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  #1  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 11:50 AM
ScientiaOmnisEst's Avatar
ScientiaOmnisEst ScientiaOmnisEst is offline
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This thread isn't what it sounds like.

I've been investigating the whole "sugar is poison" thing, raging over my own addiction, and then researching symptoms of sugar withdrawal. Four weeks to two months of pain, fatigue, and what, for me, would probably be out of control moods doesn't sound worth it to feel disciplined and virtuous.

Then I had a thought - what if sugar is the sole cause of my mental problems? I mean, the few times I've tried to eat more sensibly - which only involved reducing sugar rather than cutting it out completely - I stabilize. Then I either get scared because being stable just feels wrong, or something sets me off and I go running to some kind of junk food to make my feelings shut up.

If depression, anxiety, and mood swings are symptoms not withdrawal, then 1) it takes me less than 12 hours to get withdrawal, and 2) what if this is the holy grail of mood problems? Cut out sugar, completely and permanently, and never be depressed again. It sounds too good to be true - and not worth it from a dietary and psychological standpoint. But maybe I'm just a weak, undisciplined, immature, pitiful addict with no self-respect or capacity to change. I already worked out lots of potential punishments for eating sugar, but I know I could never consistently implement them.

I suppose I don't want to change since I don't see any point to it. Micromanage my diet and punish myself anytime I eat something tasty, become a sanctimonious outsider, all while still being bored with life and having nothing worth doing; or keep the mood swings I pretty much see as my Self. Still bored and frustrated, but at least I have some internal occupation. Besides, food is one of the few things I enjoy in life, so is taking away that pleasure form the sake of "health" worth it at all? I'm all for balance or reduction - I'd love to do that but can't - but that's not enough.

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  #2  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 12:02 PM
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If you have noticed reducing or cutting out sugar makes you feel better then it is probably a good thing to do. Have you been checked for diabetes?

I think many people need a reward for self discipline. I know I do. I'm on a diet to lose weight but one day a week I allow myself to have something I can't have on my diet. It gives me something to look forward to and satisfies my craving. If all you do is deny yourself it sets you up for failure in my opinion.

Get checked by a MD if you can.
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Old Jan 23, 2016, 12:04 PM
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Well if the "yummy" food makes you feel bad, it would take all the enjoyment out of it for me.

I know some foods (processed ones) make me feel worse, so I stopped enjoying them gradually.

You can gradually ween of sugar. And then foods start to have more taste than "sweet". and if you are not used to the sugar anymore, eating the sugary foods... you no longer enjoy them. They taste sweet and gross, opposed to more refined tastes of other foods.

(that said... I have no problem giving up sugary foods because my go to comfort foods involve meat and spices. I go for fuet salami and blue cheese when I want to comfort myself, as opposed to cupcakes or the cheap sweet version of "chocolate").

Seriously, junk food is not so tasty. I don't consider it all gross and ewww and I am not healthy freak, but after trying various meals and becoming a good cook... most of experience with junk food is... that it feels rather dissapointing. It's plain. It's basic. It's the contemporary pop music of food. Looks appealing but once you get through the whole meal, it's sorta... blah. While chicken in orange-ginger glaze... is just more satifisfying.
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Thanks for this!
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  #4  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 12:07 PM
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And if you need to eat "bad" food, try the version of it that is somewhat better, without too many additives. Learn to bake your own cookies. They still have sugar in them, but at least they don't have all the additives. Or have some real chocolate with high percentage of cocoa, which is actually a mood food
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  #5  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 12:33 PM
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I agree, Venus. When I am on my diet and don't eat sweets other than fruits, then drink a pop or eat a twinkie, they taste way too sweet. Same with junk foods. I can also tell they affect my insides differently. I usually crave meat or cheese rather than sweets, and a cheap burger tastes bland and slimy after not having one for a long time. (Sorry fast-food workers)
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Old Jan 23, 2016, 12:43 PM
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scientia--you are bringing up one of the most important problems we face today...
I lived on sugar and ended up with open heart surgery in addition to depression...
also my very first panic attack may have been caused by hypoglycemia...
  #7  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 01:57 PM
Anonymous37954
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I think I know what you mean...

You know that that cutting out sugar makes you feel better. Unfortunately, sugar is addictive. And it's everywhere. And it's easily accessible. And it makes you feel good (temporarily).

I could probably justify any addiction, myself. Plus I am not strong

Is it fear that is stopping you? Or does the depression make you not care? Either way, I understand.
  #8  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 02:19 PM
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ScientiaOmnisEst ScientiaOmnisEst is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IrisBloom View Post
If you have noticed reducing or cutting out sugar makes you feel better then it is probably a good thing to do. Have you been checked for diabetes?

I think many people need a reward for self discipline. I know I do. I'm on a diet to lose weight but one day a week I allow myself to have something I can't have on my diet. It gives me something to look forward to and satisfies my craving. If all you do is deny yourself it sets you up for failure in my opinion.

Get checked by a MD if you can.
It helps, but only briefly. I haven't been checked, no.

I have, however, been living almost exclusively on junk food and sweets for the past month, largely due to transience.

Though, this whole thing about losing one's taste for sugar - I've heard of that happening and I wondered if it's true? If so how long does it take, and is it just a matter of cutting out sweets, or all sugar and carbs?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sophiesmom View Post
Is it fear that is stopping you? Or does the depression make you not care? Either way, I understand.
Both.

I find the whole "not caring" thing is getting worse, actually. My life is empty, so if I take away pleasurable things like tasty food, or just restrict my diet somehow...what's the point? Now I have even fewer things in my life. I find it harder these last few weeks to care much for anything: why get healthy? Why take on a goal I'm just going to fail, and it's totally meaningless anyway? Why fix brain fog, so I can just ruminate more?

I definitely fear recovering psychologically - then there will be nothing going on in my head, if I'm not constantly ruminating, thinking, worrying. Goals? I can't pursue goals. I'm stupid and have no discipline, working towards anything is an empty waste of time, even succeeding probably won't satisfy me since there's always someone better! Plus I'll fail! Or at least that's how I think...

So I really just kind of spend my time messing around online. I only look for work since I need that to survive.

Food is just the latest issue, probably due to my extremely poor diet these last few weeks.

(Whoa that got long)
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  #9  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 02:24 PM
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The thing is you can have pleasurable food without it being full for sugar. Sure it may take some time to get used to, but isn't enjoying your FOOD for what it is (and not because the taste it originally had is drowned out in sugar) and LIFE... worth it?
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  #10  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 02:24 PM
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venusss venusss is offline
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What kind of sweets do you like? I am sure there is healthier substitute for it.
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  #11  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 02:35 PM
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I really doubt cutting out sugars are going to cure you. Nevertheless foods high in sugar are gross. Only people who are hooked can tolerate that taste. And yes, if you take it away you will be rewired to have the real tastes. And they ARE nicer than toxic food.

Breaking a sugar addiction if you are an emotional eater, you will have to face the emotions, that is pretty much the deal.
  #12  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 03:58 PM
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IrisBloom IrisBloom is offline
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If you have several issues going on at once, you have to prioritize them. Healthy eating is important but if you are struggling just to stay afloat that might be more important right now. My diet goes out the window if I have other bigger issues going on, which I just dealt with in the recent past and now I am able to resume my diet again. Your first priority is to be kind to yourself and help yourself in any way you can. Do not feel guilty about pampering yourself when you need it.

And about stopping sweets. It may take a couple of weeks to get cravings under control. After a while you won't even crave sweets. And again, if you treat yourself now and then it calms the cravings and gives satisfaction so it's not looming large in your mind. You can replace a bad thing with a better thing, there is nothing wrong with using a crutch when needed.
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Last edited by IrisBloom; Jan 23, 2016 at 04:01 PM. Reason: Add
  #13  
Old Jan 23, 2016, 06:56 PM
Anonymous37954
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What if you didn't fail at this?

You know that making this one change will be good for you. So, what if you had a degree of success at it?

I get how hard it is to care about succeeding (or failing, or anything really) when you have depression. Nobody can make you care.
But perhaps this could be an opportunity to take a small step in a positive direction. Food and cooking and cultures...it's pretty interesting and can lead your mind somewhere.
Thanks for this!
ScientiaOmnisEst
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