Q&A for How to Get Through Sugar Withdrawal

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Question

What foods stop sugar cravings?

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS
Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Claudia Carberry is a Registered Dietitian specializing in kidney transplants and counseling patients for weight loss at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Claudia received her MS in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2010.

Claudia Carberry, RD, MS

Master's Degree, Nutrition, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Expert Answer

Try eating foods with natural sugar, such as fruit. This may satisfy your sweet tooth.

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Question

Why do I get bad headaches when I lay off sugar?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

The headaches are essentially a withdrawal symptoms. Try decreasing the sugar in smaller steps. If you get a headache, try a taste of fruit or other natural sugar to see if it helps with the pain. Be patient!

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Question

When you cut back on sugar, can you get severe muscle pain along with leg and foot cramps?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Yes-- these can be withdrawal symptoms, but they can also mean you are not getting enough magnesium or other essential nutrient. See if those pains and cramps are relieved by taking a magnesium or mineral supplement. Make sure you are eating well while avoiding sugary foods.

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Question

I have a binge-eating disorder, and when I eat sugar I can't stop. What can I do?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

There are a number of "tricks" you can try. Talk this approach over with your therapist and get their opinion or suggestions. First, on a day when you are feeling strong, get rid of all sugary junk food. Get a few pieces of hard candy and some honey. When you feel the urge for sugar, take one piece of candy or one piece of fruit with a bit of honey on it. As soon as you eat the hard candy or the fruit, get out of the house! Start walking around the block or walk to a park or a store that doesn't have any candy. Decide that in 1 hour, if you stay away from sugar you will reward yourself with something that is a non-food item. Keep doing this, increasing the amount of time needed before you reward yourself. Don't try to do it "cold turkey". Give yourself permission to proceed in smaller steps.

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