New research out of New Zealand found that refined carbs, essentially white flour and white sugar, are as addictive as cigarettes. They found that heavily processed foods with a high amount of refined carbohydrates, like sugary cereals and sweet baked goods, quickly raise the amount of sugar in the blood, and that this "sugar rush" activates the same areas of the brain stimulated by nicotine and other addictive drugs. Like other addictions, the refined carbs loses its effectiveness in creating the desired rush forcing folks to eat more refined carbs to capture the high. They eat more sweets despite the negative consequences, a defining element of addiction. These findings support the research out of Princeton that sugar has addictive qualities. That Cinnabon might not be as innocent as it seems.
I have been avoiding refined carbs for a long time now. Sticking with whole grains and keeping refined sugar in check leaves me feeling more even emotionally. But what about you . . .
Emporio Armani
Nope, not addicted. My husband is to sugar. I don't need a study with a solid P-value to tell me this is an addiction. We have been eating super clean for a couple of weeks and he was going through low-level withdrawls the first few days from sugar... sleepy, disoriented, cranky, etc. Kind of crazy to watch his damn near dts when he was sleepimg.
1Nah but when I'm PMSing I surely am.
2No. They make me feel ill. Which is why I cook 99% of my own meals and bake my own stuff the majority of the time. When I don't I don't just read the label on products I cross-examine it.
3Only sweet stuff, but I wouldn't say addicted. I just like to have baked goods sometimes, but not too often. But when it comes to white bread, pasta and rice I'm fine living without. I definitely prefer whole wheat versions and brown rice.
4I like to have cookies or cake from time to time but I don't feel like I'm addicted, I don't even really crave it. The only time I ever eat refined bread/pasta/rice is when I'm out to dinner. If I'm cooking myself I prefer the whole wheat versions.
5Too much sugar gives me a headache, so I really don't tend to overdo that. Fat/salt, on the other hand, throws my self-control right out the window. One bite of a delicious, creamy cheese is enough to make me face-plant in the whole wedge.
6I know I'm addicted to sugar, even though sugary products make me sick. Uggh, I'm still feeling that Nutrigrain bar from lunch
7I can honestly say I know I am not! I just started doing South Beach again and I'm not really craving bread or sweets.
(By the way I started a group for SBD if anyone's interested!)
8I don't mean to be a pain in the butt, but I think that poll could have been composed in a better way.
9I'll eat patries from time to time but I don't have to have them.
Most cases when I bake I use whole wheat flower so I try to make it healthier.
Now I must have my cereal M-F but only because I don't have time for anything else. I usually wake up late and run out the door.
10I try to limit my sugar intake but I do know the feeling of being addicted to sugar! It's so horrible! You keep downing cookies trying to get "satisfied" but you never do feel satisfied. It's so easy for me to eat too much sugar so I try to avoid it as much as possible or I try to substitute the craving for something more sensible.
11I think I was and have the ability to be. I try to stay away from sugary stuff, but I have a weakness for sweets. I used to put sugar in my coffee (a heaping spoonful + creamer), but now I only use my Silk soy creamer. It's only been two days since I've started that, but I like actually tasting the coffee now, not the sweetness from the sugar. I love whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and all that. I could live without refined carbs. I'm also trying to stay away from fake sugar like Splenda, but we'll see how it goes!
12i'm not now but have been in the past. right now i'm not eating sugar or wheat but i have noticed that if i start to indulge myself a little bit with really processed sugary foods i just start to want them alll the time, and when that's what i'm craving i get really cranky if i dont have it. thankfully it only took a couple days not eating it at all to break it.
13I'm not addicted to refined carbs. For the most part, I don't eat them...I'm more of a whole-grain/fruit and veggie person. But I do like candy or chocolate a few times a week. I could probably give them up entirely if I wanted, but I like eating them in moderation, so I won't go "cold-turkey".
14I do think they're addictive. I don't think they're ever good for anyone. Having said that, I'm not addicted to them-- I can go without for a long time-- but I really, really, really enjoy them!
15Yes, but most people have the biological mechanism for becoming addicted to sugar/ refined carbs. You can break the addiction with a new diet.
16I believe it. I want sugar allll the time, especially when I'm tired or need a lift. Sweets/breads are the first things I'm drawn to.
17I don't like carbs and starchy stuff in general, so I guess I should consider myself lucky.
18nope, i've long since given up sweets and refined carbs. i loove whole grains though and i will never give up carbs because you NEED them!
19No, I stay away from refined carbs. My carbs are from whole grains.
The only time I have some refined carbs are during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. This is only because I dine with family, and I want to try the dishes that my family members made from scratch. I'm just trying to be polite.
20i think maybe i am but it's more of a convenience thing at 3.30pm when i get tired at work.
21this week i've gone 'cold turkey' on chocolate/cake/cookies so i've got little tupperware boxes of steamed edamame beans and vegetables this week. i think they should distract me from the kitkats!
first of all i'm an emotional eater
second.. refined carbs.. almost all of them.. TASTE HEAVENLY.
to be honest, okay tuna sandwich with whole grained bread also tastes good. but if i ignore the calories and the health facts and everything else, i'd go for that chinese pork-floss bun
lastly.. i have my weight-scale point kind of thing
22if i weigh myself and i see.. hmm.. i've lost a pound, i'd eat more whatever i want to eat (most of them are unhealthy ones, including the great-tasting refined carbs!)
i actually try to stay away from that stuff when i can - it's addicting when you don't let yourself have any and then you have a little taste makes you start fiending for it.
23i do believe sugar is addictive and i come from an family of (recovered) addicts of various things - so it is no surprise to me i'm addicted to it...and i certainly could have worse addictions!
24I like ugg boots
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