Recovering Sugar Addict

I had surgery one month ago today and prior to surgery, I was a hardcore sugar addict.  Sure I love fries and chips, but never had trouble giving them up during long term lifestyle changes (as opposed to diets), but I have only been able to give up sugar during short term diets.

Since surgery I have no cravings for desserts or sweets and have limited interest in anything sweet.  SF popsicles and Greek yogurt with fruit in it is all about I can handle. 

Anyway, my question is:  is this is temporary?  Will my sugar addiction come roaring back after the honeymoon period or after 2 years?  Would love to hear the experiences of other sugar addicts.  

Steer clear of sugary foods. Once you reintroduce them I to your diet it may start the addiction again. I don't dump so unfortunately I can eat these things with no negative effects. I crave fruity sweets I get nauseous with chocolate now which is one good thing. I wish I would have never tried sweets since it is my weakness.

I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there is a good chance at some point it will come back.

it may or it may not.  I do want some sweets once in a while - but most of the time - sweet (SF) protein shakes or some fruits with whipped cream is all what I need.

Sure I had some candies. and when I started eating them - I had a hard time stopping - even though  I dump on too much sugar - carbs. Best way for me to to avoid - I can't just have a "bite".    a one bite of cake may lead to 2, and 2 may cause High and then Low BS - and made me eat sugary stuff again... best for me is to not have any real food with sugar. 

Maybe, maybe not. Many people find that their "taste" for "treats" -- whether it is chocolate or chips or Cheez-Its -- comes back.  That doesn't necessarily mean you will crave those foods, though.  For some people, food cravings are a problem and for others they aren't.  I know a woman who is still a hard core sugar addict and the fact that she dumps doesn't always deter her from eating sweets. I never found foods too sweet early it,but found many things to be too salty. Even deli ham was way too salty for me to eat.  Now, I am back to my normal affinity for salted popcorn, etc.  I always loved sweets, and even now I have some kind of small treat almost every day (and it is usually something sweet), but I am able to have just a small amount and be satisfied.  The exception is cookies.  I cannot have them in the house because I cannot control myself with cookies!

The bottom line is that you just have to wait and see.

Lora

I am another hard core sugar addict.  It will be 3 years next month since I intentionally had any sugar.  I've had some accidently, that is how I know I dump, and I am sure there has been hidden sugar in some things I eat.  It is probably impossible not to eat something that doesn't have sugar in it in all cases if you eat out, etc. But I have done the best I can to avoid it.  Anyway, for me, as long as I avoid sugar as much as possible I don't crave it.  It is when I decide that I can now handle it in moderation that my addiction comes roaring back so as long as I don't eat it I don't want it.  If I did eat it I would want more.  Of course since I am not eating it I don't have a problem not eating it, if that makes sense.  The same goes for things with gluten (bread, etc) for me.  As long as I don't have it I don't want it.

Thanks, everyone!  I will avoid and hopefully never find out if I dum*****t, and hopefully, by not having it, I won't crave it.

Have you checked to see if you may have a sensitivity to sugar? I had a problem with binge eating ice cream, and then discovered I had sensitivities to sugar, dairy and fat, especially when combined. When my sensitivities were treated, the binge-eating went away.

Interesting.  I have never heard of sugar "sensitivity" as a diagnosis.  Is there a medical term for it that I can ask about.  How were your sensitivities treated?

The husband of one of my co-workers is a naturopath who practices the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (see http://www.naet.com/). I was pretty skeptical, since I (still) consider this mostly new age bunk, but it was fascinating to see how certain substances affected me that I expected, due to existing medical conditions, as well as some I didn't expect, or thought I might have issues with, but didn't. I guess you can't argue with success  I used to literally eat a litre of ice cream at a single sitting, 2-3 times a week. Best rush ever! Since being treated, I had a pint of Haagen Daas at Christmas as a treat and nothing since.