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Hi All...Sugar Addiction?
Started
by Karina Corley
on December 16, 2009
Hello from BC! I'm a huge beginner on the path of vegetarian/vegan and just started this week. So far no misty feelings over the loss of dairy or meat but one thing that has been an ongoing battle for me is sugar addiction. I haven't been able to kick it for more than 3 days over the last year of fighting it. I'm talking a cup of white sugar in a bowl of processed sugar bound cereal. I quit smoking but I can't quit sugar, if you have any ideas please help!!
I'm SO glad I'm not alone! I've also given up all my other vices (meat, dairy, eggs, alcohol, cigs, etc...), but sugar is so tough! I'm on Day 5 and feel like I want to crawl out of my skin & my face is broken out... I'm also doing no caffeine (although I was down to 1 cup of black tea before, so not a huge deal).... My friends are all very supportive and a few have bought the KD book. :) I still don't know how I'm going to make it through holiday parties without sugar...I'm so grateful to have the forum to hear about your experiences! Thank you for sharing- it keeps me going. :)
Hey guys,
Have you tried using natural sweeteners like brown rice syrup and organic maple syrup (not the crappy Aunt Jemima-type syrups)? Do a little research online to find out about them! Unlike your usual processed white sugars, these alternatives don't cause the spikes in your blood sugar that white sugars cause, so you don't have those crazy feelings. Try substituting to ease yourself off....
this is soo funny. crazy there are so many of us who are addicted to sugar! I am also trying to quit sugar sugar. When I give up sugar I immediately feel my body thin out. My favorites are skittles and soda. I can say I havent had either in almost 2 weeks. Caffeine is another one I struggle with, but most of the time I just drink green tea. One thing at a time and one day at a time. One thing that is a good idea is to have substitutes around. When I go to the movies my body craves candy because I have always had candy at the movies so I take some fruit instead or gum. Soda.... thats one I struggle with. Best of luck to all you sugar lovers.
I can definetely relate to all of you! I grew up in a household where my mom always had some freshly baked item waiting to be devoured. I'm starting over today and I'm reminding myself that baked goods (even with natural unrefined sugar) are a luxury- not a right.
I call strawberries "nature's candy" because they're so sweet and delicious. I snack on those when i want my sugar fix.
I am not alone!! Thank you Lord! I just posted something about sugar and I scrolled down and saw this posted as well. You don't realize how addictive something is until you realize how many others struggle with it. @ Dave Williams, that is wonderful advice. @ Mandy, that's a great mindset- sugar is a luxury not a right... I NEED TO PUT THAT ON MY REFRIGERATOR! You guys rock, Much Love. (Especially to Alicia Silverstone, AMAZING BOOK (and acting, of course!!!))
One of you had mentioned caffeine....what I did for caffeine is switch to Yerba Mate tea (I like Guayaki). It gives you a calm energy and not that jittery kind you get with coffee. It still gives you that boost of energy in the morning or throughout the day but MUCH better for you than coffee. It's pretty mild and has an earthy flavor to it. It's worth a try!
Another good sweetener is Xylitol - but go easy. It can act as a mild laxative if you eat too much. Your body does get used to it so it's not a forever issue. There is a lot of good info on it. Just google it.
The longer you go without sugar the easier it is to stay away. That said, I just made Alicia's peanut butter cups using Sucanat and I have plunged back onto the sugar train. Sucanat is a good type of sugar to use, but it's still sugar.
Another good coffee alternative is Teeccino. The plain roast is much like coffee and there is also a mocha and a peppermint chocolate that is yummy. You can brew it in a regular coffeemaker or a press pot.
@Jamie good heads up on the types of alternate sugar...
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