Sugar cravings
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 51
Sugar cravings
Hello again.
I'm still going strong without alcohol - today is day number 70 and I still don't feel remotely tempted to start up again.
However, I'm still getting flank pains and discomfort. They were getting better for a while but yesterday came back hard.
My problem is I get these intense sugar cravings about once every 3-4 days and I binge on cookies or ice cream or twinkies or something like that. I know it's my body missing the sugar that was in alcohol but it's very hard to resist and I want to reward myself for not drinking so I indulge about half the time.
In general I've been eating better and lost a ton of weight - around 20 pounds in three months but on Friday I binged and ate about 8 oatmeal raisin cookies from the store.
In the middle of the night my liver woke me up pulsing in pain and all day yesterday the discomfort was back to being as bad as it ever was with a lot of gurgling/bubbling going on. I also had a few skin breakouts and generally felt really inflamed/out of it.
I'm guessing it was the sugar that was the cause.
What do you folks do to deal with sugar/fatty cravings? Or in general trying not to replace one bad habit with another?
I'm still going strong without alcohol - today is day number 70 and I still don't feel remotely tempted to start up again.
However, I'm still getting flank pains and discomfort. They were getting better for a while but yesterday came back hard.
My problem is I get these intense sugar cravings about once every 3-4 days and I binge on cookies or ice cream or twinkies or something like that. I know it's my body missing the sugar that was in alcohol but it's very hard to resist and I want to reward myself for not drinking so I indulge about half the time.
In general I've been eating better and lost a ton of weight - around 20 pounds in three months but on Friday I binged and ate about 8 oatmeal raisin cookies from the store.
In the middle of the night my liver woke me up pulsing in pain and all day yesterday the discomfort was back to being as bad as it ever was with a lot of gurgling/bubbling going on. I also had a few skin breakouts and generally felt really inflamed/out of it.
I'm guessing it was the sugar that was the cause.
What do you folks do to deal with sugar/fatty cravings? Or in general trying not to replace one bad habit with another?
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Well, I didn't really try to quit the carbs for the first few months. I figured cookies, candy and ice cream were preferable to alcohol and I knew that my cravings were common to early sobriety.
In early days I got sugar hangovers, and it was uncomfortable so that helped me to cut back to more manageable levels of treat foods, but I didn't get back to completely healthy eating for the first six months. Really common.
Ice cream is not a bad thing. Unless you have a serious weight problem, it's not going to hurt you.
In early days I got sugar hangovers, and it was uncomfortable so that helped me to cut back to more manageable levels of treat foods, but I didn't get back to completely healthy eating for the first six months. Really common.
Ice cream is not a bad thing. Unless you have a serious weight problem, it's not going to hurt you.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Lakeside, Arizona
Posts: 1,138
Have you seen a Dr regarding the pain?
I didn't worry about eating all the sugar, I was more worried about not relapsing again. After 10 months or so I just started eating less on my own.
Consistent pain would be cause for concern. I did have a dull ache on my right side for around 12 months. It slowly deceased as time went on.
I didn't worry about eating all the sugar, I was more worried about not relapsing again. After 10 months or so I just started eating less on my own.
Consistent pain would be cause for concern. I did have a dull ache on my right side for around 12 months. It slowly deceased as time went on.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 105
Yes, maybe get a check over at the doc, never a bad thing and especially if you're experiencing discomfort.
I'm a few weeks into being alc-free and the sugar cravings are now starting to kick in.
I'm having the occasional cereal bar, fruit and raisins. If that doesn't do the job I'll attack the biscuit tin.
I've tried sugar free sweets etc but they just give me an upset tummy so I actually prefer to have proper sugar and try my very best to moderate.
As long as I'm not attacking the gin bottle I'm a lot happier. I'm also exercising more in the times when I'd usually be knee deep in gin so that also helps me to stop piling on the pounds.
Congrats on brilliant sober time, I can't wait for me to have secured that long. Fab stuff.
CC
I'm a few weeks into being alc-free and the sugar cravings are now starting to kick in.
I'm having the occasional cereal bar, fruit and raisins. If that doesn't do the job I'll attack the biscuit tin.
I've tried sugar free sweets etc but they just give me an upset tummy so I actually prefer to have proper sugar and try my very best to moderate.
As long as I'm not attacking the gin bottle I'm a lot happier. I'm also exercising more in the times when I'd usually be knee deep in gin so that also helps me to stop piling on the pounds.
Congrats on brilliant sober time, I can't wait for me to have secured that long. Fab stuff.
CC
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 148
I have the sugar cravings too but I am letting myself indulge and I do daily. A lot more than you do! I was very worried about it but I figured since my primarily focus is to be sober. I was on a cheesecake binge for months but have now moved to regular cake.
For some reason my weight has been stable. I hope it stays that way.
Good for you for abstaining from alcohol. The advice I received was to not worry about sugar. Just focus on not drinking.
For some reason my weight has been stable. I hope it stays that way.
Good for you for abstaining from alcohol. The advice I received was to not worry about sugar. Just focus on not drinking.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
Beats me. Over 4 years on, I’m still dealing with this.
Sugar and caffeine were for me the original gateway drug. Even as a child I acted in addictive ways with both.
I just now left a drugstore where I went to get contact lens stud and bought a bag of jelly beans.
Truth is the contact lens stuff was my excuse.... been vaguely thinking about something sugary for hours.
I’m glad it’s nowhere near as ‘bad’ as alcohol.... but sugar and caffeine are both substances that I have difficulty using in reasonable volume and which are negatively impacting my body.
I keep telling myself ‘I’ve GOT to quit..... but maybe if I only have ONE coffee.... just OCCASIONAL sweets....
Sounds familiar, huh?
Sugar and caffeine were for me the original gateway drug. Even as a child I acted in addictive ways with both.
I just now left a drugstore where I went to get contact lens stud and bought a bag of jelly beans.
Truth is the contact lens stuff was my excuse.... been vaguely thinking about something sugary for hours.
I’m glad it’s nowhere near as ‘bad’ as alcohol.... but sugar and caffeine are both substances that I have difficulty using in reasonable volume and which are negatively impacting my body.
I keep telling myself ‘I’ve GOT to quit..... but maybe if I only have ONE coffee.... just OCCASIONAL sweets....
Sounds familiar, huh?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,065
The sugar and carb cravings are lessening and when I have to indulge I try to go for natural sugars. Maple syrup on crackers or honey.
With the warm weather and my salad bowl mow producing, I decided to cut out the crap as much as possible. I also keep a gallon of water with lemon slices, I juice a couple lemons, strawberries and oranges, both sliced and juiced. I use a couple teaspoons of maple syrup to take the sharpness off the lemons. I call it.lemonade, it kinda is. I drink a gallon every two days and it takes the edge off, especially if I am snacky or it is late afternoon.
With the warm weather and my salad bowl mow producing, I decided to cut out the crap as much as possible. I also keep a gallon of water with lemon slices, I juice a couple lemons, strawberries and oranges, both sliced and juiced. I use a couple teaspoons of maple syrup to take the sharpness off the lemons. I call it.lemonade, it kinda is. I drink a gallon every two days and it takes the edge off, especially if I am snacky or it is late afternoon.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by tekink 
Have you seen a Dr regarding the pain?
I didn't worry about eating all the sugar, I was more worried about not relapsing again. After 10 months or so I just started eating less on my own.
Consistent pain would be cause for concern. I did have a dull ache on my right side for around 12 months. It slowly deceased as time went on.
I didn't worry about eating all the sugar, I was more worried about not relapsing again. After 10 months or so I just started eating less on my own.
Consistent pain would be cause for concern. I did have a dull ache on my right side for around 12 months. It slowly deceased as time went on.
I have read from a few other people that they had the same right-side pain for a year after drinking.
I'm ok with that if I know that's going to happen - it still really freaks me out when it flares up though.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by FreeOwl
Beats me. Over 4 years on, I’m still dealing with this.
Sugar and caffeine were for me the original gateway drug. Even as a child I acted in addictive ways with both.
I just now left a drugstore where I went to get contact lens stud and bought a bag of jelly beans.
Truth is the contact lens stuff was my excuse.... been vaguely thinking about something sugary for hours.
I’m glad it’s nowhere near as ‘bad’ as alcohol.... but sugar and caffeine are both substances that I have difficulty using in reasonable volume and which are negatively impacting my body.
I keep telling myself ‘I’ve GOT to quit..... but maybe if I only have ONE coffee.... just OCCASIONAL sweets....
Sounds familiar, huh?
Sugar and caffeine were for me the original gateway drug. Even as a child I acted in addictive ways with both.
I just now left a drugstore where I went to get contact lens stud and bought a bag of jelly beans.
Truth is the contact lens stuff was my excuse.... been vaguely thinking about something sugary for hours.
I’m glad it’s nowhere near as ‘bad’ as alcohol.... but sugar and caffeine are both substances that I have difficulty using in reasonable volume and which are negatively impacting my body.
I keep telling myself ‘I’ve GOT to quit..... but maybe if I only have ONE coffee.... just OCCASIONAL sweets....
Sounds familiar, huh?
I have read a lot of conflicting stuff about coffee. On the one hand it's supposed to be good for healing your liver but I have also seen some discouraging it because it aggravates your digestive system.
I have been mostly keeping it to one cold brew a day in the morning but some days i splurge.
It's nothing like the sugar craving though - I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much - never felt so hungry/thirsty/horny for anything as when they come on. I would have fought a child for a box of Cinnamon toast crunch at one point couple weeks ago.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
I have just recently accepted that I am powerless over sugar and flour just as I am over alcohol. I made a thread about it if you want to check it out.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...support-2.html (Food Addiction- 24 Hour Thread/Support)
Turns out its very common to have both addictions. For me a keto diet has really helped keep the cravings at bay a lot of the time. I still binge but I also have a lot of really great days where I am not thinking about sugar at all and to me that is worth it.
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...support-2.html (Food Addiction- 24 Hour Thread/Support)
Turns out its very common to have both addictions. For me a keto diet has really helped keep the cravings at bay a lot of the time. I still binge but I also have a lot of really great days where I am not thinking about sugar at all and to me that is worth it.
Last edited by Dee74; 06-03-2018 at 06:10 PM.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 4,217
If you like podcasts there is one called Fast Keto episode 14 about sugar addiction. The addiction specialist who is the guest really resonated with me and helped me finally realize I was dealing with a disease and not just limited willpower over cookies and ice cream.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,065
Originally Posted by FreeOwl
Thanks MLH those are good tips!
I bought a fig and balsamic glaze. I did beet salad three days ago. Beets, tangerines, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese, I put the glaze on when warm. I have been eating that with lunch and dinner. And because I pay attention to weird things, since I quit drinking, I don't pre purple anymore. Sorry for tmi lol. I had a b vitamin deficiency last year before I quit. I always think it is better to eat your vitamins than take pills, for me personally, I also try to choose liver friendly foods. I honestly think my body is better absorbing what it Needs, so the crazy cravings are gone.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Lakeside, Arizona
Posts: 1,138
Originally Posted by timm84
Hahaha yes.
I have read a lot of conflicting stuff about coffee. On the one hand it's supposed to be good for healing your liver but I have also seen some discouraging it because it aggravates your digestive system.
I have been mostly keeping it to one cold brew a day in the morning but some days i splurge.
It's nothing like the sugar craving though - I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much - never felt so hungry/thirsty/horny for anything as when they come on. I would have fought a child for a box of Cinnamon toast crunch at one point couple weeks ago.
I have read a lot of conflicting stuff about coffee. On the one hand it's supposed to be good for healing your liver but I have also seen some discouraging it because it aggravates your digestive system.
I have been mostly keeping it to one cold brew a day in the morning but some days i splurge.
It's nothing like the sugar craving though - I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much - never felt so hungry/thirsty/horny for anything as when they come on. I would have fought a child for a box of Cinnamon toast crunch at one point couple weeks ago.
I was eating a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream every single day for a solid six months.
For me the sugar cravings went away on their own. If I had to quit sugar now it'd be nothing like the first year of giving up alcohol! The sugar helped me quite a bit to be honest.
Maybe ask the dr what's reasonable regarding sugar intake? The ache is freaky, it's something that's helped scare me away from drinking. I was getting into liver disease also, it's the main reason I finally decided to quit. I know I was using it as a reward for not drinking. I just made sure not to eat sweets on an empty stomach so I didn't just fill pu on them.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 958
To reduce my sugar intake I began drinking 20 ounces of carrot juice with strawberries or beet juice every morning. Sometimes I add turmeric. Low glycemic and nutrient dense - which curbs sugar cravings.
Also, I've switched to decaf coffee with an extra shot to still enjoy the coffee taste.
Also, I've switched to decaf coffee with an extra shot to still enjoy the coffee taste.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
thank you for all the sharing of tips....
I'm going to work on sugar TODAY.
My focus is on refined sugar. Though difficult to avoid, I think if I take some of these tips and use fruits and natural sugars as my ally, I should be able to take a big step in the right direction by eliminating most or all highly-processed sugars.
It's been a bane to me for many years.... coming and going in intensity.... sugar is definitely negatively impacting my health.
Caffeine - while I see there are health benefits.... I also am realistic about the fact that I consume way, way too much of it. I note the increase in my blood pressure, I note the increase in my heart rate, I note that sometimes I get the jitters, the sweats, have a harder time exercising.
It's been several years since I've managed to go even 12 hours without caffeine. Caffeine has a half-life of 12 hours.... so that means I've been incrementally adding that drug to my body for years..... it changes our brain structures and pathways. It is NOT 'good for you' in the holistic sense. It contributes to anxiety, to sleep issues, probably to headaches. It's become a negative surrogate for healthier pursuits (go running in the morning, or straight to the coffee pot....).
So my addiction recovery remains a journey. I've freed myself of drugs and alcohol - but I have yet to free myself or hold a moderate, healthy relationship with the drugs sugar and caffeine....
Today, let me be in healthy balance with sugar, using only natural sugars - and those in moderate volume.....
Thanks again all.
I'm going to work on sugar TODAY.
My focus is on refined sugar. Though difficult to avoid, I think if I take some of these tips and use fruits and natural sugars as my ally, I should be able to take a big step in the right direction by eliminating most or all highly-processed sugars.
It's been a bane to me for many years.... coming and going in intensity.... sugar is definitely negatively impacting my health.
Caffeine - while I see there are health benefits.... I also am realistic about the fact that I consume way, way too much of it. I note the increase in my blood pressure, I note the increase in my heart rate, I note that sometimes I get the jitters, the sweats, have a harder time exercising.
It's been several years since I've managed to go even 12 hours without caffeine. Caffeine has a half-life of 12 hours.... so that means I've been incrementally adding that drug to my body for years..... it changes our brain structures and pathways. It is NOT 'good for you' in the holistic sense. It contributes to anxiety, to sleep issues, probably to headaches. It's become a negative surrogate for healthier pursuits (go running in the morning, or straight to the coffee pot....).
So my addiction recovery remains a journey. I've freed myself of drugs and alcohol - but I have yet to free myself or hold a moderate, healthy relationship with the drugs sugar and caffeine....
Today, let me be in healthy balance with sugar, using only natural sugars - and those in moderate volume.....
Thanks again all.
Vietnam Vet
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Georgia
Posts: 421
Today I'm going to focus on not indulging in sugar for one day. Then tomorrow I'll try for another day. My main goal is to make it one week sugar free. I found out that pigging out on sugar can cause fatty liver. Day one today. Let's do this!
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