Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

 

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I’m an addict — a sugar addict, that is.

Another year has passed, and at the start of a new one, I am faced with the same challenge that has plagued me for many years: how to break my addiction to sugar.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved sweets — what child doesn’t like candy?

But my “love” of sweets over the years has turned into more. Whether it’s candy, cookies, ice cream, cake — you name it, it all haunts me.

I’ve never struggled with addiction to alcohol or illegal drugs, but I feel like I have a glimpse of what that must be like because at times I’ve felt I have been in the same boat with sugar.

I’ve learned sugar addiction can be a legitimate problem and that over the years it has become more prominent in this nation.

I stumbled across an article published in 2009 in the U.S. National Library of Medicine with the National Institutes of Health that talks about a study conducted to determine whether sugar can be a substance of abuse and lead to a natural form of addiction.

The article states in the study, lab rats were deprived of food daily for 12 hours. After a delay of four hours into their normal circadian-driven active period, the rats were given a 12-hour access to a sugar solution and chow. They learned to drink the sugar solution copiously as it became available day after day.

“After a month on this intermittent-feeding schedule, the animals show a series of behaviors similar to the effects of drug abuse,” the article states. “These are categorized as ‘bingeing,’ meaning unusually large bouts of intake, opiate-like ‘withdrawal’ indicated by signs of anxiety and behavioral depression and ‘craving’ measured during sugar abstinence as enhanced responding for sugar. There are also signs of both locomotor and consummatory ‘cross-sensitization’ from sugar to drugs of abuse.”

Why does this happen when we eat sugar?

Similar to when other addictive drugs are ingested, when we eat sugar, it essentially creates a chemical reaction in the brain — releasing dopamine and creating a feel-good response. Over time, our brains begin to crave that feeling, and at times those cravings can lead to compulsive behaviors.

So, what can I do to get a better grip on my self-diagnosed addiction?

I’m welcome to any suggestions anyone might have, but I am going to begin by writing out a menu for myself. I’m going to plan out my meals. My thought is that only the things I’ve written down or that are on a pre-determined list can I choose from when I want a snack. I’m hoping this limits the impulsive buys at the gas station or otherwise.

I’m going to get rid of anything questionable in the house.

I’m going to log in a notebook the times I’m feeling triggered to grab a sweet and see if I can pinpoint some of the feelings I might be having when I’m wanting those types of foods.

Why am I writing this all out there for everyone to see? Because I need some accountability. If I know everyone out there knows about my challenge, I might think twice about stopping somewhere to pick up something sweet.

Experts also say writing out goals helps you in achieving them.

Cheers to a new year, to achieving new things and to sticking with our goals for the long-haul.

 

Citizen of the Year Award

We are still looking for nominations for the Tribune’s annual Citizen of the Year Award. Please submit nominations to me at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com or drop them off at our office at 808 W. Front St. Please submit the name of your nomination and reasons why this person should be considered. Nominations need to be turned in by Friday.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.