sugar struggle

[BeetoWasp1]

would love some help and advice on how to control my sugar intake/habit i love cakes, biscuits and sweets and i’m struggling to curb my craving for them, i’ve reduced my sugars in tea and coffee but that definitely isn’t enough, i’ve tried sweetners but don’t like the taste at all, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated x

[Pompeiii 6lbs]

I find that the less sugar I eat, the less I want it. At the beginning I completely cut it out. Now I have one mega cheat day and then back on track for the rest of the week. It has to be worth the calories though! 😉😁

[BeetoWasp1 in reply to Pompeiii]

in the past i’ve tried cutting it out completely but then i end up with a 15 day headache from lack of sugar lol which is not great, and totally agree with cheat day so may start doing that! thank you 😊

[IndigoBlue61]

There are two schools of thought here and as we are all different only you can decide which way will work for you. Some people find they cope better going cold turkey, giving up sugar, both sweet things and processed carbohydrates, and after a week or so they lose their sweet tooth.

Others find if they reduce slowly, make lots of small changes gradually they can retrain their appetite and taste buds. I find a small amount can satisfy me, a small Kit Kat or some dark chocolate for example.

I would advise caution against a “cheat” day as this can easily wipe out a whole weeks effort. However, if you’re calorie counting you can plan for all your favourite in your Daily allowance.

Something else I try to do is ask myself if something is REALLY worth the calories, it has to taste very nice if its very calorific.

Lastly, sugar cravings are often a result of not eating enough, so please make sure you check your calorie target on the NHS BMI checker.

[BeetoWasp1 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

thank you, i will hve a gd think about it all i hve in past managed to loose 2.5 stone but then had baby and went on the contraceptive jab which piled it all back on unfortunately and struggled since, but determined to beat my food “demons” so to spk

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to BeetoWasp1]

That’s the biggest battle but one worth sending time to over come 😊

[Toulouselecat 7lbs in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Completely agree with this. Calorie counting works best for me so I can still have a biscuit or two most days!

[BeetoWasp1 in reply to Toulouselecat]

i’m trying to calorie count, think i’m getting it rite

[Toulouselecat 7lbs in reply to BeetoWasp1]

I get on well with the my fitness pal app for logging calories

[Subtle_badger]

We don't all have the same relationship to sugar.

You might find this interesting...

youtu.be/1wx39iQADs8(Not working as expected?)

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Subtle_badger]

I hope everyone watches this, S_b, because it's a real eye-opener, especially for those that insist 'a little of what you fancy does you good'!

[PixLil in reply to Subtle_badger]

Thank you this was very eye-opening! I’m definitely a lifetime addict

[Subtle_badger in reply to PixLil]

It made me realise I am not (I don't want to do the test if the questions are about wine though 😢).

I hope I haven't said "why don't you just stop" to anyone, but I have probably thought it. I hope it will make me better supporting my friends, and people on here.

[Hidden in reply to Subtle_badger]

glad I watched this. I thought I was an addict before, but I realise I really wasn't, despite how much of it I ate and the weird in my sleep thing. Also it was wy easier to curb than the fags are proving to be...

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to PixLil]

Hi and welcome, PixLil

Maybe now you know about your addiction, you can ask your GP for extra help to overcome it?

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best

[silly-socks 1kg]

When I've lost weight in the past I've found that having a small amount of dark chocolate satisfied my cravings.

This time round I've been trying snack size chocolate bars and it's been a disaster, I've been feeling stressed and I've ended up eating multiple portions in a sitting. So I'm now only buying fruit for my sweet treats and it seems to be going ok so far. I know it's still full of sugar but there's only so many strawberries or grapes I can (or want to) eat in one sitting. I'm also finding that if my only snack option is an apple I'm much more likely to forgo it if I'm not hungry, but I like knowing I have the option.

I did consider going cold turkey with sugar to beat the cravings, but I'm not sure that'll be sustainable/achievable for me so I'm giving this a go first!

[Cp1965 41kg]

I have a "treat shelf" in my kitchen cupboard, if a handful of grapes, orange or apple doesn't kill the craving, then I have a multipack of small Kitkats and a bar of 90% cocoa dark chocolate, one of the former or a single square of the latter usually helps. Plus, I always have a 2 litre bottle of weak squash in the fridge, just sweet enough to take the cravings away. Hope that helps a little...

[H0p3]

Have you tried peanut and banana,, also the sugar free sweets are palatable lol. You can also chop up strawberries cook them in the oven for 20 minutes and once they cool the are like chewy sweeties. I also like cake, biscuits chocolate. That’s my problem. Lol good luck

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to H0p3]

Hi and welcome, H0p3

Have you watched the sugar video that Subtle_badger has posted above? You may find it helpful.

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best

[H0p3]

Peanut butter I meant lol

[BeetoWasp1 in reply to H0p3]

unfortunately i can not stand peanut butter thanks for the other ideas tho

[Hidden]

Slow it down. If I have a (now rare) sweet treat, I have a small amount but make it last. This is going to sound disgusting, but I can have a single chocolate biscuit of an evening but make it last by licking the chocolate off first. On the now rare occasions I have chocolate now, I put a square in my mouth and suck it. I find I've enjoyed it but I don't need more. And I was a huge sweet eater. Try that for a little while if you can't face cutting out. Don't reach for another of whatever, just make the single one you have last. And don't buy stuff you can't linger over, like gone in a mouthful chocolate buttons or whatever. If you like fruit, it does help, but stick to one piece/portion a day. Nectarines are, I've discovered, sweet tasting but surprisingly low in sugar. Again with fruit, cut it up into slices and really appreciate each piece. The longer you take to eat it, the less you need. Sounds weird, but I've found it really works.

[MintTeaMascara Healthy BMI]

I literally used to live off sugar and still struggle with it from time to time so I completely understand. Replacing it with other forms of sugar worked for me.. Fresh fruit, homemade smoothies and alternatives like date syrup and honey. Unless I get stuck binging I don't eat much processed sugar these days and feel much better and have better energy levels when I'm not.

If you're trying to cut it out or heavily cut down, a home made fruit smoothie can really give the energy needed, and it's got fibre and other vitamins and minerals in it - instead of being just empty calories.

A small punnet of strawberries, 2/3 ripe bananas, the juice of 2/3 oranges and a drizzle of honey really gives me a boost of feel good energy in the morning.

You're doing the right thing looking for help and wanting to make changes.

Sugar is very addictive and it is difficult to find balance. So it could take some time to find what works for you and you could find yourself falling backwards at times, but don't give up and keep moving forwards 😊

Educating yourself a little about different sugars and how addictive processed sugar is might help.

It does take time but you're definitely looking in the right direction, keep up the good work 😊

[BeetoWasp1 in reply to MintTeaMascara]

thank you for all your advice, i unfortunately got rid of my smoothie maker last yr i think as didn’t use it often enough 🤦🏽‍♀️ but will try and start making smoothies again as i do like them a lot!

definitely doing my research on sugar and like many have said will find the right way to cut down for me 😊😊

[utep99]

I would try something like Splenda or Stevia with Monk Fruit. However I do know the struggles. My weakness is Coca-Cola. Probably the worst single thing for a Diabetic. I am trying to win this battle. However I know if I can beat this I will lose very quickly 20 pounds and strip off about 4 to 6 inches off my waist.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to utep99]

Hi and welcome, utep99

Have you watched the sugar video that Subtle_badger has posted above? You may find it helpful.

These are other links for you, to help with your diabetes and fatty liver:

phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

dietdoctor.com/diabetes

dietdoctor.com/groundbreaki...

diabetes.co.uk/

healthunlocked.com/lchf-diet

youtu.be/h0zD1gj0pXk(Not working as expected?)

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best