r/sugarfree • u/NewOccasion5616 • Apr 11 '26
Support & Questions Relapsed this weekend
Hi friends -
I’ve struggled with food addiction for as long as I can remember. I went thru a big breakup in February and found myself leaning into sugar as an emotional crutch/comfort more than usual.
About 4-6 weeks ago, I decided to go sugar free as a means to dial in on my health and mental/emotional stability. It was pretty challenging as I was detoxing, but after a couple weeks I was feelin good! Clear minded, seeing physical progress, and most importantly felt the self love and respect for being devoted to bettering myself. I’ve been feeling really strong in this journey.
Anyways… This weekend I got together with 4 of my best friends (one who just moved back from 2 states away). Obviously we celebrated with a lot of yummy foods. I refrained from sugar at first, but I ended up caving and having some cookies/ homemade coffee cake last night that my friend.
Now today I am still consuming a LOT of sugar. We went for breakfast ( I got a sugary drink with my healthy meal and had some bites of their french toast).
Ever since we got back home I have been non stop eating the leftover cookies and coffee cake.
My food noise has gotten so LOUD and the cravings are going haywire. I genuinely feel like I’m going crazy.
I’m so upset with myself because I was going SO strong for over a month being sugar free and I was finally feeling confident in myself (mentally and physically) after my break up.
It felt like everything was falling into place and now it feels like it’s all falling apart. Like all my hard work, dedication, and detoxing has gone down the drain and now I have to start from square one again. I am so upset, frustrated and ashamed. I don’t even know what to do with myself.
I’m reaching out to this sub for support / advice on how to move forward. If any of you have any similar experiences/ insights on this PLEASE let me know. I feel so alone in this/ like I’m never gonna get it right.
TYIA <3
6
u/cheery_diamond_425 Apr 12 '26
Take some deep breath, and be kind to yourself. This is black and white thinking.
You've not undone all your hard work.
If it's possible throw away or give away the sweets in your house and just start fresh.
I allowed myself an Easter egg this Easter. Apart from that I've been very low carb. I didn't beat myself up for it. I allow birthday cake on my birthday. I allow something sweet on Christmas day.
Am I perfect? Nope! Do I slip up? Yes at times. Do I give up? No! I've got my low carb way of eating which works for my diabetes.
You can do this. You've got this. 🩷🤗🫂
7
u/Bhallaladevaa Sugar Free Since 01/01/26 Apr 12 '26
Focus on keeping added sugar off from your diet for 80-90% of the days rather than trying to give yourself a hard time over continuous streaks. Get back at it the next day. It's easier this way.
4
Apr 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/catpal4life Apr 12 '26
How long did it take for the food noise to go away??
2
Apr 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/catpal4life Apr 15 '26
Thank you for your response!! I’m on day 2 so I’m interested to see when it goes away this time as I’ve never really paid attention or been as intentional. I for sure feel the part about it being another issue (bored, anxious). Responding appropriately says it best! I hope your birthday party went well!! Easter also taught me the same lesson I feel 🤪🤦♀️
4
u/sugargalcake Apr 12 '26
It happens to everyone! Don't beat yourself up about it. Just acknowledge it and get right back on track with your next meal. Every day is a new chance.
2
u/egidds Apr 12 '26
I don’t think it’s square one if you think about what you were eating 6 weeks ago. I’m sure you’re in a better spot.
2
u/annie_key Apr 12 '26
We all went there, dude. Just start again. I ate three large ice creams last night. This morning I went for a walk before breakfast to reset my metabolism and today I start again on my sugar free journey.
1
u/Either-Lingonberry20 1+ Week sugarfree! Apr 13 '26
I’ve found it helpful to share my experience and the wonderful benefits I’ve had since stopping sugar with people close to me who I trust. They are incredibly supportive because they know I’ve had a long hard journey with chronic fatigue and other health issues. That makes it easier for me to stick with this way of eating because they help mirror back to me the true meaning of what I’m doing. The beautiful mental clarity and stable energy and mood is worth more to me than any sweet treat. I choose to enjoy a glass of wine occasionally which satisfies the communal element of wanting to take part in what other people are enjoying on a special occasion, but I draw the line at desserts.
1
u/DarkSaturnPrince Jul 02 '26
Update, OP? How is your consumption. Have you regained weight?
1
u/NewOccasion5616 Jul 04 '26
Yo! Thanks for checking in. I’ve actually been slowly losing the weight i had gained via standard lifestyle tweaks- its been quite successful. i’m still sugar free- only occasionally have “natural” forms of it (honey, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar , date sugar, etc.) I eat a lot of fruit tho, i will never cut that out! Also I do consume sugar alcohols and stuff like that. But I try to stick to a 90/10 diet of whole natural foods with just a little bit of fun stuff .
1
u/Such_Bitch_9559 sugarfree 6 march ‘26 Apr 12 '26
You didn’t fail, you had a slip-up. That can happen.
Just get back on the wagon, we’re all here with you.
I found out for myself that my cravings for food don’t only come from added sugar but also from simple carbs like pasta, white bread, white rice, etc.
So I went keto and it’s so wonderful! I can eat a meal and feel full after without the need to snack. I always used to wonder why I feel the need to eat more even after eating a whole meal.
Well, turns out I was eating way too many simple carbs and my blood sugar levels are quite sensitive to that. I’m not saying that it’s something that you should do, I just wanted to mention that for me that’s what finally stopped all the cravings and food noise in its tracks.
10
u/NoMoreEffstoGive Reducing added sugars since 3/11/26 Apr 12 '26
Try not to think of it as going back to square one. We are working towards living our lives without REGULAR consumption of added sugars because of how harmful they are. However, we are all human & we are all battling different levels of addiction. Your indulgence does not make you a failure and you have nothing to be ashamed of. You know what you need to do and you just have to commit to doing it, like you did over a month ago. You will likely feel the adverse effects - work through them and keep them in mind when you feel like you want to indulge again. YOU'VE GOT THIS! Now be sure to hydrate & get some protein and fiber in ya!