In light of the season’s marathon of sugary holiday goodies and my post yesterday about Waking Up to Wellness, it seems like we should have a little sit-down discussion about sugar cravings. Specifically, how to shake them before they get the better of us, leaving us tired, stressed, achy, overweight, and at risk for a slew of serious health problems down the road.
Some people seem to glide through life heedless of sugar’s temptation, while others—lots of others—really have to work at keeping their cravings in check. Sugar has a way of making a body feel powerless to its siren call. But it’s not a matter of mere weakness, and it’s not as simple as the proverbial “sweet tooth.”
Research is mounting that proves a critical connection between sugar and brain chemistry. As explained in the book, The End of Overeating, sugar can trigger the same effects in the brain as highly addictive drugs like amphetamines and cocaine—and, sadly, countless people in this country are hooked on daily, if not hourly, sugar intake. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the average American’s yearly sugar intake has skyrocketed from 26 pounds to more than 135 pounds in the past 20 years. Not surprisingly, most of that sugar is coming from processed product additives like bleached white cane or beet sugar and corn syrup, which are far more addictive and health-harming than any sort of sweetness found in nature. The bottom line: sugar can lure you into seemingly unbeatable cycles of craving, overeating, and suffering. You feel helpless to stop once you get hooked on sugar’s instant pick-me-up, even though it ultimately leaves you down in the dumps again.
Laurie Dimino 
Terry Steinmetz 
MaryJane 
Winnie Nielsen 
Cat Livingston 
Elizabeth 
Gabe 
Marile Shelly 
Lunaticreations 
Lisa Arthur 
Chrissy 
Diana Ketron 
So True! You just have to stop and wait it out for about 3 weeks for the cravings to ease and disappear. It is interesting that once you stop the sugar, it becomes so over powering when you go back to things like a piece of cake or cookies. Living without sugar is complicated even if you don’t abuse it because so many wonderful things that we enjoy in life have sugar:birthday cakes, Christmas treats, chocolate etc. I have found that a better strategy for long term is to eliminate over processed sugar foods, soft drinks, and keeping focused on the big goal of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, lots of fresh foods and wholesome grains, sleep, no smoking, and alcohol in limited amounts. Oh, and lots of MJF!!!!! grin
I was so addicted to sugar and in Oct I decided to stop eating it along with gluten and salt. It was really hard but I knew I could do it. 12 months ago I stopped smoking after 37 years and I knew if I could do that, nothing would stand it my way in the future from kicking other bad habits. I was told I needed to have both knees replaced. I am active, my husband and I have 3 market gardens and he has Cerebral Palsy so I am the one who does the walking, planting, etc. I ended up getting gel shots in the joints of both knees. They last a year in controlling the pain. This gave me time to get my weight, my life back. From eating sugar at every whip stitch to living a life without sugar and gluten. I drink Bragg’s vinegar 3 times a day. I eat a lot of fruit and I’m learning how to like veggies. I’m learning how cook all over again, but so worth it. I have lost 38 pounds and am down 163 points in my cholesterol and I am taking a class at the local collage so I can live out one more dream of mine. Sugar controlled my life, my whole life, my mood, my energy, everything. Now I am in control of me and my body.
What amazing fortitude Jane. You’re an inspiration!
Getting rid of sugar is a great plan and I believe it will improve a persons quality of life! I just wanted to suggest that initially I would recommend eliminating fruit, tomatoes and carrot from your diet as well, as they are very high in sugar. I realize it is a natural fructose, but it still sends that euphoric message to your brain just like chocolate. After about three weeks, slowly start to introduce them back into your diet. That goes for dairy as well. Try coconut milk or almond milk:) If you are worried about calcium, eating extra greens will fix that!
I also, believe there is a yeast connection and if we have an overload of yeast within our bodies it will create intense sugar cravings. With that said, it is important not to eat foods that have a fast tendency to mold such as peanuts, melons, and mushrooms. Check out The Yeast Syndrome by John Parks Trowbridge, MD and Morton Walker, D.P.M.
You’re right, yeast overgrowth is often the result of too much sugar. When that happens, it’s like an alien inside dictating what you’ll eat. The road to good health is an ongoing journey for everyone but with the internet we finally have easy access to life-changing information. No two people are ever in exactly the same place on that journey. It’s important to honor where a person is on that journey. I think back where I was 20 years ago and just shake my head. I’ve come a long way! But I know I still have a long journey ahead of me. Now, time for my green juice drink before bed!!!!
Four years ago I had lost 35 pounds and was very proud of myself. Since then, my job became more sedentary and the stress went through the roof. I immediately turn to sweets for a shot of instant comfort. Bad idea! I am now back to being addicted to them and find myself feeling helpless and bit low.
Resurfacing from the doldrums can be pretty tough but I’m working on it. My husband is helping me and I am bound and determined to kick my sugar habit. We are going to be starting our own self-sufficient farm in upstate NY this year and you know what? Eating all that sugary stuff gets expensive! There will be less money (which I’m actually glad of), less sugar (thankfully) and more physical labor (which I miss dearly) on my horizon. I’m hoping from the bottom of my heart that 2013 will be the year I make some serious strides at becoming the best version of myself.
Thanks for posting this. It is an epidemic and needs to be talked about more as one.
2013 is going to be YOUR year. Sounds like your farm in upstate NY will be just what the doctor ordered. Stay in touch and let us know your progress.
Nice post, we should re-read it every year! 🙂
This is a great article! Wonderful suggestions to break the sugar cravings. I’ve started eating different varieties of apples to help with my sugar cravings. It’s fun to discover the taste of something different than a Ref Delicious for a change.
First time I have read raising Jane. I loved the information