Recover From Sugar Addiction Weight Loss Families.com

Do You Have A Sugar Addiction? Take a moment to reflect on these questions.

1. Do you eat large quantities of sweets?

2. Do you feel a need to have them and avoid sharing?

3. Will you go get what you want, no matter the hour?

4. Do you have mood swings, suffer from depression, have unpredictable behavior, or have moments of aggression?

5. Do you have a short attention span or are you forgetful?

6. Do you have an eating disorder or a weight problem?

7. Have you tried to limit or eliminate all sweets, but failed repeatedly?

8. Do you eat in secret to avoid ridicule?

9. Do you drink large quantities of diet soda or consume large quantities of pasta and/or bread?

10. Do you have your sweets without worry or guilt?

These are some of the questions that people with “sugar sensitivity” should ask themselves. Sugar sensitivity is the underlying factor of sugar addiction. It consists of three factors: carbohydrate sensitivity, low serotonin, and low beta-endorphin. Carbohydrate sensitivity causes the rapid rise and fall of insulin and blood sugar levels. Having low levels of serotonin can result in depression and compulsive behavior. And, if beta-endorphin levels are low, there may be feelings of loneliness/isolation, low self-esteem and cravings. The actions of an addict depend upon the factors that are affected.

Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D., whose area of expertise is addictive nutrition, considers sugar addiction to be just as real as alcohol and drug addiction. She explains in her book, “The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery Program,” that people suffering from sugar addiction have an uncontrollable need for sugar. When they can’t have it, they exhibit additional addictive behaviors such as withdrawal.

So, what can a sugar addict do? DesMaisons gives you a plan.

1. Starting with breakfast, eat three meals with protein and eat a potato, with the skin, before going to bed. DesMaisons tells you how much and why you should have protein at each meal. As for the potato, she claims it will increase your serotonin level.

2. Keep a journal; track what you eat and drink. List your feelings, both physically and emotionally.

3. Take the vitamins she recommends.

4. Don’t eat white foods; such as, white bread, white rice, etc. Eat the whole grains and other high fiber foods.

5. Reduce consumption or eliminate sugar, including artificial sweeteners.

6. Drink water, exercise, and continue to develop a new life.

With this plan, she gives you food suggestions. Also, she discusses how her plan affects your nutrition. DesMaisons approaches the topic of sugar addiction from personal experience and the experiences of her clients. She guides you through her plan, simplistically, step-by-step. The eventual goal is to let go of sugar. She lists ways to avoid the temptation and encouragement for those little slips. She doesn’t seem to miss any situation. There are suggestions for the vegetarian, one for the diabetic, and another for women who are pregnant. Recipes are included, too.

Her book made me think about my relationship with sweets. I don’t think I’m a sugar addict, but I could see myself in some of the things that she wrote about. Her explanation of sugar addiction wasn’t hard to understand. For once, I didn’t have to struggle through a lot of scientific jargon that only served to confuse me. I feel like I need to take a second look at what she’s saying. Is sugar sensitivity part of the reason for my weight?