sugar addiction - how to break it long term?

[Anonymous]

I have a major sugar addiction.

I have ADHD and will go through binges for sugar. I feel out of control and out of body while its happening. I know my having ADHD is a contributor, but I can't figure out how to get back in control.

I am not overweight, so people don't tend to see it as "an issue" -- but it is. My PCP said, "given your weight, it's probably not as bad as you think" but I'm not 100% comfortable with her so am not exactly 100% forthcoming with details.

Has anyone successfully cut out sugar 100%? Is that what I need to do? It's like one taste and WHAMMO -- all bets are off, especially if I'm under any stress whatsoever.

Suggestions welcome and hoped for. Please no criticism.

[Anonymous]

Cold turkey. Read every label. Buy the highest highest cacao % of dark chocolate you like and buy one bar. No sweets in the house otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Are you on adhd meds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you on adhd meds?

I'm not. I have always managed well enough with heavy regular exercise, a consistent sleep schedule, and a good (excluding these binges) diet, coupled with regimented life management tools.

[Anonymous]

Keep sweets out of the house and go cold turkey

[Anonymous]

This is how I got off sugar: Eat more protein at meals. When a sugar craving starts have berries with plain yogurt or sugar free whipping cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cold turkey. Read every label. Buy the highest highest cacao % of dark chocolate you like and buy one bar. No sweets in the house otherwise.

This tracks, because you’ll never want to buy another one LOL

[Anonymous]

I broke it for more than a year, then I went back to work in person and so I started drinking caffeinated beverages again. I think the key for me is avoiding stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you on adhd meds?

I'm not. I have always managed well enough with heavy regular exercise, a consistent sleep schedule, and a good (excluding these binges) diet, coupled with regimented life management tools.

Compulsive eating can be part of adhd. And this may be something that is helped with meds

[Anonymous]

You really have to treat it like alcohol or drugs and abstain. It’s really hard, especially if you don’t live alone and your family members don’t have an issue with it or even understand your issue.

I has some success with adipex but after about 6 months it stopped working and then I tried vyvanse, but that just gave me all the side effects and no benefit.

Most of my life I was very slim and on the low end of the weight range for my height and whenever I tried to talk to someone about my sugar issue and binging they rolled their eyes and were like, “Your’e a size zero, how could you have a problem???”
well, like OP, I exercised a lot, was very strict about my sleep and about my eating.

How do people with kids and a spouse manage to keep sweets or sweetened food out of the house? It was much easier when they were small, they didn’t know any better and we just never had it in the house, but as they go through school, etc, I find it impossible.

[Anonymous]

Never assume you’ll have sugar restraint. I never buy cookies because I will eat a disgusting amount in one sitting. Sometimes I make them but when I do I do it on the understanding that I will eat a lot more than any human should in one sitting. (I’m okay with my levels of sugar addiction/health/weight so I don’t go cold turkey on home made treats, just store bought.)

Agree with PP that protein heavy meals decrease the cravings and for me fruit and tea are good snack choices when I want something sweet.

[Anonymous]

Is the reason you can fall for easy glucose because you are avoiding fiber and fats because you actually have undiagnosed gastroparesis? Have you done a test for it?

[Anonymous]

I am/was the BIGGEST sugar addict around. Not exaggeration.

Since starting intermittent fasting, I'm finding my thoughts about food and desire for the sugar rush has diminished greatly. I'm not sure why, but I'm thrilled.

I was, at one point, so addicted that I wouldn't have even wanted something to break the addiction lol. But I absolutely don't care about food as much, am losing weight, and choosing healthier options because it's what I WANT, so it is easy because I'm not feeling denied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the reason you can fall for easy glucose because you are avoiding fiber and fats because you actually have undiagnosed gastroparesis? Have you done a test for it?

OP here. I eat loads of fiber and fat. But likely not enough protein.

[Anonymous]

Honestly it wasn’t that hard! The fear of not having sugar was worse than the reality. It’s a few days of feeling uncomfortable, but you very quickly adjust. I dropped sugar from coffee about 4-5 years ago, and that was huge. I still have sugar because why have a life with no sugar whatsoever? But it’s intentional and special instead of habitual.