Sugar addict

[FLuwrchLd]

Hi all, I am looking for advice on help for my 33 year old sister, who has lately gravitated to more packaged sugary foods, and realized she has a bit of a sugar addiction on her hands. What can I tell her to eat as she wants to eliminate all refined sugar from her diet? thanks!

[Blazin'Jane]

Lots of leafy greens and fresh fruits. Raw foods. I am a sugar addict, too, and recently had to knock off eating dates as a snack. I could go through a mountain of them easily! If she wants to knock off sugar, the best thing to do is knock off sugar and eat lots of raw foods. The addiction will take care of itself.

[FLuwrchLd]

Thanks so much Jane, lots of luck with your addiction too, I know its not an easy one!

[DopeRawAbundance]

If refined sugars is what she doesn't want, then introduce her to dates. Just be prepared to deal with her new date addiction.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i wouldn't say no to raw stuff... just say no to the refined crap.

so a nice fruit salad, raw cacao desserts, dates... mmmmmmmm dates

[zinny]

I think it depends on if the entire goal is to get off sugar, or to eliminate high blood sugar levels and compulsive eating of sweets.

No doubt it is better to be eating dates rather than white sugar...but compulsively eating a pound of dates is not so good for you either.

I have personally found that it can be very hard to recognize when enough's enough with dried fruits (especially the sweeter ones). There's some sort of disconnect in terms of recognizing satiety has been reached, and a compulsive aspect to eating too much. I find that it's easier to not overeat dried fruits if I've had plenty of water and I have a little bit of fat (eg 3 almonds or a few bites of avo). They can also be mixed with fresh fruits, eg apple with a few raisins.

(I know that some people don't have this issue...but as your sister's eating compulsively, she may have this problem even if she switches to raw.)

Agave is great because it has the sweetness but low GI.

[Tsurugi_Oni]

I've switched to a high raw diet from what most normal people would consider a "healthy diet". I can definately attest to the sugar cravings.

When I first did high raw I would binge on fruits. I really couldn't tell ya why, maybe my body was detoxing or force of habit. But I know the cravings were pretty intense. Now if I taste juice concentrates, sodas, or confectionary treats they taste way overly sweet.

It all depends on the personality, but some people who cold-turkey to raw tend to binge eat old foods during a moment of weakness. If you cant' do it, I'd highly recommend transitioning to a more whole food / unadulterated diet. That means baked or boiled potatoes / sweet potatoes / squash, no seasonings whatsover. Lightly steamed broccoli and green beans. Guacamole w/ just salt. Oatmeal. People talk all that crap about how ur taste buds adjust, and it's completely true!!!!

Sweet treats (Dates .... sweeter than honey) can definately help with coping. You just have to always set a reasonable limit on how much you allow urself. That's the difference between a long night of regret and a sweet moment of comfort.

[Green_Woman]

green smoothies