There was a great panel discussion on KQED’s Talk of the Nation that is definitely worth a listen. Two of the panelists discussed research in rats that indicate that sugar is addictive, in a similar manner though milder than alcohol and other addictions. The third panelist discussed Buddhism and conquering food addiction, which I found less compelling.
The upshot was that our foods contain more sugar than ever, and it’s harder to get sugar out of our environment. Eating sugar does help us feel better for a short amount of time, but ultimately an addictive cycle sets in that requires us to eat more sugar to get the same effect. And sugar substitutes might produce the same effects.
It’s taken me a loooong time to pull out of my sugar addiction; really, I can’t say that I have totally. But it’s a far cry from what it used to be. I used to make homemade fudge (and it was damn good!).
Making my own food has definitely helped; I’m not getting a dose of corn syrup at every meal. But I still want some sugar after lunch, and I usually have a Skinny Cow bar after dinner. Not much, but I wonder if I’m keeping the addiction alive.
How do you deal with sugar?
babs
March 6, 2010 at 9:18 pm
I believe I have a sugar “addiction,” or at the very least am extremely sensitive to it. Coming off a binge, or the holidays, it’s 3 days of white-knuckle struggle to go without sugar. After 3 days, I’m fine — not a problem to stay away from it. Going off-program on non-sugar foods doesn’t create this maelstrom of gimme-gimme-more-more-more. So I try to limit sugar to an occasional treat, slowly savored, and best eaten away from home, to limit the quantity. So we’re talking a fancy dessert at a restaurant or coffee shop then FULL STOP. Can’t keep sweets in the house — they call to me. It’s kinda embarrassing actually, feeling like an addict, but that’s been my experience.
I haven’t got the heart to give up the stevia I use in my tea, though I’m aware that some folks think that artificial sweeteners play havoc with the mind/body as well. Perhaps I’m not using enough stevia to be a problem, or I take my tea with meals… but so far it appears to not set off that urge to dive headfirst into a plate of fudge the way regular sugar does.
Thx for the tip on TOTN — I missed it live and will check out the podcast.
'Drea
March 7, 2010 at 7:09 am
Oh, sugar. I gave up the hardcore stuff like Snickers, Haagen Dazs, cheese danishes etc. but I don’t think that I could ever eliminate the stuff.
I love a good piece fruit but other things still beckon: TLC cereal bars, cho-covered peppermint sticks.
I don’t know why I don’t feel compelled to clean up my diet more. Am I hopelessly addicted? (((Shrugging)))
Gingersnapper
March 9, 2010 at 5:58 am
I definitely think sugar is addictive. I’ve found that when I eat something sweet, I want more of it. Even with fruit, although of course that has lots of nutritive benefit, compared to a candy bar. The good part is that the cravings do become much smaller or disappear after a week or so.