Are You Addicted to Sugar? 5 Clues That You Might Be

Are You Addicted To Sugar? 5 Clues That You Might Be.

Yes, you can be addicted to sugar. When you consume sugar, it acts the same way in your brain as substances like heroin and cocaine. Once it hits your system it triggers the production of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is known as the “feel good” hormone. It gives you a sense of wellness and makes you feel good. This reaction is also the reason that people become addicted to substances – including sugar.

If you are wondering about your own affinity for sugar, these telltale signs of addiction will help you make the call.

You are defensive of your sugar.

You deny you have a problem. You claim it is organic or make other excuses. You say you can give up sugar at any time – while you reach for yet another sugary soda. Thing is, sugar can find its way into a lot of foods and if you aren’t careful you can consume it, even become addicted to it, without ever intending to. It is important to know the many faces of sugar and look for them in ingredients lists. Then avoid those foods like the plague.

You have a hidden stash of sugary foods

You might think it is harmless, but if you feel that you have to hide that candy bar or those gum drops, then you might have a problem. Secret stashes of drugs, alcohol, and food, are very telling. If you feel like you have to hide it to keep from being embarrassed or questioned about it, then you may need to seriously consider your relationship with it.

You eat even when you are not hungry because you crave certain foods.

Everyone has cravings from time to time, but when you are eating to satisfy those cravings even when you aren’t hungry there is a problem. Before you pick up that snack, stop and evaluate just how hungry you really are. Are you eating because you are genuinely hungry or because you just want the experience of tasting the food or experiencing the texture? Before indulging, drink a glass of water or take a walk, then come back and if you still want the food then the craving may be legitimate. Then again, it may not and you might have a serious sugar problem.

You continue eating certain foods even though you have health problems or social issues.

Your doctor has warned you that if you continue eating a certain way you will experience certain health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Even though you know this and you don’t want the problems you still cannot stop eating the foods that you know are bad for you. The same goes for social issues. You can’t fit in the seat in a movie theater or people make fun of you because of your size – or you can’t go out and socialize because of your weight. All of these signify problems that point toward addiction. You know you will experience negative consequences yet you continue the behavior. That is a classic sign of addiction.

When you want to reward yourself you do so with sugar.

You worked out hard so you go get a sugar laden fancy coffee at Starbucks to reward yourself. You got an A on your exam so you head over to your favorite bakery. When food becomes a way of rewarding yourself that is a problem, especially when that food is sugar. With people addicted to sugar, they may use this reward as an excuse to consume the sugar, saying it is a “special occasion” or will happen “just this once.” Sound familiar?

What do you think? Do you believe in sugar addiction? Have you ever experienced it yourself? Share in the comments below.