How do I stop my sugar binges? Getting desperate =\

[Anonymous]

A little about me:

19 years old, male, 5'9, and 156 pounds. Sounds real healthy right?

What if I told you I've been eating large amounts of sugar uncontrollably for the past 7 months and have gone up at least 10 pounds in PURE fat?

Like I'll go out and buy 10$ fancy cakes from grocery stores in their bakery shops, eat ALL the icing, and throw away the cake(guilt of weight gain). Infact today I ate a whole package of double stuffed oreos... well technically I ate all the cream and threw the oreas part away to save calories.

I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried planning my meals and keeping myself busy, but nothings working. I think I need to cold turkey sugar all together to stop these binges/cravings but I don't know how

Btw yes I could get help from a professional, but it seems awfully silly to throw away money for something that just needs to be rewired in my brain(and no I'm not cheap or poor either)

[Anonymous]

I used to be the queen of sugar binges (like 300g of chocolate in one sitting)

my advice is to stop focusing on calories and instead focus on being healthy ie

right now you binge on the most sugary thing you can find, then you feel guilty, so you throw away the cake, and probably try to compensate by eating less in general, and all this turns into a vicious cycle of highs and lows in your blood sugar levels,

if you want to stop the cravings and feel in control, you have to be eating in a way that will keep you satisfied without giving you the sugar rush,

so ban yourself from sweets, chocolate and sugary junk food, and go easy on carbs which basically have the same effect as sugar. And instead try eating regularly spaced meals with more proteins ...nuts, fish, chicken, pulses, beans etc etc, these things are often higher in fat, but are harder to overeat because they fill you up every time you feel like a sugar, force yourself to eat something healthy (but filling) instead like a banana, nuts, soup. don't let yourself get to the stage where you re so hungry you lose control and reach for the cake.

[rachiee]

What exactly does your diet consist of (other than sugar)? In a lot of diet things (especially diet sodas) there's ingredients that trigger and increase your craving for sugar. If you're consuming something with this then chances are that's the problem.

You really need to find other ways to satisfy your sweet tooth that are healthy. Switch to fruits. They are all usually very sweet. certain cereals and low fat or almond milk can be sweet too. Focus more on what's healthy for you instead of calories. You have to tell yourself no. Control it, you can if you focus and really stay motivated to stop this habit.

Also, if nothing seems to work then you should really go see a doctor. Consuming this much sugar is not healthy and I'm sure will lead to diabetes if not already and other serious problems.

[Asker]

my diet varies, but I did notice that if I eat a normal healthy meal, my urge to binge on sugar goes down dramatically. maybe my body needs to eat more real food? ill try forcing myself to only eat cooked home made food and see if that helps(and of course hide the sweets)

[raptor]

I've considered making the following to get a perspective on some of my own eating habits and what I can do to help them.

Print out a sheet of paper with the following on it: I really wanted to eat (blank), but I ate (blank) instead. The hope of course is that the second blank will be a healthier food. Look back over the list at times and ask yourself "Did I enjoy these? Did they satisfy the same cravings the original food would have?"

Example: I really wanted to eat some donuts, but I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead.

Also you should see a doctor or some other qualified professional. I imagine you could benefit from professionally guided behavior modification.

[sa230e]

Actually seeing a doctor might be a good idea. Cravings can be the symptom of actual health disorders. If your body is low on something it needs to function a craving is your brain's way of getting you to ingest more of that substance to bring levels back up. I think it's time to get your blood glucose levels checked out.

[martyfellow]

You must be pre-diabetic and the sugar intake will certainly make you diabetic before long! You need immediate medical attention so yu don't become insulin dependent for your whole life.

[Asker]

nah I'm not really pre-diabetic, but you are right, if I continue this pre-diabetes could develop. thanks for the heads up!

[martyfellow]

The important thing is to get medical attention pronto, not to debate labels!

[NerdInDenial]

What I would give to be 156? Anyway, you're addicted to sugar. Thus, you're going to need to get off the addiction. It's not going to be easy, and you're going to want sugar bad. Stop buying cakes and oreos and candy.

[Asker]

Lol I'm 156 and full of flab and bones... like I legit have man boobs for crying out loud(thanks to sugar...). anyway yeah I guess I can try weening myself off.

[NerdInDenial]

Don't try! Do it!