[Otter63]

I can't seem to stop. I don't binge in the sense of eating huge amounts of food at once, but in a day I might eat a theater size box of Milk Duds, a cupcake, and an ice cream cone (in addition to other usually unhealthy food). Maybe that is binging, I don't know.

The cravings for sweets are so strong (and no, an apple doesn't do it). I try to stop, but I can't even go a day.

I lost weight and kept it off for 3 years until I went manic twice in 2010-2011 and gained it back plus. I have to get a handle on this, but it feels impossible. The more sugar I eat, the more I want.

[musicflows]

That's the way sugar acts: it is a drug and the more you consume, the more your body wants. Unfortunately, there is no other way around it other than self-control. You also have to do what works best for you. I've heard some people say to cut out sugar entirely from their diet and after a couple weeks they have no more cravings. I wouldn't cut it out entirely because that's depriving your body making you more likely to binge on it later on. A treat or two a day will usually suffice.

Here's my suggestion: keep those unhealthy foods out of the house for the most part. Make a list of 10 of your favorite foods and make sure eat have at least one of them every day. Eat it in public or in a place where it is easier to maintain control and you won't go on a cupboard-emptying rampage. Also try to replace refined sugars with complex sugars (honey or molasses instead of white sugar.) Eat fruits and veggies that have good sugars in them and try to see them as rewards or desserts like you see the cupcake or ice cream.

[Otter63]

A long time ago I went 6 months without sugar. The cravings did subside, but I didn't lose weight (I ended up eating bread with butter and chips and such).

I almost never have sweets in the house. I go to the nearby 7-11 or the new bakery in town (cupcakes-so good!). Sometimes I make cinnamon and sugar toast. Oh and I do buy ice cream, which didn't use to be a problem (I could eat just a small amount), but now it's become an issue.

Sugar is definitely my drug as well. I actually have dreams of ice cream, so I know where you're coming from. One thing that has helped a bit recently is writing down everything I eat.

[Otter63]

Yeah, I could do that again. I was at a restaurant today and I wanted dessert very badly and I skipped it. Yay me!

[GeorgiaGirl413]

Sugar is most definately my drug. I wish I could stop!!

[librakitty]

Hello,
I totally understand your angst and struggle with sugar! I also feel addicted to it and wish so very much it could be removed. I hear you on how a naturally sweet item, like an apple, doesn't do the trick like white sugar will. I wonder if it's because we've all been exposed to it for so long and our taste buds seek it? It's such a frustrating situation and I feel you pain. Hang in there!

[thickntired]

Originally Posted by Otter63

I can't seem to stop. I don't binge in the sense of eating huge amounts of food at once, but in a day I might eat a theater size box of Milk Duds, a cupcake, and an ice cream cone (in addition to other usually unhealthy food). Maybe that is binging, I don't know.

The cravings for sweets are so strong (and no, an apple doesn't do it). I try to stop, but I can't even go a day.

I lost weight and kept it off for 3 years until I went manic twice in 2010-2011 and gained it back plus. I have to get a handle on this, but it feels impossible. The more sugar I eat, the more I want.

I think my obsession with sugar was partially due to the medication abilify. I also was eating these gynormous cupcakes with about 3 inches of frosting. It was gross, and I'd often eat white bread which basically breaks down like white sugar. I got fed up and quit the abilify. Now I'm waiting for my pdoc to call in either zyprexa or seroquel which medicare covers. Since going off the abilify I don't feel near the same intense cravings for sugar and carbs. I like fruit smoothies when I wast a sweet fix. *** I'm NOT condoning going off anti-psychotics or other drugs, but for me it was worth switching to a different brand.

Peace,

TnT

[Otter63]

Seroquel and zyprexa both tend to cause many people to gain weight. My sister takes seroquel and when they up it she ends up unable to sleep because she can't stop eating. Zyprexa is even worse. But meds affect different people differently. Hope you find what works for you.

[sunsetsunrise]

I hope your pdoc can find something for you that does not make you crave sugar. If you find that your doctor has a medication he or she recommends that is not covered by medicare, you might try seeing if needy meds covers it. You can actually download a free card at psych central Announcing the Psych Central Drug Discount Card | World of Psychology I have used it to get coverage for something that medicare does not cover. You can go to needymeds to see if a specific drug is covered by them. And its all free. Nothing to buy.

As for sugar, I totally hear you. I stay far away from it. What I noticed is that when I ate anything that resembled sugar it made me crave a lot of different foods. I think it made me crave simple carbs. Even potato and corn etc. So I consider sugar, honey, agave etc to be forbidden foods for me. I am glad you know to not go off of medications. But rather to try to find one that will not make you crave sugar. Smart.... cookie Okay, bad choice of words.

Originally Posted by thickntired

I think my obsession with sugar was partially due to the medication abilify. I also was eating these gynormous cupcakes with about 3 inches of frosting. It was gross, and I'd often eat white bread which basically breaks down like white sugar. I got fed up and quit the abilify. Now I'm waiting for my pdoc to call in either zyprexa or seroquel which medicare covers. Since going off the abilify I don't feel near the same intense cravings for sugar and carbs. I like fruit smoothies when I wast a sweet fix. *** I'm NOT condoning going off anti-psychotics or other drugs, but for me it was worth switching to a different brand.

Peace,

TnT

[RamblinClementine]

I'm having trouble with sugar too! If it's around, and I'm alone, I'll eat it. All of it. ! : /

[Melmo]

This is def me too, sugar and bread. Ugh, I think I may treat sugar as a drug and cut it out completely (except natural sugars)

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[Flipo]

The cravings will only stop when you stop consuming sugar.... and yes go low carb as well..

[BurgRon]

You can actually download a free card at psych central. I have used it to get coverage for something that medicare does not cover.

Thanks a lot for the resource!

Ron

[BurgRon]

Originally Posted by Otter63

My sister takes seroquel and when they up it she ends up unable to sleep because she can't stop eating. Zyprexa is even worse. .

Hi Otter,

There is a genetic component at play in ED's (like most other SUD's) so I'm wondering if ED's run in your family history (intergenerationally) as they do in mine?

Also, sugar and carbs break down into the same chemical and act much in the same way in your brain, so it's not unusual to replace one with the other. Straight sugar makes a quicker beeline to the reward system, and carbs like starch (breads, potatoes, rice, etc) take a little longer to get there, but they achieve the same numbing buzz effect.

Diabetes runs in my family and I struggle with sugar as well, so I've looked into it a little. It too has been my main addictive challenge (thoughout my life actually).

I'm still working on it, and though I've made some strides I still have a long way to go.

Ron

Originally Posted by musicflows

That's the way sugar acts: it is a drug and the more you consume, the more your body wants. Unfortunately, there is no other way around it other than self-control. You also have to do what works best for you. I've heard some people say to cut out sugar entirely from their diet and after a couple weeks they have no more cravings. I wouldn't cut it out entirely because that's depriving your body making you more likely to binge on it later on. A treat or two a day will usually suffice.

Here's my suggestion: keep those unhealthy foods out of the house for the most part. Make a list of 10 of your favorite foods and make sure eat have at least one of them every day. Eat it in public or in a place where it is easier to maintain control and you won't go on a cupboard-emptying rampage. Also try to replace refined sugars with complex sugars (honey or molasses instead of white sugar.) Eat fruits and veggies that have good sugars in them and try to see them as rewards or desserts like you see the cupcake or ice cream.

I have found all of that advice to work right well for me, sometimes better than others, but make no mistake about it ... It's right on!

[RRex]

+1 for sugar here

I absolutely must have real sugar in my tea. Honey doesn't cut it for heavy teas.

I have found though that my taste for sugar overall has declined with age.

Hello ... My name is Pfrog and I'm a SugarHolic ...

I like to get a packet of raw sugar from the condiment bar and eat it raw.

You can still taste the molasses in it because it hasn't been refined.

[Otter63]

Originally Posted by BurgRon

Hi Otter,

There is a genetic component at play in ED's (like most other SUD's) so I'm wondering if ED's run in your family history (intergenerationally) as they do in mine?

Also, sugar and carbs break down into the same chemical and act much in the same way in your brain, so it's not unusual to replace one with the other. Straight sugar makes a quicker beeline to the reward system, and carbs like starch (breads, potatoes, rice, etc) take a little longer to get there, but they achieve the same numbing buzz effect.

Diabetes runs in my family and I struggle with sugar as well, so I've looked into it a little. It too has been my main addictive challenge (thoughout my life actually).

I'm still working on it, and though I've made some strides I still have a long way to go.

Ron

I guess when I think of eating disorders I think of bulimia and anorexia. We are a family of overeaters for sure. The younger generation in our family does have a couple of anorexic/bulimics.

I found an app that helps me track my calories, and while I'm sure I still eat too many sweets, I have been able to be much more controlled with my food in general. I've lost about fifteen pounds. I have a very long way to go, but I don't feel deprived which is nice.

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[thickntired]

Eric Clapton was interviewed about being a recovering addict. He replied that his first drug was sugar. I believe that because when I was a kid I ate my Halloween candy in a day.

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[Hope Is Real]

Hello ... My name is Pfrog and I'm a SugarHolic ...

Hi Pfrog! And everyone else!

Lol!!! I've said the same thing for a long time. I definitely think there's a family component to it. I learned my addictive habits (hiding, lying, binging) early on from my mother, who was also an alcoholic and a smoker, and still struggles with lifelong depression. I've got the depression and a sugar jones that is outta this world. My first cousin brought up the concept of sugar addiction to me about 17-18 years ago (her dad was also an alcoholic, as is our mothers' brother). I've thought about it on and off ever since, but only in the last few years have I gotten serious about examining this, and taking baby steps to do something about it.

In 2012, I quit for several months, and was amazed at the changes in my behavior, thought processes and lack of mood swings. I thought, "Oh, all this time I figured all of this was ME, and it was sugar!! Who knew???" I haven't been able to sustain a quit that long since. It's amazing and terrifying to watch the addictive thinking at work, even right after I've had a raging blow up at my daughter, which I'm convinced is triggered by sugar.

I've started tracking No Sugar days, and manage at least a few per week. This winter hasn't helped (I'm in the great white north where we've had record snows and cold), and my lack of activity is even more damaging. I'm happy to find this thread, and others who recognize this challenge.

Thank you!!!!