I’m a recovering sugar addict. For as long as I can remember I have been in love with sugar (and have a history of trying many different methods to try to stop craving sugar).
When I was young I would always find a way to get as much penny candy, freezies and licorice as possible.
I may as well have been eating white sugar straight out of the bag.
As I got older this addiction continued but took a different form. In my calorie counting phase everything I bought was low calorie – AKA high sugar.
As I got older I moved on to sugary cocktails and sweet wines.
This addiction to sugar lead to:
- out of control cravings
- highs and lows
- a dependence on sugar
- excess belly fat
- tired skin with acne flares.
About 10 years ago I looked my sugar addiction in the eyes and saw it for what it really was. I decided to heal and finally stop craving sugar for good.
There are three main things that completely changed my relationship with sugar and freed me from my sugar addiction. They are simple and you can start today.
How to stop craving sugar for good – 3 Easy Steps
Eat fruit:
Back in the day I was a first class passenger on the fad diet roller coaster. One diet that I really bought into was the no carbs/no sugar diet.
This would go just fine for a week or two (there were other negative things to eating this way) but then I would have out of control sugar cravings and go absolutely crazy.
I wouldn’t be able to stop eating processed carbs and sugar.
This would make me feel like a failure and begin a spiral.
Once I finally learned this was a crazy way to live everything improved. I added healthy carbs and lots of fruit back into my diet.
My body and mind were satisfied and I no longer had out of control sugar cravings (I also lost and kept off 30lbs).
Craving sugar? Plan to eat it 24-48 hours from now.
One really simple trick I use with myself to this day is the delay method.
If I’m really craving something, like say white chocolate, I will tell myself I can have it but not until say, tomorrow after supper.
What always happens is my mind becomes settled because I’m not restricting myself but I also find that when the time I have allotted to have my treat comes no longer want it.
By this time I have thought of all the reasons why eating sugar doesn’t agree with me, my beliefs or my lifestyle… and I’m back in control of my cravings.
For me (and for many others), cravings are emotional or based on being mentally or physically tired.
Get a good night’s rest, drink some water, have a healthy meal and you will find that your sugar cravings no longer have their claws in you.
The delay method (I made this title up lol) is like a muscle. The more you work it the fitter it becomes.
This gets easier.
Avoidance reduces cravings
The main thing I remind myself of is that being addicted to sugar is a true addiction. When I’m craving sugar I often picture someone wedging their foot in an almost closed door. The foot is my sugar addiction and the door is me trying to close off my relationship with sugar for good.
I know as a recovering addict that if I let that foot into the door the rest of the person will follow – AKA I’ll set myself back with major sugar cravings.
It’s a simple fact that the less you eat processed sugar the less you crave it.
So our number one defense against sugar cravings is avoidance.
To avoid sugar remind yourself how long you have gone without it, the work you have put in or how great you feel without it.
Once you’ve gone through the sugar detox phase you will feel so full of energy and naturally high that you will feel committed to the sugar free lifestyle.
[et_bloom_inline optin_id=optin_2]
You sound just like me! I am a total sugar addict, and then when I give in I go crazy and start eating all the junky carbs, not only sugar. A sad thing is, I’ve noticed that my daughter has the same addiction. She is 11 and we often have the sugar addiction conversation. She does well when I do well. So she is my motivation. One good thing about her is that she is very active, but I told her that if she starts to become sedentary, eating the same way, it will be very detrimental to her health. I also use these methods now! It is all a mind game until you put that first sugary thing in your mouth! I know I cannot do the moderation thing when it comes to sugar, so I do best when I avoid it. Although I don’t ‘restrict’ myself. I remind myself that whenever I do exhausting exercise, I am burning sugar, nothing else. That works for me, I am not a very active person, so I do not want to waste energy on exercise when I am only burning sugar as fuel!! Anyway, I love your blog, keep up the good work. You totally motivate me! Thanks so much!
Tara