My Fight Against Sugar

[PGS28]

vicogden Thanks so much!!!

I agree that the longer you go without something the less tempting it is.  I hadn't realized until recently that I don't even desire fried foods anymore. Sure, I still love Popeye's but it's not a must have or even a first choice anymore.

I don't have weight problems but have a sweet tooth.  I have found that if I omit it from my diet the urge will go away after about 2 weeks.  Eating a Macintosh apple helps the craving.

[Delphyne]

We bought Zevia cream soda this week.  First time I have tried the cream soda flavor from Zevia and I have to say, I really really like it. 

If anyone has a Sprouts or Henry's Farmer's Market nearby, they carry it.

[Delphyne]

I wanted to post a wee update about sugar.  I have been drinking non-sugar, non-artificial sodas like Blue Sky and Zevia.  I had a few sugary sodas over the past couple days and found that they really upset my stomach.  They also made my mouth feel gross.

I HIGHLY recommend Zevia and Blue Sky soda.  Zevia's cream soda is awesome.  I love a good cream soda.

[waterbearer94]

i defianetly try to limit my sugar i feel yuck after i eat too much however looking at ur pic u look good shape however u may have a fast metabolism like i do... now i dont ever really have caviities so if thats y u r stopping sugar i wouldnt worry too much id just get better brushing habits floss use moutwash and cut down on sugar i like one or two things a day of sugar maxxx

[jmccaskill]

I have not read all the posts in this thread so I might be mentioning something that has already been posted. SPLENDA (also sold under other names such as that found in Wally-Mart) is an excellent alternative to refined sugar. They also have a a form of it that is designed for cooking/baking that works beautifully. I know there are a few other substances that are available that I have yet to try, but this one is just perfect for my needs, taste is no different and has no aftertaste.

I think that there is a big difference in 'sweets' and the craving for sugar. The sugar craving is probably as much of a chemical thing as the desire for something sweet. I found that once I HAD to cease sugar (diabetes) that I no longer felt a craving for sweets after switching over to SPLENDA type substances. So I kind of determined that my former desrie for 'sweets' was not really a problem, it was just the chemical of sugar that was making the cravings. Maybe it is all in my head, but that is OK too!! So giving the alternatives might work for others as well...

[autumnsparklemom]

I had gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy. Though you had it during your pregnancy and went away after the pregnancy - you still might want to still check your sugar levels. Right before my second pregnancy I was full blown diabetic. It can come back. I am living proof that it can. Splenda is awesome and it is very similar to sugar. I can tell no difference. Try the Coca-Cola zero line. To me it taste the same as regular cola. I can not do the diet soda - yuck!

[Delphyne]

Splenda is made from sucralose and I would not recommend it for anyone with diabetes.  Not at all.


Sucralose is a form of sugar.  (Anything with -ose at the end is sugar:  fructose, sucrose, sucralose, glucose.)

However, Splenda is derived from sugar.  It is not a healthy alternative for people with diabetes, despite how it is advertised.

This is why I use Stevia and drink sodas with Stevia.  I will NOT consume Splenda, Sucralose, or Aspartame.  I have enough nerve damage without those products contributing to it.

[cgilliland09]

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!
[/quote

One of the things I found helpful when cutting out processed sugar, is eating fresh fruit. Once you get used to the natural sugar in fresh fruit, when you eat something overly surgary or eat candy, it taste too sweet. Plus, the natural fruit also satisfy's the crunch or need to chew. If you must have sugar in your coffee or tea, try honey. You will use far less plus if it is local raw honey and you have any allergy issues, it will help with that as well. Good luck to you. Since you seem to have a weight goal in mind as well, wait until tackle fats.....I try not to address both at once; rather choosing one hurdle at a time. Good luck to you!

[alaskakaren]

I have never liked sweet too much..except coke.  I wish you well on your journey.

[PGS28]

Delphyne I kicked soda in 09 and since then I don't even crave it but I wish I'd had the non sugar soda you speak of to help me with my transition. I'll still look into it, this would be a good alternative for the kiddos. And I had the same concerns about Splenda that you pointed out.

Thanks waterbearer! I have to work HARD in the gym for this body lol  I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to get the two cavities pulled AND a root canal- lesson learned the hard way about the sweets but better late than never I suppose

jmeccaskill I've always tried to stay away from artificial sweeteners because I read somewhere that they are worse than actual sugar.  Is this true for splenda? I so want to find a healthier alternative if possible.  I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil, I can't believe it's not butter instead of country crock and sea salt instead of table salt.  We rarely eat fried foods or drink soda. I'm trying to teach my kids a healthier lifestyle while they're young.

autumnsparklemom What an eye opening post- thanks!

THanks alaskakaren!

[mrisha]

I too am a sweet addict.  My Dad love sweets and now it's very hard to give up sweets because it's all gone to my hips, things, stomach, upper body. I know it's not good for me.  I always try to buy sugar free everything.  I need to lose weight like now because it's now affecting my being able to do anything that I enjoy.  My back is worst of all but that occurred some years ago-I was in a car accident.  Today, I am in agony when I walk.  Trying to eat healthier and do some exercise, but always in pain.

[bonzie]

It is really hard for me to fight sugar, I am amaze to the people that did it, way to go for all of you that doing good fighting sugar.

[dbsaus1]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post. There are recipes for cookies using fruits as a  sweetener instead of sugar. I was research them for my son who has diabetes2. I have to confess I have not tried them yet...perhaps I will try a batch this week. Any way I saw have seen several recipes on sites such as food and allrecipes.

[bremer51]

Normally, I don't eat a lot of sugar.  But if I get started, its like a hidden addiction re-surfaces.  Then its a battle to give up the candy and cookies.
One must be ever-vigilent in the war against sugar.

[PGS28]

mrisha What did your doctor suggest?  Maybe he/she can give you some transitional tips like walk slowly 3 days a week.  When we think of working out we think of sweating by the gallons and being sore but that doesn't have to be true; any constant movement can be considered exercise and I read somewhere that we even burn calories in our sleep (not sure how true that is).

Thanks bonzie! I started off substituting for foods that "weren't so bad" then I'd have days where I'd make it a goal not to eat anything sweet and now days pass and I don't eat sweets without even trying not to.  It gets easier with each day of effort.

dbsaus1 Let me know how it comes out!

bremer51 I know what you mean! That's why I don't like going to buffets because if I see it and I "sample" it, it's pretty much over if it's good but one thing I can say is that since I've been restricting myself my taste for what is and isn't good has become a lot more keen.