My Fight Against Sugar

[duckFACE]

PGS28  I limit things with sugar substitute mainly because I find that when I eat those things I start to crave sweet things in general, and that is when I falter! I do allow myself one day a week when I can have a real sweet (usually some chocolate!)  I also snack on lowfat dairy (string cheese, laughing cow) and eat lowfat protein which helps some.  I fall off the wagon once or twice a year (Christmas is a real challenge), but I find that if I just get back on the wagon it doesn't take long to get back to where I need to be.

mrisa Try starting really slow...walk for 5 to 10 minutes each day, work up to 20 to 30 minutes.  Don't think you have to jump right into heavy exercise - even a little will help you feel better. 

[Cuppycake]

I crave sugar and lately I've been eating it far too much.  I now have a couple of cavities and I still eat it. When I was pregnant I had type 2 diabetes but it supposedly went away after my pregnancy so I didn't worry about it.  I'm not having complications now related to diabetes, but my toothache recently spread to my head and caused me to have a headache and that's when I knew I had to do better.

I am declaring a personal war against foods loaded with sugar.  I recently went from 167 to 136 and since March 14 have adopted a healthier lifestyle but I've never been able to control the cravings.  I'm going to treat this addiction as it is- an addiction.  This post will be a reminder of my goal.

To arm myself I:
posted a note on my fridge that says "Sweets Carry:  Tooth decay, Diabetes, Empty calories"
posted this thread to remind myself of my goal
performed research on what causes cravings, how to fight them, and healthy alternatives

Hope this helps someone else, good day FC!

You should really try a low carb diet like keto or paleo.

[Cuppycake]

Honey has a lot of calories but the next time I have a craving I'll have a teaspoon of honey.  Wish I had thought about this last night when I had those marshmallows. I read somewhere that when foods have no sugar they are sweetened with other artificial substances that can be just as, if not more harmful than sugar. I've been meaning to start reading food labels anyway so your tip will force me to start doing so 

   My fight against invasive plants...that is where sugar comes from: "Sugar cane". Your fight against sugar is my fight against sugar! Replace it with honey or shop at Walmart which has Walmart brand food stuff with "no sugar". For example: Instant oatmeal. Look at the box and find the sign: "No sugar".

You should really learn more about stevia. It is a natural sweetener that does NOT affect blood sugar and it is GOOD for you. It even helps control blood pressure as well as blood sugar.

[Cuppycake]

ahhh It takes a strong person to fight sugar so kudos to you guys. I hope I can at least cut back to get ready for summer 

Well I must be really strong then lol! I haven't had any refined sugar what-so-ever 8 months...

[Cuppycake]

I never had a taste for sweets, always chips and popcorn for me. I am going through the change and cant seem to get enough sweets, I know , wierd.

Chips and popcorn are pure carbs so your craving sugar should be no surprise at all.

[Cuppycake]

kilophkadamas It sounds like you gave up one addiction for another.  I've seen people do this. I'd attempt to transfer my addictive habits to something positive like reading or working out.  What have you tried so far to wean yourself off Pepsi (which my ex mother in law is also addicted to)?

jnjmolly Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement! I keep hearing about sugar free candy, I've made a note to look for it when I do my grocery shopping this week.

king4cash I've actually considered becoming a vegetarian.  I think I'll ease into that by first become a pescatarian, which through research I've learned carries the risk of consuming too much mercury in the body so even seafood meat has to be eaten lightly when I get serious about it.  I've weaned myself off fried food completely since starting a healthier lifestyle and that's a big accomplishment for me. I wanna get more of a handle on this sugar goal (I've become a LOT better since starting this forum thanks to everyone's info & encouragement) and then I'll tackle meat, which at this point I don't really eat a lot of anyway.

bigfoot951  What are those weird eating habits?  Inquiring minds would like to know

HAHAHAHAH If you want to avoid sugar avoiding meat is not the way to go lol!

[moonangel]

often when people go off of sugar they turn to high cholestral foods much likes dairy and meat therefore creating a new problem so when changing diets

[jmccaskill]

Splenda IS derived from sugar, and it is a fact that some believe it is not a good substance. However, there are some that believe the earth is flat and those that believe that genetic alteration of foods is deathly!! There are always some that will fear monger almost anything that comes along. My only comment here is say that I have come to the conclusion that Splenda is perfectly fine for ME. I see doctors probably more frequently than most folks and I consult with them on dietary substances and issues constantly. The advice I get is considered carefully and followed. As with practically anything, the big issue is with how much one consumes of any particular substance. Aspertame for example does not pose trouble for MOST people, yet can be very bad in a number of ways for some. Caffine is similar, some can dring 20 cups a day with no ill effects, and some can actually die from it!

Splenda is no different in this regard. I do know that it has had NO detrimental effect for me, and that is a medical fact. Though it is a sugar of a sort, so is everything you consume at some point, everything you consume becomes a chemical sugar during digestion as that is what fuels your body! Heck, alcohol is pure sugar! Just check the structure of it!

Again, I am not attacking anyone or anything said in this thread, it is a fact that there are pro and con arguments on the substance just as with practically everything. I can only suggest that you consult with your medical folks to determine what is right for YOU! I know that even with the potential downsides of something like Splenda its use is far less of a problem than using refined sugar.

Best wishes!

[Delphyne]

Splenda IS derived from sugar, and it is a fact that some believe it is not a good substance. However, there are some that believe the earth is flat and those that believe that genetic alteration of foods is deathly!! There are always some that will fear monger almost anything that comes along. My only comment here is say that I have come to the conclusion that Splenda is perfectly fine for ME. I see doctors probably more frequently than most folks and I consult with them on dietary substances and issues constantly. The advice I get is considered carefully and followed. As with practically anything, the big issue is with how much one consumes of any particular substance. Aspertame for example does not pose trouble for MOST people, yet can be very bad in a number of ways for some. Caffine is similar, some can dring 20 cups a day with no ill effects, and some can actually die from it!

Splenda is no different in this regard. I do know that it has had NO detrimental effect for me, and that is a medical fact. Though it is a sugar of a sort, so is everything you consume at some point, everything you consume becomes a chemical sugar during digestion as that is what fuels your body! Heck, alcohol is pure sugar! Just check the structure of it!

Again, I am not attacking anyone or anything said in this thread, it is a fact that there are pro and con arguments on the substance just as with practically everything. I can only suggest that you consult with your medical folks to determine what is right for YOU! I know that even with the potential downsides of something like Splenda its use is far less of a problem than using refined sugar.

Best wishes!

It is scientifically proven that the earth is round.  However, it is not scientifically proven that genetically modified organisms are safe.  On the contrary, there are numerous scientific studies which state that they are harmful to the human body, cause birth defects, and are also harmful to indigenous crops.

Lumping the two in the same sentence is not appropriate in the slightest.


Further, while you may have no issues with a certain food or substance, that is you.  There are people on this particular thread which do have bad effects from sugar or sugar substitutes.  Many people with seizures must cut sugars and substitutes from their diets because sugars can cause seizures.  People with nerve damage are also advised to cut sugars because they do harm nerve cells.  This has been scientifically proven.

I hope you take some of these issues into account.  Your post was bordering on rude, and was definitely self-righteous.  

So, for people who are trying to cut sugars from their diet, I stand by my earlier statement -- I do NOT recommend Splenda.  Try Stevia instead.  

[Delphyne]

I crave sugar and lately I've been eating it far too much.  I now have a couple of cavities and I still eat it. When I was pregnant I had type 2 diabetes but it supposedly went away after my pregnancy so I didn't worry about it.  I'm not having complications now related to diabetes, but my toothache recently spread to my head and caused me to have a headache and that's when I knew I had to do better.

I am declaring a personal war against foods loaded with sugar.  I recently went from 167 to 136 and since March 14 have adopted a healthier lifestyle but I've never been able to control the cravings.  I'm going to treat this addiction as it is- an addiction.  This post will be a reminder of my goal.

To arm myself I:
posted a note on my fridge that says "Sweets Carry:  Tooth decay, Diabetes, Empty calories"
posted this thread to remind myself of my goal
performed research on what causes cravings, how to fight them, and healthy alternatives

Hope this helps someone else, good day FC!

You should really try a low carb diet like keto or paleo.

I am on the Keto diet.  Truly, I highly recommend it.  My daughter just started it because she was recently diagnosed with PCOS.  Some people with PCOS have seen huge reductions in their symptoms after going Keto or low-carb.  Many people with epilepsy received benefit from the Keto diet.  Also, people with nerve disorders - like MS - are also seeing reductions in their symptoms. 


I have Complex Partial Seizures and MS.  I have said this before elsewhere, and am happy to say it again.  My MS symptoms are much less than they were.  My pain levels have decreased considerably.  My seizures are also more manageable than they were.

I might also add that my symptoms were made worse by pharmaceutical medications because I am chemically sensitive. 


Not everyone will derive benefits from these diets, but some people will - and that is reason enough to pass the information along.

[jmccaskill]

sorry if you were offended in my statements, if you took issue that is your prerogative to do so. Sensitivity like everything else is a personal issue. I do believe that I suggested that above all else, a person should consult their own MD concerning diet and such. Therefore I stand by my post.

[mill8277]

Good luck.....you can do it..., wean yourself from sugar.....like once a day the first week then once every 3 days for 2 weeks.....the longer you do with it the easier it will be...til you reach a point where you can use it as a reward to yourself when you do something good or are having a sugar attack....it's harder when we try and go cold turkey....

[batmobile]

honey...it takes about 30 days  to get used to. don't give up!

[momtobe2012]

congats on your losing weight you feel better when you lose weight i have lost some weight also and i am noticing changes in the way i feel day to day

[Delphyne]

sorry if you were offended in my statements, if you took issue that is your prerogative to do so. Sensitivity like everything else is a personal issue. I do believe that I suggested that above all else, a person should consult their own MD concerning diet and such. Therefore I stand by my post.

I take issue with false statements.  It is your choice to make false statements, just as it is mine to correct them.