When I was drinking, the thought of a candy bar, juice, pop, cakes, etc......literally made me sick to my stomach. I'm not sure that I had even bought a single candy item at a store since I was 15. No exaggeration! Now that I have became sober I crave sweets 24 hours a day. I've read a lot about it, and I know that alcohol conains so much sugar that the body will feel like it needs it after becoming sober. But won't it go away? I've been sober for 7 months and still, no change. Any of you gone through that?
Sugar is like direct energy. Although sugar alone is pretty bad for you. Eating a lot of sugar is fast energy that will bottom you out in about as quick a time as you get it! It causes a lot of havoc with your insulin production. Does damage to cellular productivity. You need a lot of it because it has such a quick throughput in the body. Your brain and all your organs require energy but the kind that stays. Processed sugars from candy is just the opposite to what your body really needs.
Alcohol has empty calories. It fills you up, but the carbohydrates it is composed of just does nothing to create a healthy body, and quite the opposite. It is of course worse than eating a bunch of candy due to it being alcoholic. Also it is terribly dehydrating on top of all that., terrible for your tissues maintenance and growth.
Just saw something about macrobiotics on tv and think that the diet that they boast is a good one. Lots of variety of vegies, some fish, various beans and whole grains. There were fantastic looking foods on this program. And I would bet that eating wholesome foods would deplete that craving for sugar.
It is as though the body knows it needs something and sugar is the closest thing that the brain is understanding you need, til you figure out better diet to consume. The brain requires good sources of energy "to be happy". Lots of times you know how kids will go for those carbs first, breads, anything that is a quick fix. But they need the proteins and other foods for staying power.
Thanks. I know those kinds of sugars are bad for us....unfortunately I'm just wondering if the craving part of it goes away (but like you said, a healthy diet would probably be a big part in that)....or if maybe there is something wrong with me?? I mean, I've never been a fan of sweets. My parents always told me that I was the only kid that went trick or treating, then threw eveything but the gum away : )
-- Edited by cramcj01 on Monday 13th of April 2009 11:15:52 AM
Thanks. I know those kinds of sugars are bad for us....unfortunately I'm just wondering if the craving part of it goes away (but like you said, a healthy diet would probably be a big part in that)....or if maybe there is something wrong with me?? I mean, I've never been a fan of sweets. My parents always told me that I was the only kid that went trick or treating, then threw eveything but the gum away : )
-- Edited by cramcj01 on Monday 13th of April 2009 11:15:52 AM
Have bloodwork done, see if you have anything different going on with blood sugars. Talk with doc about what you have noticed in changes.
Our bodies are constantly in state of change. Just is noticeable at certain points in our life...So, there is a chance you have a metabolic change going on or maybe you just need to support your diet with some more fulfilling foods that quench that craving? Healthy snacks usually don't look appealing but if you figure out something you really like such as vanilla yogurt with vegies, salad, various nuts, sliced apples, pears whatever... Craisins are really good and have some sweet to a salad , and depending on what you use for a dressing or use the yogurt.
I was really interested in that Macrobiotics, have to look it up maybe find a good link about that...
Not a sweet eater myself but I did crave it. I had found out I'm diabetic so I didnt' give in.
You could also have traded one addiction for another - Sugar addiction is REAL.
Most alcohol doesn't really contain refined sugar, but the liver processess it ..........nevermind... its a good idea to see a doctor, just in case.
Congrats on 7 months btw :)
* As for a macrobiotic diet, that's a way of eating that's relatively easy, IMO. It mostly involves whole grains, brown rices, and chewing time! It's about eating / preparing foods that are season & area friendly. I have a friend who's PRO Mac. Her children have never had a soda or a piece of candy and her grocery bill is pretty cheap week to week. Her kids seem to stay healthier than most. Not the usual runny noses, etc.
-- Edited by Doll on Tuesday 14th of April 2009 06:19:51 AM
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your body doesn't know that difference between alcohol and sugar snacks. You're brain runs off of glucose, and any other kind of sugar. Your brain also sends hunger messages and wants carbs. That's why it's practically euphoric when we eat chocolate or some other types of high sugar deserts. With that said, when we were drinking regularly our brain ran off of alcohol, especially when we skipped meals. After awhile our brain started sending hunger messages, but instead of for food, for alcohol. That's one of the hidden opponents that we face when we quit drinking, learning how to ignore our own brain.
Cram, I have roughly the same sobriety time as you and I was literally anti-sugar for the longest time. On my last birthday I was given a hamburger with a candle in it because my coworkers knew I hated cake. I couldn't stand birthday cake, ice cream, chocolate... People told me to keep sweets on hand from the start (I thought they were crazy) and I didn't crave them at all until about 2 months in. All of the sudden I started getting massive sugar cravings and it has not stopped. I discovered I love blueberry muffins and now am digging chocolate regularly. I also carry altoids around and munch them all day. It is messed up, but I guess it is just another one of those things to remind me what a real alcoholic I am. Much better to be hooked on sweets than booze.
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* As for a macrobiotic diet, that's a way of eating that's relatively easy, IMO. It mostly involves whole grains, brown rices, and chewing time! It's about eating / preparing foods that are season & area friendly. I have a friend who's PRO Mac. Her children have never had a soda or a piece of candy and her grocery bill is pretty cheap week to week. Her kids seem to stay healthier than most. Not the usual runny noses, etc.
That is what I have been reading. It sounds like as you learn, add in those healthy kinds of dishes, your cravings will change over to the newly learned tastes.. I think in essence the "cravings" are actually trying to steer you in the right direction, to fulfill a bodily function/need. I don't think we should always ignore that. But try to find the healthful input rather than that fix which routinely gets people into trouble.
I can't believe how much is written on this diet. And for all kinds of bodily changes. The foods look delicious, but it is different than the usual shopping list, at least that I am used to. It looks really a lot better.
I have always done what I like, when I liked it and who I liked with it. Booze was gratifying and worked instantaneously and that is what I liked. I like what I like when I like it. Sugar for me is convenience. I can drink black coffee and have for years and the sugar and creamer is available to change the taste and presentation for me. Booze changed me and I liked the changes and it all was soooo convenient too. There are lots of "healthy" foods and vitamins around and I do participate in that while at the same time leaning toward what pleases my like/want to my convenience. My taste buds having been convinced and trained still have the power to sway my choices. When I really want to stop and change I tell my taste buds and needy personality...no. Two letters and a full sentence and then follow thru. I've done that one best with booze which has allowed me to live long enough to (at times) increase my intake of sweets. My sweet of choice is the "Payday" candy bar. Not every store here has them and I'll go without and not substitute nuts, grains, apples or anything else for them. I like what I like when I like it. go figure.
Well for me, that craving for sugar has never really gone away, on Easter Sunday, after a great lunch, someone bought me as a gift, a Black Bottom pie, Strawberries and and Bananas, buried in this amazing vanilla custard, the crust was Oreo cookies and topped with whipped cream..
I am not going to devulge how long it took before that pie pan was empty, but Easter was 2 1/2 days ago, just was so aware of it being the addict in me that would open frig door, every hour, and decide yes or no.
Think I will always be attracted to sweets, but it is how I manage that particular addiction, sometimes good and sometimes, not so good.
Just some afterthoughts, there is a little paperback book, called "Sugar Blues", you could possible find it at a Library, it goes into all the bad side effects of refined sugar, that are or can be long term.
Also on a more positive note, just wanted to add what i do with those cravings, never purchase any refined sugar stuff, well with one exception, I will buy a half gallon of Ice cream about once a month.
I have discovered that for me, when those cravings hit, usually after dinner in the evening that craving goes off, so to speak, and i cut up a cold seedless orange, into 8 wedges or so, and it takes away, completely the craving for sugar. The natural sugars in fruits and vegetables too, our body needs those, my understanding anyway, but it is the refined sugars that are not good, at all.
ok, thats it for the after thoughts,
see ya, Toni
-- Edited by toni baloney on Wednesday 15th of April 2009 01:12:31 PM
Black Bottom Pie...Come on now HP surely has a hand in that one. Isn't that one of the ingredients for Happy and for some (me) Joyous? I take what I like and leave the rest!! I wouldn't leave much Black Bottom Pie. Thanks Toni for that dream. LOL (((((hugs)))))
I've been sober a long time and I still crave sweets a few times a week, and like you I never would have touched them during the drinking days.
I'm not a nutrition expert but we obviously want eat healthy (at least most of the time) remember H.A.L.T. (hungery andgry lonely tired)
I try to get some fruit juice of eat fruit which will take the edge off and is more healthy, but I must admit I do break down and grab a candy-bar or some Krispy Kremes at times!
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Big Book pg. 133-134 One of the many doctors who had the opportunity of reading this book in manuscript form told us that the use of sweets was often helpful, of course depending upon a doctor's advice. He thought all alcoholics should constantly have chocolate available for its quick energy value at times of fatigue. He added that occasionally in the night a vague craving arose which would be satisfied by candy. Many of us have noticed a tendency to eat sweets and have found this practice beneficial.
I'm just wondering if the craving part of it goes away (but like you said, a healthy diet would probably be a big part in that)....or if maybe there is something wrong with me?? I mean, I've never been a fan of sweets. My parents always told me that I was the only kid that went trick or treating, then threw eveything but the gum away : )
