How do I stop sugar cravings?

Posted by 620915122k @620915122k, May 9, 2023

How do I stop sugar cravings? I have no will power?

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@620915122k, I can definitely relate to what you are going through. I've been on many diets over the years after reaching a weight of 330+ pounds in the early 80s and trying every diet available to lower my weight. I had some minor success with Weight Watchers but decided it has to be a decision you make for yourself and then I went up and down between 250 and 280 for quite a few years. Sugar and carbs were my biggest hurdle along with fast food and other bad habits. What worked for me the past few years and helped me maintain my weight around 220 pounds was intermittent fasting along with a low carb health fat eating plan. There is a discussion on the topic where other members have share how it's helped them also that you might find helpful:

--- Low-carb healthy fat living. Intermittent fasting. What’s your why?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-carb-healthy-fat-living-intermittent-fasting-whats-your-why/.

I found a couple of articles that may be helpful on reducing the sugar cravings:
--- Sugar cravings: Not a matter of willpower: https://www.endeavour.edu.au/about-us/blog/sugar-cravings-not-matter-willpower/
--- A Simple 3-Step Plan to Stop Sugar Cravings: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/3-step-plan-to-stop-sugar-cravings.

Have you seen a dietician to see if they might have some suggestions?

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I feel for you with your sugar cravings. I'm a sugar addict. I can never eat just a little sugar now and then. The only way I've ever stopped my sugar cravings is to give up sweets completely. My body literally goes into withdrawal and I feel terrible for about 10 days and then I feel better than I ever did and the cravings stop. It's like kicking any addiction. But if I eat one sugary treat, the cravings come rushing back.

I honestly think people are born with or without a sweet tooth. My mother and I couldn't eat enough sweets. My dad and brothers rarely ate sweets. They just didn't crave or love sugar. When my son was young and went trick or treating, he dumped out his bag, looked at all the candy and then reached for the apple to eat first. What??? That can't be my child! I was happy he didn't inherit my sweet tooth. 🙂

Try giving sugar up completely and see how much better you feel. That first week or two takes will power and determination, but you'll be amazed how the cravings stop and how good you feel. Best of luck to you!

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There are Keto friendly sweets and bake mixes that use Stevia or Erythritol (don't believe the recent cardiac correlation!) But I will caution that indulging too much slows weight loss. I also like Russell Stover Sugar Free peanut butter cups, but they use malitol, which can upset the tummy if you eat too many at once. I've never gmhad an issue having one a day, however.

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What works for me is not eating it, I do not keep any "sweets" of any sort in my home.
I noticed few years ago, if I gave into urge for sugar, one was not enough of anything, and Bam, before u know it, all of sugary sweets are consumed, weight put on quickly.
My experience and belief is that sugary sweets are addictive, If I do not eat any, I crave none.

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Try eating a banana when you feel the urge to snack on sugar!
I had really bad cravings for chocolate, sweets, pastries etc but mine was due to insulin resistance in Conns syndrome and I thought it was just a sweet tooth I had!,
Are you diabetic?

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