Do sugar cravings indicate an imbalance?

[ps4624]

Do you think sugar cravings are an indication of a lack of vitamins, minerals or proteins? My diet would be fabulous if it wasn't for the sugar cravings. I've been off sugar for 4 days and just sat down and literally ate a whole box of cookies in one siting. Now I feel sick and guilty. I can't figure out why I crave sugar as much as I do.

Thought I would check in with the expert board

[RGHS150]

I'm curious to know this too. I have some wicked sugar cravings. Then again, I haven't been eating TF's very consistently for very long so I imagine it might take a good while to build up the nutrients in my body.

I have some really great, dark raw honey that I bought from a local beekeeper. When I get the killer cravings coming on I try to eat just a smidge of that. It might not be the best option for handling sugar cravings, but it keeps me away from the other stuff. Plus honey is supposed to have enzymes and other yummy healthy things in it.

[Magelet]

I think sugar is a clinical addiction complete with cravings while detoxing, and lifelong cravings. A recovering alcholic or former cigarette smoker will still get cravings, sometimes very strong cravings, years and years later. The idea that you wouldn't be craving sugar 4 days out to me is laughable. You'd expect to be going through cravings like crazy if you were trying to get off alcohol, nicotine, heroine, or any other addictive drug. Society aknowledges that the cravings are so strong (and the side affects from coming off it) that many people don't try to quit or get sober, PARTICULARLY with nicotine, since it is socially acceptable. Well sugar is a socially advocated drug, and even more prevalent. Take it easy on yourself, and keep trying. Going off refined sugar is very difficult, and SO worth it. (I also personally beleive it is impossible with things like cookies in the house.)

I'm personally debating whether I can eat sugar occasionally (like I want to) or if I need to go cold turkey on refined sugar, and declare it to myself an allergy, that I can't digest. I'm not sure. I think I should go completely off sugar because I feel so crappy after eating it, and I have so many problems that are extremely exacerbated by refined sugar, but.... who wants to go off sugar to the extent that they can't have birthday cake or pie that others made with white sugar? Its really hard to do.

[honeysesame]

yes, sugar is definitely addictive.
in my experience, sugar cravings are often connected to a need for more protein. lacto-fermented foods are also sometimes helpful in curbing sugar cravings. of these, i'd be likely to choose sauerkraut and/or kombucha at room temperature (versus cold dairy) b/c from a chinese medicine standpoint, sugar cravings often indicate a weakness in the spleen system, which cold and dairy wouldn't help so much with (too dampening). could be vitamins and minerals too, i guess, especially looking at increasing the green leafies, or a nettles infusion. i definitely crave sweets less when the rest of my diet is more balanced. hope that's helpful...changing diet is hard, especially sugar. in the beginning, substituting with unrefined sweeteners (especially honey) and gradually decreasing these as well was helpful for me. sometimes green tea is helpful in changing habits too. also, if you have other habits that go with the sugar (white flour, coffee) you might look into shifting those too. good luck!

[Metasequoia]

I think sugar is, in itself, addicting. But sugar or salt cravings are also a sign of adrenal fatigue.

I went really low carb recently (& have been grain free for a while) & the sweets cravings reduced *greatly*. Then I made chocolate muffins (with coconut, pumpkin seed, arrowroot, only sweetened with banana & sweet potato & the sweet cravings are back.

I can overcome the sweets cravings with fats. I've been taking just a splash of boiling water & melting cocoa powder & a bit of gelatin in it. Then I add a couple of drops of stevia glycerite & fill with cream (or coconut milk) & put it in the fridge for a couple of hours. It's like chocolate-cream jello-pudding.

[KristaDJ]

Sugar craving is usually a symptom of candida.

[chattyprincess]

Originally Posted by Magelet

I think sugar is a clinical addiction complete with cravings while detoxing, and lifelong cravings. A recovering alcholic or former cigarette smoker will still get cravings, sometimes very strong cravings, years and years later. The idea that you wouldn't be craving sugar 4 days out to me is laughable. You'd expect to be going through cravings like crazy if you were trying to get off alcohol, nicotine, heroine, or any other addictive drug. Society aknowledges that the cravings are so strong (and the side affects from coming off it) that many people don't try to quit or get sober, PARTICULARLY with nicotine, since it is socially acceptable. Well sugar is a socially advocated drug, and even more prevalent. Take it easy on yourself, and keep trying. Going off refined sugar is very difficult, and SO worth it. (I also personally beleive it is impossible with things like cookies in the house.)

I'm personally debating whether I can eat sugar occasionally (like I want to) or if I need to go cold turkey on refined sugar, and declare it to myself an allergy, that I can't digest. I'm not sure. I think I should go completely off sugar because I feel so crappy after eating it, and I have so many problems that are extremely exacerbated by refined sugar, but.... who wants to go off sugar to the extent that they can't have birthday cake or pie that others made with white sugar? Its really hard to do.

Originally Posted by Metasequoia

I think sugar is, in itself, addicting. But sugar or salt cravings are also a sign of adrenal fatigue.

I went really low carb recently (& have been grain free for a while) & the sweets cravings reduced *greatly*. Then I made chocolate muffins (with coconut, pumpkin seed, arrowroot, only sweetened with banana & sweet potato & the sweet cravings are back.
I can overcome the sweets cravings with fats. I've been taking just a splash of boiling water & melting cocoa powder & a bit of gelatin in it. Then I add a couple of drops of stevia glycerite & fill with cream (or coconut milk) & put it in the fridge for a couple of hours. It's like chocolate-cream jello-pudding.

Exactly what these ladies said. When I hard core started eating tf I cut out all sweets...I am a sugar addicted FREAK...generally. But when I was eating tf and would eat sugar my digestion would feel crappy and I would feel like I was getting a uti... like meta above If I eat some I want more. I do notice that if I eat anything with hfcs or msg I crave sweets so much more.
I do find that if I have organic sugar its not such a prob, I have a tablespoon little less in my tea every am...I just don't like the taste of honey in black tea...But honestly I went from eating sweets after everymeal to eating most days just the sugar in my tea.
I also notice If I do not eat enough fresh fruit then I crave sugar SO bad. I have to have some form of fruit at least 4-7 A DAY. If I don't get that or get less I am a mess...
Sugar is an addiction, especially if you have eaten large daily amounts since childhood. The body treats carbs the same a sugars...I find if I eat anything made with wheat I crave more and more...Its that whole sugar thing.

[Elizabeth2008]

I found this blog helpful when i was giving up sugar

http://myyearwithout.blogspot.com/

cravings are NORMAL. Yes, it could indicate an imbalance, but I think 99% of human beings experience sugar cravings at some point if they at all eat foods that contain refined sugar or refined carbs.

[Teenytoona]

I've been grain free/sugar free for 3.5 days now. I swear the first 2.5 days I felt like I was hungover! I'm pretty sure you can be addicted to it! Now I'm not as big a sugar eater as I was into noodles/chips/crackers/bread, but that all boils down to the same thing.