sugar cravings are relentless. I’ve tried satisfying them with a handful of fresh blueberries and some chocolate-covered espresso beans that I found in the back of my desk drawer. But I’m still struggling not to sabotage my withdrawal progress with a chocolate shake from In-N-Out Burger. I fantasize about the sugar hitting my bloodstream and soothing my nerves. Instead, I stand in my pantry brainstorming possible alternatives: A pinch of coconut. A spoonful of raspberry jam. A swig of maple syrup. I’m in really bad shape. We all know about the negative effects of sugar. (The list keeps growing: Weight gain, increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels — plus a higher risk for diabetes, cancer and heart disease.) So like many others, I’ve forced myself to get used to drinking my iced coffee black and watch out for added sugar in my pasta sauce and yogurt. But in a quest to lose 10 pounds, I’ve pledged to go cold turkey.
“It’s not uncommon to find yourself feeling like a mess a day or so into a sugar detox.”Although some experts recommend scaling down your sugar fix over time, registered dietician Carole Bartolotto believes that cutting it out altogether is the best way to get through a detox. “It’s worse for some people than others,” she says. “I personally can’t do moderation. If I take one bite, it sets me up to want more. But it really helps to remember that the cravings eventually do go away.” Despite my best efforts, a week later, during my first Sunday “cheat” day, I find myself at a party, tempted by mango-basil and strawberry-mint mojitos. And then there’s the red velvet gluten-free cupcake with cream cheese frosting that the hostess bought just for me. I give in. But the sugar urges don’t end when the party does. The next morning I have to fight off a craving for cronuts. RELATED: The 30-Second Trick That Might Stop Your Food Cravings
Sugar, An Addiction, Really?
My overwhelming sugar cravings make sense when you consider that research shows you can actually get hooked on the sweet stuff. Scientists have found that sugar is addictive and stimulates the same pleasure centers of the brain as cocaine or heroin. Just like those hard-core drugs, getting off sugar leads to withdrawal and cravings, requiring an actual detox process to wean off. (Read How to Do A Sugar Detox Without Going Crazy here.) It’s not uncommon to find yourself feeling like a mess a day or so into a sugar detox. Princeton researchers who fed rats sugar water discovered that they ended up bingeing on it. When the rats were deprived, their feel-good brain chemical dopamine dropped, and they suffered from anxiety and the shakes. Except for headaches, I’ve had all the classic withdrawal symptoms: the blah mood, anxiety, fatigue — and daydreams of bathing in a pool of Cinnabon frosting.Hooked on the Taste
If you had any doubts about the ability of sugar to wreak havoc on your tastebuds, consider this study as evidence. Bartolotto asked 20 people from Kaiser Permanente’s California facilities to cut out all added sugars and artificial sweeteners for two weeks. As a result, their tolerance for that sweet taste completely changed. A whopping 95 percent of subjects reported that the foods and drinks they used to consume now tasted “sweeter.” Over half reported that the intense cravings stopped after two to three days, and 87 percent no longer felt withdrawal effects after six days. RELATED: Is Sugar Worse Than Salt When It Comes to Your Heart? Another advantage of detoxing: You’ll reset your palate, Bartolotto says. Not only will you require less sugar to feel satisfied (the recommended amount is six teaspoons per day for women and nine teaspoons for men), you’ll appreciate the flavors of food more, she says. Here’s how to manage your cravings and get to the other side of your detox.4 Ways to Fight Your Sugar Addiction

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