Sugar cravings

[mariec]

Hi all, don't know if this will help bit i take Chromium and don't have any desire to eat anything sweet so maybe it may help with the sugar craving, in th UK Holland & Barrett sell it.

[Greg]

Sugar cravings

I've read a few stories about cravings for sugar and alcohol being related, so this could possibly help with the alcohol cravings for some people.

[Murphyx]

Sugar cravings

And it'll give you a nice shiny complexion.

Thanks for the tip Marie, I might try this. I find I'm being constantly pulled towards the ice cream cabinets every time I visit the supermarket.

So, did you decide against baclofen, Marie?

[CS04]

Sugar cravings

Alcohol and sugar are chemically identical. So when many of us stop drinking AL, we crave sugar in place of it. There are various philosophies as to how much to give in these cravings, but that is where they derive from.

[Greg]

Sugar cravings

CS04;1158959 wrote: Alcohol and sugar are chemically identical. So when many of us stop drinking AL, we crave sugar in place of it. There are various philosophies as to how much to give in these cravings, but that is where they derive from.

I don't normally disagree with others here, but have to respectfully disagree with this, since it could be misleading to others.

Alcohol is ethanol, a small (2-carbon) molecule with one hydroxy (-OH) group, whereas sugars (glucose, sucrose, etc) are larger and more complex molecules, having several hydroxy groups and also one or more other oxygen atoms per molecule. While they are similar to ethanol in having these hydroxy groups, they are not chemically identical.

In numerous articles I have read, ethanol is said to alter the actions of GABA, glutamate, beta endorphin, dopamine, and probably other natural brain chemicals in a quite strong and rapid manner. It is possible that sugars would also have some effect on these, but not in the same way, since the acute effects of sugar and alcohol are different. Alcohol is a strong general cns depressant drug, for one thing.

Having said this, I do get the point that alcohol and sugar cravings can be related, it's just that I believe that alcohol cravings would have to include effects related to its marked influence on brain chemicals including its cns depressant action.

(Edited : Since writing this I have been concerned I may sound disrespectful and even a real smart aleck. I am not a professional chemist or doctor, and if others think this post should be removed or toned down, just say so).

[Guest]

Sugar cravings

Greg

I'd simply heard/read that the body 'sees' alcohol as sugar - or at least reacts in a similar way. I do know that in the past I'd crave sugar during AF phases, and I'd often go on a sugar binge the day before an alcohol bender.

[bleep]

Sugar cravings

Reading this has made me realise that I'm eating much more ice cream at the moment than I ever have before. I've just finished a bowl, as it happens.

I just never realised how tasty it was before, it seems!

Another unwitting victim of another chemical imbalance!

Nothing wrong with your post imho, Greg.

[wanttobesober]

Sugar cravings

Hi to All,

Greg;1158984 wrote: I don't normally disagree with others here, but have to respectfully disagree with this, since it could be misleading to others.

Alcohol is ethanol, a small (2-carbon) molecule with one hydroxy (-OH) group, whereas sugars (glucose, sucrose, etc) are larger and more complex molecules, having several hydroxy groups and also one or more other oxygen atoms per molecule. While they are similar to ethanol in having these hydroxy groups, they are not chemically identical.

In numerous articles I have read, ethanol is said to alter the actions of GABA, glutamate, beta endorphin, dopamine, and probably other natural brain chemicals in a quite strong and rapid manner. It is possible that sugars would also have some effect on these, but not in the same way, since the acute effects of sugar and alcohol are different. Alcohol is a strong general cns depressant drug, for one thing.

Having said this, I do get the point that alcohol and sugar cravings can be related, it's just that I believe that alcohol cravings would have to include effects related to its marked influence on brain chemicals including its cns depressant action.

(Edited : Since writing this I have been concerned I may sound disrespectful and even a real smart aleck. I am not a professional chemist or doctor, and if others think this post should be removed or toned down, just say so).

I agree with Greg. They maybe similar but very different.
I was on Atkins diet long time ago. As you know on Atkins you can have zero carbs.
I was drinking tons of dry red wine and it did not take me out of ketosis.
If you eat just a little bit of sugar or Ice cream, it will take you out of ketosis right away.

[Doggygirl]

Sugar cravings

wanttobesober;1159131 wrote: I agree with Greg. They maybe similar but very different.
I was on Atkins diet long time ago. As you know on Atkins you can have zero carbs.
I was drinking tons of dry red wine and it did not take me out of ketosis.
If you eat just a little bit of sugar or Ice cream, it will take you out of ketosis right away.

I respectfully disagree that Atkins is a "zero carb" diet - it is not. It is not even a specific number of carbs diet. The recommendation is to start at 20g Net carbs per day (total carbs - fiber) for two weeks, and then there is a protocol for increasing carbs weekly to find the optimal spot for weight loss, and ultimately maintenance.

Alchohol is discussed as a separate issue in Dr. Atkins writings, and addressed in more detail in later versions of his books. While certain liquids containing alcohol are "zero carb" in a technical sense (and red wine is not one of them), he discusses how the body burns alcohol differently than other macronutrients.

Anyway...just keepin' it real. I am not a scientist either, but have read all of his books. (now if I could just get back to implementing! :H)

DG

[wanttobesober]

Sugar cravings

Hi Doggygirl,

Try the Rosedale diet! Much much healthier than the Atkins diet.

Welcome to Dr.Rosedale's Website

Regarding the Atkins, I just wanted to make a point between alchol and sugar.
It has been long time ago since I read the book, but you are right. Some minimum carbs are allowed.
Carbs are everywhere, so it is hard not to consume them. Unless you eat meat and eggs all day long, but then your mouth taste and smell like sewer.

[Bruunhilde]

Sugar cravings

Great info on this thead. Greg, your post is fine, and very informative. Hi DG!

There's a whole thread on blood sugar in Holistic, Marie, here: https://www.mywayout.org/community/f6...ml#post1159263

WTBS, you are very lucky to get into ketosis while drinking, I'm not sure many people can do that. I have not been able to get into ketosis even after two weeks of the HCG diet, following it to the minute detail. I also could not get into ketosis following the Atkins diet to the most minute detail, many years ago. Apparently I am a metabolic disaster, very resistant. No wonder losing weight is so hard for me. And drinking vodka or gin instantly make me gain weight even though they're "no carb", my body recognizes alcohol as alcohol and all weight loss becomes impossible, weight gain becomes the path regardless of zero carbs elsewhere in my day.

[Guest]

Sugar cravings

Bruunhilde;1159268 wrote: Great info on this thead. Greg, your post is fine, and very informative. Hi DG!

There's a whole thread on blood sugar in Holistic, Marie, here: https://www.mywayout.org/community/f6...ml#post1159263

WTBS, you are very lucky to get into ketosis while drinking, I'm not sure many people can do that. I have not been able to get into ketosis even after two weeks of the HCG diet, following it to the minute detail. I also could not get into ketosis following the Atkins diet to the most minute detail, many years ago. Apparently I am a metabolic disaster, very resistant. No wonder losing weight is so hard for me. And drinking vodka or gin instantly make me gain weight even though they're "no carb", my body recognizes alcohol as alcohol and all weight loss becomes impossible, weight gain becomes the path regardless of zero carbs elsewhere in my day.

Might be worth noting here that alcohol yields 9 kcals per gram, sugar 4-5kcals and it's quite easy to drink a few hundred kcals in a couple of glasses.

Another point of interest is that a lot of 'lo-carb' GI type bars actually contain sugars in the form of polyols - which I'm lead to believe are 'alcohol sugars'. I used to binge eat the things and wondered at one point if they were making me worse???

[wanttobesober]

Sugar cravings

Hi Bruun,

Sorry to hear that you can not get into ketosis easily.
I can suggest something, that would definitely do it for you if you are able to do what I will recommend.
If you can, do a water fast for 3 or 4 days. Consume nothing but water. (Zero calorie diet).
I guarantee you that on the 4th day you ketostix will turn brown.
Some people have fear about fasting, but in reality it has very good affect on the body.
Sometimes I fast for one week. once I did it for 16 days.
Don't be afraid. You are not going to die. It is the easiest way to lose lot of weight.
In 6-7 days I normally lose 15-18 lb.
Once you are in ketosis, you can drink dry wine, or any alcohol that has minimum carbs.

I am on my 23rd day AL free. Thanks to L-Glut.
Today Is my birthday, but I am not going to drink. Even though I got a big bottle of Jose Cuervo from a friend of mine.
L-Glutamine will save my life!

Cheers,

Brian

[CS04]

Sugar cravings

I am not a chemist or any other scientist. I guess a better description would be that alcohol and sugar are chemically similar? Whatever the reason, sugar cravings are quite common when giving up AL. I didn't mean to present information as an expert when I'm not. Greg, no offense taken and your info was helpful. Maybe we'll just stick with the idea that chocolate chip cookies don't go very well with beer, so people who drink tend to eat less sweets? (that was a joke)

[Greg]

Sugar cravings

I'm glad no offence was taken. Alcohol and sugars are definitely chemically similar, due to having the same (hydroxy) functional group, and methods that help sugar cravings could also help alcohol cravings from what I have heard.

I have noticed some symptoms similar to mini alcohol withdrawals (eg. weakness, shakiness, feeling uneasy and nervous) that have occurred when I haven't eaten for quite a few hours, and which seem to be relieved by eating. I have often thought these could be due to a lack of carbohydrates in my system.