Have you ever thought: Am I addicted to sugar? If that's a yes, I feel you – because I used to think that too. I could NEVER have anything sweet without eating the whole box or using all the willpower in the world to resist the whole box. I thought my only answer was to eliminate sugar.
However, the more I tried to eliminate and avoid sugar, the more I wanted sugar. And it felt like I could never get enough. I legitimately thought I was addicted to sugar until I began healing my relationship with food.
If you feel addicted to sugar and are ready to feel more in control around sugar, try these four tips:
01. Allow yourself to have sugar regularly
When you allow, try to allow when your hunger is satisfied, and you are in a positive headspace. Maybe, you have the cookie after lunch? Or after dinner? This can help us feel more in control of the sugar and be more present when eating it.
02. Practice mindfulness when you are eating the sugar
If you feel addicted to sugar, ask yourself: do I ever allow myself to taste food with sugar? Do I ever allow myself to experience food with sugar? What might happen if you slowed down while eating food with sugar and focused on the flavors, textures, and sensations the food gave you?
03. Practice abundance mantras
When you are urged to eat the entire box, remind yourself that you can have this food whenever you want. You may feel addicted to sugar; however, this is just a symptom of a lack of allowance and mindlessness. When we can practice reminding ourselves that sugar is abundant and we can have it whenever we want, we can let go of the urge to eat it all now.
04. Prioritize pleasure in other areas of your life
If cookies are the only thing in your life that pleases you, then you will feel addicted to sugar. What might happen if you had other things that pleased you?
As always, get curious! If this is you… take some time today to reflect on what the real problem might be.