Is sugar addicting?

[delfin]

I've been trying to "diet" before going to FL over easter, which consists of super clean eating, cutting out fats, and cutting out sweets. Well, last night, we went to a dinner party, and I had two bakery-style cookies for dessert. It was all I could do to stop myself from glomming the whole plate.

It's like if I don't have the sweet, and say, grab a piece of fruit, the craving passes and it doesn't make me crazy. But once I have some kind of cookie or cake, all I want to do is have more. It doesn't matter if I'm full or not. And, of course, my friend sent us home with said cookies, and they're sitting on my counter. Sugar is an insidious thing, isn't it????

P.S. One great way to cut out fat: using only balsamic vinegar (w/maybe a little dijon) on your salad. (That's right... no oil at all) It's really okay!

 

[RunnerGirl]

OH H@LL YEA it's addicting! I started Atkins and am on the end of my second week. I swear, I had headaches the first 3 days from lack of sugar. I know it was the sugar because just the thought of jellybeans that DS was eating was driving me insane. I NEEDED those beans!!! LOL. Funny thing, I don't even like jelly beans that much! Anyway, I fought though it and I am not craving it as much but I must must stay away from it. LOL.
LD

 

[Boybert]

Oh for sure it can be addicting. However, I think it does affect people differently. For me, if I have a serving of the good stuff, that keeps me sane and I don't overdo it. Other people might go off the deep end having that. Eating fruit is a good plan if that keeps you in check!


Debbie


I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.
Ellen DeGeneres

 

[dlandkk808]

I don't know if it is physicologically addicting like nicotine, but psychologically yes!!! At least for me. That's why I gave up on all sugared drinks and even diet ones because once you get that sweet buds going, it's hard to stop. Now if only I can kill that ice cream addiction....

Lisa

 

[nancy324]

YES, sugar is physiologically addicting in a way. Sugar wreaks havoc in your body and in many people, causes them to crave more sugar. In addition, cookies and bakery items have little nutritional value, so they are the worst thing you can eat if you're trying to cut calories to lose weight. I'm so sensitive to sugar, even an innocent piece of bread can set off sugar cravings! It helps a lot to add some protein when you eat simple sugars, however, it's even better to avoid them altogether.
Nancy

 

[kathryn]

Sugar is definitely addictive. And eating sugar often makes one crave more sugar (because of the interplay between sugar consumption and insulin release in the body).

Years ago, I read "Sugar Blues," and it convinced me to give up simple sugar (at least for a while...maybe I should see if it's still in print and reread it!).

 

[Beavs]

I found that when I started thinking that sugar was the "white Poison" (as Tosca Reno has called it) I became obsessed with it. When I stepped back and realized there are no evil foods, just foods that should be consumed in moderation I did much better around the sweet stuff. I now find that a little sweet treat now and then does the trick.