Sugar is a ubiquitous ingredient that manages to make its way into countless processed foods and household staples, making it all too easy to overconsume this stuff. That’s why it’s little surprise that sugar addiction is so prevalent – though it may not be officially recognised as an addiction, we do know that those hooked on the sweet stuff exhibit addictive behaviours and withdrawal symptoms similar to other substance addictions. Here are some signs your relationship with sugar has tipped from casual into addiction.

Cravings

Struggling with incessant cravings for sugar? Perhaps it hits you at night or while you’re trying to focus at work – if you find these cravings intrusive and hard to resist, you could well be dealing with addiction. These cravings can lead to binge eating, feelings of guilt and a cycle of addiction.

Increased sugar consumption

Another common sign of sugar addiction is an increased consumption of sugar, while in the early stages you might have found yourself eating a chocolate bar a day, this amount may increase to a whole block. You may find you need to keep increasing your intake to satisfy your cravings and emotional needs.

Withdrawal symptoms

Have you tried to quit sugar and found the cravings that followed nearly impossible to manage? Or maybe you experienced stress and fatigue – these are all withdrawal symptoms and that can cause many to go back on their health goals. They’re also what makes the quitting sugar process so hard, because those physical and mental symptoms are so overwhelming, many of us go back to the sweet stuff to make it stop. The issue here is that the cycle of addiction continues!

Mood swings and irritability

Sugar addiction can also cause mood swings, as sugar affects our hormones and hijacks the brain's reward system. People who are addicted to sugar may experience a “high” and a kind of euphoria when they consume sweet foods, followed by a crash that can lead to feelings of irritability, anxiety and stress. Much like with many other addictive substances, the highs are as high as the lows are low.

Inability to stop eating sugar

You know about the risks of obesity and heart disease and yet you can’t stop eating sugar – if you’re aware of the health risks that come with these foods but it’s not enough to put a stop to your consumption of sugar, this is a sign you’re dealing with a sugar addiction.

Health problems

Excess sugar consumption over a long period of time can leave you with a number of health conditions like obesity and diabetes – if you’re dealing with these issues as a result of your sugar habit, it’s likely that habit is an addiction. People who are addicted to sugar are at increased risk of developing these diseases, which is why it's essential to seek help if you’re hooked.

That’s why we’re here. It’s no secret that a sugar habit is a tough one to beat – wherever you go, sugar is there. Unlike with ditching alcohol, there are few places where sugar is unwelcome. From birthday parties and functions to the office pantry, Sunday markets and the supermarket. Is it any wonder that so many of us find it hard to quit the stuff? That’s why it can help to join a program like ours – our 8-Week Program is based on accountability, support and providing the essential resources to set you up for success. We’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health.

With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We’ve also got nutritionists, personal trainers and naturopaths in our team of experts, and they understand what our bodies need and how to best arm ourselves against those cravings. So, if you’ve been having a little trouble keeping that sugar addiction at bay, we’re here to help. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
2. 90+ member-only recipes.
3. Community forums to share your journey.
4. Support and guidance from the I Quit Sugar team.
5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!