You may have thought of cutting back on or even quitting sugar. But how exactly should you go about it, and, more importantly, how can you achieve the greater goal of overcoming excessive cravings for sweetness?
Nevertheless, quitting sugar is not an impossible mission. Many people face challenges not because they cannot quit but because they don’t know how or they set overly ambitious goals.
You can break it down into steps: First reduce sugar, then quit altogether, and eventually overcome sugar cravings.
The benefits of this approach are no different from quitting sugar directly. Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist specializing in reversing Type 2 diabetes and intermittent fasting, likened it to swimming. Some prefer easing into the water to adapt to the temperature, while others dive right in. Both approaches can achieve the same ultimate goal.
“Just like we advise people with any addiction,” Jessica Russo, a clinical psychologist in Philadelphia with a doctorate in psychology, told The Epoch Times, “every day, just [cut] your sugar down a little bit.”
Step 1: Reduce Sugar Intake
Avoid High-Sugar Foods
Reading labels is often the first habit many people adopt when quitting sugar or embarking on a diet. When reading labels, there are two key aspects to focus on: the ingredient list and the sugar content per 100 grams or serving.“There’s more than 60 names for sugar,” Amy Gonzalez, a registered dietitian, told The Epoch Times.
These include barley malt, dextrose, sucrose, and rice syrup.
Ms. Gonzalez stated that among these added sugars, those with high fructose content, such as high-fructose corn syrup and agave nectar, are more detrimental to the body. These may harm the liver and lead to insulin resistance.
“The food industry puts all these forms of sugar in our food and lists their chemical names on the package,” Laura Schmidt, professor of health policy at the University of California–San Francisco, wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. “This is confusing for people.”
Ms. Schmidt shared a simple way to identify sugar: Look for chemical names ending in “ose,” such as “lactose” (sugar in milk). They likely indicate sugar.
Another trick: “If a product has more than a few ingredients, and some are unfamiliar sounding, then just don’t eat it,” she added.
Even in foods that do not taste sweet, like crackers or salad dressings, you might still find sugar listed in the ingredients.
Dr. Becky Gillaspy, a chiropractic doctor and author of “Zero Sugar / One Month,” suggests a simpler approach: Avoid purchasing foods where sugar ranks among the top three ingredients on the food label (ingredients are typically listed in descending order of weight). Compared to using specific numerical criteria, this screening method is quicker and more convenient, effectively filtering out items with high added-sugar content, she said.
However, Ms. Gonzalez also emphasized the importance of learning all the names of sugar and reading the ingredient list from start to finish. This is crucial because, unfortunately, many food manufacturers use several different forms of sweeteners, which will move them further down the list.
Swap in Natural Sweeteners or Natural Sugars
Consuming sugar is, fundamentally, a pursuit of flavor. So why not satisfy that craving with natural sweetness, such as sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit? You can add them to your coffee and tea or use them in cooking.
The sweetness of pure stevia and monk fruit is several hundred times that of regular sugar. The powdered forms commonly found in supermarkets are typically blended with base ingredients. For example, you might find a composition of 1 percent steviol glycosides mixed with 99 percent erythritol. This means that the usage and quantities of these products are similar to regular sugar. Nevertheless, reading the usage instructions on the packaging is advisable so you understand serving sizes. The same applies to liquid stevia and monk fruit products, where the recommended amounts may vary. For some, one drop might be equivalent to the sweetness of a teaspoon of sugar, while others may require 10 drops or a few milliliters.
A common practice is to use ½ to ⅔ cup of honey or ¾ cup of maple syrup to replace 1 cup (240 milliliters) of sugar.
Other ingredients also naturally carry a sweet taste. For example, Ms. Russo mentioned that licorice root has a natural sweetness and offers health benefits when used to make tea. Additionally, naturally sweet ingredients such as red dates and dried goji berries can be used to brew tea or soup that is both sweet and fragrant.
Replace Desserts With Fruits
Those with strong cravings for desserts and snacks can replace such treats with fresh fruits, said Dr. Luc Tappy, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physiology at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, in an email to The Epoch Times. The choice of fruits is generally not restricted.Fruits come in abundant varieties, from common ones like blueberries and bananas to more exotic options like durian and mangosteen. Even the same type of fruit will come in different varieties in some tropical and temperate regions. The many kinds of desserts that can be made from these fruits are just as diverse. As you explore options, you will find that using these fruits can yield unexpectedly delightful flavors while satisfying your sweet tooth.
“The good things in fruit are far more important than the fruit sugar ... in fruit,” Ellen Kampman, a nutritional epidemiologist and chair in nutrition and disease at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, told The Epoch Times. “So I’m not afraid that people might overeat [them].”
Dr. Fung warned that the fruits we consume today are generally much sweeter than 50 years ago, indicating increased sugar content. Individuals, especially those with blood sugar problems or a strong sugar addiction, should opt for low-GI fruits and avoid high-sugar fruits like grapes and bananas; the intense sweetness of such fruits may also trigger sugar cravings.
Cooking methods also impact fruit sugar content. Dried fruits shrink during the sun-drying or dehydration process. While eating one apple might fill you up, eating apple chips might lead you to easily eat two or three dehydrated apples without even realizing it. When consuming dried fruit, we must calculate based on the original size of the fruit. Fruit juice also concentrates sugars from multiple fruits while filtering out the dietary fiber. In an 8-ounce cup of orange juice, you are essentially getting the sugar and calories equivalent to three oranges.
Step 2: Crush the Desire for Sweetness
Truly and completely quitting sugar takes more than just following a method; you must first delve into the underlying cause of your cravings.Craving Sweets Is a Sign of Unmet Nutritional Needs
People crave sugar partly due to an imbalance in food choices.Mr. Anton explained to The Epoch Times that the combination of healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates (like vegetables, whole grains, and root vegetables) in our diet helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels after meals, contributing to overall well-being. These macronutrients slow digestion, reducing the speed at which glucose is released into the bloodstream. When there is an imbalance in the food consumed, the body struggles to maintain optimal energy levels, resulting in a rapid drop in blood sugar. In response, the brain quickly sends out signals for cravings, attempting to raise blood sugar by encouraging us to eat sweet foods.
Which type of nutrient is best at thwarting sugar cravings? “If I had to pick one, I would probably take the protein,” said Mr. Anton. Protein helps us maintain a feeling of fullness for an extended period. It increases satiety hormones, reduces hunger hormones, and promotes glucagon secretion, thus stabilizing insulin levels.
Many experts suggest opting for protein-rich foods if you really feel like snacking. These can sometimes be “the magic key” to reducing the desire for sweetness, said Ms. Gonzalez.
Overall, proteins play a vital role in our bodies and life processes. They break down into amino acids, which our body uses as neurotransmitters to produce enzymes and antibodies and aid in constructing the body’s tissues.
It is also important to distribute protein evenly across three meals.
Ms. Gonzalez believes many people consume the wrong types of fats—often an excess of vegetable oils. Contrastingly, healthy fats like olive, avocado, and coconut oils can help us feel satiated. She also highlighted the nutritional benefits of grass-fed butter, emphasizing its abundance of vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids.
“Metabolism is our ability to convert food into energy. The better you maintain your metabolism—the more you feel energy in the body—the less you crave sugar,” said registered dietitian Cindy Chan Phillips. A high-sugar diet negatively impacts metabolism, resulting in insufficient energy for cells.
After eliminating foods with high added sugar, the body shifts from primarily relying on sugar for energy to obtaining energy from protein and healthy fats, leading to a more flexible metabolism, Dr. Gillaspy added.
Sugar Cravings Also Signal Mental Distress
Another reason we eat sugar is to fill emotional gaps or find a release. “I think you have to find other ways,” said Ms. Russo.It is crucial not only to overcome physical addiction but also to address psychological habits or emotional cravings.
“What we are chasing is not so much a cookie; we are chasing the feeling,” said Ms. Phillips. She mentioned that many individuals, from a young age, never learn how to deal with negative emotions. When uncomfortable feelings arise, they often choose to avoid confronting them and, therefore, turn to sugar as a temporary relief.
Find New Ways to Trigger Dopamine Release
Fortunately, consuming sugar is not the only activity that generates dopamine.
Kenneth Blum, a renowned scientist who has a doctorate in neuropharmacology and is a full professor at the Western University of Health Sciences Graduate School of Biomedical Science in California, shared the following “true dopamine” checklist:
You can prepare a range of simple and effective “true dopamine” strategies in advance “because the urge happens so fast,” said Ms. Phillips. Often, to cope with negative emotions, easily accessible sweets or snacks rich in refined carbohydrates become the fastest solution. Having a plan for such situations puts better coping mechanisms in place when the urge to eat sweets arises.
Ms. Phillips also encourages people to write down their troubles. Upon doing so, the temptation “reduces in intensity, [and] it does not live in your head as much anymore.”
Consider incorporating journaling as a stress-relief tool, too. You can place a diary and pen on the bedside table, dedicating a few minutes each night to pouring your thoughts into it, like talking to a best friend. Journaling offers an opportunity for self-reflection with no right or wrong, no specific structure, and no need for content filtering, said Ms. Russo.
Utilize ‘Stop Objects’ to Quit Sugar
Humans have experienced food scarcity throughout history, leading to an adaptation that allows us to eat even when full. Dr. Gillaspy talked about using “stop objects” to resist the urge to continue eating or consuming sugar.
Stop objects can be chewing gum that alters the taste in your mouth; a cup of hot tea, where the gradual sipping process gives your stomach some time to signal to the brain that you are full; or brushing your teeth, as the freshness in your mouth helps prevent the desire to consume anything else.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Strategically placing cookies at the back of the cupboard and ice cream beneath other foods can be beneficial. Even though you know exactly where they are, keeping them out of sight can help manage sugar cravings. Research indicates that visual food cues increase physiological responses and cravings, potentially leading to increased food consumption.“If the sugary foods are not in your home, then you don’t have to muster up willpower to avoid them,” Dr. Gillaspy reasoned.
While natural sweeteners can serve as a crutch to reduce added-sugar intake, several experts stressed that their sweetness can still stimulate the part of the brain that craves sugar. Therefore, gradually distancing oneself from them may be worthwhile when aiming to quit sugar entirely. This involves slowly letting go of support and walking independently, obtaining your sweetness and satisfaction from natural foods alone. Quitting sugar will serve as a reset for both the brain and the taste buds.
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