. It took me about a year to get on the right track. Now I exercise every other day, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep, drink several bottles of water a day, and only drink half a can of soda maybe every other week. I feel so much better for it.

And about the food. Now that I'm older, I can cook as healthy as I'd like. And I do. But by healthy, I don't mean low-fat, low-carb, fat-free, sugar-free, etc. I mean as many nutrients per bite as possible and as natural ingredients as possible; no MSG, no trans fats, no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners. Butter over margarine, honey or sugar over aspartame/saccharin/sucralose, whole milk over 2%/skim or soy, eggs over Eggbeaters, purified water over tap, stove over microwave, etc. I also cook low sodium, but that's just because I've never really been a salt person.

But I don't always cook that way. Just at least once or twice a day, unless I'm at my boyfriends for the weekend. Sometimes even less. If I'm watching a TV or just smoked a joint, I'll pop some pizza rolls in the oven, tear into a bad of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, or eat half of an angel food cake. If you're stressed all the time about eating healthy, that stress can make you just as sick as eating unhealthy can.

But I no longer drink alcohol and rarely drink soda. I mainly drink purified water, herbal teas, and juice. I exercise regularly unless shit happens. I still haven't taken an aspirin, Tylenol, antibiotic, or any other medication in 8 years. I can barely stand fast food and microwaved meals. My body tells me when I need to eat healthier for a few days, and when it does, I listen. It's all about balance.
 

Silatuyok

Well-known member
I have a raging sweet tooth! And I used to eat nothing but junk. Now I eat at least four servings each of fruits and veggies every day, plus some plant-based proteins, dairy and grains thrown in for good measure. I can tell you that there is a huge difference in my health now from what it used to be back in my junk food days. I rarely get sick (like once a year, if that). My digestive system works like a well-oiled machine (tmi?). And I have the satisfaction of knowing each day that I am preventing any number of horrible things from happening to my body as it ages. I'm convinced that sugar is a pretty horrible thing to put into your body, even though I still can't resist on many days. I would say that cutting out other foods to make up for the calories you consume by eating junk food is by far your biggest problem. If anything, you should be eating MORE good food on the days when you are pigging out on junk. What you are doing now is replacing good wholesome calories with empty ones that are quite literally poisoning your body.

Tips for eating healthier on the cheap? Easy. Stop drinking anything but water and you'll start saving a ton of money. Cut way back on meat, and you'll save some more. Keep a bowl of fruit (it doesn't have to be expensive fruit) on your counter and eat two or three pieces first thing in the morning along with a granola bar. A 1-lb bag of baby carrots is comparable in price to even the smallest bag of chips, so no money lost there. If you have the free time, learn how to cook some easy healthy meals at home that can be used for lunches, etc. throughout the day. Avoid anything processed/packaged, as those foods are relatively expensive and usually have something bad in them. Invest in some cheaper nuts and seeds (e.g., peanuts, sunflower seeds) and snack on them throughout the day. Buys cans of beans at the store: they typically cost about $1 and they contain up to three servings of healthy protein. Rice, eggs, peanut butter---these are all wholesome foods that are not terribly expensive. Just start putting a little bit of forethought into your everyday menu, and pretty soon you will start developing healthy habits that come naturally.

Good luck! :thumbup:
 

Nanita

Well-known member
I read that if you can stay away from sugar for 3 days, your body and mind will stop craving it as much. But you gotta make it through 3 rough days before it gets any easier ...
 

Feathers

Well-known member
I feel better when I don't eat sugary food. 'Sugar high' can quickly become 'sugar blues' (and another 'dose' needed).

If you ever get moodswings or depression, maybe read Potatoes not Prozac, there seem to be books for sugar addiction recovery too, just look on Amazon. The author of Potatoes not P. also has a support website and a 7 steps program :)
 
Last edited:
I definitely have a problem. I have a secret stash in my draw and in my car. My latest love affair is the bag of 5 giant double choc chip cookies they are selling at Sainsburys.

I went a week once without any junk food or caffeine. I felt great! Obviously I fell off the wagon... but I'm going to try again, I think I just got to stop punishing myself.
 
mmmm

Thanks for the replies everyone :)

I will attempt to maybe tackle this issue in small stages as several users have suggested. I already failed today, so I wonder when I’ll actually start. I don’t want to starve myself, I just want to eat well.

You are never going to know how much better your health will be with a healthier diet if you never try it. So if you're really curious--work at having the healthiest diet you can, or the healthiest diet you can tolerate.
This is very true. I can’t really know unless I try right? It’s not going to be an immediate thing, so I have to push myself for a trial period. I wish I could have a garden! Definitely not any room here unfortunately. I actually love fruits and vegetables a lot, so it’s not that I don’t enjoy healthy foods. I just want to start being healthier. Exercising on a daily basis for me has helped a lot, but I wonder just how much better a healthy diet would be in addition to that.
And about the food. Now that I'm older, I can cook as healthy as I'd like. And I do. But by healthy, I don't mean low-fat, low-carb, fat-free, sugar-free, etc. I mean as many nutrients per bite as possible and as natural ingredients as possible; no MSG, no trans fats, no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners. Butter over margarine, honey or sugar over aspartame/saccharin/sucralose, whole milk over 2%/skim or soy, eggs over Eggbeaters, purified water over tap, stove over microwave, etc. I also cook low sodium, but that's just because I've never really been a salt person.
Yup convenience makes eating junk far too easy. It’s interesting to hear that changing your diet this way has helped you since this is sort of what I was curious about. I consume about the right number of calories, but I wonder how different it would be if they were healthier, without all those additives and chemicals, etc. I do use a lot of artificial sweeteners, or consume things that use them as an ingredient. I’ve read a lot of negative things regarding artificial sweeteners but don’t know how true they are.


Tips for eating healthier on the cheap? Easy. Stop drinking anything but water and you'll start saving a ton of money. Cut way back on meat, and you'll save some more. Keep a bowl of fruit (it doesn't have to be expensive fruit) on your counter and eat two or three pieces first thing in the morning along with a granola bar. A 1-lb bag of baby carrots is comparable in price to even the smallest bag of chips, so no money lost there. If you have the free time, learn how to cook some easy healthy meals at home that can be used for lunches, etc. throughout the day. Avoid anything processed/packaged, as those foods are relatively expensive and usually have something bad in them. Invest in some cheaper nuts and seeds (e.g., peanuts, sunflower seeds) and snack on them throughout the day. Buys cans of beans at the store: they typically cost about $1 and they contain up to three servings of healthy protein. Rice, eggs, peanut butter---these are all wholesome foods that are not terribly expensive. Just start putting a little bit of forethought into your everyday menu, and pretty soon you will start developing healthy habits that come naturally.
Good luck! :thumbup:

Yeah, I think my biggest problem is the binging. I can’t have these things around without devouring them in such small amounts of time. My mom almost never had a lot of sweet or junk food around the house, so if it was ever there I always ate it s quickly. I do the same thing now by myself, if it’s there I’ll eat way too much of it way too fast. I’d like to learn how to have junk food around but resist consuming it immediately on contact, since I think it’s okay to indulge on occasion. I know replacing meals with junk is horrible for your body, and that probably is one of the worst things I could be doing.
It's great to hear that eating healthy has really helped you; it's some good inspiration :). You have lots of great suggestions in your post too. One of my biggest problems though… I hate the taste of plain water, and I have to put flavoring in it. It doesn’t really have calories in it, but I don’t know exactly what they put in that stuff. I wonder if there is a more natural way to flavor water. Carrots! I totally forgot about carrots, and just how cheap they are, especially those big horse carrots. I’ve been eating green apples lately as a snack, I’ll keep that one up. Beans are good too, I’ll write down a list of these foods to buy next time I go to the store, and try to avoid the tempting junk altogether.
 

Draconess25

Well-known member
The things about artificial sweetners are true. Aspartame is by far the worse, but they others are also pretty bad. And you say you put flavoring in your water, which has A LOT of artificial sweetners and preservatives. I know someone who drinks Mio straight from the bottle and it's like he's on speed.
 

Silatuyok

Well-known member
Plain water is an acquired taste. Once you get into the habit of drinking it, you will start craving it! Some thoughts on healthy ways to flavor water:
lemon, or just lemon juice
sprigs of mint (my favorite method)
cucumber slice (it's way better than it sounds!)

You can experiment with any type of veggies or fruits, whatever strikes your fancy. I've never tried a carrot in water, but that does sound like a great idea!
 
water

Hmmm.What about stevia? That's my favorite one, but I haven't really been able to find much info on it. I only really use it in beverages though. Wow straight from the bottle, that's kind of gross :eek:, he could be drinking the caffeinated one? Yeah the water flavor stuff has a bunch of artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and those stupid dyes as well. I wish I didn't find water gross for whatever reason.

Thanks for the suggestions marie, I'll try some of those too :). And maybe do some researching on the internet.
 

Silatuyok

Well-known member
As far as I know Stevia is fine. If you don't want to use the processed powdered Stevia you could try buying a plant and just putting a few leaves in the water. That way you know it's just the good stuff.
 

Remus

Moderator
Staff member
Candida diet! My life and health changed in a huge way, I'm such a sceptic too.

I now have no sugar, no wheat and diary apart form yoghurt. Thought it would be torture but I have adjusted.


No more brain fog and I feel so energized, have last 3 stone without starving myself. Anxiety low but OCD same as before.
 
Last edited:

GraybeardGhost

Well-known member
As far as I know Stevia is fine. If you don't want to use the processed powdered Stevia you could try buying a plant and just putting a few leaves in the water. That way you know it's just the good stuff.

Stevia is also available in tea bags, for added convenience.

My personal favorite all-natural sweetener is licorice root. It's an ingredient in a lot of herbal tea blends, and is available in powdered form, shredded (cut & sift), sliced-off chunks, and whole sticks. It does not taste like black "licorice" candy, in case you happen to be one of the many who abhor that particular sweet. I'm not sure of the calorie content, but I've read that its use is discouraged among diabetics, so take that for what its worth. It is also not recommended for those with high blood pressure or a bun in the oven. Other than that, I understand it to be perfectly safe and natural. Mighty tasty, too. :thumbup:
 
sugar

Candida diet! My life and health changed in a huge way, I'm such a sceptic too.

I now have no sugar, no wheat and diary apart form yoghurt. Thought it would be torture but I have adjusted.


No more brain fog and I feel so energized, have last 3 stone without starving myself. Anxiety low but OCD same as before.

Interesting, this diet seems very strict though. Reading about it, it looks like you are supposed to avoid all sugars possible, even fruit? No sugar might not be plausible for me right now, but I think it could be learned. It does sound like torture, but the benefits could be worth it. What exactly can you eat on the candida diet? There is a pretty extensive list of the things you should avoid. I was just looking at this and wow!
 

Rawz

Well-known member

Draconess25

Well-known member
Candida diet! My life and health changed in a huge way, I'm such a sceptic too.

I now have no sugar, no wheat and diary apart form yoghurt. Thought it would be torture but I have adjusted.


No more brain fog and I feel so energized, have last 3 stone without starving myself. Anxiety low but OCD same as before.

Eh, that's not what I'd consider a healthy diet. I'm hypoglycemic, so I couldn't go without any sugar at all, and avoiding wheat and dairy would be too difficult and thus too stressful. Besides, I get sick if I don't eat a lot of dairy. Dairy and rice are my main source of protein, since I don't know how to cook meat. I don't really believe in such strict diets unless they're absolutely required. Many of them cause malnutrition.
 

ImNotMyIllness

Well-known member
This craving could lead you to diabetes and other future health issues-not to mention cavities! I have cut out a lot of junk food and now eat it on occasions. Everything in moderation.

Eating healthier has flattened out my mood. I still suffer from all of my disorders but I don't experience sugar crashes and the mental anguish that follows.
 
Top