Hi, my name is Maxiesmom, and I can't remember a day where I have not had some kind of sugary treat. Pop-- I drink 2-4 cans a day. Chocolate--the best food in the world! And I know it can't be good for me. But how do you change a life-long eating pattern? I would like to eat healthier, but not much appeals to me. Fruit? I like strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables? Green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower only.

I really do want to change how I eat, but how should I go about it? Quit cold turkey? If I do that, will my tate-buds change and will I like more of the foods that are good for me? Or should I just try and limit myself? And what kinds of foods do I pack for my breaks and lunches at work? And what should I drink? I have tried crystal lite, and the sugar substitue they use does not agree with my stomach. Please help!

When it comes to eating, never try to quit something straight out. You shouldn't deny yourself foods that are pleasurable for you. You just need to learn moderation!

For me, I find that if I eat well during the week, and allow myself to splurge on the weekends, I never have long to wait before I can have my favorite foods again. And during those 5 days out of 7, I am eating better, and am creating some new eating patterns which tend to work their way into my weekend routines as well. So in all, I eat better all the time, and still get to indulge in treats every weekend.

I am a salty fiend! CHIPS! CHEESE! PASTA!! Ooooh yeaaaaah!

Hi my name is Lisa and I'm a sugar addict.

I have found a couple of tricks that works for me...

We joke about being an addict, but I think it helps a litte to look at the whole "One day at a time" thing.

Tell yourself... I won't have sugar today... I personally need to take it even slower than that... I won't have sugar with breakfast.

I also believe in starting the day right. It helps set the tone for the day.

LOTS OF WATER. LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER.

Protein for your sanck. Sugar gives energy and then the crash. So you end up chasing the dragon (sugar) all day long. Protein (string cheese,hard boiled eggs) will give you energy, will keep you feeling fuller longer and no crash.

I LOVE hardboiled eggs with worsht. sauce mixed with tabasco. String cheese is great too.

It's soo hard, but yes eventually you will detox and things will be easier. I'm an emotional eater, if you are too... then watch the times you binge and drink water. Train yourself for a different habit.

And like anything else... Youcannot change until you are really ready. If you are... it'll be hard... but not impossible.

Good luck

How about iced tea? I like the fruity kinds, like the blueberry that Starbucks has right now. Those don't need added sweetener. Good Earth tea is also sweet without adding any extra sugar.

I like having an apple with peanut butter as a snack. That way you get both fruit and some protein.

Do you like dark chocolate? It's actually got good antioxidants in it, and you can just eat a small amount (1 oz.) a day.

I'm a sugar addict too. And a fat addict, it seems. I do drink lots of water, but I can't seem to stop eating when I am bored or stressed. Aaahhh. I know how to eat healthy, but I always find excuses not to.

Another sugar lover here. I've got Diabetes on both sides of my family, though, and am watching my sugar intake. I use Splenda and buy quite a bit of sugar-free foods. The sugar-free chocolate pudding is really good. I prefer the kind you cook, not the instant stuff. Top that with sugar-free Cool Whip and you've got yourself a nice little chocolate dessert. You can always alter the flavor by adding liquid flavor extracts. I like adding a little mint extract to the pudding while it's cooking.

Murray's makes really good sugar-free cookies, too. I love their wafer cookies.

Dreyer's no-sugar added ice cream. I've got some chocolate mint in the freezer right now and it's gooooood stuff! Helps with the sweet tooth and the chocolate cravings.

I was just thinking today that I really have to get the sugar out of my diet - I am totally an addict too!! If I could just give up candy I would probably lose 10 pounds in a month! I eat healthy meals - love fruits and vegetables - I can easily resist fries and chips - but I can eat a pound of skittles without a problem!

I am going to try the one meal at a time approach - although I'll have to slightly modify it...I won't have any candy BEFORE breakfast...I won't have any candy BETWEEN breakfast and lunch, etc.! I'm so glad this post was started. It's pathetic (and more than a bit hypocritical) that I can monitor my daughters' intakes of sugar, but I have no control over my own!

Good Luck to everyone on the sugar detox:D

I would love to have sugar in moderation, but for me, it is honestly like wondering why an alcoholic can't have just one drink a day.

For me, I have to go cold turkey.

I can monitor my daughters' intakes of sugar, but I have no control over my own!

Good Luck to everyone on the sugar detox:D


I am the same way with my daughter. Both my parents have horrible sweet tooths and I do as well. My pediatrician said no fruit before she was 10 months old (so she would not get a taste for sweets) and I really stuck to that. In fact we use fruit as a dessert, she only gets it if she has eaten very well. I do give her a taste of my ice cream or a taste of my cupcake... but she does not get her own. She does not get juice or choc milk either. She likes sweets, but she is just as happy with cheese or rice cakes as she is with a taste of ice cream.

My vice... Mocha Ice bleneded from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. with 2 shots of espresso. I start the day wrong and it's all down hill from there. I work from home, so my interaction with my friends at the Bean is really important to me. I try and order tea, but it's hard.

I use 100 calorie snack packs. They have them for EVERYTHING now. When I'm in the mood for chips or cookies or something, I open a pack, and I don't feel guilty. It usually satisfies my craving too!

Love those. I can eat just one bag and be satisfied. Of course I suck on the "oreo's" or "chips ahoy" til they dissolve to make them last longer.

So sad.

Hi, my name is Maxiesmom, and I can't remember a day where I have not had some kind of sugary treat. Pop-- I drink 2-4 cans a day. Chocolate--the best food in the world! And I know it can't be good for me. But how do you change a life-long eating pattern? I would like to eat healthier, but not much appeals to me. Fruit? I like strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables? Green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower only.

I really do want to change how I eat, but how should I go about it? Quit cold turkey? If I do that, will my tate-buds change and will I like more of the foods that are good for me? Or should I just try and limit myself? And what kinds of foods do I pack for my breaks and lunches at work? And what should I drink? I have tried crystal lite, and the sugar substitue they use does not agree with my stomach. Please help!


It depends on the person. I am able to quit things cold turkey. I gave up sweets once in 2005 for about 10 months. My plan was to give them up for the month of January, and after that I extended it all the way to my WDW trip. I didn't quit them forever, but I did suddenly stop for an extended period of time. I am in the middle of another sweet drought for about 6 months.

In 1997 I gave up soda cold turkey forever. I decided I didn't need it and haven't had a drop since.

I would be careful with the stuff that has sugar substitutes. Sometimes that stuff is just as bad, or worse! When I crave sweets these days I just have an apple or something.

You have to find some sort of motivation. I like being healthy. I really like being in shape. When I eat bad or slack off the gym, I notice a drop in my energy levels.

Maybe start off with something small, like no (insert junk food here) for a month. If you reach that goal, add another. I can tell you that once certain things leave your system, it's a lot easier to live without them! Best of luck.

I made it through almost 2 1/2 days without candy! And yesterday at the pool the kids played Bingo and won packs of Starburst and sour straws! Today I have to admit that I did grab a handful or two of "honey smacks", but all in all I've been pretty good.

Making a true effort to give up candy makes it clear just how much of it I usually eat!

Congrats Tink13.1!!!!

That is awesome. You have inspired me... I will try to not have my blended tomorrow. I got it this morning... but I didn't like it and ya know it made so tired and feel so yucky.

Keep it going Tink13.1!