The #1 addiction in the U.S. is sugar. No one wants to admit the addiction, but it can be hidden in foods that otherwise shouldn’t have it. One problem with sugar is that the more you eat it, the more appetite you have.
How to stop
Stopping cold turkey will cause all sorts of problems. Usually this is not a good idea because we all have to continue with life, and it really doesn’t solve the issue fully. First you need to realize that you don’t need it. It does nothing for long term energy. Then you need to start with the simple reductions, such as:
- Replace sugar with stevia (an all natural sweetener). The taste of stevia is very sweet, and you only need an 1/8 tsp. for every 1 tsp. sugar. Try this in your coffee/tea to see how you like it:
- Reduce your white bread intake. This includes donuts (loaded with sugar), pastries, rolls, and any other bakery item made with white flour.
- Remove all processed foods. Almost all processed foods have sugar or corn syrup added. These items include almost all prepackaged drinks, cookies, crackers, and snacks. There are a few snacks that do not have sugar, just check the labels.
- When in doubt, check the label. If you look at the nutrition information, read the amount of sugar. Try to keep any packaged item below 5 grams of sugar.
Withdrawal symptoms
Reducing sugar intake will cause withdrawal symptoms if you do reduce your intake drastically. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Feeling tired or irritable
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Headaches and/or flu-like symptoms
- Shakiness
- Weight loss!
As you reduce, remember you are doing this to feel better. You may experience negative symptoms, but remember why you are doing this and keep motivated to achieve your goal.