I’m a little over 2 weeks in, and I’ve already started devloping some unhealthy habits. I’ve been polishing off multiple 2 liters of soda and random junk like gummy bears/worms every day now. I can rationalize that this is still better than getting drunk… but it’s still also extremely unhealthy.
I know craving sugar is one of the side effects to quitting… but does it ever end?
It’s weird, because back when I was a drinker, I never had a sweet tooth. I’d always be that if someone offered me sweets or a desert I would always decline. In fact, I barely ate at all… because it would “ruin my buzz”. I would drink all day and then eat a large greasy meal before going to bed, and was my life. I never needed candy, or soda, or ice cream.
From what I read, it’s just your body craving the sugars it would normally get from alcohol… but I used to drink A LOT… so does that mean I will need to substitute with a lot of sugar now? I have pretty good self control, and I could probably cold turket soda/candy right now… the problem is… it’s like the only thing that makes me happy and not want to drink at the moment.
Any long time sober people who went through this? When does it end? Does it ever end?
I think 30 days is a good plan. The first 30 days is not the time to worry about anything BUT staying sober. After that you can start working on diet and exercise.
(Of course 30 days is not written in stone either…if you’re not ready at 30 days then wait until 40, etc)
I let my diet go with whatever made me happy for like 9-10 months. I had a counselor at rehab, with a master’s degree in addiction and nutrition or something similar, and she preached doing what made you happy that first year. If you are worried about your diet then try and get exercise to counter it. I didn’t really gain too much weight after I left rehab, and I’ve since lost it all plus some on my new diet
Congrats on two weeks.
I cant remember if or when the sugar cravings ended. I worried about sugar intake as well. Im pretty sure mine didnt go away, i ended up cutting out about 95% of added sugar to my diet about month 7 or 8 afyer i quit drinking. The weight came off fairly quickly.
I did change a lot of my eating habits after i quit.
Started cooking healthier meals. No more eating out. (Afraid i would drink)
Added more fresh veggies and fruit
More water
Vitamins b and D, and multi
Ate Less processed foods
If cutting sugar doesnt effect your sobriety, cut it if you want.
Everyone is different i have to admit that after cutting sugar my energy increased. But i also cut white carbs.
I wouldn’t call myself long time sober by any means, but I seemed to be back to normal at around 3 months. I still get more sugar cravings than before I would drink, for sure, but my actual intake is back down to normal-for-me levels.
Caveat: There are other factors that could be affecting it for me. Coming off meds, starting new ones, etc. Not to mention people vary hugely across the board on this, from what I’ve noticed.
I let myself enjoy the sweets for the first year and a half of sobriety. Then I gave up sugar and haven’t missed it. My sobriety was #1 during those early months.
I had cravings every day for sugary drinks and snacks at first, I drank litres of soda and ate chocolate and sweet desserts every night. I let myself indulge because I knew why it was happening but told myself I would get a grip on it when I was more secure in my sobriety. I am on 100 days today and over the last month the sugar cravings seem to have just petered out on their own and I’m pretty much back to normal. I much prefer flavoured water now and hardly snack at all
I’m on day 51 and sugar cravings seem worse than they have ever been!!! I’m thinking of doing Whole 30 March 1st and see were it takes me. I want my waistline back!!!
I’m only on day 6 but already wondering the same thing. I don’t know if I’ve ever eaten so much in general, especially sugar. I’ve been trying to surround myself with healthy options like fruit & flavored sparkling waters. I was like you with my eating habits when I was drinking. I totally feel this post.
Hi,
The sugar cravings worry me too , so it’s encouraging to read people’s comments about the cravings subsiding after a while and I agree that sobriety has to be the number one concern.
Im 4 + months sober. Was 4 weeks without added sugar and got rid of cravings. Now it is childrens winter holidays and i allowed myself some sugary treats, but will continue non sugar asap, cause i feel like shit after eating it.
Edit: at the beginning of my sobriety i concentrated on non drinking and didnt mind other empty calories or blood sugar levels
I have 4 books: 30 day guide, Cook book, Food freedom forever & It all starts with food. TBH the online info (srarting with their official site) is enough to grasp the idea and follow the rules. I just like buying books)), I will donate them to a library in the future.
I hope they end soon. I’m coming up on 2 weeks and eating Klondike bars like crazy. I gotta lose 10 lbs by end of March for a physical exam. Still sober though.
I have never really had any. Maybe a can of soda here and there. Just try pounding water, meat, and vegtables. Excercise. Sugar will make you crave more sugar, so those 2 liters are opening thag hole wider.
But if thats whats making you happy you should stick with it.
16 years sober, i’m at peace with a candy bar every day or so lol i leveled off at an extra 10lbs about the one year mark i think. Im active, healthy, sober, and that’s worth it to me for literally 10 lbs. Ben & Jerry’s… thanks for the assist the first 3 months and shout out to Hershey’s on the maintenance lol
I would tell you that I didn’t really eat sweets or a lot of sugar, or did I? I actually consumed a lot of sugar and didn’t realize it.
Shortly after I quit drinking, the sugar cravings kicked in, then something curious happened. I quit added sugar all together, and shortly afterwards, the sugar cravings went away, and I felt amazing.
This lasted a couple of months, then the holidays came. I indulged in cookies and other sweets and boom, sugar cravings came back in full force.
It seems like indulging in sweets is what causes the cravings for sweets. Cut the sugar, cut the craving. That’s my experience.
