© 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. SOURCES: Nutrition Research, 1997; vol 17(9). The results of this sugar "addiction" are not always so sweet. Old habits are hard to break, but making small and gradual changes in your eating style will help you break free from your sugar addiction. Too much sugar consumption may cause obesity and can lead to many disorders such as diabetes and also heart disease. Sugar Addiction Treatment . These are the carbohydrates that the latest diet books denounce, not the healthy, fibrous carbohydrates that come from whole fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Are you a sucker for sweets and soda? Sounds simple enough, but what about those hard-to-ignore cravings? If you have or suspect an alcohol or drug problem, you should consult your health care provider right away. Unlike drug addiction, you don’t have to give sugar up entirely. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Quench your thirst with flavored waters that are calorie-free. The good news is that I’m in recovery. Sugar and other sweeteners add calories with few other nutrients and have no doubt helped contribute to our near-epidemic of obesity . We'll help you pick the best addiction treatment program for you. Sugar and other sweeteners add calories with few other nutrients and have no doubt helped contribute to our near-epidemic of obesity. When people hear the word addiction, someone would think of such things as cocaine, alcohol, or heroin, and think they may need addiction treatment for that; but hardly ever would you think of sugar addiction treatment. One of the first steps in treating someone’s sugar addiction is therapy. If you manage to resist, the cravings will get weaker over time and eventually disappear. Become familiar with sugar terminology. For Immediate Treatment Help Call: 866-493-0802. In response to the insulin, your blood sugar level drops quickly, leaving you with a feeling of sluggishness and irritability. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? So stick with the plan, follow our tips, and find out just how sweet better health can be! When we say we have a sugar addiction, we may mean anything from a mild desire to intense cravings for sweet foods and drinks. It will also give the addict the tools that he or she will need to get control of and to overcome their addiction. One of our professional counselors will be more than happy to assist. When people hear the word addiction, someone would think of such things as cocaine, alcohol, or heroin, and think they may need addiction treatment for that; but hardly ever would you think of sugar addiction treatment. Enjoy whole-grain cereal with one teaspoon of sugar instead of presweetened cereals, which contain much more sugar per serving. Changes in our behavior are often attributed to changes in our blood sugar levels. Just enter your phone number and you’ll be called back within minutes. Ready to Talk About Addiction Treatment Options? So if you want to shave calories, it's a good idea to limit added sugar in your diet. Some treatment centers offer special programs like sugar addiction treatment. It is designed to promote a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week and to encourage the eating of healthy foods while weaning you from excessive sugar. One 12-ounce can of soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar. Your body responds to this spike by secreting large amounts of insulin to normalize your blood sugar level. But the reality is that in 2001, the average American ate and drank the equivalent of 31 teaspoons of sugar daily. Sugar addiction is when someone has an uncontrollable craving for sweets and can have a change in his or her demeanor which will include anxiety, depression, and irritability when they go a long period of time without sugar. American Dietetic Association, May 1998. Call 866-493-0802 Now! It sounds insane, but sugar finds it way into virtually every kind of processed food, from ketchup to soups and, especially, soft drinks. We proudly support these fine organizations: We don't always understand a loved one's addiction and the reasons for it. © 2020 Stop Your Addiction. A more recent government report concurs that sugar is not by itself linked to any of those conditions. Journal of the Food Review, Winter 2002; Giving in to a craving will just feed the addiction. Review your notes, and look for patterns or triggers that you can alter to help control your sugar intake. Plants as Medicine: DIY Herbal Tea to Curb Sugar … Sugar has been blamed for everything from diabetes, tooth decay, obesity, and heart disease to disruptive behavior in the classroom. vol 25(3). However, too many calories, in any form, can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Former President Ronald Reagan had to have jellybeans on his desk at all times. However, we do want to see that they receive the help that they need to recover and lead a full and complete life free from this disease.We have the resources to design a treatment program which can produce a full recovery by teaching the skills needed to remain sober going forward. We're all unique. Many women blame hormonal surges for the sweets cravings they get around the same time each month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid recommends we limit added sugars in our diet to 12 teaspoons per day. Sugars have 4 calories per gram, or 15 calories per teaspoon. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. Sugar is one of the most abused substances in the United States today. 1990-1997 Food Consumption Data, April 1999. To learn more about these types of programs, or for more information and help on any type of addiction, contact Stop Your Addiction toll-free today. But sugar by itself will not cause any of these conditions -- except cavities. There are those addicts that may need a more structured plan. All rights reserved. If you can control the quantity, you will be able to enjoy sweets on occasion. Ready to Talk About Addiction Treatment Options? The information provided by Stop Your Addiction through phone, email or web support should not be used for diagnosing or treating any physical or mental health condition or disease. This can help the sugar addict to understand the reasons why they have to have excessive sugar consumption. Here's the trick: Gradually decreasing the amount of sugar you eat, and how often you eat it, will help you reduce your desire for sugars while lowering your caloric intake. Sugar addiction treatment was established to help the people that are severely addicted to sugar and feel like they can’t live normally without it. Family Economics and Nutrition Review, Jan. 10, 2002. The results of this sugar "addiction" are not always so sweet. Surprising Addictions, Defining and Treating Internet Addictions, When Scab-Picking, Cutting Becomes Addictive. If, instead of eating simple carbs by themselves, you choose these healthy carbohydrates or add some protein or fat to your meal, your blood sugar will rise and fall more normally without the negative side effects. Currently, many rehab centres don’t offer specialised plans to treat sugar addiction. Some people find it impossible to leave the dinner table without dessert; others can't fathom a day without chocolate. 2001; vol 13(11). When your blood sugar gets too low, hunger reappears, and the roller-coaster ride resumes -- that is, if your next meal is also mostly simple carbohydrates. Buy unsweetened food and beverages, and add small amounts of sweeteners if you need them. Remember, moderation is the key. Learn to break free. Cookies, snack bars, crackers, yogurt, granola bars, and many other common snack items will perpetuate your sugar addiction. Aside from that, a comprehensive review of scientific research, published in the journal Nutrition Research in 1997, showed that sugar is not a direct cause of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or hyperactivity. Vending machines in schools, offices, and almost everywhere else feed our desire to eat sweets throughout the day. All Rights Reserved. Nutritional education will help the sugar addict change his or her dietary habits. Many people newly diagnosed with diabetes find that after they start eating fewer sweets, foods like fresh fruit taste sweeter and can satisfy their cravings for sweets. Your Information is Safe & Secure. Check the amount of sugars, and choose products with the least sugar per serving. Read the label on all processed foods. Next week, trade in a soft drink for seltzer with a splash of fruit juice. Recognize that all of these are sweeteners: corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, honey, molasses, turbinado, and brown sugar. This would include individuals whose sugar addiction is causing major health risks. "Sweets can definitely increase the risk of [cavities] when the sweetened substances pool around the teeth or sticky sweets adhere to the surface of the tooth," says Atlanta dentist James Sylvan, DDS. Gradually decrease the amount you use to let your taste buds adapt. Your WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Program eating plan supports these recommendations. Sugar addiction treatment was established to help the people that are severely addicted to sugar and feel like they can’t live normally without it. Some people go so far as to equate the effects of sugar to a drug, saying it calms them and helps them deal with stress. (Of course, sugar is not alone in promoting obesity -- a lack of exercise and excessive calories from many other sources share the blame.). This innate desire does not disappear as we grow older. This may include such things as keeping a food journal so that they can live by a stricter dietary menu or realize if there was some underlying cause which made them turn to sugar on certain days. Keep up with your journal, and use the notes section to document your mood, setting, and activity whenever you feel the urge to eat sweets. Clinician Reviews, With sales of sodas, candy, and other sweets soaring, it's clear that, as a nation, we are virtually addicted to sugar in all its glorious forms. That's a lot of sugar -- and extra calories! Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Becoming a Vegetarian: Foods to Choose From, Slideshow: Could You Be Hooked? Like any addiction, sugar addiction can be overcome. As if that is not bad enough, government data suggest that we consume an average of 41.4 gallons of soda per person annually. Select one behavior to change each week. Privacy Policy. For carb addicts, breaking a sugar addiction is a difficult task. Sugar addiction treatment can help increase the quality of your life and increase the level of your health. The American Heart Association's newest recommendations suggest a balanced diet, low in fat, with a reduced sugar intake, along with regular exercise, as the best way to lose weight and keep it off. While sugar is not literally addicting, scientists long ago proved that people are born with a preference for sweets. USDA Economic Research Service.