Sugar Cravings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello all, Looking for recommendations for how to address sugar cravings. Have there been methods/approaches/supplements you have done or taken to help with reducing sugar cravings? I know totally eliminating sugar cold turkey will just result in an increase in cravings, so I'm looking for sustainable and reasonable approaches. Thank you in advance!

have you made sure that you are getting enough protein at each meal and snack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hello all, Looking for recommendations for how to address sugar cravings. Have there been methods/approaches/supplements you have done or taken to help with reducing sugar cravings? I know totally eliminating sugar cold turkey will just result in an increase in cravings, so I'm looking for sustainable and reasonable approaches. Thank you in advance!

have you made sure that you are getting enough protein at each meal and snack?

+1. I need 20-30 grams at each meal plus some late afternoon and evening snacks that are 15g or more. Combine that with cutting all sugar, flour, white rice, potatoes and pasta out and I do not have sugar cravings anymore.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

This works for me, too, with same results of reduced cravings. I'll have a small chocolate many days, but find that I often forget about it the longer I've been doing it.

I feel more in control and don't need or want the donut fix even when DH and DS are enjoying them. Sometimes I'll join in; sometimes I won't. The old, sugar-addicted me would have joined in -- and then some. Regained control feels good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

This is a late breakfast, not intermittent fasting. IF is when you have 2 days per week when you only consume 400 calories on those days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

This is a late breakfast, not intermittent fasting. IF is when you have 2 days per week when you only consume 400 calories on those days.

That's not true. IF can also mean reduced time windows of eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

This is a late breakfast, not intermittent fasting. IF is when you have 2 days per week when you only consume 400 calories on those days.

To the PP, there are many many versions of intermittent fasting. Yes, your stated version (IF is when you have 2 days per week when you only consume 400 calories on those days.) is only one of them. Please try to be a little more flexible. Here's a link t0 4 types of IF, but I'm sure anybody can up and create or tailor their own. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/intermittent-fasting-4-different-types-explained/

[Anonymous]

Cold turkey! And it will not make you crave sugar more. Where did you hear that? I will give you a reset. I did cold Turkey 4-5 years ago, and I rarely crave sugar now. I certainly do have it- a little cookie, slice of birthday cake, dessert at a restaurant, but I don’t have much sugar in a regular day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello all, Looking for recommendations for how to address sugar cravings. Have there been methods/approaches/supplements you have done or taken to help with reducing sugar cravings? I know totally eliminating sugar cold turkey will just result in an increase in cravings, so I'm looking for sustainable and reasonable approaches. Thank you in advance!

I've never heard that going cold turkey increases your cravings. I think that's psychological.

Do yourself a favor and read Glucose Goddess or if you listen to podcasts she's on a few of them. What she says makes total sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is different but I definitely think that the less sugar you eat, the less you want it. I have a big "sweet tooth" and what I have found most helpful was to limit my "sweet treats" to once a day. Then, I craved it less and don't even eat a sweet treat every day now. I sat with my family as they ate donuts earlier today and I had absolutely no desire to join in.

I also believe you shouldn't eat fake sugar. I've read and think that fake sugar makes you crave more sugary things.

Oddly, I also find that intermittent fasting (I don't eat my first meal until 10 am, several hours after I wake up) and eating lots of fresh veggies and protein helps reduce cravings for snacks and sweet things.

This is a late breakfast, not intermittent fasting. IF is when you have 2 days per week when you only consume 400 calories on those days.

That's not true. IF can also mean reduced time windows of eating.

NP: correct, this is how I do IF. Eat between 11am-7pm.