Sugar Addiction

Here it is, the panicked confession: “I’m addicted to sugar! I can’t stand it. It’s this big ugly thing that haunts me every day of my life. Carbs are the enemy! AHHHHHHHHH!!”

Okay, take a chill pill and let’s talk you through it. Are you addicted to sugar? Maybe. Do you crave sugar? YES.

Are carbs bad? NO. Are excessive carbs bad? YES.

I usually embark on a taste bud journey with all my nutrition clients that goes something like this:

Me- “Now that I can see you what you are eating on a daily basis, what do you think is the problem?”

Client- “Carbs…in a low dismal tone.”

Me- “So, what about them? Do you think they are that bad?”

Client- “Yes. I know I am addicted to bread and sugar. I need to cut them out, but I love them!”

Me- “Well, you don’t need to cut them out completely, but the good news is, there’s a solution.”

Client- Look of hope

Me- “I need 3 weeks from you to really get after this sugar addiction, as you call it. After 3 weeks your taste buds will adapt and you will be so much less likely to crave all that sugar.”

Client- “Wooohooo!” In the back of their mind…. 3 weeks OMG.

Do yourself a favor, limit refined sugars and only eat natural sugars (fruit, whole grains, etc.) for 3 weeks. You will be surprised.

Thank you for investing in your health.

Joseph Champa, RD, CSCS