Sweetness addiction?

[Ghoti]

I bekieve in balance -- in fact, above all else. I constantly strive for balance in life between work, family, self and spirit. In today's world, it's a perpetual battle. The Schwarzbein principle seems logical because it, too, works toward balance. My problem so far, however, has been that on Atkins, I could ingest artificial sweetners. In the past month on SP, I have not except accidentally. I find that I am constantly tempted by sweet things. Without any at home, I have no problem. But go out to dinner at a buffet or potluck at your kid's school or church or something and the temptation is overwhelming. How long, in your experience, does it take to work through these feelings of addiction. I quit smoking in less time than this 30+ years ago. Can sweetners be that much MORE addictive than nicotine?

[Karen]

I quit smoking in less time than this 30+ years ago.

That was 30 years ago. Your carb addiction has been with you for much longer. And it's very socially acceptable.

How long does it take? Does one ever stop being an addict? You can be a recovering addict...

You'll get different answers from everyone.

My behaviour had to change entirely because I'm around high carb food all day. No nibbling! I would get angry and sad. I would feel free and then chained. It took about 6 months for the daily symptoms of withdrawal to leave, but the "addict" has not left and does like to rear it's ugly head every now and again to keep me humble.

Be brave! One sugar free day at a time. And, don't go beating on yourself if you let the addict loose. It's a learning experience and never black and white.

Karen

[JudyAH]

Karen is right. One day at a time. I thought I was over the cravings, but today was a hard day. Wanted someting sweet all day. Didn't give in, but boy was I tempted. Like Karen I am around sweets all day on the job, and it is a blessing and a curse. One day at a time, one hour at a time. I try to remember how good I feel now and how sh(*&^%y I would feel if I gave in. Don't beat yourself up and keep something handy to substitute for sweet. I have been using macadamia nuts recently. I know you can eat too many, but that is easier to deal with than how horrible I will feel if I give in to sugar.

Keep up the good fight

[DewTal]

Sweets were hard for me to give up too. I'd given up on artificial sweetners well before starting to low-carb because I was convinced they were bad for you, but I'd put sugar in my coffee and drink regular Coke on occasion! So when I began Schwarzbein, I decided to cut out all the sweet stuff, which was *hard*! :D

It gets easier. Once you get into the habit of eating your oatmeal without sweetner, drinking your decaf without sweetner, having strawberries w/real cream without adding sweetner, you begin to lose that sweet tooth a little. Then when you do take something sweet, it's a real treat.

I'm not saying you should cut the sweet stuff altogether if you like it so much. I don't! Instead, I eat fruit as my carbs for most meals. If you feel like you need that sweet taste, you might try some strawberries or half an apple or a small orange. It works well for me.

HTH

Tal

:wave: