Are you dealing with strong sugar cravings? Do you suspect a possible sugar addiction? Is your weight loss prevented because of eating too much sugar? Do you feel that if you put an end to your sugar cravings, you can finally put an end to being overweight?

In this report, you can find out more about the warning symptoms of sugar addiction, which is more prevalent than you think. Actually, though a lot of people know that too much refined sugar isn’t good for them, they don’t fully understand the seriousness of the addiction.

Believe it or not, the average adult individual consumes around 152 pounds of sugar on a yearly basis.

But, breaking a sugar addiction and fighting off those strong cravings to finally achieve weight loss isn’t impossible. You just need to be able to recognize the symptoms and then address the problem properly.

This is a vital step towards a healthier diet and a healthier lifestyle. When you’re able to control the amount of cookies or soda drinks you consume, you know you’re closer to a life free of sugar addiction.

Our guide will teach you these important things:

How to recognize a sugar addiction
How to fight off strong sugar cravings
How to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle

If you want to learn about the major symptoms of sugar addiction, stay with us. We’ll show the 10 major indicating signs of sugar addiction and how to fight off overconsumption of refined white sugar.

10 Warning Signs of Sugar Addiction

1. You crave sugar

If you have a sugar addiction, you’ll experience strong cravings after being without sugar for several hours, especially if you try to give it up all of a sudden. This is because sugar has become your “drug of choice” and you think about it 24/7. [1]

This indicates that your body has become too dependent on sugar because once you stop eating it; it begins to ask for it.

As a result, you have difficulty achieving weight loss and you may also be overweight, as well as struggle with other health issues as a result of too much sugar, including diabetes type 2.

Sugar binging causes the blood sugar to fall as the insulin puts all that sugar in the cells to prevent damage. Consequently, you’ll have sugar cravings again, even though you may have eaten a bunch of chocolates or drank two or more cans of soda.

But, craving sweets isn’t the sole indicator of a possible sugar addiction- carbs turn into sugar in the body-so strong desire for potato chips, pretzels, bread, and the alike could be a sign too.

If you want to give up sugar, it’s important not to do it all of a sudden because this won’t just boost the withdrawal symptoms, but because it’s not healthy for you- our body needs sugar to function properly.

Cut it from your diet gradually and slowly to make the withdrawal less challenging and to minimize the severity of the cravings. Focus on natural sugar from fruits and veggies rather than refined from processed and refined foods.

Facts about sugar cravings:

Common among sugar addicts
A major withdrawal symptom
A sign that the body depends on sugar

2. It’s your comfort food

If you’re frequently craving sweet foods after watching a sad movie or after a long and bad day, you need to pay more attention to your diet. Turning to sugar as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, depression, anxiety or other psychological issues is a sign of sugar addiction. [2]

Even though it’s normal to crave sweet food from time to time, overindulging in sugar with the aim to provide emotional relief is a very unhealthy habit which can lead to sugar addiction. By doing this, you can’t feel your feelings or to address them properly.

And, though you may think otherwise, a study has shown that sugar doesn’t even give a mood boost as it’s been thought. Often times, overweight people and those who struggle with poor weight loss results tend to eat sugar compulsively, even if they’re aware of the negative results.

With this in mind, if sugar has become a priority in your life- for example, you immediately head to the store to get a can of ice cream in the middle of the night; your sugar intake needs to be reduced.

To achieve this, you need to find proper stress management techniques and go through your emotions, rather than relying on avoidance and overeating.

And, it’s also pivotal to improve your overall diet and physical activity. When you give your body the right nutrients and provide it with the needed physical activity, you minimize the chances of craving unhealthy, short-term satisfactory foods like sweet treats, chips, etc.

Facts about sugar as comfort food:

Not uncommon among emotionally-unstable individuals
Impedes healthy weight loss
Sugar may be eaten impulsively

3. You crave salty foods too

When a person is fighting with a sugar addiction, their body isn’t getting the needed nutrients and consequently, they may often be craving salty foods too.

According to nutritionists, cravings for savory and salty foods is how to body is signalling you to stop overeating sugar and replace it with nutritious, whole foods. [3]

Believe it or not, salty cravings are more common among people addicted to sugar than you think. And, the vice versa is also possible- if you consume too much salt, you may be craving sugary foods or simple carbs like pasta, white bread, rice, etc.

Eating too much salty foods is also a culprit for poor weight loss and may be one of the main reasons why you’re still overweight. This being said, balance is key to prevent these unhealthy cravings.

Namely, you should work on improving your diet and the best way to achieve this is to eat whole foods that are abundant in micro and macro nutrients that our body requires to function optimally. In addition to paying more attention to your diet, it’s also vital to be physically active and implement the right exercises in your workout plan.

Facts about salty food cravings:

Common among sugar addicts
A sign of nutrient lack in the body
Prevents healthy weight loss

4. You eat sugar when you’re not hungry

For a lot of overweight individuals who also have a sugar addiction problem, being full after a large meal is never an obstacle to having a large slice of cake.

According to Lisa R. Snyder, founder of the Beautiful Badass Method and an intuitive eating coach, eating sugar when you’re not physically hungry is a major sign of being addicted to sugar. [4]

This attitude puts you at a higher risk of poor weight loss and other health issues. Eating when we’re the body doesn’t need it is a major problem for a lot of people, not just those addicted to sugar. [5]

Thinking of a sugary treat after a meal may be done because it’s an established habit for you or how you answer to stress, anxiety, depression or boredom. When trying to fight off this unhealthy behaviour, it’s first pivotal to opt for meals that contain all the important fuels and understand that cravings are temporary.

Just remove yourself from the situation for half an hour or so. If the craving is still present, be mindful and try to satisfy yourself with only one or two bites, rather than eating the whole slice.

And, luckily for you, there are healthier snack and dessert options- for example, rather than chocolate cake, opt for dark chocolate or eat an apple or a banana rather than ice cream.

Facts about eating when you’re not hungry:

A major issue for a lot of people
May cause weight gain
May be a habit or a response to anxiety, stress, boredom

5. You feel guilt and shame about your sugar consumption

One thing’s for sure- no one is perfect and there’s no such thing as the perfect diet. No matter how hard we try to eat healthy and exercise, there will be days when we won’t and this is okay.

The problem is when we begin overdoing the bad stuff – i.e. we reach for a second piece of cake or eat a whole chocolate despite the negative effects we experience, including bloating, stomach ache, guilt, etc.[6] If you feel like sugar cravings have been controlling you rather than you controlling them, it’s time for action.

If you have a healthy body weight and feel good about your health, food addiction may not be a bad experience for you- but, if you’re obese, overweight or suffering from a chronic health problem like diabetes, the situation is different.

If you feel guilt and shame after you eat, especially sugar, it’s good to have a talk with a professional dietician or a therapist. People who have a poor relationship with food may be aware that they’re eating too much sugar; however, rather than trying to reduce it, they decide to hide it.

These individuals tend to make excuses or deals with themselves regarding sweet foods and may also have poor weight loss results. If you also do this and tend to sneak to eat chocolate or hide sweet stuff around the house, there may be a sugar addiction problem than needs to be addressed.

Facts about shame and guilt concerning sugar:

Indicates a bigger food problem
May require professional help
Common habit among sugar addicts

6. You have skin problems

Natalie Lamb, a health expert, points out that frequent acne flare-ups is a symptom of eating too much sugar. [7]

Moreover, women with a sugar addiction have a higher risk of developing an imbalance in the female menstrual hormones, which further causes the appearance of acne along the jawline.

Refined sugar isn’t just related to a higher risk of becoming overweight, but it also negatively impacts the proteins, collagen and elastin levels in the skin and causes premature skin aging and wrinkles. [8]

Why do the breakouts happen? – They’re a result of high inflammation which the white sugar triggers. Artificial sweeteners may even be worse- they’re chemicals which can be problematic and impurities in your body can increase the breakouts, as well as enhancing your cravings and preventing weight loss.

According to the newest findings, aspartame, a popular artificial sweetener, increases the appetite and boost the carb cravings.

What about sugar from fruits or milk? – This sugar is naturally present in these foods and consuming too much fructose from whole fruits is very difficult, unlike from foods with added sugar. [9]

They’re rich in other nutrients which your body needs to achieve balance, like fiber; unlike foods like soft drinks, biscuits, fruit juices, etc. that are full of empty calories and almost empty of nutrients.

Facts about skin problems:

May be caused by too much added sugar
Manifested by premature aging and jawline acne
A result of excessive inflammation

7. You have energy crashes

Do you struggle with drops of energy and feel very tired all of a sudden, for no particular reason? If yes, you may be dealing with sugar crashes. If they occur often, they may be a sign of possible sugar addiction.

These crashes happen when the body reacts to the high amounts of sugar by releasing large insulin amounts in order to process all of that sugar. [10]The insulin helps remove the sugar from the blood very fast and you’re left with sugar deficiency and tiredness because no sugar left to power you up.

Sugar crashes can be very challenging because the more you have them, the more you’re tempted to reach for more sugar. Furthermore, this impedes weight loss. If you reward your brain with a chocolate bar from time to time, this can be pleasurable and potentially harmless.

However, if you do it a bit too much, you may begin to experience problems such as loss of control, cravings, and higher sugar tolerance.

To prevent this from happening and put an end to being overweight, you need to improve your diet, i.e. eat less sugar and more of other nutritious and important food, drink more water, and work out on a regular basis.

Give your body the needed fuel so that it won’t cause you to reach for unhealthy stuff. However, there’s no one amount of sugar grams that guarantees a crash- there are a lot of contributing factors. A good recommendation is to consume foods with only 4 to 8 grams of added sugar.

Facts about sugar crashes:

Cause more sugar cravings
Lead to surge of insulin production
Prevent weight loss

8. You have sugar headaches

The rapid blood sugar swings when you consume too much or too little sugar can cause headaches or trigger migraines if you already suffer from them. [11]

When you eat too much of it at once and then don’t have any more in the following period, you will probably experience sugar crash that may further lead to a headache.

The trigger of the headache is actually the sudden change in blood sugar from too much or too little of it. In addition to headaches, there are other symptoms one may experience and this is also known as the ‘sugar hangover’.

And, as sugar is addictive, similarly to addictive drugs, chronically high levels of it may reduce the dopamine production that is crucial for mood, motivation, and pleasure regulation. So, if you abruptly decide to leave sugar, your brain may enter into a state of withdrawal and headaches.

This is why it’s best to wean off it gradually. To fight off sugar addiction, encourage healthy weight loss, and feel better in your own skin, a balanced and versatile diet plays a major role. Be persistent and dedicated if you want to put an end to being overweight and dependent on added sugar!

Facts about sugar headaches:

Happen when you eat too much or too little sugar
A common symptom of sugar withdrawal
Caused by the sudden change in the blood sugar

9. You eat too much starch

For a lot of people struggling with a sugar addiction, consuming too many starch-rich foods such as potatoes, pasta, bread, etc. is also a problem.

This happens because starches are quickly transformed into sugar in the body; however, they lack the protein or fiber to slow down the dissolving and prolong satiety.

When we eat carbs for breakfast, we also mess with our blood sugar and consequently, we experience frequent hunger pangs and sugar cravings throughout the remaining part of the day.

Craving sweet stuff in the morning, at night or after a nap could be a symptom of possible sugar addiction, low adrenal function or hypoglycaemia.

This is where a protein-abundant breakfast rich in good fats and non-starchy veggies can be of aid. They will prolong your fullness and minimize the chances for unhealthy cravings and sudden blood sugar crashes.

Starches should be left for dinner as they can be helpful for weight loss and can encourage quality sleep. Otherwise, if you continue connecting sugar with energy, you will end up being dependent on it and possibly overweight.

You may start needing it to cope with everything from emotional stress to irritability. Experts believe that quitting carbs and sugar altogether rather than still eating them moderately can be easier and more effective in terms of weight loss and withdrawal symptoms. [12]

Facts about starch:

Can be addictive as sugary stuff
Transform into sugar in the body
Don’t prolong the fullness

10. You have surplus body fat

When your diet is full of added sugars from unhealthy foods such as candies, baked goods, cereals, and sweetened beverages, you have a higher risk of being overweight and getting sick from serious health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.

This is because added sugar is fattening and contributes to the formation of surplus body fat in several different ways. Some of them are the abundance of empty calories and absence of nutrients and the increase of blood sugar and hormones that can lead to weight gain.

What’s more, refined sugar doesn’t help prolong the satiety and can cause overeating. Hence, you miss out on important foods abundant in nutrients when you base most of your diet on refined sugar and simple carbs.

Numerous studies have shown that when people eat a lot of good fats and reduce their consumption of refined carbs are better at losing weight and lower risk of disease. [13]

This being said, if you struggle with surplus fat in different body areas and if you’re overweight (check your BMI and waist circumference) it may be time to pay more attention to your sugar consumption.

To fight off sugar addiction and encourage healthy weight loss, you need to improve your diet and to implement the right exercises.

Facts about surplus fat:

Common problem for sugar addicts
Increases the risk of some diseases
Excessive sugar is stored as fat

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, sugar addiction is a major issue for the worldwide population and it’s known to be a major culprit for excessive weight and serious health issues. Getting addicted to sugar is very easy, but weaning off of it can be quite challenging; however, it’s not impossible.

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and realize there’s an issue that needs to be addressed. Even though we need sugar to function properly, it’s best to acquire the natural one from fruits and veggies and other foods that naturally contain it.

This sugar isn’t addictive and harmful like the added one in cookies, gums, candies, premade foods, soda drinks, etc. is.

Thanks to our guide, you can learn important information about the 10 major symptoms of sugar addiction and useful tips to gradually leave it. In this way, your chances of weight loss increase and you also improve your overall health.

The first step towards a life free of sugar addiction is to begin consuming the right foods that are nutritious and prolong satiety. Protein and fiber play a pivotal role in weight management and appetite regulation.

And, it’s also essential to exercise on a regular basis to speed up the melting of surplus fat and build muscles for a better metabolism.

When your body starts getting what it requires from healthy, whole foods, it will need the quick and short-term satisfaction from sugar- and carb-rich foods less and less.

10 Warning Signs Of Sugar Addiction

10 Warning Signs of Sugar Addiction

1. You crave sugar

2. It’s your comfort food

3. You crave salty foods too

4. You eat sugar when you’re not hungry

5. You feel guilt and shame about your sugar consumption

6. You have skin problems

7. You have energy crashes

8. You have sugar headaches

9. You eat too much starch

10. You have surplus body fat

Final Thoughts

Reference sites:

10 Warning Signs of Sugar Addiction

1. You crave sugar

2. It’s your comfort food

3. You crave salty foods too

4. You eat sugar when you’re not hungry

5. You feel guilt and shame about your sugar consumption

6. You have skin problems

7. You have energy crashes

8. You have sugar headaches

9. You eat too much starch

10. You have surplus body fat

Final Thoughts

Reference sites:

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