Confessions of a Sugarholic

Guys, the struggle is real. I have tried so many times to eliminate sugar from my diet and man, it is so hard for me to completely abstain (see posts here, here and here). My name is Fortune Dushey and I’m addicted to sweets. As a matter of fact, as I write this post I am nibbling on a piece of peanut butter and maple oat crunch.
In the past the way I have held myself accountable for restraining/abstaining is by making it publicly known and sharing this goal with my readers. I have also made pacts with friends in the hopes of motivating each other and a prize for the winner.
I have even resorted to depravation if you will by having my 3 favorite pairs of shoes taken away until I reached my goal only then to get my shoes returned (desperate times call for desperate measures). At times, I am able to self motivate by the mere fact that I know the benefits of eliminating sugar. I feel better, my skin is clearer and it keeps my cholesterol level lower.
Besides loving sweets because they taste so damn good, a lot of my need for sugar is habit. I’m accustomed to reaching for that sweet ending to each meal which has always been a part of the dining experience. I’ve tried healthy sweets i.e. dried mangos, dark chocolate and quinoa based apple crumble but it’s the volume that gets me.
I’m an all or nothing kind of person and I really would like to find balance, does that really exist when it comes to sweets? I recently read some interesting strategies on how to limit sugar intake. One suggestion was to eat them only on even days, weekends or special occasions. Define special occasion because purchasing a Gucci loafer qualifies. I would prefer to limit myself to one treat a day after lunch or dinner, which only works when I’m hyper focused.
Here are some pitfalls to beware of as well as some suggestions for those who can relate.
Don’t skip a meal. I recently went to an event and did not eat a proper dinner only to come home to a smorgasbord of treats.
Make sure to get your zzz’s. Exhaustion is often confused with hunger (guilty as charged)
Avoid mixed alcoholic drinks. It tends to stimulate sugar cravings
Out of sight, out of mind. I try to store sweets so they’re not staring me in the face whispering eat me.
Prepare frozen banana slices to satisfy cravings in a healthy way
I read chewing on fennel seeds and adding cinnamon to your meals can be an appetite suppressant
Increasing healthy fats such as olive oil and avocados shuts off receptors in your brain that stimulate sweet cravings

MD is not on my list of credits, so please check with your doctor.

If you have any tips or suggestions on how you have successfully controlled your sugar intake, please comment below!