Do I Have A Sugar Addiction?

Dear Ellen:

I think I’m addicted to sugar. Whenever I eat it, I binge on it. I can’t just eat one candy bar; I have to eat six. I can avoid it for a few months at a time, but after awhile, I just go crazy. What should I do?

Sweetless in Seattle

Dear Sweetless:

Have you ever thought that the reason you binge on sugar is because you deprive yourself of it for an unreasonably extended period of time? I’m not a believer in food addictions, and take a non-diet, non-deprivation approach to the management of disordered eating habits. You may be sensitive, at times, to the effect of sugar in your body, but I don’t believe it is in the same category as heroin or cocaine. You can relearn your relationship to sugar and integrate it into your daily life.

Deprivation leads to bingeing. I’m sure you’ve proven this to yourself over and over again. Let’s be realistic: can you imagine NEVER sharing birthday cake with friends or family or enjoying ice cream on a hot summer day? While sugar may not be the best choice for you or for anyone to consume in large quantities, it has its place. Banishing sugar from your life, not allowing yourself to experience its positive qualities, sets you apart from others in social situations and makes you feel unhappy.  Then, when you’re stressed and your resistance weakens, you’re likely to turn to it as a source of comfort. Since you’ve “blown it” by breaking your own rule, the backlash can be explosive. How often has this cycle repeated itself?

I teach my clients to eat when they’re hungry, stop when they’re full, and eat what they really want, not what they think they “should” want, even if that means something sweet. When you follow these guidelines honestly, you can truly break free from the diet rollercoaster and food “addictions.” This may seem strange at first, but with support and encouragement, you can break the cycle of deprivation and bingeing.

If I can be of further help to you, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ellen