Sugar addiction is real. If you’re seeking information on how to quit sugar, there’s a good chance that your body has become dependent upon the substance, and you need help.
It’s been long established that the consumption of sugar triggers pleasure centers in the brain. This reaction is similar to the effects a person may get from the use of hard drugs like cocaine.
Unfortunately, a majority of the foods we eat contain sugar in some form. Not only is it found in candy and sweets, but also in commonly consumed staples like bread and fruit. Because it’s naturally occurring and so commonly found in everyday foods, it’s an extremely difficult substance to quit. It is possible to quit sugar in a clean and easy way though.
In this guide we’ll help you to quit sugar in that way. Using this advice you can quit sugar for good, living a clean, healthy and happy existence without it.
How to Stop Sugar Cravings
We all experience sugar cravings from time to time. Maybe your body needs an energy boost. Maybe that candy bar just looks damn good. Regardless, our cravings for sugar start at a very early age. From childhood, we’re rewarded with sugary snacks, so there’s a comfort attached to consumption. There are biological reasons for sugar cravings as well.
But studies have been conducted to determine how to stop sugar cravings. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you start any of these methods.
- Drink plenty of water. When you’re feeling the need to grab a sugary snack, reach instead for a glass of water. Water doesn’t have to be boring, either. Squeeze a bit of lemon into your glass or crush a mint leaf before getting water from the tap.
- Distract yourself. As you go about your day, you may find that your sugar cravings may be nothing more than simple boredom. When this happens, occupy both your mind and your hands. Take a walk, plant some basil or knit a hat. Whatever it is, be sure that it keeps your mind busy.
- Cut out processed foods. Again, it’s extremely difficult to cut sugar from your diet entirely. But sugar addiction is cyclical. The more of it that you eat, the more of it that you’ll crave. By cutting out processed foods, you’ll reduce your sugar intake. This, in turn, will reduce your cravings.
- Try supplements. As always, it’s important to seek the advice of a doctor before taking any supplements. But chromium has been shown to regulate the body’s regulation of insulin. It may be useful to you in eliminating cravings for sugar.
- Quit cold turkey. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should quit eating sugar for the rest of your life. Sugars are found in many foods which are essential to a healthy diet. But for a few days, you may decide that you’d like to cut out sugar entirely. Speak to a dietician and develop a meal plan that will work for you in this instance.
How to Give up and Quit Sugar for Good
In some cases, the complete removal of sugar from the diet of a person who suffers sugar addiction may cause complications. Withdrawal symptoms include shakiness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, irritability and sometimes anxiety or depression.
If you need another way to give up sugar. there are steps you can take to gradually reduce your intake. The first step any sugar addict needs to take is to remove all harmful foods from the home. Clean your pantry, your cupboards and the stash under your bed. If the sugar isn’t there, you’re less likely to give in.
Next, if you feel that you just can’t get by without that glass of orange juice with breakfast, cut it with water. Reduce your intake of sugar by cutting your juice with water or your soda with seltzer. Keep in mind that it’s not proven that artificial sweeteners are beneficial. They, too, may disturb your body’s natural insulin levels and cause more harm than good.
Finally, keep a record of your sugar cravings. If you tend to crave the substance early in the afternoon, for example, it may be helpful to change your routine accordingly. Take a walk before lunch, or meditate briefly during that time. Simple changes can help you to eventually give up sugar.
How to Break Sugar Addiction: Quit Sugar Now
Now that you’ve taken steps to cut down on your sugar intake, it’s time to eliminate the substance from your life and to quit sugar completely. Remember that sugar is a seriously addictive substance. Continuing overconsumption of the drug can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, coma and even death.
In some cases, it might be worth your while to seek counseling for your sugar addiction. Talking with a licensed professional may help you to determine the triggers which cause you to crave and consume sugar. You may also work together to define strategies to cope with those cravings and with sugar withdrawal.
In all cases, it’s important to exercise self-control. You’ll experience many instances when you’re tempted to eat sugar, whether in a social setting or to tame a craving. It’s important that you change your habits accordingly. Don’t be ashamed to tell your friends and family that you’ve chosen to eliminate sugar from your life. Demand their support, and if they’re not supportive, remember that you don’t owe them an explanation.
Learning how to break sugar addiction may be the most difficult thing you’ve attempted in your life. The substance can be acquired anywhere, it’s advertised everywhere and it’s entirely unregulated. While the FDA occasionally updates its guidelines for sugar consumption, it’s the most readily available addictive substance in the country.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Overcoming sugar addiction is extremely difficult, and a solid network of friends will help you weather the turbulence cessation will cause.
How to Detox from Sugar
As you take steps toward kicking your sugar habit, you’ll need to consider how to detox from sugar. When you’ve finally eliminated sugar from your diet, there’s a great chance that you’ll still experience the occasional craving.
You can expect to experience sugar withdrawal symptoms. As we mentioned, these can include nausea, vomiting, anxiety and other symptoms. But users have told us that once sugar is flushed out of the body, these symptoms stop. In fact, the same users claimed that the use of sugar following cessation caused them to feel physically ill.
Some professionals recommend a detox program. Unfortunately for those who are addicted, sugar detox programs have become trendy. As a result, it’s hard to weed out the effective from the crap. We recommend that you don’t rely on the internet for your detox plan.
Instead, visit a registered dietician who can direct you to foods and supplements which will assist you. There are supplements available which can help reverse the negative effects sugar has had on your body. There are also herbs which can ensure that your cravings for sugar remain under control.
Your physician will help monitor your progress. She’ll conduct blood tests to check your sugar levels, but also the health of your liver and other organs. You may collaborate on a method of journaling as well. Keeping a food diary will assist both your doctor and your dietician and together you can make sure that you’re getting the nutrients you need.
How to Overcome Sugar Addiction
Eliminating sugar from your diet is the hard part. If you struggle or experience setbacks, remember that that’s normal. The easy part is maintaining your lifestyle in a manner which is compatible with your decision. You’ve taken great strides toward your goal to lead a sugar free lifestyle.
If you appreciate a community of like minded individuals, you may see some benefit to joining a group like Overeaters Anonymous. The group is structured in the same manner as the more well-known Alcoholics Anonymous, but was designed to act as a support system for those who have food addictions. OA can help you learn how to overcome your sugar addiction with the support of others.
By making the decision to quit sugar, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction. You’re on a path to improve your quality of life and your health, and you are to be congratulated. Don’t give up; the process is trying, but you can quit sugar.