Have your sweet cravings gone through the roof like mine?

[4809cats]

I've read on a few sites that people with Parkinson's have HUGE sweet cravings. I've gained 30 pounds in the past year. I could eat sweets from dawn till dark! Am I just making excuses or does the sweet cravings story hold true.

[Walhalla50]

I have toldy wife to hide the chocolate but I keep finding it!

[rick4898]

The story holds true for me - I've gained 40 lbs during 2012. And it was mostly from sweets. Cookies, cake, pie (I avoided ice cream, though).

I am going to try to lose that weight in 2013 by limiting my desserts & exercising. But I also have the sugar cravings, so I don't know how successful I'll be.

[froggatt55]

Too true for me also - although it comes spells. The first one was a few years ago but it lasted months. During the night I would get up and raid the fridge/larder/whatever for biscuits, chocolate and cakes and eat with great relish anything sweet I found. This happened even when we were staying with friends. I did not try to cover my tracks and I had no conscience about what I ate. Because it was during the night, I never cleaned my teeth until I got up which, because of my nocturnal activities, could be 11.00. Consequently my teeth have suffered. It was a compulsion that I was powerless to control (better than a gambling compulsion - rather a few teeth than a few thousand pounds!!)

I'm better now and only go on raids if I'm low but this time it's small slices of brown bread loaded with Lurpak butter but last night it was seven slices and I'm up now with reflux!

I'm cured of chocolates though because last week I ate most of my partner's dark chocolates and, despite what Doctors say, I got a huge zit on my upper lip which was embarrassing. I know I'm cured because I am vain about my appearance and there was another box uncovered last night and I refused to take even one

I do a lot of exercise so although I've gained a bit of weight I'd say it was only about 7 lbs

[Pete-1]

Well having PD you naturally want to compensate yourself with a nice treat every now and then. Got to cheer yourself up somehow.The problem arises when "every now and then" becomes every now.

And as eating sugary stuff gives you a minor high, again its only natural that you want to repeat the experience. Try training your mind to see food, particularly sweet food as an enemy rather than a comforting friend. This becomes more and more important as we get older and are more susceptible to diabetes.

[Norton1 in reply to Pete-1]

I agree with you Pete-1. I have been surprised by the number of PwP who also have Diabetes2 or insulin resistance. It's makes one wonder if keep eating sweets or sugar in several forms contribute in some major way to to progression of Parkinson's once you have it, or conversely, slow it down if you keep what you eat under control?

I would like to know what others think?

Norton

[hilarypeta]

nonsense! anyone who has chocolates etc over xmas finds it hard to give them up again; The sugar cravings are more likely to be candida of the gut- the little creatures in there are producing the cravings as they neeed more sugar! give it up for a month and i guarantee sugar cravings will go;

sugar is the biggest enemy to good health - like alcohol it makes you feel high ad then low. worse than fats and salt; Its responsible for mucking up our serotonin levels and adrenalin; stick to slow burning carbs and not more than 25 pr cent a day.

i was a sugar addict-fought off second form of diabetes so far!

[Percy-Parkie]

Hey! funny you should all say this about sugary things as in the last 2/3 years my hubby has got into the habit of having something sweet after each meal which for 30 odd years we have never done, he also snacks on sugary things, choc, bikkies, cake I just though it was because he was older but I now wonder if this was also an early sign that something was to be wrong later??? As we are new to this PD we do not know what to think. Keep up the info it really does help. Thanks

[HomeinVa]

Yes, I think the sugar cravings are real. I have noticed, given the opportunity, I would pick a sweet treat over something else anyday. I have turned to sweet fruits and limit what I keep in the house of other stuff. Holidays were no holding back though. It was a time of family and merriment. Still, I have to watch it or I could be in trouble.

Mary

[Joanne_Joyce]

Could it have to do with diminished sense of smell and taste with PD? I find that since I can't enjoy the taste of so many foods, adding extra sugar to things like cereal and tea gives them taste. The same thing goes with adding extra spices.

[larry33b in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I too have had an increase in desire for sweets and spicy stuff. Lost my sense of smell long before DX.

S

s

[4809cats in reply to larry33b]

I think you're on the right track, I can't get enough sugar or salt!

[honeycombe3]

I wonder if you are taking Requip or another dopamine agonist? Binge or uncontrolable urges eg eating are a common side-effect. My sense of smell is normal but I think the gut isues may be valid for me.

[PatV in reply to honeycombe3]

I was wondering same thing. I gained 30 pounds on requip plus a few other bad habits. dopamine agonists are hell for some folks. be careful. Lost it plus some when went to sinimet.

[maryalice in reply to PatV]

Is Mirapex a dopamine agonist? I've also gained weight. I can barely walk so I'm very inactive now. I used to be a walker about 5 miles a day. I thought my inactivity caused the weight gain.

[4809cats in reply to honeycombe3]

Nope to the Requip, I took it for over a year and it made me crazy, so I hope to never be on that again. However I still have OCD urges. I keep telling myself at least it's not alcohol!

[PatV]

Yes it is . Exercise is VERY important in Parkinson's so I hope you will find a support group and get moving. Best of luck!

[maryalice in reply to PatV]

Thanks. I'm hoping to go back to physical therapy.

Blessings,

[lotty]

I am determined not to eat sweet things, diet for a few days then suddenly it all goes out the window. Madopar five times a day.

[PatV in reply to lotty]

maybe you have a food sensitivity. sometimes those trigger an urge to eat more and more

[pomo]

I have assumed it was the Pramipexole.

[jobby]

Always had a sweet tooth, but now if i see it i eat it.!!

[charlton]

i have developed a sweet craving as well as other OCD symptoms my consultant says it is because of the Requip i am taking, this has been reduced from 16mg to 12mg now down to 8mg hope it helps i have doubled my Modopar to compensate

[grammieof3]

Tried fruit to get my fix worked for awhile but man i crave the sweets