Cutting sugar cold turkey - success stories please

sweetaholic

First time poster, long-time lurker...

Ok, I know there are threads re:cutting out sweets but I have once and for all had enough; the binge, the guilt, the POWER it has over me...it's not even about the weight at this point, I'm simply not capable of moderation.

I would love stories, tips, etc, from those who have done it. Thanks.

EileenG

I went from a low fat, high sugar diet to a very low carb one, which was a huge shock. The trick is to eat plenty of high fat foods. That doesn't mean unhealthy, some of the best foods are things like nuts, salmon, olive oil, eggs which are naturally high fat.

Something like a spoonful of cream cheese or whipped cream can be a great craving buster.

By the way, it really worked for me. I cleared up a lot of minor health problems and lost over three stone.

Faith

I've cut out sugar before, more or less anyway. It's damn hard for the first few days, and I was moody as hell, but once you get used to it, you stop noticing. I used allow myself one Curly Wurly a day. I really looked forward to it, and savoured every bit. I'd also put jam on Ryvita for a sugar hit. It's not great, but it's better than a family-size bag of Malteasers!

The problem was, as soon as I let my guard down, that was it. I was coming home from the gym one day and was STARVING, so gave in to a big bag of Peanut M&Ms. I couldn't get back on the wagon after that. Basically, you just need willpower for the first 2 or 3 days, and then you'll be flying it. Getting through the first day really gives you the confidence to start off well the next day, and soon you just don't want to let yourself down. Good luck!

neuro-praxis

I gave up all sugar, except for fruit, for 3 weeks. It was extremely difficult for the first week, not just mentally, but physically. I think I was in withdrawal! Then the cravings reduced. They've now disappeared. I do occasionally eat sweets, but it's a planned treat now, not a desperate need.

sweetaholic

EileenG wrote: »

Something like a spoonful of cream cheese or whipped cream can be a great craving buster.

This works wonders; cubed cheese, avocado and rice cakes (a surprisingly nice combo), almonds, etc...all these take the edge off.

Thanks for the replies guys, 3 days sugar-free and I've actually thrown out food; cake brought over from a dinner guest, would have polished it off that same night. In truth, I'm still eating cereal with sugar, jam, etc, but no choco or biscuits so maybe that's why I haven't had withdrawal symptoms.

On another note, I've had little sleep last night and I can already tell today will be a struggle; I'm tired and running after a toddler is exhausting, all I want to do it end the day with Corrie and a Cadbury...but not today.

metamorphosis

Yeah you probably will not/are not experiencing withdrawal symptoms of sugar. Cereals are sugar laden. Sp.k is 17%, bran flakes 22% sugar for example. Jam has C=crazy amounts of sugar in them.

Id say you are probably having sweet withdrawal symptoms. Happened to me when i gave them up. Was a bit tired and just wanted choc!! It wasn't until i went low carb that i really knew what withdrawal symptoms were like!!

Its hard enough giving it all up in one go, would ya maybe do it in steps? Like 1st cut out the **** and the n one by one getting rid of refined sugars like sugary cereals, white bread etc?

sweetaholic

Cutting out foods one at a time makes sense, but carb-wise I'm not too concerned; I don't eat white bread or processed stuff, mostly brown rice, wholemeal breads and pastas, meusli, lentils, etc. I agree we eat too many carbs in general but how do you cut them out altogether? I wouldn't know what to eat!

My problem was really the routine of reaching for sweets to go with a cupa, for example...then finishing the whole lot.

Like I said, day 3 is already easier than day 2 even though I'm wrecked. Hopefully it continues!

El_Dangeroso

I had a serious sugar habit. I used to eat a huge bag of fox's glacier mints one after the other. It was a definite addiction.

Like Eileen, I embarked on a low carb diet and lost 4 stone.

The first two weeks were hard. But after that your taste buds adjust drastically, they become so sensitive to sweet tastes that the oddest things start to taste sweet. For me sugar snap peas and carrots started tasting far more flavourful.

I still get sugar cravings from time to time, I never understood the people who said they have no more cravings, because for me it's a definite addiction. One thing that has really helped is chromium, it's the only supplement that when I run out, the strongest cravings for sugar return.

Best of luck because if I can do it you definitely can.

Dolbert

I've been low-carbing for the past 2 weeks now, trying to keep the carbs to less than 20g per day. For the first day I got an awful headache, and for the first three days I was absolutely exhausted, even my limbs were tired! The good news is, this all passed and I now feel fantastic. I don't really crave sugar anymore, and I've lost 6lb in the 2 weeks! I'm just sorry I didn't start sooner

Edit: Temple Grandin, I also take chromium & find it great.

EileenG

Dolorous wrote: »

I've been low-carbing for the past 2 weeks now, trying to keep the carbs to less than 20g per day. For the first day I got an awful headache, and for the first three days I was absolutely exhausted, even my limbs were tired! The good news is, this all passed and I now feel fantastic. I don't really crave sugar anymore, and I've lost 6lb in the 2 weeks! I'm just sorry I didn't start sooner

Edit: Temple Grandin, I also take chromium & find it great.

The worst is over, it is so much easier from now on.

Have you noticed how your shopping basket is now full of fresh food instead of all the low fat processed stuff?

Dolbert

EileenG wrote: »

The worst is over, it is so much easier from now on.

Have you noticed how your shopping basket is now full of fresh food instead of all the low fat processed stuff?

Ha, yes! My trolley is a sea of green veg and lovely fresh eggs, meat & fish. It's strange as for the first time I've been looking at labels for carbs/ sugar, it's amazing how much more there is in low-fat mayo for example! I'm loving the real stuff and real butter atm, feels like a treat after years of low-fat stuff!

Goldigga

Im on day 2 of my sugar free / caffeine free experiment. Not too bad so far, but it has only been 24 hours. I dont plan on giving up caffeine long term, but i am interested to see how my body reacts in terms of quality of sleep, clarity etc

With the sugar i would just like to have my body completely free of it for one month and then maybe have the odd treat, but not be hanging out for the next bar of chocolate like my lefe depended on it!! My diet is pretty good most of the time, but I can really binge out on the chocolate now and again and i always feel rotten for it. Those couple of minutes of pleasure are not worth feeling crap, tired and unmotivated!!

Its going to be tough but I will do it..... Right have to go home and clear the house out of all sugar related items. Out of sight out of mind and all that.

all_smilz

Temple_Grandin wrote: »

I still get sugar cravings from time to time, I never understood the people who said they have no more cravings, because for me it's a definite addiction. One thing that has really helped is chromium, it's the only supplement that when I run out, the strongest cravings for sugar return.

Best of luck because if I can do it you definitely can.

i used to take chromium in mornings with me porridge/honey/cinnamon but it used to leave me feeling woozy or a bit jittery I also used to CRAVE sugar like MAD... so i threw em out....
was i taking it at wrong time of day or what? it was hardly that my blood sugars would be so low.......

El_Dangeroso

I've never found that but try taking them after you've eaten maybe as some people can't handle any supps on an empty stomach.

EileenG

Chromium can mess with your blood sugar/insulin, so I'd only take very small amounts unless you are sure you need them.

Personally, I find something like a spoonful or two of cream cheese will kill most sugar cravings. I also like the 99% chocolate (though Lindt now do a 90% one) which are great for chocolate addicts without feeding the sugar monster.

all_smilz

EileenG,
how will cream cheese kill cravings?
you mean something like philadelphia?
I was only occasionally taking the chromium but the effects were enough to make me dump it....
WHERE do u get 99%choc? I get really bad cravings when im pms'ing, you reckon it'd be ok to snarf some back with a cup of tea?

metamorphosis

If you are in Dublin it's easy enough to find but here in Limerick the highest i have seen anywhere is 85 and 86% lindt and lidl brand. I did taste 99% lindt over in the states and to me, honestly i could not stomach ot. tasted like coal.

I love the 85% as its not too sweet but satisfies my cravings. i find 70% too sweet. id love to try 90%. havnt seen it yet but might order some online.

oh and green and blacks do 85% but i find them a bit sweeter and richer for some reason

eclectichoney

Fallon & Byrne do the 99% usually. But they also do an O'Conaill 100% (an Irish choclatier). They used to do a Dolfin 88% that tastes as sweet as a 70% imo, but my sister told me it wasnt there the last day she was in. Maybe try an 85% first to work your way up. A lot of people find the 99% is a bit of a shock first time around!

Personally, I'm addicted, and never, ever go lower than 85% now

eclectichoney

ULstudent wrote: »

If you are in Dublin it's easy enough to find but here in Limerick the highest i have seen anywhere is 85 and 86% lindt and lidl brand. I did taste 99% lindt over in the states and to me, honestly i could not stomach ot. tasted like coal.

I love the 85% as its not too sweet but satisfies my cravings. i find 70% too sweet. id love to try 90%. havnt seen it yet but might order some online.

oh and green and blacks do 85% but i find them a bit sweeter and richer for some reason

There are two Tesco 85%, the Finest thin flat one is actually quite nice and is only €1.19, burnt caramel / toffee notes, rather than the lindt which has a more fruity tone. It is actually made by the Swiss company Frey. They also do a thicker Ecuador bar, but I haven't tried it. I prefer the larger, flatter squares.

ULStudent, there is quite a difference between the Lindt 90% and 85% imo, I didn't think it would be so noticeable!

all_smilz

eclectichoney wrote: »

Fallon & Byrne do the 99% usually. But they also do an O'Conaill 100% (an Irish choclatier). They used to do a Dolfin 88% that tastes as sweet as a 70% imo, but my sister told me it wasnt there the last day she was in. Maybe try an 85% first to work your way up. A lot of people find the 99% is a bit of a shock first time around!

Personally, I'm addicted, and never, ever go lower than 85% now

i think theres an o conaill shop in cork city........... could all my prayers be answered....?:)

EileenG

Anywhere that does Lindt will order the 99% for you if you ask them. I buy mine in JC supermarket in Swords, but Fallon&Byrne and Avoca Food Hall usually have it in town.

Something about the decadent feel of eating cream cheese (or whipped cream) by the spoonful, seems to kill the sugar craving.

I love the 99%, you can eat a couple of squares, feed your chocolate fix, then stop. It's the one chocolate I can make last for at least a week.

all_smilz

EileenG wrote: »

Anywhere that does Lindt will order the 99% for you if you ask them. I buy mine in JC supermarket in Swords, but Fallon&Byrne and Avoca Food Hall usually have it in town.

Something about the decadent feel of eating cream cheese (or whipped cream) by the spoonful, seems to kill the sugar craving.

I love the 99%, you can eat a couple of squares, feed your chocolate fix, then stop. It's the one chocolate I can make last for at least a week.

hmmm, ok, i'll try it sometime.... i dont like whipped cream, but i have philadelphia in d fridge.

As for stopping after a few squares I am not sure i could.... i brought lovely chocolate thins from denmark (where they eat them on bread and butter at breakfast *drool*), but i had to give them to my bf cos the temptation is TOO much. SIGH.

now where's me cream cheese?

sweetaholic

99% choc is gross, very acquired taste...I'd rather have nothing!

7 days in and only ONE fall off the wagon...had 3 choc treats, was only going to have one but lo and behold, if there are 3 in the house it's best to finish them off. It's this reasoning that made me want to give them up.

But surprisingly easy, just made sure to have nibbling fruits, nuts, etc in the house. Cubed mozarella is nicer than cheddar if we're talking cheese and I personally think 99% choc is gross (and expensive), would rather eat nothing.

On a positive note, no tummy aches from too much sugar and facial redness is slightly better (I have rosacea). Otherwise it just feels good to succeed at something and my motivation to continue is that going back to the way things were would have made the past week pointless.

Good thread guys!

googlehead

I like the 70% choc, what is that like nutrition wise?

EileenG

Typically 100g of 70% chocolate has 541 calories, 7.9g of protein, 41.7g of fat, 33.5g of carbs, and 10.7g of fiber.

The 99% stuff rarely has the nutritional value on it, but here is it: 571 cals, 14.7g protein, 53.2g of fat, 8.4g of carbs and 6g of fiber.

eclectichoney

Eileen the Lindt site seems to have slightly different nutritional data for the 99%:
http://www.lindtusa.com/common/images/products/nutritional/391872_nutr.pdf

EileenG

My computer is refusing to do downloads. I think I got my info off a European link.

Goldigga

Well. I am on day 5 of no sugar/caffeine and I am pretty happy with myself to have got this far. After the first day i thought i had bitten off more than i could chew with the double whammy of no sugar / no caffeine.

The biggest thing is how tired and somewhat drained i have felt since I began. Hopefully this will pass after a few more days. It has affected my training a bit though aswell. With my energy levels noticeably lower i have found it hard to motivate myself. Just have to stick with it i suppose!!

Must try some of that high % chocolate. Think i will wait until the end of week 2. :P

eleanora

I can empathise. I'm on day 9 sugar free ( all refined sugar products) - also no wheat / flour products but still eating spuds, rice, quinoa, oatcakes & the like. The fatique is unbelievable - my kids wonder what is wrong with me - ready for bed at 7pm! Can sugar be such a stimulant?? I'm also doing regimented 3 meals / day with pre bed snack & that seems to be helping with the cravings.

sweetaholic

eleanore I'm exactly the same,although I've only given up sugar/refined foods not flour. Sugar is definitely a stimulant and I'm hoping it goes away!

But confession time: my hubby thought it would be nice last Fri to get me a whole BAG of choco sweets. I figured I'd been off it for a while, hadn't had a big dinner, so why not? The first 3 were marvelous, but the whole bag...not so much. Felt horrible, physically and mentally. I woke the next morning feeling nauseous and bloated...like a sugar hangover. That convinced me that sugar in large amounts must be toxic to have such a physical affect, right? And since I'm not capable of small amounts yet, no more for me.

So I guess I'm at square one again but hopefully my fall off the wagon will convince those still on it!

Faith

sweetaholic wrote: »

On a positive note, no tummy aches from too much sugar and facial redness is slightly better (I have rosacea).

Really? I suffer from red skin, it's interesting that cutting out sugar has helped yours...

sweetaholic

Yes, there was a slight improvment, but my biggest factors affecting red-skin is booze, caffeine, too much sun/heat, and heavy exercise. I can't do aerobics anymore, my face stays red ALL day. Red wine does it too and the dehydration makes it worse. Luckily I don't really drink but I LOVE my coffee so I'm not giving that up. Roiboos tea is near enough to reg tea so I have that at night, the anti-oxidants are suposed to help redness. I'm also taking green-tea tablets but so far haven't noticed much difference. Definitely sun and heavy exercise are the worse culprits.

Sorry, this is a sugar thread not a redness one...but give it a try if you think it may help. No harm, right?

Goldigga

I can empathise. I'm on day 9 sugar free ( all refined sugar products) - also no wheat / flour products but still eating spuds, rice, quinoa, oatcakes & the like. The fatique is unbelievable

Hey Eleanora

Well done so far. It is tough going isnt it. Im day 9 too and pretty similar in my approach. Im sugar/caffeine free, no wheat, flour, pasta, rice, spuds (except on 2 occasions. small amount of rice/spuds ).

Fatigue is definitely the biggest thing for me too. I find i am very tired at various points in the day and definitely in the evenings. I usually like to stay up pretty late, but i am ready for my bed by 9pm since starting.

I was talking to a guy i know who went cold turkey recently and said it took him 3 weeks before the energy levels increased, but when they did he was full of beans. Hopefully wont have to wait that long.

I suppose it depends on the person and the amount of refined carbs your body us used to. The greater the intake, the longer it takes to come through it. Keep me posted on how you get on.

Imposter

Re fatigue: Try eating more often - 5/6 meals a day instead of 3/4. Eat the same amount over the day though - so smaller portions.

Sapsorrow

all_smilz wrote: »

i think theres an o conaill shop in cork city........... could all my prayers be answered....?:)

It's down by Tesco across from cafe bar deli

Sapsorrow

googlehead wrote: »

I like the 70% choc, what is that like nutrition wise?

Lots of caffeine in it and it also contains biogenic amines in higher doses in the darker ones) which some research has linked to depression and pretty sure the 2 amines in chocolate can cause allergy like symptoms in sensitive people.