Does sugar REALLY effect mood?

[jt&me109]

I've read that it does, but I'm still unsure. Actually, I usually doubt it BEFORE I eat some sugar but not after.

Today, I'm positively depressed. Tired, feeling like a failure, don't want to do anything, can't think of a single positive thing about myself. I feel like 'failure' is written across my forehead in big letters. Yesterday, I had sugar (a sundae, and then 3 hours later I had cereal with sugar dumped on top). Today at lunch I gave in to more cravings and had a chocolate shake.

I wasn't feeling depressed before I fell off the wagon and began this latest cycle of sugar cravings. It's so frustrating! Can feelings this strong really be related to something I ate?

If so, then I'm really never going to be able to eat sugar in moderation. It seems that a little leads to a lot which leads to depressed feelings. I feel like crying today but maybe it's just the sugar, right?

[pat5031]

Mary, it is the sugar. don't be so hard on yourself. sometimes we have to learn the hard way. I had a snickers bar and diet coke a few weeks ago and it really threw me for a loop. I learned my lesson about processed sugar. so, just move on and now you know what effect it has on you. I am past TOM days (so I don't have those pms cravings) and IMHO core causes me to be very even, mellow and happy. ;D

[jmmoon]

Mary, processed sugars and white carbs make me feel horrible both physically and emotionally. I've known about the obvious stuff like desserts for a long time, and generally avoided them. But I didn't realize how much I reacted to white foods like white pasta, white rice, white sourdough bread, etc. until I started Core. I had been aware that they weren't healthy choices, but I have found out that they also affect my moods---not as significantly as sugary foods, but still do.

Although it's tough for some of us to break the cycle, it is really good to do so. Consider your Core foods as a great guideline, and for a couple weeks, limit your use of WPAs to exclude sugar. After you've weaned yourself from sugar, you might be able to have a small portion of something once in a while. I highly recommend that you have it with a complete meal of lean protein and vegetables, rather than as an isolated snack. That way the impact on your body will not be as significant.

The sugar monster never really dies, he just shrinks and goes into hiding. If you feed him again, he'll rear his ugly head and demand more. Respect that powerful effect.

[MrTim1955]

grantoandrew said:

I feel like 'failure' is written across my forehead in big letters.

I think I saw you at the mall this afternoon! ;D

Seriously. Sugar is an addictive substance. As any addict or alcoholic will tell you, the using and guilt trips spiral out of control quite quickly. First you have that first hit/drink/spoon of sugar then feel guilty about it. To relieve the guilt you do the next one. There is no stopping it until you hit bottom as you have obviously done. The cure is not to pick up that first one.

The next step has to be up since you are at the bottom. It's time to shake it off and start looking at things more objectively. You've had a very minor setback but that is to be expected on the road to slimness.

Now buck up and hit the fruits and veggies.

[jt&me109]

Thanks much for your positive messages. I'm feeling much better today and am headed for weekly WI in a few minutes. While I don't expect much good news from the scale, the meeting will be inspirational and it will be good to reset the week.

I think I'll post signs in the kitchen that say "sugar hurts you" and maybe one in my car, too. It amazes me that I can actually forget the effect it has on me.

I'm going to take all the wonderful advice you've given: pick myself back up, commit to 2 weeks of absolutely no sugar, and then, IF I choose to have some, I'll eat a small amount with some protein and veggies. (And I won't count spanish peanuts as protein. ;D)

Thanks, again! You're support and encouragement is exactly what I needed.

[Buttonsmom]

This is an interesting question. I have found that starches are harder on me than sugar is. Sugar usually perks me up, and starches (even whole grains) put me to sleep. Really weird huh??? Oatmeal in the morning, and I want to eat all day long, eggs and I am good for hours. Who knew???

[nebraskagirl]

Gee, butonsmom, maybe your are allergic to some grains. Some people are.

[MrTim1955]

Buttonsmom:

Have you been tested for diabetes? I know when I overload on carbs, I want to go to sleep (and usually do until the effect passes).

I got tested in 2000 because I was working in Boston and when I walked from the hotel to the train (1/2 mile) I was wasted. It seems the more carbs I ate, the less energy I had. Sugar itself doesn't have that effect on me unless I eat a really large amount.

Talk to the doc and get tested. If you are diabetic, you don't want to mess around because of the nasty things it does to your body.

Tim

[Buttonsmom]

Have not been tested for diabetes, but I am hypoglycemic, and there is lots of diabetes in my family, dad,,gdad, ggdad etc. Will get tested as soon as my SS ins starts, right now, I have no insurance, so most of the tests are out of my price range.

[MrTim1955]

It's horrible how people have to suffer because they cannot afford to line the pockets of the insurance executives. We're the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't help people who are sick. We're the only ones who suck the money from the people who cannot afford it.

I better not go this route. I will only just get agitated.

[jamiesue]

This is interesting (I'm a little late to the discussion). I started core 3 days ago b'c I know I am addicted to sugar. I also struggle with depression (severe post partum and probably all the time). I did ok the 1st day on core and have binged for 2 days straight. I have wanted nothing but sugar and now I am disgusted with myself. I'm only 6lb to goal, but more important to me right now is to change what is going into my body so that my mood isn't on a rollercoaster. Using the points allowed me too much wiggle room for eating processed sugar foods (I am breast feeding so I get extra pts on flex plan).

I found this thread b'c I was looking for info on binging and sugar addictions.

[ema2two]

For me it's the out of control eating more than what I eat that gets me negative and disgusted with myself. I know for many people it seems that sugar is part and parcel of that and they don't have out of control eating with non-sugar foods, but I did. I was more likely to have tons of baked poatoes and lean beef than a candy bar or baked goods. Not that I didn't have sweets in my out of control eating days.

I think the key is to know yourself and make a mental committment to treating your body as well as you can to maximize your physical and mental health.

For you, if that means no sugar, isn't it worth it in exchange for a lifetime of good health?

Realizing that people with other serious illnesses had to make bigger sacrifices for good health than I was going to have to make to deal with my obesity put it in perspective for me. If I had to give up some food, no matter how much I enjoyed it, it wasn't giving up a body part or function. And, with WW I didn't even have to give up anything, just learn to moderate it (though some people do have to give up some foods they can't learn to moderate or are addictive for them).