One of my biggest weaknesses - and most people's - is sugar. It's an endless craving that happens all the time and any time - in coffee, for breakfast, for snack, for dessert, for afternoon snack, before dinner, for dinner dessert, etc. In time, it becomes habit, an addiction, and it's difficult to stop. I've read articles that compare soda with cocaine addictions. Sugar definitely affects the brain. So now what?
Once sugar or caffeine becomes an addiction, there could be withdrawl symptoms when trying to quit cold turkey. Your body has become used to these flavors/chemicals. When you take them away, your body freaks out. But, never fear, they eventually go away!
First, in order to break the sugar addiction, one must stop the every day habit completely and you must want to stop.
Second, be cautious of substitutes. Aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet, etc) can have undesirable side-effects and will not teach you to avoid sugar. Sometimes we use more sugar substitute than we should because we can't reach the level of sweetness we crave. So instead of one packet in our coffee, we use two or three.
Third, improve your diet. If you feel satisfied (and full), you are less likely to turn to sweets.
Fourth, stop buying sweets/sodas. If you don't have access to them, you won't eat/drink them. It will take time to get over the cravings, but it will be worth it to your health and your body.
Have a craving attack in the middle of the day? Try going for a short walk. Get your mind off the craving.
Maybe you simply have an urge to chew - try some sugar-free gum.
References:
Sugar Addiction by L. Wilson, MD.
WebMd - 13 Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings
Nourished Health - End the 3pm Slump Cravings
Dr. Mark Hyman - How to Rewire Your Brain to End Food Cravings
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