Sugar Addiction

[Luminous_Rose]

You know, this is not something I just tell people. I feel that I am genuinely addicted to sugar. It is painful to say, actually. I don't want to be this way. I remember there being one time in my life where I didn't crave that sweet goodness - it was when we had CSA bags from a local farm and we quit the refined sweets. I got to the point I actually did not want sweet. When we no longer had that available, I slipped some time after that and have never succeeded in turning it around...that was a little over 3 years ago.

I tell myself it is not like I am doing alcohol or illegal drugs, but they have proven sugar to be more addictive than cocaine. I just don't know how to stop besides have no sweets in the house, but not everyone is aboard on that so it is hard. Some people hate dealing with my sugar withdrawals so they give me a candy bar and I just can't say no. People don't get this...that I can't just say no to sweets so I must want to be this way. They say, "Eat fruit instead," and it doesn't do the cravings justice.

I feel that this is not what God would want me doing because it is detrimental to my health and if anyone knows, I know how bad refined sugar is.

My teeth aren't doing well. My joints ache and hurt constantly. The daily fatigue is real. My skin is flaky and dry. My hair and nails are brittle. In conjunction with the nutrients my medication robs my body of, sugar just amplifies this. I am so tired of this...

I want to have plenty of energy and healthy for my family. I don't want to be that mom that hides and eats sweets because she is ashamed of it. I don't like eating sugar as a means to feel better emotionally. My husband has said he hasn't met anyone that can down sugar like I do or crave it so much. I feel so much shame. Yet I still do this...

Does anyone else here struggle with this? Just pray that God will give me loads of strength to keep trying to quit. This has been a lifetime struggle...

 

[DelightfulinJesus]

Hi!, I know what you mean, seriously. Many, many years ago I use to be a drug addict, when I finally stopped and that took some doings. I replaced one addiction with another. actually several, sweets being one of them, crazy isn't? Pepsi is another, till this day, I love my pepsi. I;m not even suppose to have sugar, lol.

If you are craving sweets like this, then I'd take a guess you are lacking something in your body. Most likely a nutrient deficiency of some sort. A doctor and do up some blood works and they can tell you exactly what you're missing. Also you can start taking a one a day for women. Something that is good for your hair, nails and skin is actually prenatal vitamins. They are full of the vitamins and mineral's you may be lacking.

Reason I say this is because if you can start doing something as that, the cravings may become less and help you stop. And, the most important thing, is asking God to help you do this.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

Hi!, I know what you mean, seriously. Many, many years ago I use to be a drug addict, when I finally stopped and that took some doings. I replaced one addiction with another. actually several, sweets being one of them, crazy isn't? Pepsi is another, till this day, I love my pepsi. I;m not even suppose to have sugar, lol.

If you are craving sweets like this, then I'd take a guess you are lacking something in your body. Most likely a nutrient deficiency of some sort. A doctor and do up some blood works and they can tell you exactly what you're missing. Also you can start taking a one a day for women. Something that is good for your hair, nails and skin is actually prenatal vitamins. They are full of the vitamins and mineral's you may be lacking.

Reason I say this is because if you can start doing something as that, the cravings may become less and help you stop. And, the most important thing, is asking God to help you do this.

It is not that strange, a lot of people with alcohol addictions become addicted to sugar instead. I am glad you have moved forward in your recovery, though!

Strangely enough, soda has not been my weakness. It is usually chocolate, cakes, cookies, pies, and dried fruits. Either way, sugar is a monster to me.

Yes, I have wanted to find a way to ask about testing for nutrient deficiencies. My body screams deficient. My anti-seizure medication takes folate from my body and some say it can take calcium and such causing tooth decay. However, my last EEG was normal! So they are moving me off my medication to see if I even need it, and nutrition will be everything to keep my body healthy. Inflammation can cause seizures so I really need to quit...I feel a million times better and look a lot healthier when I kick the sugar for a long period of time.

I have been uptaking more vegatables and foods rich in silica. I take a magnesium spray supplement that I know I feel a lot better in my joints with. I take a B complex with folate as well. This all helps tremendously. However I feel it is all in vain when I pick up the sweets and pretty much sap my body of the valuable nutrients I tried to replace. My palate is so used to sweet that it is hard to try to stick with savory foods because at this point in time they will feel bland until I can kick the sweets for a long period of time.

I love holidays, but hate them at the same time because of the candy and baked goodies. Approaching the holidays is my ultimate demise. It seems like many people hand them out and I can't say, "No." It is even harder with kids because people want to give them sweets because they are cute kids and I do not like many of the ingredients in treats, food dye is a big trigger for my oldest - her emotions run haywire with it so we all avoid it, and she doesn't handle wheat well. People still try to push the sweets and get all offended if we refuse so sometimes I take them with the intention to trash it later and end up with a small bag of it with the temptation to eat it. Ugh.

So hard!

Thank you for your response!

 

[Book Keeper]

I can imagine how stressful the situation must be, and the knowledge that you cannot help yourself but consume sugary treats. Sugar is addictive, and unfortunately, society doesn't help with their lustful advertisements of sugary foods and drinks.
I understand what you mean when you say that you feel the fatigue that sugar provides. This sugary high is only temporary on initial consumption, and afterwords you feel the draining affect.

I will hold you in my prayers, and ask God to guide you away from the lust for sugar. It will not be an easy path, however, God will aid you on your quest, and support you though this troubling time.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

I can imagine how stressful the situation must be, and the knowledge that you cannot help yourself but consume sugary treats. Sugar is addictive, and unfortunately, society doesn't help with their lustful advertisements of sugary foods and drinks.
I understand what you mean when you say that you feel the fatigue that sugar provides. This sugary high is only temporary on initial consumption, and afterwords you feel the draining affect.

I will hold you in my prayers, and ask God to guide you away from the lust for sugar. It will not be an easy path, however, God will aid you on your quest, and support you though this troubling time.

Agreed and thank you =)

 

[Edward]

You know, this is not something I just tell people. I feel that I am genuinely addicted to sugar. It is painful to say, actually. I don't want to be this way. I remember there being one time in my life where I didn't crave that sweet goodness - it was when we had CSA bags from a local farm and we quit the refined sweets. I got to the point I actually did not want sweet. When we no longer had that available, I slipped some time after that and have never succeeded in turning it around...that was a little over 3 years ago.

I tell myself it is not like I am doing alcohol or illegal drugs, but they have proven sugar to be more addictive than cocaine. I just don't know how to stop besides have no sweets in the house, but not everyone is aboard on that so it is hard. Some people hate dealing with my sugar withdrawals so they give me a candy bar and I just can't say no. People don't get this...that I can't just say no to sweets so I must want to be this way. They say, "Eat fruit instead," and it doesn't do the cravings justice.

I feel that this is not what God would want me doing because it is detrimental to my health and if anyone knows, I know how bad refined sugar is.

My teeth aren't doing well. My joints ache and hurt constantly. The daily fatigue is real. My skin is flaky and dry. My hair and nails are brittle. In conjunction with the nutrients my medication robs my body of, sugar just amplifies this. I am so tired of this...

I want to have plenty of energy and healthy for my family. I don't want to be that mom that hides and eats sweets because she is ashamed of it. I don't like eating sugar as a means to feel better emotionally. My husband has said he hasn't met anyone that can down sugar like I do or crave it so much. I feel so much shame. Yet I still do this...

Does anyone else here struggle with this? Just pray that God will give me loads of strength to keep trying to quit. This has been a lifetime struggle...

I used to have a problem with sugar. But after I read a book called "Sugar Blues", it set me straight and made it much easier for me to cut it down but not quite totally out...!

But think about it, they take a plant, refine it down into a white powder and became millionaires & billionaires on the fact that they know it is so addictive! Sound familiar? Sounds like cocaine or something, huh? It used to be that only the elite and kings and so forth kept sugar around. AND! it did used to be illegal also! Thanks to the Coca-Cola company for pestering congress to have it made legal. If they hadn't, sugar very well may be a schedule 2 controlled substance like narcotics are in today's world.

Sugar blues...the truth about sugar. (I forget the author's name). A small paperback. Should be cheap by now.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

I used to have a problem with sugar. But after I read a book called "Sugar Blues", it set me straight and made it much easier for me to cut it down but not quite totally out...!

But think about it, they take a plant, refine it down into a white powder and became millionaires & billionaires on the fact that they know it is so addictive! Sound familiar? Sounds like cocaine or something, huh? It used to be that only the elite and kings and so forth kept sugar around. AND! it did used to be illegal also! Thanks to the Coca-Cola company for pestering congress to have it made legal. If they hadn't, sugar very well may be a schedule 2 controlled substance like narcotics are in today's world.

Sugar blues...the truth about sugar. (I forget the author's name). A small paperback. Should be cheap by now.

Didn't know sugar used to be illegal! It should be, it is so bad for our health...at least the refined white stuff. Beet sugar definitely being the worst and most processed. I am not convinced that organic bone char free cane sugar is the solution, either.

I have heard about Sugar Blues, but I don't believe I have read it. I will keep an eye out. I have read a few books like The Easy Four Quadrant Sugar Detox, which is ultimately helpful, but I slip back to the sweets so easily. I have watched numerous documentaries and TED Talks about sugar...more than I can count. They only offer short term motivation even though I clearly realize there are huge risks.

I know I do best when we avoid sweets together as a family and once in a while did a small dessert and we were all healthier for it. I miss not craving sweets and having better health. I am not sure if my husband is on the same page. He is not a sugar addict like I am. He will get say some ice cream sandwiches, but limits himself and usually craves savory foods. He still buys the stuff and feels it is unfair to him if he has to stop buying it...so it is hard because he then gets upset if I eat too many of those ice cream sandwiches. It is hard to justify the, "I can't seem to help myself." It doesn't even sound like a valid argument.

My thought process when it comes to sweets is just sad. Even if I do not crave sweets, I will some how convince myself I like it so I should have it. Maybe that is a type of craving, I don't know. The emotional aspect is the hardest to get past because sugar just gives that dopamine hit and it makes everything better. Moderation doesn't work for me that well so the struggle is real.

Thanks for your response =)

 

[jasonc]

Didn't know sugar used to be illegal! It should be, it is so bad for our health...at least the refined white stuff. Beet sugar definitely being the worst and most processed. I am not convinced that organic bone char free cane sugar is the solution, either.

I have heard about Sugar Blues, but I don't believe I have read it. I will keep an eye out. I have read a few books like The Easy Four Quadrant Sugar Detox, which is ultimately helpful, but I slip back to the sweets so easily. I have watched numerous documentaries and TED Talks about sugar...more than I can count. They only offer short term motivation even though I clearly realize there are huge risks.

I know I do best when we avoid sweets together as a family and once in a while did a small dessert and we were all healthier for it. I miss not craving sweets and having better health. I am not sure if my husband is on the same page. He is not a sugar addict like I am. He will get say some ice cream sandwiches, but limits himself and usually craves savory foods. He still buys the stuff and feels it is unfair to him if he has to stop buying it...so it is hard because he then gets upset if I eat too many of those ice cream sandwiches. It is hard to justify the, "I can't seem to help myself." It doesn't even sound like a valid argument.

My thought process when it comes to sweets is just sad. Even if I do not crave sweets, I will some how convince myself I like it so I should have it. Maybe that is a type of craving, I don't know. The emotional aspect is the hardest to get past because sugar just gives that dopamine hit and it makes everything better. Moderation doesn't work for me that well so the struggle is real.

Thanks for your response =)

i have had sugar fresh from the cane. way more addictive and that is natural. cane syrup anyone? I haven't had a jar of that (hot) in ages.

 

[for_his_glory]

There are a lot of sugar substitutes out there that are actually healthy. You just need to research them and also if they are FDA approved products. I like canned fruit that is packed in it's own juices that might be a good alternative to the sugary treats. Other than that I haven't much to give.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

i have had sugar fresh from the cane. way more addictive and that is natural. cane syrup anyone? I haven't had a jar of that (hot) in ages.

I remember hearing stories from a girl I knew that used to live in Costa Rica and she said there was a farmer that would hand out extra sugar cane to the kids. She said it was so good right from the field and a lot better tasting than sugar. I have never had it, though.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

There are a lot of sugar substitutes out there that are actually healthy. You just need to research them and also if they are FDA approved products. I like canned fruit that is packed in it's own juices that might be a good alternative to the sugary treats. Other than that I haven't much to give.

Thank you for your suggestion. It is a good, sensible one.

I have tried fruit as a substitute. I will either eat scary large quantities or will not get that same sugar hit I crave so I grab for the refined junk sweets. I absolutely love fruit, always have. I try to keep some handy as a means of a healthier sweet, but at times it leaves me craving.

Honey helps at times although still sugary, it is good in small amounts. I don't binge on honey so that helps.

I haven't had much luck with other sweetner alternatives. My body doesn't take to birch xylitol well and stevia makes me pretty ill, but I am doubting that the stevia I had was even real. Blackstrap molasses and maple syrup are harder to get my hands on and more expensive.

Still going to keep trying to eat healthier foods.

 

[JohnDB]

You know, this is not something I just tell people. I feel that I am genuinely addicted to sugar. It is painful to say, actually. I don't want to be this way. I remember there being one time in my life where I didn't crave that sweet goodness - it was when we had CSA bags from a local farm and we quit the refined sweets. I got to the point I actually did not want sweet. When we no longer had that available, I slipped some time after that and have never succeeded in turning it around...that was a little over 3 years ago.

I tell myself it is not like I am doing alcohol or illegal drugs, but they have proven sugar to be more addictive than cocaine. I just don't know how to stop besides have no sweets in the house, but not everyone is aboard on that so it is hard. Some people hate dealing with my sugar withdrawals so they give me a candy bar and I just can't say no. People don't get this...that I can't just say no to sweets so I must want to be this way. They say, "Eat fruit instead," and it doesn't do the cravings justice.

I feel that this is not what God would want me doing because it is detrimental to my health and if anyone knows, I know how bad refined sugar is.

My teeth aren't doing well. My joints ache and hurt constantly. The daily fatigue is real. My skin is flaky and dry. My hair and nails are brittle. In conjunction with the nutrients my medication robs my body of, sugar just amplifies this. I am so tired of this...

I want to have plenty of energy and healthy for my family. I don't want to be that mom that hides and eats sweets because she is ashamed of it. I don't like eating sugar as a means to feel better emotionally. My husband has said he hasn't met anyone that can down sugar like I do or crave it so much. I feel so much shame. Yet I still do this...

Does anyone else here struggle with this? Just pray that God will give me loads of strength to keep trying to quit. This has been a lifetime struggle...

There is a type of Bible Study called "Revelation Wellness".
I believe that there is a book by that same name.

But it gets into a lot of this. Different types of food addictions or avoidance.

The same way you are "addicted to sugar" others have different unhealthy addictions such as to exercise or not eating or cosmetic surgery.

This book addresses these things. It can help with attitudes about eating and exercise.
If you were to ask around I think that you should be able to find a local study group doing this study. It's novel approach addresses the reasons for some of the unhealthy attitudes.

 

[Luminous_Rose]

There is a type of Bible Study called "Revelation Wellness".
I believe that there is a book by that same name.

But it gets into a lot of this. Different types of food addictions or avoidance.

The same way you are "addicted to sugar" others have different unhealthy addictions such as to exercise or not eating or cosmetic surgery.

This book addresses these things. It can help with attitudes about eating and exercise.
If you were to ask around I think that you should be able to find a local study group doing this study. It's novel approach addresses the reasons for some of the unhealthy attitudes.

Thanks =) I will definitely take a look around!

There aren't any events nearby, but I did find the book and some free resources I can do from home! It seems the core focus with a lot of programs like these is weight loss, but I have always had a hard time gaining weight.

 

[Christ_empowered]

hi...

im eating less sugar, mostly because of hi-dose vitamin supplementation (Orthomolecular). I'm not selling you anything...the information is free, the protocols usually just involve standard vitamins (B-100 complex, C, E, etc.) you can get...more or less anywhere, I think. I shop online, because I get free shipping and good deals on natural form vitamin E (I take a -whole- lot of that, because its other function is to hopefully, maybe, possibly reduce my risk of movement disorders from my prescribed psych drugs).

but...yeah...the Orthomolecular people recommend periodic vegetable juice fasting (not my thing...makes me crazy...), high dose b-vitamins, c, e, d3, fish oil, extra chromium sometimes, now and then alpha lipoic acid, beta carotene (I use natural form, another good reason to shop online...save$), etc.

some of their info seems a bit...errr...out there, but then again...vitamin c injections and infusions are making a mainstream comeback, as an add-on treatment in cancer and some other conditions, so maybe even their more 'extreme' claims have at least some merit (?).

www.doctoryourself.com

i think the design could use an update, but the info is free. check it out and see what you think...

 

[Luminous_Rose]

hi...

im eating less sugar, mostly because of hi-dose vitamin supplementation (Orthomolecular). I'm not selling you anything...the information is free, the protocols usually just involve standard vitamins (B-100 complex, C, E, etc.) you can get...more or less anywhere, I think. I shop online, because I get free shipping and good deals on natural form vitamin E (I take a -whole- lot of that, because its other function is to hopefully, maybe, possibly reduce my risk of movement disorders from my prescribed psych drugs).

but...yeah...the Orthomolecular people recommend periodic vegetable juice fasting (not my thing...makes me crazy...), high dose b-vitamins, c, e, d3, fish oil, extra chromium sometimes, now and then alpha lipoic acid, beta carotene (I use natural form, another good reason to shop online...save$), etc.

some of their info seems a bit...errr...out there, but then again...vitamin c injections and infusions are making a mainstream comeback, as an add-on treatment in cancer and some other conditions, so maybe even their more 'extreme' claims have at least some merit (?).

www.doctoryourself.com

i think the design could use an update, but the info is free. check it out and see what you think...

Thank you for the information.

Vitamin C has been uses in megadoses as a cancer cure, but last I heard doctors are having a harder time getting IV available vitamin C. Vitamin C does boost the immune system and has been proven good for against infections and respiratory issue.

I do fermented cod liver oil/butter oil gel to help with my brain and teeth. I also have to take a vitamin B-complex with folate since my medication drains this from my body and it has CoQ10, which I hear can help in some ways. I also do coconut oil and butter daily for brain function and blood sugar control. So it makes sense we take some similar stuff because of the nature of our medications. I am hoping I am can stay off my medication once I am completely off of it (no worries, I am under doctor supervision on this and down to 125mg per day right now) because it would help me to get my nutrient stores back up and I figure if I can kick my sugar addiction it will help me a ton.

Thanks so much again for the resources. I will have a look =)

 

[JohnDB]

Thanks =) I will definitely take a look around!

There aren't any events nearby, but I did find the book and some free resources I can do from home! It seems the core focus with a lot of programs like these is weight loss, but I have always had a hard time gaining weight.

Actually it isn't focused on weight loss.
My wife thought that very thing when she first looked at it.
The real focus is on wellness...not dieting in the manner you think.

And that's why I am recommending the series. It is a focus on exactly what you said you wanted.

Jesus once asked a crippled man a strange question.
"Do you want to be well?"

And the excessive behaviors surrounding women and eating seems to be so prevalent.

So you have a hard time gaining needed weight...that might mean that you need to change your habits. Being a person who consumes a lot of carbs and not gain weight isn't the problem...
This is about wellness. And that might mean less exercise. It might mean fewer salads...it could be any number of things. I don't know and this study won't tell you either. You have to determine this for yourself.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Thank you for the information.

Vitamin C has been uses in megadoses as a cancer cure, but last I heard doctors are having a harder time getting IV available vitamin C. Vitamin C does boost the immune system and has been proven good for against infections and respiratory issue.

I do fermented cod liver oil/butter oil gel to help with my brain and teeth. I also have to take a vitamin B-complex with folate since my medication drains this from my body and it has CoQ10, which I hear can help in some ways. I also do coconut oil and butter daily for brain function and blood sugar control. So it makes sense we take some similar stuff because of the nature of our medications. I am hoping I am can stay off my medication once I am completely off of it (no worries, I am under doctor supervision on this and down to 125mg per day right now) because it would help me to get my nutrient stores back up and I figure if I can kick my sugar addiction it will help me a ton.

Thanks so much again for the resources. I will have a look =)

im so glad you don't think im...errr...crazy. LOL.

I do need to work on my diet some more, but I don't crave sugar nearly as much since I started going back up on the vitamin C and doubled up on the b-100 complex (I use time release b-100...easier on stomach, plus I'm lazy). now that I'm usually taking 16 grams vitamin c/daily, I find...

I don't crave sugar as much! high doses of vitamin c apparently do all kinds of good things, including making blood sugar more even, helping with insulin resistance, and...yeah. yeah. its also very inexpensive, usually...always a good thing.

i'm looking into adding coenzyme q10. im on a lower dose of my 'atypical' antipsychotic, which is great, but...

turns out, -lots- of drugs, especially psych drugs, deplete coenzyme q10. blah. since alpha lipoic acid recycles coenzyme q10 and other antioxidants, i think i'll that back in the mix, too.

ok. good luck with your drug tapering, btw.