Windancer

Has anyone else experienced this? I don't typically have a sweet tooth but I sure do since I stopped drinking! Wow. It is almost uncontrollable. I really don't like it either as I am trying to eat as healthy as possible. I find that xylitol (has no aftertaste like stevia does) in my tea or coffee helps a lot (make sure your dog can't get as any xylitol ... it is very toxic to doggies).

I am trying to restrict my sugar binges to times when I'm having very intense alcohol cravings and Dralca (my name for my AV) is being very loud and persistant, and lying through her teeth. At those times, sugar seems to help settle Dralca right down.

Can I expect these sugar cravings to go away or calm down anytime soon? Right now I could eat sugar, ice cream and sweets all day long ... it's TERRIBLE (though a LOT better than being drunk or drinking).

Any tips, tricks or experiences would be most welcome.

cwood3

try bacon?

FreeOwl

totally normal.

alcohol = sugar in your body.

take away alcohol and your body is immediately missing a big thing it's become accustomed to in addition to booze.... sugar.

keep some sweets on hand, suck on hard candy, drink a small glass of juice every couple hours..... gradually cut that back. That's one way to avoid the sugar cravings leading to a sugar binge.

Alongside that, keep yourself fed with good, low-glycemic snacks every hour or so - this'll help keep your baseline blood sugar from bouncing all over the place and help you manage the sugar cravings as you back off the sweets.

blueberry2015

Yes, our bodies crave the empty calories from alcohol, just go with it for now eventually the sugar cravings will subside x x

saoutchik

Congratulations on stopping Wind acer

As others have said it is common and only temporary. It is probably worth indulging your sugar craving in early recovery as it reduces the alcohol cravings

I like your name for the AV, i'm guessing it is a combination of Dracula and alcohol, two vampires

Dee74

Most people find it's only temporary - but I appreciate you're concerned, WD.
Try substituting the simple sugars of fruit maybe?

D

try2again

idk - but seems majority here turn to ice cream in sobriety - glad I don't care for ice cream - i'd probably try fruit....

try2again

my thoughts at the same time

Windancer

Yes, fruit does help! At least there are nutrients and fiber in that as well.
I find that eating frozen berries with plain yoghurt is great too....low glycemic index, loaded with nutrients and fiber, and sugar craving is satisfied

try2again

yogurt is so great for you too!!

Hevyn

For about 3 mos. I couldn't get enough sugar. I hadn't ever been that much in to sweets - but there I was, scarfing down candy bars, lollipops, pastries, cake - anything! It was comforting for some reason. I eventually got over it - except for ice cream. I still crave that.

I like the yogurt with fruit idea.

Ooona

I had that when I stopped drinking and when I was drinking! Seems like my sugar drops and I get shaky. I had my sugar checked for diabetes and my reading was fine. I do believe like others have said that our bodies develop a sugar dependency from drinking. ( alcohol= sugar) . Now when I get shaky or get a craving I have a small teaspoon of raw honey and that really helps or like you said fresh fruit.

bandicoot2

Hi Windancer- I love your name and avatar....very cool!

I had intense sugar craving and just went with it the first month because it was better than drinking. During month two I slowly replaced the cakes, cookies and ice cream with healthier foods and several small meals a day with lots of lean protein. I'm currently a 99% vegetarian (see below - because it feels so good to eat light and healthy.

I do indulge in really good dark chocolate (at least 88% cacoa) when the craving hits because it's reputed to be an excellent anti-oxidant. Your body will figure it out. Good luck and take care!

Tonymblue

Oh yeah. I'd eat a box of chocolates at one time. Dissipates though.

Windancer

Thanks for all of your responses
It's comforting to know that I am not alone in this

Forward12

It's very common as alcohol works as a simple sugar and without it, your body also begins to crave that sugar high as well, as to why binge eating candy and ice cream for the first few weeks/months is common until your body can adjust back.

Windancer

I will just be very patient with my poor body then
It's had a lot of work to do trying to repair all the damage I've inflicted upon it. I'll be kind and patient to it. It's doing a great job!

Zebra1275

It's very common to eat a lot of sweets in early sobriety. It didn't bother meet at all, I figured a candy bar was way better for me than a beer.

Windancer

I've been trying to think that way too.
A large helping of ice cream (or two) is still so very much better than getting my drink on. Much better.

Geo2d2

very common I'm going through it now myself. Short term I agree just do what gets ya by for now... If our bodies could handle all the poison we dumped in them. I'm sure a little sugar not gonna kill us for a bit