Weaning Off of Sugar

January 1st, 2010 · 8:48 AM

What is the best way to wean yourself off of sugar, which is my greatest downfall?
Sugar does different things to different people. There are people who don’t like sugar and totally avoid it. Most people enjoy the taste and eat it at every opportunity, although they may or may not buy it for their home use. The longer the exposure to sweet taste continues, the greater the likelihood of cravings, and eventually true addiction to sugar. The only sweet taste that should ever be ingested should be fruit, and that not excessive.
The recent series of holidays, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years (or any number of other occasions—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, …) increases the amount of temptation to sweets. There are only 2 ways to get off any craving or addiction—cold turkey (stop immediately and totally) or slowly over several weeks. Here are some ideas that have helped other people.
1.    Healthy sugar substitutes, like stevia, xylitol, agave, fruit juices, may appease the taste without the harmful effects of sugar itself.
2.    If you are addicted to sugar, even the sweeteners will sustain the addiction or craving, and some people have had to stop fruit, also. If you are in this category, you should need to decide to never touch sugar again, and then follow through on your commitment.
3.    It is so much easier if you are not addicted. You may try taking just one bite of the sweet, which may totally appease the sweet taste, and eat no more. Less bad stuff is always better than more bad stuff.
4.    Those who cook have found that they can substitute fruit juices or agave for sugar in many recipes, or can get it to taste good with 1/3 or ½ of the amount of sugar.
5.    If the sweet is taken after a full meal, the rise in blood sugar is moderated by the meal, and the harmful effects on the body are reduced. Also, taking sweets with plenty of fiber will reduce the rate of absorption in the body.
6.    We will soon release another training program entitled Sweet Freedom From Sugar. We have had tremendous positive feedback from the first release, including people who have not been successful previously.

Tags: cravings, sugar, sweet tastes

5 responses so far ↓

1 droundy // Jan 1, 2010 at 9:15 am

Myreligion counsels us to fast without food for one 2 meal peroid a month, generally the first Sunday of each month. I find that when I get offf track with sugar that monthly fast helps me realign my body with less sugar. It takes about that long to cut the cravings.
2 Sonia Francisco // Jan 1, 2010 at 10:21 am

I can attest to the success of the Sweet Freedom From Sugar program. This has worked for me, when nothing else did. I have had a slight set-back during the holidays, but within a couple of days of having a sweet treat here and a sweet treat there, have discovered that my addiction to sugar is too strong and today being the first day of the year I am going back to complete abstinance from refined sugars. I have lost 35 lbs in less than six months and my diabetic husband, who only viewed the first DVD in the program has eliminated refined sugars and cut down on even healthy carbs. The result is he has been able to cut way down on his insulin intake and hopes to be completely off it soon. His weight loss has not been as dramatic as mine, but it is consistantly dropping.

I highly recommend this program!
3 Leona // Jan 3, 2010 at 8:59 pm

Am interested in learning more about the Sweet Freedom from sugar program.
Have been off and on sugar at various times in the last 10 years. Need to take control again. Know I need help.
4 Mandy // Jan 3, 2010 at 9:09 pm

I can’t wait for the Sweet Freedom from Sugar kickoff! I’m desperately ready to conquer my sugar addiction!
5 Tiffany // Jan 4, 2010 at 12:20 pm

I just want you all to know that getting off sugar, and staying off is absolutley possible! I was addicted to sugar, but have been off for about 7 years now. It gets easier with time. Try incorporating more sweet vegetables into your diet to satisfy your sweet cravings. Like yams and sweet potatoes (which are excellent raw by the way) squash, carrots, beets etc.
You can do it, don’t give up!