Giving up sugar. Have you done it?

bitofabind · 27-10-2019 05:19PM #1

Has anyone done this?

With Christmas / party season on the horizon I've finally decided to address my toddler-like addiction to all things sugary and fatty and terrible and maybe drop a dress size or two.

I've not eaten any chocolate / cake / sweets / sugary terrible coffee for one week now and how do I feel? Angry. Really angry. And sick of everyone's bs. Work has been a struggle without the kick of sugary coffee to perk me up for a few hours and food has been largely a boring and frustrating exercise I've suffered through like a sulky teenager, white knuckling through plates of vegetables and salads and daydreaming about how much easier a processed sandwich from Marks n Spencers would be.

Which pretty much confirms on a scale of 1 to 10 sugar-addicted, I'm probably about a 63 and so it must be a worthwhile endeavour.

Has anyone ever kicked the habit before?

PsychoPete · 27-10-2019 05:20PM

I have not and I will not

banie01 · 27-10-2019 05:27PM

I did a severely restricted calorie diet for @10weeks starting at the end of January as part of the Newcastle Diet for diabetes T2.

Prior to that, I haven't added sugar to anything for quite a few years and tended to try and substitute alternative sweeteners for sugar, glucose, fructose, syrups.

The diet was hard, 800kcals a day 2 shakes and some green veg.
It was very much worth it though.
I have been insulin free now for 8 months and my BG levels are maintaining the same HbA1c as when I was taking upto 60units of lantus a day.

I dropped 16kg and it's stayed off, I'm eating a normal diet since April and it's not really bothering me to skip sugar.

Now I did it for medical reasons and other medical supervision.
Its not something anyone should try without support.

In the normal course of things, everything in moderation is a fine approach IMO.

27-10-2019 05:45PM

Did no sugar September
Was grand
Was dying for some sugar toward the end tho

Pac1Man · 27-10-2019 05:50PM

Yes about 90%, it's not too bad at all. Any sugar I take consume is in the form of fruit.

About once a month I get a huge craving for a big bar of chocolate which I indulge in, then it's back on the wagon.

bitofabind · 27-10-2019 05:50PM

banie01 wrote: »

I did a severely restricted calorie diet for @10weeks starting at the end of January as part of the Newcastle Diet for diabetes T2.

Prior to that, I haven't added sugar to anything for quite a few years and tended to try and substitute alternative sweeteners for sugar, glucose, fructose, syrups.

The diet was hard, 800kcals a day 2 shakes and some green veg.
It was very much worth it though.
I have been insulin free now for 8 months and my BG levels are maintaining the same HbA1c as when I was taking upto 60units of lantus a day.

I dropped 16kg and it's stayed off, I'm eating a normal diet since April and it's not really bothering me to skip sugar.

Now I did it for medical reasons and other medical supervision.
Its not something anyone should try without support.

In the normal course of things, everything in moderation is a fine approach IMO.

Fair play Banie, without meaning to sound trite, that's quite inspiring.

My Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 about ten years ago so there's a history there and in his case a severe sugar addiction that he's definitely passed onto me as I'm a fiend for all things sweet - so there's a benefit to this for me beyond looking like a proper ride in my Christmas get-up in a few months.

bitofabind · 27-10-2019 05:52PM

Pac1Man wrote: »

Yes about 90%, it's not too bad at all. Any sugar I take consume is in the form of fruit.

About once a month I get a huge craving for a big bar of chocolate which I indulge in, then it's back on the wagon.

Did you have a sweet tooth prior to cutting it out?

I seem to meet so many people who don't have a hankering for the sweet stuff at all, whereas for me, before I started this I couldn't remember the last day that passed when I didn't eat chocolate / sweets / baked goods. So it's been bloody tough!

waffleman · 27-10-2019 05:52PM

I gave up sugar no problem.

Salt is much harder to give up imo.

ArchXStanton · 27-10-2019 05:59PM

I switched to sweetener, I hate needles and the thought of injecting myself everyday was a no for me

banie01 · 27-10-2019 06:01PM

bitofabind wrote: »

Fair play Banie, without meaning to sound trite, that's quite inspiring.

My Dad was diagnosed with Type 2 about ten years ago so there's a history there and in his case a severe sugar addiction that he's definitely passed onto me as I'm a fiend for all things sweet - so there's a benefit to this for me beyond looking like a proper ride in my Christmas get-up in a few months.

I was diagnosed 13yrs ago, was a "good" diabetes patient in that my HbA1c was always good always followed the rules.
That said the nature of the disease is progressive and time just leads to more issues and more meds.

It can take away a lot of your sense of control.
When I started on the diet, I was Insulin and 2 oral meds.
Now I'm on one med, and all the associated issues are much, much better.
It gives back a sense of control, of ownership that by making an effort, that by forcing a little willpower.
That you can actually see near immediate changes, even as a "good" patient.

It really has given me a huge sense of achievement.

Pac1Man · 27-10-2019 06:02PM

bitofabind wrote: »

Did you have a sweet tooth prior to cutting it out?

I seem to meet so many people who don't have a hankering for the sweet stuff at all, whereas for me, before I started this I couldn't remember the last day that passed when I didn't eat chocolate / sweets / baked goods. So it's been bloody tough!

Not really to be honest. It would never take a lot to satisfy it anyway. Have you tried substitute the craving with fruit? I know it sounds dull but the next time you want something, guzzle about 3 or 4 ripe strawberries and see if the craving is still there.

is_that_so · 27-10-2019 06:04PM

waffleman wrote: »

I gave up sugar no problem.

Salt is much harder to give up imo.

I'm the complete opposite, apart from adding it to taste rarely take salt. Been like that for years. Sugar varies for me and try to use lots of fruit to combat the urge.

Squall Leonhart · 27-10-2019 06:05PM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

I switched to sweetener, I hate needles and the thought of injecting myself everyday was a no for me

Diabetes brought on by over consumption of sugar is type 2.

It's type 1 you inject for.

Back to the sugar

lalababa · 27-10-2019 06:08PM

If you are going the home cooked/prepared route then make sure you get a good few recipes from the net esp. for vegetables. With the right recipe veg. can be glorious. Then it takes awhile to adjust, and then awhile to 'go off' the sugary processed stuff.
We like what we know. Like a guy who's drank Budweiser all his life will choose a pint of piss over an aromatic IPA.

bitofabind · 27-10-2019 06:08PM

banie01 wrote: »

It really has given me a huge sense of achievement.

Fair play on prioritising your health, it sounds like you've really taken control of it and are all the better for it. My Dad is what you'd call a "bad patient" as he breaks all the rules and eats some amount of junk, he's on a cocktail of medications that would put a pharmacy to shame as a result. He's pushing 70 too so it's not like he can afford to be bold with it. :mad:

So part of me hopes that making some of my own changes might catch on with him in time too.

Pac1Man wrote: »

Not really to be honest. It would never take a lot to satisfy it anyway. Have you tried substitute the craving with fruit? I know it sounds dull but the next time you want something, guzzle about 3 or 4 ripe strawberries and see if the craving is still there.

I haven't, I'm what you could call a Stage 5 sugar addict so nothing can "Replace" it for me. Cold turkey is the plan for now, though I am drinking quite a bit of herbal tea in place of my old trusty sugar-laden lattes and keeping my evenings busy with exercise classes.

banie01 · 27-10-2019 06:09PM

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Diabetes brought on by over consumption of sugar is type 2.

It's type 1 you inject for.

Back to the sugar

Even with T2, you eventually end up on insulin.

T2s also tend to have far higher rates of Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Stroke, Circulation issues, Amputation and Blindness....

So carefully consider any return to full sugar

banie01 · 27-10-2019 06:12PM

bitofabind wrote: »

Fair play on prioritising your health, it sounds like you've really taken control of it and are all the better for it. .

Age does play a part, pushing 40 and fearing blindness played a bigger.
Your Dad is at an age where he may think, feck it!
Can enjoy the time I have left eating, drinking and being merry...
Or miserable munching a stick of celery.

waffleman · 27-10-2019 06:17PM

is_that_so wrote: »

I'm the complete opposite, apart from adding it to taste rarely take salt. Been like that for years. Sugar varies for me and try to use lots of fruit to combat the urge.

Im not talking about cutting down on adding salt to your food. Thats like saying i gave up sugar by only putting in my tea sometimes. Im taking about eliminating all salt or sugar from your diet except naturally occurring sodium or sugar.

Squall Leonhart · 27-10-2019 06:18PM

banie01 wrote: »

Even with T2, you eventually end up on insulin.

T2s also tend to have far higher rates of Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Stroke, Circulation issues, Amputation and Blindness....

So carefully consider any return to full sugar

Ah I know, I was being facetious

You're right of course. I've a major sugar and processed food problem, I'd call it an addiction by now. I eat plenty of freshly prepared home meals with nothing processed, but it's the snacking and binging outside of this

bitofabind · 27-10-2019 06:20PM

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Ah I know, I was being facetious

You're right of course. I've a major sugar and processed food problem, I'd call it an addiction by now. I eat plenty of freshly prepared home meals with nothing processed, but it's the snacking and binging outside of this

Join the club Squall! I'm a week in on no junk food whatsoever though and haven't murdered anyone (yet). It can be done!

is_that_so · 27-10-2019 06:21PM

waffleman wrote: »

Im not talking about cutting down on adding salt to your food. Thats like saying i gave up sugar by only putting in my tea sometimes. Im taking about eliminating all salt or sugar from your diet except naturally occurring sodium or sugar.

Which is what I said, natural flavour only or whatever salt comes in food. With the solitary exception of a rare occasional sprinkle on big bag of chips never use salt.

wakka12 · 27-10-2019 06:22PM

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

Diabetes brought on by over consumption of sugar is type 2.

It's type 1 you inject for.

Back to the sugar

Type 2 diabetes is NOT caused by over consumption of sugar. That is one of the most widely believed myths about the disease. It is very significantly correlated with obesity(over 80% of T2's are fat) and most obese people consume too much sugar, that is the link .The other biggest contributor is lack of exercise.
Diabetes.org.uk

With Type 2 diabetes, though we know sugar doesn’t directly cause Type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to get it if you are overweight. You gain weight when you take in more calories than your body needs, and sugary foods and drinks contain a lot of calories.

So you can see if too much sugar is making you put on weight, then you are increasing your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. But Type 2 diabetes is complex, and sugar is unlikely to be the only reason the condition develops.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/diabetes-food-myths/myth-sugar-causes-diabetes

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 27-10-2019 06:33PM

I stopped sugar in tea or coffee and no longer put it on breakfast cereal. I try to stick to diet soft drinks in recent years. But, I have a sweet tooth and will eat at least a half dozen biscuits each morning and a bar of chocolate most nights.

Princess Calla · 27-10-2019 06:33PM

I had gestational diabetes on both my pregnancies

. The first time I've ever been on a diet was when I was pregnant... Something very cruel about that!

It wasn't fun and I struggled alot. (put it this way himself has said he doesn't think he could handle another pregnancy... Bless him

)

Yogurt and fruit is where I got my fix and I'm not a great eater of either....to be fair I've a shocking diet.

You will notice food starting to taste different too...I noticed a big difference between milk brands...I never noticed before the diet.

Best of luck, I don't envy you

Though fair play to your will power.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 27-10-2019 06:39PM

waffleman wrote: »

I gave up sugar no problem.

Salt is much harder to give up imo.

I think salt is overly maligned too.

waffleman · 27-10-2019 06:43PM

is_that_so wrote: »

Which is what I said, natural flavour only or whatever salt comes in food. With the solitary exception of a rare occasional sprinkle on big bag of chips never use salt.

Arguing with you must be fun. You can say anything you like if you follow it up with exceptions.

I think you either give something up or you dont. No exceptions.

AllForIt · 27-10-2019 06:43PM

I gave up starchy carbs and sugar about 5 months ago. I lost **** loads of weight since without much effort or exercise. I expect to be pretty lean in about 6 months time. I'm fitting back into winter clothes I haven't worn in a couple of years this month which is nice.

I found eating fruit after meals was great in the initial stages and that just naturally stopped as a daily thing after about 3 months. I don't crave or desire any sugar now whatsoever even when I see it. I'm fortunate that I never liked sugary drinks, I always found them disgusting. Gloopy sticky yuck. My weakness was biscuits and candy bars. I do have sugar free sweets now, sugar free polo mints and Diablo's. As an occasional dessert treat I like cream with berries, sucralose and a drop of vanilla essence. Or greek yoghurt instead of cream.

Some ppl say sugar is not addictive. For me it is highly addictive and it is not about the 'taste'. The problem is not so much it's bad in itself it's the quantity you will eat i.e. over eating as a result of meals not being satiating enough. I go hours now without feeling hungry where before I could be peckish again within an hour. My food bill has significantly reduced and that is reflective of the decreased volume of food I now consume.

soirish · 27-10-2019 06:43PM

You can do it and your body will be grateful!

There is an easy way to replace sugar - just eat sweet fruits like pineapples, mangos, pears, raisins, etc.

Every time you hit the sugar rush try to grab healthy food like nuts.

Would suggest to read the labels on all food you buy from the supermarkets. Nowadays they put sugar even in the frozen spinach.

is_that_so · 27-10-2019 06:50PM

waffleman wrote: »

Arguing with you must be fun. You can say anything you like if you follow it up with exceptions.

I think you either give something up or you dont. No exceptions.

Isolated exceptions prove rules!

I'm good on nuance and as I don't take salt I'm also happy with where I stand! My regular sodium intake is quite low from what I eat, at the best of times anyway.

Church on Tuesday · 27-10-2019 07:12PM

Pineapple1 · 27-10-2019 07:17PM

If you're on Instagram, theres a great woman on it under the name makemesugarfree...all her stuff is really good and colourful looking and easy to make. The woman behind it is a qualified nutritionist so she is well qualified in understanding sugar addiction and has written about it.

Giving up sugar. Have you done it?

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