PMS causes extra sugar cravings. Some people have luck with increasing iron during that time to reduce/eliminate the sugar cravings.
Just something I finally remembered this morning when I woke up with a sugar/carbs craving like I hadn't had in months.
i almost forgot i ordered girl scout cookies. only one box of cookies was high fructose corn syrup free. i ate 4 carmel delights. they dont taste good anymore. they are too sweet. i guess i dont like HFCS any more. which is good bc it is evil.
regular table sugar is harder to not like. still crave it. but the more protein and fat i eat the better it gets. i love salmon over white rice. yumm. and salt. i am loving salt.
So how far down the list of ingredients is everyone going? It sounds like most of you are eliminating sugar completely. I don't know if I can do it. I am eating mainstream peanut butter (second ingredient is sugar) and kashi cereal (cane juice is number 3). But, honestly, this is struggle enough!
It is interesting about the iron...I have been drinking/craving a lot of prune juice and cherry juice, both of which have a good dose of iron.
I just wanted to post an update about our progress. DH and I did great for 2 days. NO sugar at all!
It wasn't even that hard, I just felt hungry constantly but we had plenty of stuff to snack on and I made awesome maple cranberry almond granola with no sugar just maple syrup and that helped for sweet cravings.
On the third day it all fell apart completely
I was literally feeling sick to my stomach all day and just awful, no energy, queasy etc...
Well it turns out that I might be pregnant (big surprise) and it is still too soon to test for it accurately. I ended up going out and specifically buying a bag of my all time favorite candy that only comes out at Easter (those cadbury chocolate eggs with the crunch shells, not the huge ones).
I thought it would make me feel better and I was coming to the realization that I might be pregnant and wanted to see if it was not eating sugar that was making me sick or the possibility of being pregnant. So I ate practically the whole bag and just couldn't tell the difference although I did get an energy spike from the insane amount of sugar I just ingested.
So now several days later and I have to replan. We don't have any additional sugar in the house and I don't have a vehicle to go get some so here I am starting over again. I am still not sure if I am pregnant or not (my period is not due for several days still and I don't trust the accuracy of taking a test before at least the first day of when my period is due) but at least this time I won't be surprised by feeling sick regardless of eating sugar stuff or not..
Oh to answer the PP's question, yes we are cutting out ALL processed sugar, although we still do honey and maple syrup. I used to love Kashi myself but then I learned they are owned by Kellogg's and since then have completely cut anything related to Kellogg's out of our lives. I cannot stand that company. Thats another rant though..
How is everyone else doing with their progress...If I am indeed pregnant it is all the more reason to cut sugar out completely, I can just see my midwife now rolling her eyes the last time I was pregnant and I admitted to eating ice cream EVERY SINGLE DAY...
the only thing that bothers me about all this is that everybody is replacing the sugar with fructose. humans can process glucose and what not but every human can only process so much fructose in one sitting, whether intolerant or not. the excess fructose will sit in your gut and ferment.
i dont think anybody here could be intolerant but this link has some info about the composition of different sugars.
http://www.diet.com/g/fructose-intolerance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption
too much fructose will make you feel sick. if you feel really sick, tired, etc, you could be intolerant.
forgive me if i seem to go about this, but i am just learning all this and want to pass on my info. it seems that the alternative sugars are not any better.
the only thing that bothers me about all this is that everybody is replacing the sugar with fructose. humans can process glucose and what not but every human can only process so much fructose in one sitting, whether intolerant or not. the excess fructose will sit in your gut and ferment.
i dont think anybody here could be intolerant but this link has some info about the composition of different sugars.
http://www.diet.com/g/fructose-intolerance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption
too much fructose will make you feel sick. if you feel really sick, tired, etc, you could be intolerant.
forgive me if i seem to go about this, but i am just learning all this and want to pass on my info. it seems that the alternative sugars are not any better.
Thanks for the links! I find it interesting as well as I had never even heard of a fructose intolerance before this whole adventure started.
In regard to myself, while I am replacing sugar with honey or maple syrup, I don't like honey that much and so at most I have put a little in a cup of tea and the maple syrup has only really found it's way into the granola and a couple of baked things. I wouldn't say I have eaten of maple syrup even a quarter of the sugar I was ingesting on a daily basis so I am assuming I am far far from overdoing the fructose. Overall I am just eating less sweetened stuff and if I am seriously craving a sweet thing I will have some strawberries dipped in unsweetened whipped cream.
I still think that a natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup) will always be a better choice than just tons of processed sugar, but then again someone who is definitely fructose intolerant will disagree with that statement as that would just make them ill.
Thanks for the interesting info!
:) just want to add info. i am so craving thin mint cookies. lol. girl scout cookies. sigh. they are everywhere right now.
Sugar cravings could come from an underlying hormonal imbalance...
From Women to Women:
Well, I am caving tonight.
I may just need to go ahead and eat the sugar. I am eating way more trying to fill my craving.
I was just popping into MDC tonight for some tips on breaking sugar addiction and this thread was the most recently updated and at the top of the list, it must be meant to be. I think I need help! My sugar addictions tend to come in waves and right now I'm definitely in a heavy sugar consumption phase. Over the last week I've made brownies, cookies, milkshakes, crepes, and eaten almost a whole carton of moose tracks ice cream.
I'm not really absolutely determined to quit right this second yet, but I just thought I should write those things down somewhere public so I can see how awful it looks! I've got to get my head around quitting, and work out a plan for what to eat instead when the mood strikes. Thanks for all of your great ideas in this thread, I think I'll go back and read it through again.
Thanks for this thread! I am definitely a sugar addict and have gone off and on for the last twenty years of my life trying to combat my cravings and binge eating where sugar is concerned. I can totally relate to eating a whole bag of candy or worse. I have had some success on certain diets, especially a raw vegan diet - made me not crave sugar for the first time in forever but I couldn't stick with it. So after a lot of study I have found that my body reacts best to a diet kind of like the one DoulaReese posted below. I need meat sometimes because I need the extra protein - I cannot function on low protein like some can. I also can't binge on meat, it makes me feel full like other foods don't. I love eggs because they really diversify the diet and make baking so much easier. I definitely cannot do any form of flour or grain (besides quinoa which is really a seed and not a protein). Wheat and oats make me feel bloated. Refined flours (even somewhat innocuous foods like tapioca flour) are just like starches to me and I binge on them as well. I can't eat potatoes because they make me feel bloated as well, especially sweet potatoes. My body can't handle milk in any form so that's out. Beans also bother me. Rice constipates me. I do avoid peanuts and peanut butter because they make me feel crappy as well but love almonds and almond butter - raw or roasted. So - through alot of failed and sometimes successful dieting, I have found what works for me.
By the way, in regards to losing weight and healthy fats - I could eat over 3000 calories a day in mostly fruits, veggies and lots of nuts and seeds, coconut milk, avacado, healthy oils and still lose weight. If I try a low cal diet (like 1500 calories) and eat bread or chocolate or any form of sugar, I will either not lose weight or gain weight. I have realized the more raw the better for me as well but I struggle to keep it even 50% raw most days.
Before that I was only eating Fruits and veggies, meat, rice, nuts and seeds. Wheat is so filling, you have to eat a LOT of vegetables and protein to be satisfied, and many times during the day, it is a lot of work.
A couple more things for those struggling with cravings - try a green smoothie. And make it mostly fruit the first time so that its sweet to you. I love banana, mango (or peach) and a couple cups of spinach and about a 1/2 c of coconut milk. Even if you don't make any other changes to your diet - try a green smoothie a day. I guarantee you'll have more energy and be more capable of handling cravings when they occur. Just google green smoothies and sugar cravings and you'll find a ton of testimonials and recipes.
Another thing: I have severe hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) that is at the moment poorly controlled. I know the minute my TSH levels go above 2.5 because I immediately start binging on cookies, candy, white flour, french fries, chocolate chips - anything I can get my hands on. I am coming off a slump right now where my TSH was at a 7 (supposed to be between 1 and 2 per my endocrinologist to prevent my goiter from growing) and am trying to get back on track so I am writing this mostly to get me motivated too. I have gained back 10 of the 80 pounds I had lost. But if you have persistent sugar cravings and fatigue, you might want to consider looking to see if you have other symptoms of hypothyroidism. I know, for me, it is practically impossible to control my eating when my levels are off.
Again, thank you so much for starting this thread and good luck to all of you out there. Sugar addiction is just as bad as a drug addiction as far as I'm concerned (It IS a drug - read Sugar Blues by William Duffy if you disagree with me) but much easier to buy than street drugs or even alcohol. Its hard when its in our face every second and some people can eat it with no problem. Just imagine its like a 12 step program - one step and one day at a time. (BTW, love the idea of a cup of tea when the craving strikes!) I will post my recipe for my yummy chocolate balls - the best thing for a craving - when I get a second.
I am 5 days WITHOUT SUGAR!! WEEEEE! I had my last sugar/pizza last Friday after my son's b-day party. I think going out with a party helped me mentally/emotionally somehow. AND last time I did this - when I lasted for 18months I also stopped just after my son's birthday party and it worked. Last weekend was NOT pretty. I could barely stand it the first couple days, thought I was going to tear my hear out and I wasn't the nicest mommy . Still struggling with patience but I feel a load off and giving my body a chance to heal. Loving the veggies & hummus right now! Also used some Mediclear to help me start the cleansing process on Sat and Sunday. I did the whole 4-week mediclear regimen last time also, (about 2 years ago) and that was a VERY easy way for me to get into the change. Much easier than just not eating xyz, because I had something with plenty of protein that was filling that I could consume, was easy to prepare and it gave me a month or so to figure out what I would eat afterwards. I know there are more whole-foods methods but this worked well for me. It was prescribed by my ND, I trust it's safe.
The cravings that I thought would NEVER leave are pretty much gone, my body remembers it feels SO much better without it, I think because I've already tread the path once. I had a little conversation in my head the other day "are you going to eat that sugar today Cherise?" "no" I thought, and my body did a little sigh. Like it was relieved I wasn't going to put it through eating the crap again. Okay I know now I'm sounding like a crazy person - but it's the truth.
Thank you AFWife for your strength, it's helped motivate me.
can you find bacon that is not cured with sugar?
Bacon, no. Archer Farms (Target) has a super yummy chicken sausage with no added sugar, Trader Joes has a few varieties that are ok. My kids like the TJs better. Applegate farms is pricey but has a deli meats without added sugar - also hard to find. PLEASE let me know if you discover something by way of bacon.
Another awesome drink is Metromint chocolate water - I actually dilute it so it will last longer, I add about 1/4 cup to 16 oz, it's a sugar-free chocolate fix =) I need to buy dates!! Glad to have a vet on board, it gives us all hope 
I've been sugar free for almost 2 weeks now. I've been following Eat Clean (eating 5-6x a day, all clean foods) and my cravings are gone. My parents brought me a bar of marzipan and one bite was WAY too sweet, so I gave it away. As a bonus, I'm down about 7 pounds without even thinking about it!
You're all so inspiring! I'm only on day 2 with no sugar, and I'm feeling sooooooo dreary! It's only noon and I feel like I need a nap. I'm irritable with everyone, and the tiniest issues are setting me off! I'm trying to get excited about other food I have....last night I made a crockpot roast with mashed potatoes and GF gravy and it was so delicious! But the MOOD is still with me. Ugh!
DoulaReese.....I love how you were having a little conversation with yourself, and no you don't sound crazy! I did sort of the same thing Wednesday night when I couldn't sleep, and it's what motivated me enough to really decide to kick the sugar. I wrote myself an email that was a discussion with myself about all of the negative things sugar does to my body and all of the positives about going off it. Then I sent it to myself and now whenever I check my email, it's there at the top of my inbox, even with me on my phone, and I've read it through quite a few times and it always makes me feel much better. It's like a little pep talk from myself! Journaling really does help in this whole process.
This morning I made some nettle infusion, I'm hoping the extra nutrients in that will help me perk up and heal a bit. Or maybe I'll just succumb to the nap idea!
kdaisy: I admire that you recognized a realistic approach for that day - it's part of the process, I had those days too. Keep looking for your ride in, it'll come.
You're all so inspiring! I'm only on day 2 with no sugar, and I'm feeling sooooooo dreary! It's only noon and I feel like I need a nap. I'm irritable with everyone, and the tiniest issues are setting me off! I'm trying to get excited about other food I have....last night I made a crockpot roast with mashed potatoes and GF gravy and it was so delicious! But the MOOD is still with me. Ugh!
DoulaReese.....I love how you were having a little conversation with yourself, and no you don't sound crazy! I did sort of the same thing Wednesday night when I couldn't sleep, and it's what motivated me enough to really decide to kick the sugar. I wrote myself an email that was a discussion with myself about all of the negative things sugar does to my body and all of the positives about going off it. Then I sent it to myself and now whenever I check my email, it's there at the top of my inbox, even with me on my phone, and I've read it through quite a few times and it always makes me feel much better. It's like a little pep talk from myself! Journaling really does help in this whole process.
This morning I made some nettle infusion, I'm hoping the extra nutrients in that will help me perk up and heal a bit. Or maybe I'll just succumb to the nap idea!
That is beautiful! I have a friend who keeps uplifting letters and lectures on her computer so she can refer to them in hard times- so smart. Even smarter to draw on a letter from yourself =) Yet another tool to add to my bag, thank you!
I'm not ready to really try to go sugar-free yet, but I'm thinking about it more and more. DH and I had a....not sure what to call - definitely not a fight, but a "thing" - the other night as I was popping into the store for something. I had a bag of Bridge Mix in my purse (had bought it the night before, but hadn't binged on it). I ate the entire thing while doing my very brief shopping trip, and actually made myself nauseated. *sigh*
For those that are having trouble in the first few days.....it gets better! I'm 2.5 weeks with no refined sugar and the cravings are going down and I feel better. It took almost 2 weeks, but it's SO worth it!
I'm on day 3! Today I really did give into a nap, I had a late morning nap because I had been up really early. But now I feel much better. I figured it was probably good to treat myself to a little extra sleep to get past some of these cravings.
Last night wasn't great, but not horrible either. My sister and her husband invited us out for ice cream, which I love, but I asked dd if it was alright with her if I just had a couple of spoonfuls of whatever she got. And I did! I know maybe it would have been better just to not go, but we've been trying to do more with my sister's family, and I knew I wouldn't be able to go and eat nothing. So just those couple of spoonfuls made me feel like I was being social, but not enough to give me a huge sugar crash.
When I got home I had more nettle tea and boiled a dozen eggs to keep in the fridge for snack attacks. I also started soaking a bowl of chick peas last night and right now they're cooking so I can whip up some hummus to take to a friend's house tonight for a girls night get together. This way I'll have a yummy treat with some flax seed crackers and veggies. I'm trying to just think a few steps ahead of myself so I have plenty to eat, it seems to be easier that way.
This morning instead of the usual waffles or pancakes or crepes my family always wants, we had sausuages, eggs, and fresh mangos. YUM!
Setback - I made no-bake cookies for DH's lunch and, got upset about something and ate half the batch. Good news it was raw honey and maple syrup sweetened but I had enough that it still made me sick and piqued my cravings :P Then I had chocolate = 70%dark last night, thinking that would be okay but it was NOT. I got really, really moody and snappy when I eat the stuff - does anyone else get this way?
I was good today, only raw honey in my oatmeal, and cooked spaghetti from scratch w/rice noodles, raw almonds and raisins for desert. Did not disturb the chocolate bar in the freezer. Or the chocolate chips. Or the... other crap in my house I should just get rid of!
To akmeg's comment - planning ahead is the only way to survive socially! Nice going. And your breakfast sounds totally yummy to me - there are LOTS of yummy foods to enjoy without sugar! When I remember that I do so much better!
Money is tight so I made soup. SO good, and so cheap.
I got really, really moody and snappy when I eat the stuff - does anyone else get this way?
i get this way. i had been really good lately. i cant have any sugar but cane sugar anyway. i had been avoiding it but the other day i had a craving so strong i couldnt stand it. i thought maybe i could have some chocolate cream of wheat with sugar. i put the littlest amount of sugar in it. i ate it right before bed. the next day i was so weepy. it could also be the wheat farina. i am not supposed to be eating that either.
last night i drank some sierra mist natural. i hadnt had pop in a while. i feel emotional today. ugh. so i bought more stevia w/maltodextrin last night. i know i can have that and it doesnt make me all weepy.
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