Sugar Addiction 101

By Brendon G. Burwell


Understanding the concept of sugar addiction symptoms,A possible definition may be: the impossibility for a person to resist to the sweet foods or beverages temptation. People suffering from this condition find impossible to stay without sugar for too long: usually a day, a meal sometimes even an hour. Many times people don't realize they are suffering from it as the symptoms can be mistaken for seasonal affect disorder, general tiredness, dieting "issues," or depression. Controlling addiction can be difficult when you don't know it affects you. When you became aware of the existence of the sugar addiction symptoms you can easily manage the health risks and overcome the problem.[]

What is 'addiction' anyway? Addiction is a condition in which an individual has a dysfunctional relationship with a substance. For example, in the case of sugar addiction, sugar may be used to reward and/or relax a person. That is a dysfunctional relationship because reward and relaxation are not the intended purposes of a food item. With an addiction of any kind, the individual is unable to stop the behavior, regardless of consequences, and in fact seeks the target substance out on an ever-increasing basis.

So how do you know if you're addicted to sugar? Do you crave sweets? Would you like to avoid sweets but find that you can't? Have you made a decision to avoid foods with sugar in the past but found yourself unable to follow through? Do you ever over-indulge in a sweet item to the point of embarrassment or nausea? Do you hide evidence of your "crime"? Does your mood or energy level change if you consume sugar? Does your mood or energy level change when sugar wears off? Do you find yourself obsessing about a food item? If you answered 'yes' to even a few of these questions, you probably are indeed addicted to sugar.

Now, why exactly does eating sugar trigger a strong desire for more sweets or calories? Eating sugar triggers the release of opiates in the brain. Opiates are chemicals which make you feel good. For anyone who isn't sure what opiates are, understand that they are the in the same class of drugs as heroin or morphine. Eating sugar will also begin a cycle of craving or compulsion for more of the same feeling that was caused by the release of the opiates. You may not "get high" the way you would with a powerful narcotic, but that doesn't mean it doesn't impact your mood or your brain.

Avoid salt foods. They induce sugar cravings.Eat more fruit and vegetables. There are sweet vegetables, too. Buy smart: Read the labels on the foods you buy.Eat whole grains. They contain complex carbohydrates (millet, barley, brown rice).Ice-cream fans: eat only ice-cream that is reach in healthy ingredients and not high flavored, high sugar ice-cream.Don't give up sugar: the only thing you'll get is a powerful crave.High protein breakfast: in the morning eat high protein foods.

This is nice but where to seek help when you discover sugar addiction symptoms in your life? Where to find help?There are different levels of help. Some need just a helping hand from their friends. Others may need treatment in a sugar issues center. You may join an online support group. This may help some people. A new idea is hypnosis. Suggestions and sugar related hypnosis sessions work for a lot of people. Carefully devised exercises that stimulate metabolism offer another, more natural alternative. The will is extremely important. Be determined to win the battle. When there's a will, there's always a way. When things don't go as planned and the sugar addiction symptoms don't go away, don't hesitate to seek professional treatment.

While some manufacturers claim there is no such thing as sugar addiction and continue flooding the marketplace with foods that raise our blood sugar to dangerous levels, the fact is that addiction to sugar is a true epidemic in America and other nations where food is in ample supply. By educating yourself about sugar addiction and making a few simple changes, you can stop sugar from damaging your health and shortening your life. While this does not happen overnight, it is certainly not impossible.

If sugar is addictive who are the pushers? Stop reading now if you are worried about the answer.It's you, it's your partner, it's the kids, it's the food industry - it's anyone who feeds your sugar habit.Everyone who knows you, who knows that you are overweight or struggling with type 2 diabetes is responsible for helping you to keep away from sugar rather than feed your habit.A drug addict is locked in a room, an alcoholic goes to a clinic, yet a sugar addict cannot avoid their addictive substance. This lack of industry support, lack of societal support is not to be underestimated. It takes a very strong reserve to kick a sugar habit.

The Cold-Turkey Approach: This approach is recommended for anyone who is tired of feeling tired and sluggish, and who feels that they have sufficient willpower and drive to eliminate as much sugar as possible from their daily diet, all at once.When you take the cold turkey approach, you clear your home, your car, and your office of any foods that contain excessive amounts of sugar. You restrict your sugar intake without restricting your caloric intake - this way, you feed your body well as you go through the withdrawal process. Most people who try this approach feel intense cravings at first, which gradually decrease as hours and days pass.

Determining which approach to ending sugar addiction to take is a largely personal choice. Although it might seem as though the gradual, easy does it type of approach might not be as challenging as quitting sugar cold turkey, stopping bad habits right away is less detrimental to your health and will put you on the road to recovery much more quickly.Whichever method you choose, you can be certain that you'll reap rewards: not only will you feel better, you will likely lose excess fat and look better than ever.




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