[rubymoon]

I am hands down a complete out of control sugar addict. Holy cow-I admitted it.<br><br>
When I was in 3rd grade I would steal "fun fruits" and "fruit roll-ups" out of my fellow classmates lunch boxes.<br><br>
Every day I would beg for 50 cents to go to the store to buy some candy and would feel like the world was going to end if Dad or Mom said no.<br>
(no wonder I had a hard time focusing in school)<br><br>
To this day I can make a batch of chocolate chip cookies and consume them for all meals until they are gone.<br><br>
I eat a pint of ben and jerry's in one or two days.<br><br>
My blood sugars were totally out of whack during my last pregnancy and I was told by my mw to limit sugar intake to 15 grams per day, but I am pretty sure that a pan of brownies has a bit more sugar than that. I am guessing that someone who wasn't addicted to sugar would have followed the midwives advice.<br><br>
Dried fruit just isn't the same as a chocolate bar.<br><br>
Anyway, I am hoping to deal with this, I am just not sure how. I seem to have very little self-control when I have these sugary sweet items in my house. I don't know how to have on cookie or one scoop of ice cream. I have been reading on some of the bad effects of sugar and that provides some inspiration, but sugar has a lot more power over me than logic and reason seems to have.<br><br>
Yesterday I made it the whole day without sugar (chocolate is my favorite way to get my sugar fix so I had no chocolate). I went to the whole foods co op and bought dried fruit-I am going to give it a try. I even bought some organic dates which I spread some cream cheese into-what a delightful treat. Maybe even a sugar substitute?<br><br>
Anyone else have similar experiences with this stuff??

 

[NotTheOnlyOne]

I am pretty bad. I snack on sugar all day long. I put in it my tea, oatmeal, coffee, on my squash... I make super healthy oatmeal "cookies" with flaxseed and carob and then I roll them in sugar. If I try to go without... I have massive mood issues, irritable, bitc*y city. I also get headaches by the afternoon if I dont get my "fix" I have tried to give it up, but from a former smoker (and drinker) of 13 years, giving up cigarettes and alcohol was MUCH easier than sugar. So, yeah, I'm addicted too. Maybe we need to start a SA group. DIfferent from the Sugar free tribe.... its just not the same for everyone!

 

[hellyaellen]

i'm not sure if i'm an addict per say but i do have something sweet w/ lunch and supper usually. one thing that helps me keep it under control is to get things that are already portioned out like the chocalete chip cookie dought that you just break apart. or prepackaged stuff like those cosmic brownies. then i eat one portion. if i have something like a box of milk duds or something i'll gorge on it.

 

[MissSJ]

Me, me, me!!! I eat WAY too much sugar and I'd like to cut back but I feel very out of control! I too will eat any type of dessert in a matter of a day or so, even for some meals when my dcs aren't around. I'd like to give it up one day but chocolate, ice cream, donuts, cookies, cakes, brownies are oh so yummy. If I could just do better when it comes to moderation...

 

[Prensa]

I am a hopeless, helpless addict. Sugar is my best friend. I don't go anywhere without it. my teeth are rotting out of my head and when they hurt so bad I can't chew anything else, I can still eat sugar in liquid form, like ice cream, or smoothies...<br><br>
I used to steal money (like change from the floor of people's cars, or couches, or coin jars) and go buy penny candy when I was little. I would sneak into the pantry and gobble down entire bags of marshmallows or chocolate chips and pretend I didn't know what happened to them (my kid brother is a sugar addict too, so it was easy to implicate him)<br><br>
If there was a bag of oreos open I could keep eating until they were all gone, my mom used to tell me that I would grow out of it, after all she was an adult and just didn't have the desire to eat a whole bag of oreos.<br><br>
Once I started making my own money it was my dream to buy my own bags of candy or cookies and eat the whole thing by myself. I still do this. I stash sugar, I hide sugar. I love sugar.<br><br>
The weird thing is I don't really have a weight problem, normally I weigh about 145 and I'm about 5'5" -right now I'm preggo and I'm up to about 160 but it's never been an issue for me. I have always had low blood pressure, and never any diabetic concerns. The only bad effect it seems to have on me is my teeth, I had extensive dental work done as a kid and every tooth that was ever filled has problems now, the only teeth in my head that are still intact are the ones that weren't touched by a dentist. I'm not drawing any <i>conclusions</i>, but I also don't trust dentists...<br><br>
I'm eating the new "strawberry milkshake cream filled oreos -<i>limited edition</i>" as I type this...I also just polished off an icecream cone.<br><br>
Interesting to note I used to drink and drink heavily, not hard stuff, but pretty much a six pack of good beer every night after work, and I'm pretty sure that's just more sugar, right?<br><br><br>
anyway, I'm not proud of all this but it does feel good to talk about it.<br><br>
-P

 

[Nicolem]

I think I ate more Easter candy than my kids did. We had a very stressful time lately with a new baby 6 weeks and a 4 y.o. that ended up at the children's hospital for 4 days. When I felt like I couldn't hack it. I'd hit the Easter baskets very much like I figure an alcoholic would go for a drink.<br><br>
I'm pretty sure your body processes alcohol very much like it does sugar.

 

[NotTheOnlyOne]

actually, your body processes alcohol faster than sugar..... I used to be a heavy drinker too, before I got pregnant. I also, dont have a huge weight problem. I usually am around 150 at 5'6... I work out and I am pretty lean. I eat healthy meals... but then I figure I was soooo good that I can have 1/2 pint of ice cream.

 

[rubymoon]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>momtosimon</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7896812"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I have tried to give it up, but from a former smoker (and drinker) of 13 years, giving up cigarettes and alcohol was MUCH easier than sugar. So, yeah, I'm addicted too. Maybe we need to start a SA group. DIfferent from the Sugar free tribe.... its just not the same for everyone!</div>
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I gave up alcohol and cigarettes too. When I drank (usually micro brews or imported beer) I never ate candy or sweets, at least I didn't crave them all of the time every day, so the alcohol must have replaced or fulfilled that sugar craving.<br><br>
I compare quitting sugar with quitting cigarettes. I was completely obsessed with cigarettes-I am obsessed with the sugar too.<br><br>
I also am pretty average weight for my height. Not now, though, as I am 4 weeks postpartum. With first dd I gained 60 lbs and only lost about 40 of it before I got pregnant with dd 2. Then I gained 30-35lb. So, I may have to work a little harder to get back to a healthy weight.<br><br>
I am on day 2 of no refined processed sugar, but I did have a pure maple syrup in my oatmeal and more cream cheese filled dates for evening treats.<br><br>
I just wonder if I will feel better if I quit eating sugar.<br>
I think I'd be interested in starting an SA group.

 

[Prensa]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Nicolem</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7900202"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">...<br><br>
I'm pretty sure your body processes alcohol very much like it does sugar.</div>
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yeah, it feels good! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[rubymoon]

Okay, I am on day 3 with no sugar!!!! No refined sugar or brown sugar or molasses. It is only morning, but I will try again to get through the day.<br><br>
Does anyone remeber what coca cola used to taste like in the 80's? I think it was before they used high fructose corn syrup and I remember it tasting sooooo good. Today's coke just isn't the same and I have no problem avoiding it.

 

[crazyeight]

so is this a support group now??? i know that dh and i eat way to much sugar/processed foods. i really want to not crave it, want it, love, melt it......um ok. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> my LOVES are pasteries of any kind and cakes.<br><br>
my mother and sister are chocolate addicts but now that they live apart they don't eat it except when they are together and my mom notices a HUGE difference in...everything even eyesight!!<br><br>
i am trying to not buy the sweets but make them myself. at least that way i can cut the sugar and add some healthy stuff. i LOVE oatmeal raisin cookies so i need to make some to snack on instead of the chocolate i am now (or the brownies). i can't/don't finish all of the snack but i still want to cut down.<br><br>
so today so far:<br>
1/4 large hershey dark chocolate bar<br>
bowl of trix cereal (it was breakfast but i am going to finish what i have and just promise to buy better next time!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">)

 

[klg47]

Very addicted here. I bought the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSugar-Addicts-Total-Recovery-Program%2Fdp%2F034544132X" target="_blank">The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program</a>", and I think it explains the ins and outs of sugar addiction very well. I trust the author because she gives out most of the information for free on her <a href="http://radiantrecovery.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. The book has extra stuff, but you can get the important info from the website. Some of the reviews on Amazon say she's selling junk science, but I don't think so.<br><br>
Now, that said, I've had the book for about 2 years and am as addicted as ever. It turns out that reading the book is not enough. You actually have to follow her advice, lol. I recommended the book to a lady named <a href="http://kerflop.com" target="_blank">Jessica</a> who was at least as addicted as I am, and she was able to kick the sugar <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
The only times I have been able to get through more than a couple hours without serious sugar cravings is when I eat a lot of fat and protein. This is pretty common among sugar addicts. For whatever reasons, your body will crave sugar if you don't have enough fat and protein. If I had the following shake for breakfast, I would be able to get through the WHOLE morning with no sugar:<br>
1 C whole milk yogurt (I make my own from raw cow's milk)<br>
fruit - bananas, strawberries, blueberries, whatever<br>
2-4 raw eggs or egg yolks (it's not good to have raw egg whites every day. Also if you blend the egg whites, your shake will get foamy)<br>
3 tablespoons of coconut oil (extra-virgin is best)<br>
1 T honey and/or maple syrup if the fruit isn't ripe enough<br><br>
This shake has a ton of calories, something like 900, and a ton of fat. I would share it with my two toddlers, but they don't drink much. Even if you don't drink the whole thing, I think the good fats in it help you avoid the cravings. All the ingredients I use (whole raw milk yogurt, raw eggs, coconut oil) can be discussed in the Traditional Foods forum!

 

[xekomaya]

I just can't ready this and not post.<br><br>
I'm also new to the forum so, Hi I'm Maya.<br><br>
I have a terrible problem with sugar. I've been battling it for years and I won't go into it all now unless you all want to start some kind of support group, but I was diagnosed bipolar as a teen only to find out it was all sugar addiction. I've used some techniques from different sources but I *think* the website mentioned above, Radiant Recovery is actually the place I found the most help, although it used to look different and have much more information for free. Adding protein, having a potato before bed, and adding cider vinegar to my diet helped me finally get my life and mood under control.<br><br>
I really don't know the community here very well but should we/could we make this a group thread? Easter threw me way off and I'll be working really hard in the next couple months to get back under control. I have some good, natural tricks and could definitely use the support if others out there are doing the same.

 

[klg47]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>xekomaya</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7909910"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Radiant Recovery is actually the place I found the most help, although it used to look different and have much more information for free.</div>
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That makes me sad if they took a lot of their info down. It's been a LONG time since I read anything at the site, so I didn't know <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> But I still trust them, mostly, lol.

 

[crazyeight]

thats a very interesting site!! although it goes against some of the other diet ideas i am trying to implement into our lives. i do however feel good that i don't need to snack in between breakfast and lunch and i am usually not hungry for lunch until 1 but eat ealier because ds is hungry. i am going to see what easy HEALTHY breakfast foods would be better than some of the stuff i buy now. i have ALWAYS had cereal in the morning though so i need a better cereal.

 

[klg47]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>dhinderliter</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7910197"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">thats a very interesting site!! although it goes against some of the other diet ideas i am trying to implement into our lives.</div>
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Yeah, it's certainly not geared toward those of us who are trying to eat super-healthfully. You have to realize that she's trying to help the typical person who eats SAD and drinks 3 liters of soda pop per day! I'm sure that we can take her principles and apply them to our diets though!

 

[rayo de sol]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Prensa</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7899491"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I am a hopeless, helpless addict. Sugar is my best friend. I don't go anywhere without it. my teeth are rotting out of my head and when they hurt so bad I can't chew anything else, I can still eat sugar in liquid form, like ice cream, or smoothies...<br><br>
The only bad effect it seems to have on me is my teeth, I had extensive dental work done as a kid and every tooth that was ever filled has problems now, the only teeth in my head that are still intact are the ones that weren't touched by a dentist. I'm not drawing any <i>conclusions</i>, but I also don't trust dentists...</div>
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OMG! I could have written every word of your post about myself, especially the above! I have always loved sweets, and the only thing they apparently really damage are my teeth. (Don't get me wrong--I'm very depressed about the state of my teeth. I also don't trust dentists anymore. They've messed with almost every single one of my teeth and made them worse than they were before.)<br><br>
I try to limit my consumption of sweets, but I still end up having at least a serving or two (or three or 10) of something sugary each day. I love fudge, brownies, cookies, pies, cake, chocolate bars, ice cream, pudding, etc. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yummy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="yummy"><br><br>
I've tried to cut out the sugar (and honey and maple syrup, which I actually prefer), but life just doesn't seem the same without the sweet stuff. I actually feel like there's a gaping painful hole of emptiness in my existence without sweets... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> It doesn't help that every social event involves the communal consumption of large quantities of sugar.<br><br>
We could start a sugar-worship group... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">:

 

[velcromom]

I'm right here with you all, with my dedicated sweet tooth. I crave something sweet after a meal, even if it was uber-healthy and had lots of proteins, fats, good carbs... doesn't help much. I guess how it works is that until you quit, you crave it. I honestly don't have any willpower to go cold turkey... I think that would be a setup for a major crash...<br><br>
I have been doing better lately though. My improved diet has definitely reduced my cravings. I honestly used to have sodas and a candy bar at least once a day. When I was childless and single, I pretty much lived on Dr. Pepper and Snickers bars.<br><br>
I have converted my treat recipes to supply not just a sugar high but protein and whole grains... still have my sweetened tea in the morning, though I did give up my soda - that was brutal.<br><br>
I don't have a weight issue to complicate the matter, and at every pee test so far this pregnancy my sugar is fine.<br><br>
but yeah, giving up sugar isn't in my near future; I'm at the point where just achieving moderation is a huge, huge step.

 

[Jillie]

Hi, I'm Jillie and I'm a sugar addict. Seriously, I cant have candy or baked goods in the house or I will eat them. Holidays kill me because people always give my kids all kinds of chocolate (Love it!) and I always eat way more than they do. We live on a farm so getting it if I don't have it is tough which is good, but then if it is here, I feel like I cant just throw it out. Breking this habit would go a long way on helping me lose the last 12 pounds I need to get rid of. Glad to see its not just me.

 

[TinyFrog]

Hello. My name is Andrea, and I am a sugar addict. I am the same in that if it exists in my house, I will eat it. I think I have made huge strides, reducing HFCS and processed foods, switching to wheat instead of white but I still have that little bit left to go. I took a look at the website mentioned above and found it interesting. Like others, I too have found that protein and fat help. In changing my diet I think that naturally has reduced the bad fats and I now need to make sure I eat plenty of the good fats.<br><br>
So now I sit at work and really really want those choc chips that are in the cupboard at home. I should eat my apple that's sitting next to me instead.