In case it isn’t already painfully obvious, I have a pretty big sweet tooth…
Always have, and most likely always will. I do my best to keep it in check, but if I had my way then I’m pretty sure most of my meals would end up looking something like this…
Gah. I miss my chocolate pudding oats so.badly 🙁
As it stands, I try to have at least two meals a day that look more like this…
… but I’ll come clean and admit that those usually end up being a lot less satisfying. In fact, most of the time I’ll finish them off only to be left with a subtle feeling that something is still missing – a feeling that continues to linger until I grab a little something sweet and take the edge off…
Whether it’s with a small handful of chocolate, cookies, or fruit, I have to end 99.9% of my meals on a sweet note or I just won’t feel satisfied. It doesn’t even usually take much – sometimes just a few bites – but that sweet note has to be there. I’m not entirely sure why this is, but I’ve stopped trying to fight it.
I’ve done the whole low sugar/no sugar thing in the past, and it just didn’t work for me – I didn’t really notice any positive changes at all. I’m well aware of all the controversy surrounding sugar and it’s effects on the body, but to be completely honest, sometimes I think the whole idea of labelling sugar as being ‘the white Devil’ is a little much – especially when people start giving the sugars in fruit the same bad rap…
Now, I realize that some people may be a little more sensitive to sugar than others, making it make sense for them to limit how much they eat, but is that something that’s necessarily the case for everyone? I’m not entirely sure, especially if [most of] the sugars in question come from healthier sources. I mean, I know plenty of perfectly healthy people whose daily diets usually include a sugar-ladden dessert of some sort, so what’s the big deal?
I know I may be going against the grain here, especially since everyone seems to be watching their sugar intake these days, but I think that as long as you’re eating an overall healthy diet and not suffering any negative effects, then there’s no reason not to enjoy some sweetness on a regular basis. I’m not saying it’s okay to grab a spoon and attack a bag of sugar, but in moderation? I don’t see the big deal; in fact, I think it’s actually part of a truly healthy and balanced diet. I know a lot of professional athletes and fitness competitors cut out sugar in an effort to attain a certain physique, and that there are people with legitimate sensitivities, but seeing as neither really apply to me, I guess I’ll just keep on satisfying my sweet tooth – life’s too short to not be sweet.
. – . – . – .
I’d love to hear your opinions on the whole sugar debate!
Do you watch your sugar intake? Do you notice any differences as a result?
I eat so much sugar, I am surprised I am not a diabetic!! KNOCK ON WOOD! Seriously though, I NEVER cut out sugar..and I never will. In all reality I think I have a good balance in my diet, and there are some days I go without sugar, but restricting sugar is probably the worst idea I have ever heard. It’s just not for me!! SO EAT AWAY pretty lady, you have my support and my company anytime you want to crack open a box of cookies!
It seems we have a similar sweet tooth. I seriously end almost every meal with SOMETHING sweet. I never realized how much sugar I was really eating (regardless of source) until I started counting calories using MyFitnessPal. It wasn’t really until I saw how high my sugar intake was that I realized I needed to step back a bit. Unfortunately, MFP, counts sugars from fruit as well, so that definitely increases the amount I take in. Have you tried Agave? What are your thoughts on artificial sweeteners?
Was there another reason, aside from MFP, that made you feel like you had to cut down on the sugars? I have tried agave, but there’s a bit of controversy surrounding whether or not it’s as low GI as they claim it to be, so I stick to honey and maple syrup when I need a liquid sweetener. As for artificial ones, I try to avoid them as much as possible. I’d rather take the calories in something natural than the chemicals in something produced in a lab. Plus I think they can really mess with your tastebuds and make you end up craving sweeter things in the long run.
I do try and limit things with added sugar, but if I really want something – I go for it. I too have a big sweet tooth, as well as a pint of B&J’s half baked in the freezer. 😉
Don’t tease. It’s been so cold here that ice cream is pretty much out of the question… especially because following it up with a hot cup of tea is kind of killer on the teeth – not that I would know or anything 🙄
I did the elimination diet where I literally cut out all of the good stuff in my diet. Dairy, sugar, coffee, gluten to find out if I had any food sensitivities… It took me a few weeks to finally feel the results. The first few days I couldn’t concentrate and had the biggest headache, but slowly had more and more energy. I am skeptical as I am no longer following it and don’t feel any different. It could definitely be psychological, one will never know as everyone is different. Although, I don’t eat a lot of sugary foods. Everything in moderation is okay with me. Eating clean all the time is no fun!
Sugar makes me happy, and if me being happy makes the hubs happy, than I’m all for sweets :). I’ve never been one to pass up on a cupcake, and I have no problem admitting to that!
my love I missed your posts while I was away 🙂
You know my feelings about sugar. I want it all the time!! So I just have it in small amounts, and sometimes I totally binge out on it. But I refuse to feel guilty for that. Sure maybe it upsets my tummy and makes me swear off candy for a week, but I will never TOTALLY give it up again. And when it comes to sugar, give me the REAL thing! None of this sugar free candy crap.
I definitely have to end every meal with something sweet too..otherwise it feels like I haven’t finished eating and I’m still hungry, weird! I’ve never really got the whole ‘sugar is bad’ thing..even in the height of my illness I was never afraid of sugar maybe because my sweet tooth was always there and wouldn’t let me be? But still, it is natural for humans to crave sweet things, as well as salty things as that goes back to when we first evolved and were hunting for food etc. For me personally if I cut out sugar and don’t have sweet things, it makes me overeat and potentially binge because I haven’t satisfied my cravings so I would much rather have the little bit of sweet compared to overeating and making myself feel crap just because I didn’t honor my cravings. And the people who think even the sugar in fruit which is NATURAL is bad, well they are just crazy in my opinion. It is fruit..it won’t make you fat GRRR! I mean yeah sure, eating a lot of sweet things like cakes or cookies or something in one day might make you feel sick but you know, it’s everything in moderation like everything else we should eat! It’s not called a balanced diet for nothing…
Sometimes I swear we are the same person! I have a huge sweet tooth too and I always like to end my savoury meals with a bite of chocolate or handful of dried fruit. I don’t understand how some people can eat literally no sugar and only use stevia – that just doesn’t seem like it would be satisfying to me! And if you’re using stevia, then you obviously do like sweet things, so why not just use real sugar?! I doubt it’s the “dangerous substance” that some magazine articles make it out to be. As with everything, my motto when it comes to sugar is just “everything in moderation”. BUT on that note, sometimes I do wonder if my added sugar intake is too high. Between sweetened Greek yogurt, granola, cereal, flavoured almonds, etc, I probably could cut down on my intake. But I don’t want to. 😛
Stevia actually kind of freaks me out, especially since I’ve had some pretty bad reactions to it in the past. And I think that as long as you’re feeling good, you shouldn’t worry too much about cutting back. Your body will let you know if you go overboard.
I’ve never thought much about sugar intake, until recently. I eat a lot of sweet things but like you said, they’re mostly from natural/good sources, so I feel like it’s not that bad haha.
embrace what is you! And if it is a sweet tooth just go with it! I am not a huge sweet person, I am kind of balanced and some days I am all savory or all sweet. And that is me. I think everyone just needs to find what works for them. no reason to leave a meal unsatisfied!
Love this post!! 🙂 I personally don’t really crave sweet things too much. I mean, occasionally I put on the sugar goggles and only want to eat dried fruit until I explode, but for the most part I’m pretty even keel. I think it’s all about finding what works for you in the end though! If your body’s craving it, then I guess it’s trying to tell you that you need it. The different messages our bodies send are so cool! I think they know so much more than we realize! 🙂
It’s a real thing that people crave sweets at the end of a meal, that’s why they have after-dinner mints!! I ALWAYS need to end on a sweet note, like you, whether it be a piece of fruit of a piece of chocolate. It really depends on whether or not I’m hungry enough for fruit. If not…chocolate it is!
i am 100% with you on this one. my sweet tooth is huge and i’ve learned to embrace it and satisfy it every day.
Hi Love!
I hope you are well! I also want to say I did get your email and will get back to you, just been a little busy over here!!
As for sweets, I don’t watch my sugar intake, luckily I don’t have any health issues where I need to. I do though know where I get most of my sugar intake and it is from fruit, which is not bad!
When I do over do it on sweets like cookies and ice cream I do not feel so hot the next day and my skin tends to break out. I still enjoy that stuff though, moderation is the way I go!
I eat wayyy too much sugar. Haha. My co-worker just bought me an organic peanut butter cup today! It was sooo yummy! It wasn’t as sweet but had the same yummyness as a Reese’s PB Cup.
Ya you definitely are going against the grain – most people really try to avoid and/or limit their sugar intake.
Personally, I would actually LOVE to eat sugar without the annoying feelings after – I get headaches, my cheeks get extremely flush, I get a huge sugar high and then consequent crash, I tend to crave it more and more after I eat it, and I feel really horrible and sluggish the next day.
It seriously can be a minimal amount, but if I have refined sugars or really any sugars, I notice. Immediately.
I didn’t have this problem until I started watching my sugar intake a few years ago, and now my body is so used to not eating it.
I can’t say that I notice a huge difference in general, but I do notice a change in my physique when I don’t eat as much fruit – my body definitely gets leaner. But typically I eat a lot of fruit and like you said I’m no fitness model, so I will continue to enjoy my apples and strawberries on a daily basis :)!
Very interesting topic! I tend to agree with your final thoughts – it really does depend on how your individual body reacts to sugar. For me, too much sugar, especially refined, does not make me feel at my best so I choose to limit it (limit, not avoid!). I certainly have a sweet tooth and I do like stevia because if I was looking for that level of sweetness in even a natural sweetener I’d probably be increasing my calories by 200 a day – personally I’d rather be getting those calories from almond butter but there you go! Each to their own I say – just listen to your body and find a balance!
To be honest, I didn’t have a sweet tooth before I came up with the stupid idea of losing a ton of weight. I liked the taste of chocolate but couldn’t eat more than 2 bites of chocolate cake after dinner. It was just too sweet. I was much more interested in potatoes and meatballs than in candy. I don’t know what happened when I started dieting but I’ve been a big dessert lover ever since. I need something sweet at the end of every meal and sometimes my whole meals are sweet. Yes, I’ve had banana sandwiches for dinner and I don’t regret it. I don’t really care whether it affects my physical health because it works wonders for my mental health.
“I don’t really care whether it affects my physical health because it works wonders for my mental health.” <-- Amen to that! And in the end, mental health affects physical health so much, so no harm done.
I’m actually kind of the opposite- eating a sweet meal (even for breakfast) never leaves me feeling satisfied! I have more of a ‘fat’ tooth- give me the choice between something salted and greasy or something sweet and I’ll pretty much always chose the former. That said, I couldn’t live without fruit and I do occasionally get the urge for something chocolate-y after dinner- it tends to happen when I’ve been extra active that day, and I have no problem going with it. I think that sugar (like everything else) is fine as long as you’re getting all the other nutrients in as well. I think it’s crazy that people worry about the sugar in fruit- it’s delicious, packed with nutrients and most types probably have enough fibre to be low-GI anyway.
Oh Amanda, your words completely echo my own. My family labeled me the “Dessert Queen” at a very young age because I had an insatiable sweet tooth; nothing excited me more than meals followed by cookies and ice cream, however I adored exotic treats like flambeed bananas and tiramisu just as much. The only difference today is that I’m conscientious about it. During my teens I became ashamed of my sweet tooth and did everything in my power to squash it. Thank goodness I failed! Now I embrace my sugar cravings, and recognize that finishing every meal with something sweet–whether it’s a full dessert or just a piece of dark chocolate–prevents me from feeling deprived. More importantly, it’s fun!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying sugar on a daily basis; even non naturally-occurring sugar! The “everything in moderation” mantra is so cliche, but that’s because it’s true!
I sound like a broken record but once again, I feel like I could have written this post word for word! Breakfast is my favorite meal purely because it’s sweet! I definitely have more of a sweet tooth and like you, don’t feel like my meal is complete without a sweet ending! I went through a phase of trying to fight it and satisfy it with green tea but after a certain point, I was like to hell with! A square of a chocolate after a meal is perfectly fine, and is SO satisfying. Like you I’ve tried the low sugar thing but it didn’t really make a noticeable difference…at least not enough difference to motivate me to keep going. The way I see it is that maybe sugar isn’t great for physical health but it more than makes up for it in mental health :)!
Those cookies look delicious & I am sure they were a hit at the party!
To be honest, I’m not even entirely convinced that it’s as bad as they make it out to be. It seems like another one of those things, like fat or carbs, that gets vilified a little too much. And even if it is… mental health is probably even more important than physical health, so there’s no harm done 😀
I always have to end with something sweet as well! I do try and try away from too much refined sugars just because I prefer whole foods but I have found there are plenty of way to enjoy sugar and curb my sweet tooth without all the processed junk. 🙂
Oh yes, I definitely have a sweet tooth as well and I find that I get the unsatisfied, “subtle feeling” that you describe after meals that are not very filling. I tend to have a turkey wrap/sandwich for lunch like you seem to often have, and yet…. afterwards, I often feel like I could eat more, and what sounds best? Well, some chocolate or something sweet of course 😉
During my worst, I absolutely never indulged. Somehow, I was able to master the technique of ignoring these foods and pretending they don’t exist so I wouldn’t be tempted. Once in a while, a binge would occur, but that happened more during my recovery than during my ED. So what I’ve learned is that it’s completely ridiculous and not worth it to deny yourself what you crave because as long as you’re not eating it all day long, you’ll be fine! Better off than denying yourself and risking a binge because you get so anxious and hungry for that type of food!
I go through phases, but when I want sugar, I WANT sugar. I’ll eat sweet meals for every meal of the day, no big deal. Who cares? We all know what happens when we try to avoid cravings…
hmmm I can’t say I have a huge sweet tooth, but when I want something sweet, I definitely eat it! At the end of the day sugar is just carbs, which do make up about 3/4 of my diet, so…yeah, I’m not shy of it haha. My salt v. sugar cravings tend to fluctuate based on the season – in the warm months I crave salt a lot because I sweat so much in training, and in the winter months I crave sugar more – probably because your body needs more energy to keep itself warm? Anyway, if I want it I eat it (then again, I know that when I go overboard, I feel pretty crappy haha – there’s such a thing as too much sweet!). And yeah I am all about the after-dinner chocolate!
Hmm maybe that’s why I’ve been craving sweet things like crazy lately… It’s been cold as heck here! I’ll stick with the “but I need that extra cookie to feel warm!” justification 😉
i’m a fan of eating sweets regularly! i find chocolate milk and chocolate soy milk to be a good dessert. i also eat 10 lbs of animal crackers per day so that always helps too 🙂
I’m actually diabetic so I have to limit my sugar. With all the sugar free options though, it’s a lot easier. Do I enjoy having the occasional (daily) treat. Yes. Can I eat 5 or 6 cookies without getting sick? Probably not. I’m the same way though, I have a huge sweet tooth.
Why do your baked goods always look so darned good? Can you share the recipe for your cookie?? 🙂
Because they taste pretty darn good 😉 I used a recipe from Martha Stewart for these… http://www.marthastewart.com/313968/chocolate-oatmeal-raisin-cookies
Ah, sweet teeth unite! :-p
I have a definite sweet tooth! I try to keep it reigned in a little bit though – otherwise I’d be eating it pretty much 24/7. I find it kicks in a lot after dinner, so 95% of the time I end with a little sweet note: usually either a Werthers caramel or (right now) a little bit of candy corn. I learned that if I cut it out completely, it makes me miserable, so why would I?
I am totally in the same boat as you when it comes to sugar. No matter how much I eat for my meals it must end in something sweet or my tummy isn’t happy. I think I would eat more greasy or salty food if I couldn’t have my sugar.
My sweet tooth has oddly gone away in recent months. I’m not sure if it’s from getting older, or from eating bigger meals that leave me quite full, or what. But while I still love sweets, I don’t love them quite as much as I used to. (Though I did enjoy a maple candy lollypop today, and eat pumpkin butter all day long.)
When I do eat sweets, I sometimes can’t believe how thirsty they make me, but of course that’s to be expected. Sometimes I worry about my blood sugar levels, but I don’t know if I need to worry when I eat a pretty balanced diet. Like you, by eating all kinds of foods, I don’t think sugar is such a big deal.
Oh wow, I want that cookie!! I think low sugar is all relative- it’s obvious when I overdo it, but something sweet everyday is not a problem…plus, of I say “no sugar,” I just end up wanting it more!
I get headaches when I eat sugar (like store bought business) and if I go craaaaazyyyy with raisins and prunes and bananas well, my head dances a little bit! But honestly what killllllsss me most is when people give fruit a bad high-in-sugar rep! Fruit is amazing and it contains a completely different type of sugar than all the other stuff out there. Poor bananas, it’s not you, it’s the insane world.
Now I want chocolate ice cream. Sweet!
Love this! I love sugar and carbs too! If I could eat cereal all day long I’d be one happy girl! I definitely struggle with finding a line between eating what I want and crave and eating what I know my body needs! I’ve done a sugar detox before and it was quite a challenge, plus I am much happier with sugar in my life! I just try to keep it coming from healthy natural sources and make sure I get enough of the other foods (especially veggies) to balance out the sugar 🙂
I used to really struggle with that balance, and still do to some extent, but I find that when I give in to my cravings and have a day (sometimes two) where I tend to eat more on the sweeter side, it’s not long before I start craving veggies and chicken again. I think part of the problem is that we try to do too much micromanaging on a daily basis when we should be looking at the bigger picture instead.
“life’s too short to not be sweet” – Amen!
While I might try to limit my intake of certain foods (can’t remember the last time I had french fries …) I never really cared for how much sugar I ate. In fact, there was one of the worser periods of my ED when most of my daily intake came from semolina pudding I cooked with chocolate soy milk. I’m glad I’ve left that far behind but only for the sake of variety not because I meant to deem sugar bad.
I have to admit, though, that some bloggers limiting there sugar intake to a tiny amount a day or allowing themselves one small piece of chocolate as a post-workout treat influenced me in a negative way. I still don’t calculate my intake meticulously. But knowing that I won’t be giving up my two to three pieces of Lindt 90 % any time soon, I don’t allow myself flavoured (= sugar-containing) yogurts. It sucks because there are some seasonal flavours I know I’d enjoy.
One other thing is that I do enjoy sugar in store-bought items (aformentioned chocolate or soy pudding) but shun it when baking for myself. White sugar in baked goods for friends, yes, but for me, it always has to be maple, agave or another alternative sweetener. But isn’t it all just sugar in the end?!
I know it’s hard, because I’ve fallen victim to the same thing, but don’t let what you see online influence you in a negative way because there are so many people out there with disordered habits that you don’t want to pick up. You can be perfectly healthy and still eat sugar – even white sugar. Heck, the last cookies I made had white sugar in them, and I’m still alive and kickin’ 😉
I totalllyyy have a sweet tooth. Especially after dinner! I always feel the need to end on a sweet note. I have thought about cutting back on sugar, but it’s so hard! And I feel like if you deprive yourself, you’ll want it even more. So i guess as long as it’s eaten in moderation, it can’t be too bad, right?
Definitely can’t be too bad, especially if you don’t notice any negative effects. I think the only reason to cut back on sugar would be if you have some sensitivities and eating it messes with your blood sugar levels too much. Other than that, why not make life sweeter ? 🙂
I don’t watch my sugar intake, but I don’t have a sweet tooth. I should probably watch my salt intake though… LOL.
i feel the same way. I need sugar, i have learned that about myself. my body functions better on it. i don’t go all overboard but i certainly don’t try to actively avoid it. i hate how people just follow the fads without checking in with their body and seeing what actually makes them feel better.
You echo my own thoughts exactly. And I always need to end my meals on a sweet note:).
From what I see, people who actively try to negate all sugar & sweet stuff, denying any cravings for these foods, usually end up going nuts & having an all-out sugar bender anyway. And anyone who claims to never getting sweet cravings is either fibbing, or not human.
So yeah, sugar in moderation,( like everything really) is A ok in my book.
Xxx
Yes! I love your posts.
I don’t understand why people aren’t exercising their common sense when it comes to ‘the sugar issue’ …or why people choose sugar substitutes like stevia or artificial sweeteners instead. Minimally refined sugars like raw cane sugar, pure maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, etc have trace minerals in tact and a tsp has 15 freaking calories! If I eat heavily refined sources – like icing sugar or white sugar, I definitely notice that I feel weird/sluggish but I get over it & move on with my life. High quality sugars can be – and should be enjoyed in moderation. 😀
I totally agree with you!
I think stevia is gross! It makes me feel soo horrible!
Stevia actually kind of scares me. I can’t get past the chemical taste of it, and every time I have it, my stomach isn’t all that happy with me.