I am on day two with no sugar. I am irritable. Years ago I had stopped eating sugar and felt great. Slowly crept back in, and now I have a belly, acne (at age 38). Table sugar is in everything it seems. One has to cook for oneself to avoid this diabolical substance. What it appears to take is reticence; determination; strong boundaries.

I cut back on my alcohol consumption and found myself eating a increased amount of sweets. When I cut back on the sweets, (because of weight gain) I had irregular sleep patterns, headaches, and days when I did nothing but sat around feeling sad. After reading these posts and being able to identify with so many symptoms, I feel that making an earnest in this endeavor is me worthy.

I decided to look into a sugar free diet after Ellen Degeneres began the diet. I'm going to try it and I am glad that I will know the side effects associated with it.

To #44: Watch Ellen Degeneres or go to her show page to watch her sugar free video diary. Ave

i m 31 yrs old and my weight is 86kg. my life is full of tension and pressure. i do not know about sugar or diabetes. Nowadays, i feel both legs on the bottom side are burning and now my elbow is paining. can anyone tell me what are the main symptoms?

I am on here reading comments because I have been feeling like I am going to pass out lately after starting Weight Watchers hard core about a week ago.

I cut out sugar overnight and pastas and have been living on salads and veggies. I lost a few lbs but feel awful. I thought I was alone in thinking sugar was addicting, but my body feels like my blood sugar is low and I am craving sugar. Not in a hunger way, in a necessity way. Does that make sense?

And to comment #44, if you have education whatsoever, you would know that low blood sugar can most definitely cause the symptoms mentioned above. It has nothing to do with "getting a life" my friend, it is factual. I mean, good for you that you don't have a problem with sugar effects, but no one cares to hear your opinions about those who do.

The comment above about sugar not being addictive and for all of us to "get a life" is really comical and ironic. Don't offer negative comments on a subject that you aren't even a part of.

It's day three for me. I started searching for symptoms of sugar withdrawals (wasn't even sure there was such a thing) while trying to find a cause for my crushing headaches and found this website.

I am somewhat relieved that the headaches seem to be related to sugar withdrawals. Who knew? I feel nauseous and anxious too, to the point that I was going to make a doctor's appointment. So I have to look forward to feeling even worse?

I guess I'll be sticking it out like the rest of you brave people. Glad to know I'm not alone. Try ginger (or ginger capsules) for the nausea/stomach upset. It might help.

Feel great about what you are accomplishing! I say this on day 8 w/o sugar. I originally cut out carbs-bad idea. I believe this creates low energy. I eat carbs, but all mutli-grain, and only two per day.

I had a low-grade headache and have now progressed to body aches and I feel like I have the flu.

I have been drinking lots of water and exercise every day regardless of how I feel or how much energy I have. It helps get the toxins moving.

What I find most encouraging is the fact that if I feel this rotten just ridding my body of these bad foods, what must be happening when I keep pouring this stuff into my body?

Try to stick it out. Although feeling bad isn't fun, by paying attention to how you feel will awaken you to when you start to feel great. Stay with it- you are worth the effort and you are worth changing your life for!

Just cut down my sugar for the first time. It's been three days. I feel like I am moving in slow motion and I starting focusing on an old relationship from years and years ago. I don't drink, but not having my sugar has made me want a shot of something. this is awful.

Jorge Cruise author of "The Belly Fat Cure" book has been on all the morning shows this week so my husband purchased a copy of it Monday evening. It is amazing how he breaks it all down.

So we have been following his advice of no more than 15 grams of sugar and 6 complex carb servings(120 grams) per day since Tuesday morning. I have definitely been going through the sugar withdrawal as I am only allowed sugar from food or Stevia and a few other approved sweeteners.

He does a great job of explaining the different sweeteners and which ones are considered "safe". He also does a great job of explaining the harm of too much sugar in the diet. His book is loaded with great information and recipes.

I hope that you get a copy of his book and find it as useful and informative as we have!

I was a sugar addict for much of my life - I know the suffering of sugar addiction, as well as the pain of withdrawal.

My first four days without sugar were boot camp painful. Just awful. But after the first week, I felt amazing - when I wasn't eating sugar, the physical cravings for sugar practically disappeared.

For the first time in decades, I felt like I could make peace with food and stop binging. After I healed myself from my sugar addiction I wrote a book on how I did it. I also offer a support program for sugar addiction. If I can encourage you all with anything it is this: if I can give up sugar anyone can! You deserve a life of health and wholeness - believe that you can create a joyful sugar free life. Warmly, Karly.

There is evidence that sugar is addictive. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Whatever anyone does, please, do it slowly, gradually.

I posted on Number 45 (look at it) and the day after I posted that, ended up in the emergency room disoriented,confused and passing out, but with a "normal" blood sugar of 102.

Turns out I was so used to a higher blood sugar (145 or so) that when I abruptly cut off the sugars, I crashed -- literally. No one in the ER figured it out, since I was babbling incoherently.

I was there for two days, had all sorts of tests done only to start slowly coming out of it when they changed my IV from saline to a glucose/water drip. Surprise! I was foggy, but myself. The more I ate, the better I became.

I found a wonderful doc who said, sure, cut out the sugar, but duh! Gradually! It can take months for some of us to have our bodies re-adjust safely. Please be careful with yourselves, please.

I now feel pretty normal at 125-130 sugars, but it's going to take time to get them down further. If you don't have a doc, can't find or afford one, please, no drastic measures. For some of us, they can really hurt you. There's no need to shock your body. Be safe, be sane, be sensible. I had to learn the hard way going cold turkey wasn't for me, so please, just be careful. Cynthia 2009

Finding this page was a big help to me. It made me feel I wasn't just imagining things. Although I don't have major health problems or weight gain, I researched and decided to try to cut out white sugar from my diet to become more healthy.

Around 24 hours after last eating sugar I started to feel pretty bad. Low energy/feeling like I'm getting ill, diarrhea, extreme cravings for chocolate, sweets/candy, feelings of low esteem/worthlessness/sadness/loneliness. These persisted for eight days.

Luckily by the eighth day I woke up feeling great. I'd describe it as peaceful, happier, more motivated, less moody, high energy (even on low amount of calories).

The foods I'm eating right now are basically meat, eggs and vegetables (with a little fruit). I'm going to try to keep off sugar and hope I continue to feel this good.

I am so glad i have read these posts. I have been on a Candida cleanse from Dr. Jeff McCombs and i feel like hell! I have yet to take his Candida killers but following his diet very strictly, which does not allow you to have sugar, wheat, dairy, vinegar or alcohol.

You can have protein (organic if possible), fruit (except oranges) and veggies. I have experienced low blood sugar attacks, bad headaches, bad anxiety and just a weird feeling in my head that is hard to describe. I kinda feel floaty with some tension. Maybe it is a dull tension headache. I don't know. I never really got headaches unless i drank too much from going out.

I have pressure in my ears or they feel clogged somewhat. I feel disoriented and feel like while walking, i am going to fall to the side (but i don't really. I just have a feeling i am). I am taking olive leaf, grapefruit seed extract and eating raw garlic with foods.

My eyes sometimes feel they are cloudy or my vision has gotten worse.

I am really surprised i am having such bad symptoms because i thought i ate pretty healthy, but i do know that when i have junk food in my house, i crave it and want it and eat it! But when it's out of the home, I am in complete control. Weird!

I am also under a great deal of stress. I have two kids and two step kids that i do not get along with and five dogs, not to mention i run a childcare in my home and have eight kids, so very hectic!

So, has anyone experienced symptoms like mine? I do not like this feeling at all. I want my normal life back but also want to stick with this cleanse. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

About two weeks ago I significantly reduced my sugar intake. I stopped eating table sugar, intake no cholesterol, but have replaced sugar with splenda blend and then just splenda after I got used to it.

I have also started baking with more apple sauce instead of oil, and using whole wheat flour.

I also stopped drinking alcohol and pop, etc. A few days ago I started getting horrible migraines! Also my left knee has been killing me with joint pain.

Does anybody know what this could be from? Is it the splenda? Or just from reducing fats and sugars from my diet so fast? Help!

This site and your comments are a godsend to me. I was off all sugar and artificial sweeteners for years in OA. After the withdrawal I felt really good. Then life got hard, some things about 12 steps started to annoy me, and gradually I got back onto sugar. Like others here, it took me one jelly bean and my whole sugar addiction flooded back over me. Last night I ate pink cookies, marshmallow fluff and ice cream. This morning I found your site and am inspired to keep trying to get back to my happier, more peaceful, sugar free life. My basic food plan then was organic non-fat plain yogurt and fruit for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner 4 oz protein and a pound (yes, a pound) of veggies. I deviated a lot from that basic plan and it worked. I so wish I hadn't eaten that stupid jelly bean. Thanks and hugs to you all. PattyF.

A lot of these problems such as fibromyalgia, gluten allergy, celiac disease, chronic fatigue, joint pain, thyroid, and so forth can be related to a yeast overgrowth in the body called Candida. Candida Albicans live off of sugar so when you stop eating sugar, your body goes through a period called a "die off". This is where the yeast are dying off in your body. This can cause you all sorts of withdrawal symptoms including feeling like you have the flu. It is not the diet -- it is the candida dying off in your body. Keep eating the no sugar diet which basically includes meat except pork, eggs, and some green vegetables. No dairy except organic whole plain yogurt. No wheat, no gluten, and no fruits are allowed. you will feel better if you stop eating sugar. Eventually, you can start to add stuff back in once you start feeling better. Some people's bodies take longer to get rid of Candida than others. It is also helpful to take an anti-fungal such as grapefruit seed extract to help kill off the yeast. There is much information about this subject. This can affect anyone: men, women and children. A yeast infection is not just vaginal. It can stay in the intestines getting into the blood and causing a whole slew of problems in your body. Candida will multiply very rapidly. That's why when you eat sugar, you crave more sugar. The yeast is eating the sugar but it's also multiplying which in turn causes it to crave more and more. Ever wonder why it's so easy to eat a whole package of processed or sugary foods? Get rid of the Candida and I guarantee you will feel better and many of your other problems will go away. You need to the fix the root of the problem, not just try to fix or cover up the symptoms.

Thank heaven I found you people. I feel like I am dying and I have only been off sugars and high carbs for three days. I have all the symptoms of insulin resistance and took myself off high carbs and refined sugars after spending too much time in ER's with "we can't really find anything wrong with you" as the result. Fasting sugars were consistently over 115-120. This morning they were 69, but I feel like a truck ran over me. I can't think, I am dizzy, wobbly, disoriented -- all this from eating no sugar and no high carbs?

I see doctors again in two days. Gads, how do you all cope with this staggeringly awful weak, zombie like feeling?

I didnt even read your comments because you guys have to be kidding. Addicted to sugar?Sugar withdrawal? Sugar is *not* an addictive substance, contrary to what you may have read on the internet. Get a life!

Well, I have read all of your posts. Today is only Day 2 and I have a headache so bad that i feel as though my head will explode. What a difficult road to travel - many of you are on Day 10+ and I am worried. Well, I think I'll keep with it just to see how I'll feel next month - I'm going to give it four full weeks. One doctor told me that your body will crave this sweetness as the yeast is still active. Once you "starve" the little buggers, they release more toxins and cause all kinds of mischief. The cravings are then unbearable. So you guys have real discipline. I fear I do not. I had zucchini bread last night - sort of tricked myself. So I will start today once again. Day 1. Keep writing because I will periodically check back for more support from you. --Deborah

I have cut out wheat, refined sugars,processed foods for 10 days now. I feel like crap. Fatigue, neck aches, diarrhea, bloating etc. I have gone this far and I'm not about to stop. I have suffered with migraines, fibromyalgia, I.C. and weight issues. I hope I have some relief soon. Witchwoman 56

For me this woman has made all the difference. She finaly makes the connection between sugar and brain chemistry. She links blood sugar levels, serotonin and beta-endorphins into one understandable package. Best of all she ties each one of the above to specific emotions and you recognize yourself without question. Most importantly she finally answers the question as to why we all relapse and provides a simple program to recovery.

At age 59 I finally understand what is wrong with me and why.

Her name is Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D. After 40 years of struggle, I just never knew what the problem was. I only had pieces of the puzzle. No wonder I've fallen off so many diets.

I hope this post helps one of you out there.

Best Regards, Dan

I take vitamin C 1000 units when I have sugar craves. I make sure I have sufficient "B" vitamins and essential oils Omega 3 etc: My diet consists of high protein, high fat, low carbs. I still drink coffee in moderation for the health benefits.

I have started having mood swings and depression since I quit sugar and caffeine. I am tired, don't want to do anything but sit and feel like crying and my stomach and head hurt. is this from sugar withdrawal?

it is so nice to realise i wasn't going crazy this week. i have been so anxious and depressed and then realised it may have something to do with the fact i have beeen giving up sugar.

I am on day 4 and I have nasuea, headaches, dizzness and fatigue. It's like detoxing from opiates. Probably going to take 10 days to 3 weeks.

i am a sugar addict, and i have been on withdrawal for 2 months now. but i still feel a very strong desire for the sugar, mentally and physically. i am putting up a very hard battle and my friends are being very supportive.

I find that frozen blueberries are a great fix if you need something to pick you up (energy) or mellow out the headaches.

Also the sweetener Truvia (made from stevia leaves) is quite tasty for those of you who wish they could make their morning coffee tasty again.

I truly believe sugar is like a drug. I'm so addicted, I'm on my second day and I got extremely emotional today for some weird reason, i feel tired, dizzy, and am craving sugar sooo bad. Oh and I cant sleep really at all. I also have an eating disorder where I eat too little and then I just go crazy on binging on sweets for a day or two because that is what I love..to the point where I feel sick and then the next day I'm back to eating little..I'm not overweight at all. But it definitely sucks. and I'm really trying to give up sugar forever. I have once stayed away really well. The only thing that works that I found is when you crave sugar eat fruit or atkins diet bars like chocolate brownie. Or if you crave sugar google a picture of a fat person or read the affects of sugar and what it does and that helps ahahahaha no lie! Oh and drink plenty of water and tea or chew sugarless gum.

Hi there everyone,

I wanted to drop a quick note as i know it will help many people out who are coming of sugar.

I have stopped eating sugar 3 times the the last 2 years and each time of returning to a sugar free diet i learn new things that make the detox a lot easier.

I just stopped for the last time 5 days ago, after having a 4 week binge on the white stuff, and already i am feeling fantasic,and back to my good old self.What made it alot easier this time was taking vitamins and minerals.Sugar consumption strips the body of these two vital ingrediants to a healthy self, especialy the B-vitamins.this is compounded if a person smokes cigerettes and marijuana,or drinks caffeine, etc.

In the past i had a lot of trouble sleeping while going through the withdrawls. these last two times however i have found it a lot more tolerable by taking magnesium and calcium supplaments.

Good luck everyone. keep it up --its well worth it.

Google these substances and im sure you will benefit greatly.

All you guys are great, I mean it really needs lot of will to do it. I happen to see Dr. Wayne Dyers show on KQED and he mentioned that he stopped having sugar and at the age of 68 he is very fit and looks amazing, though I am not over weight and do exercise well not regularly but once I start I continue for about a couple of month until situation forces me to quite like I need to travel or some injury (mostly muscle tear), well it's been like this for many years now, but I could not get rid of my belly fat unless I do lot of jogging and hitting the gym after that for a good amount of time.

After listening to Dr. Dyer I gave up on everything that might contain sugar, except fruits which I just love, for the first few days I would not know why I have muscle ache and towards the end of the day I would feel feverish, though it would not show in the thermometer, my whole body would ache, I would not have a good night's sleep and would toss and turn all night long. I started taking Ibuprofen that gave me some relief but still my suffering would not go. It was only after 15 days that now I started feeling better, though the good part is I never knew I was going thru a Sugar withdrawal, it is just that 2 days back I was thinking what I was going thru and why and that's when it occurred to me that my whole life I have been eating sweet things and I just stopped it and perhaps this could be attributed to that and sure enough when I googled I found so many articles on it.

just read all ur comments and yes i can understand all the things you are all going through but i just wanted to say that if you want to go on a sugar fast or stop it all together you are better off going on a low carb low calorie diet as it has protein so you still have the energy and you still lose weight. i am on a low carb diet and it is the only diet which has worked for me and believe me i've tried loads. the withdrawal symptoms are still there and for some may be worse than others but they go away after a few days and because the food i eat on the diet contain at least 100% of your daily nutrients you feel good after the first 4 or 5 days. i highly recommend low carb low cal diets. if you have got this far you might as well try this.

I'm on day 9 of giving up refined sugar, salt, caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, additives and colourings etc. The first week was *hell*. The headache was unbearable, and then the very bad throbbing pain in my joints started. *But* there *is* hope! The headache went after about 4 days, and today is the first day that all the joint pains have gone, and *I feel great!* I also slept right through the night last night, which is the first time I have done this in 8 years. So don't give up, it's worth it!!

I am so glad I found this article and thread! I am on Day 12 of a refined sugar-free life and I am in hell!!! Until I read this these posts, I was sure I had lupus or leukemia or fibromyalgia or something horrible like that!

My symptoms started on Day 3. Migraine, nausea, flu-like symptoms. The headache has mostly gone away, a slight one comes and goes. But the nausea and joint-pain are horrible! Now, Day 11 and Day 12, I am swollen and my joints really hurt! My hands, face, feet...all swollen. I have cut out salt intake too because I've gone from prepackaged and eating out to eating fresh foods and home-cooked meals. I feel worse now than before I quit the refined sugars and carbs!!!

I'm going to wait 2 or 3 more days and see how the symptoms are before I panic. I am a firm believer that sugar is addictive. What a horrible existence it was for me to get through a day! I ate sugary foods and white breads throughout the day and then would eat more. I couldn't stop myself.

Thanks to all of you for your posts and to the writer of the article. This has helped ease my mind tremendously!

I have been eliminating sweets from my diet for about a month - purposefully keeping it a moderate and gradual sugar fast. This is to allow me the success that a severe elimination of sugar would probably not permit. I just realized the possibility that my symptoms are possibly linked to sugar withdrawal.

In this month, I have had 2 colds and a herpes outbreak. My mood seems to be stable, but I've worked on that my whole adult lifetime. I have been quite tired, and of course that goes with the 2 colds. By moderate, I mean I am allowing myself fruits and carbohydrates. I was originally going to just make this a 40 day fast, but after reading on this site, I may continue and try restricting other sources of sugar, like carbs & fruits. My kombucha tea surely seems to help with detox, as does drinking more water, green tea, and red clover/red raspberry/nettles tea. Now all I Want are Shiatsu and 8 hours sleep/night!

I have been eating sugar big time from my 14 year 1949 to april 30, 09. Is it my imagination that i feel so bad, wrist swollen, pain pills do not work. in the hot tub two times a day is the only way i can get any sleep i hurt so bad.

Like i have a bad flu. Joints hurt, depressed, with no energy. Is there anything i can do to to get rid of this faster. I first thought it was in my head until i read your blog. Are there any doctor's that can help? I live in fallbrook, ca.

I am on day 10 of giving up the great and terrible C's - cake, candy, cold cereal, ice Cream, Cokes, and cookies - in other words, junk food. I'm also trying to watch my carb intake. Today I'm feeling really lethargic. I'm just wondering how long before my body will start being glad I'm not flooding it with sugar. A cousin told me that she's been off for 3 months and now it's not so bad. *Not so bad?!* I want it to be great, wonderful. I want to feel better than ever. Well, I'm going to keep on keeping on no matter what.

I stopped my sugar intake completely 11 days ago due to systemic yeast. I'm exhausted, but yet have trouble falling asleep, and more trouble waking up.

The worst part is the constant upset stomach.

10th day of withdrawal from refined carbs (all breads, rice, pasta) and sugars (no candies/sweets, high-sugar fruits, fruit juices, alcohol). I am pretty healthy and do a lot of exercise, but right now I feel terrible, especially emotionally. Very down, don't feel like interacting with people, negative. My body is processing toxins while withdrawing, it's pretty heavy!

One good thing: I recommend a product called xylitol as a sugar substitute. Its as sweet as sugar, not synthetic (like poisonous aspartame), and has a very pleasant taste. Only difference is lower KJs, doesn't trigger changes in blood sugar and is antibacterial (good for teeth and kills digestive yeasts).

Good luck everyone. This is just the tip of the iceberg - our whole culture is junk. What we watch on TV, what we read, the news, our educations, it goes on and on..

I have been following the South Beach diet for more or less two years (sometimes more sometimes less). Right now, after taking a break to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have returned to stage 1 of the diet. This is the most restrictive part of the diet and is essentially a complete withdrawal from sugar. Like many here I have been experiencing the worst dull headache and nausea. I also feel like I'm running a slight temperature. I highly recommend a long hot shower to headache sufferers. Which might also explain the hot feeling. Others have mentioned an effect to blood pressure. Maybe, that is what I am experiencing. I had also felt this way during the first time I started the diet. It is really rough for me.

I am 10 days on the atkins diet, and i have never been more miserable in my life. The only thing keeping me on the diet is the eight i have already lost. constant headache, emotionally crazy, zero energy, just the worst. Im supposed to go back to school next week! is this normal? when will it end? im going to the dr. today. i cant wait

hi its been six days since i am off sugar and rice. very low carb diet. i am happy to achieve this as i was big sugar addict. past two days i am feeling a little low because of this. but i have started taking protein powder in place of sugar and it's really helping me.

Second day, no sugar. Feel emotional, drained and very cranky. I have a support group meeting tonight at 6:15.

I am 40 pounds overweight and have already lost 80 pounds, but got reintroduced to sugar and white flour two years and five months ago.

I will survive.

I am just starting a diet plan cutting out sugar and refined flour; I've also opted to cut caffeine at the same time. As of Day 1 afternoon (now), I have second thoughts about taking this on all at once:-).

I already am having difficulty concentrating and sinus pressure building towards headache. I think caffeine would alleviate my issues. Should I stick with it and cut sugar & caffeine together. Or am I better off cutting sugar, going through that withdrawal; THEN cutting caffeine and dealing with that second withdrawal?

I'm unable to take off work at this time, so will have to manage through each workday. Thanks for your advice!

Hey! It's great to read everyone's posts on sugar withdrawal. I'm day 11 of no sugar, flour, alcohol, caffeine, dairy or other animal products. Wowee - yesterday was all about tears, as was the day before. Today, I felt a bit dizzy and am in bed - again! When I get tired, it hits me hard and can't keep up with other people. I'm in a group called FA (Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous)(not a vegetarian group - that's my own personal choice) and there are tons of people who are living happy and successful lives for years on end without sugar and flour. It's a 12 step group for people with eating disorders; any and all eating disorders. They say for the first 90 days to just put your fluffy slippers on. I'm lucky enough to have found them, my life is changing for the better.

I'm on my first week of sugar withdrawal, and in addition to the dull headache and constant nausea, my blood pressure is elevated. I'm on meds for it, and monitor it regularly, so I'm attributing it to the stress of the elimination diet. Anyone else had this happen?

I too cut our sugar on a dare from a friend. 2nd day in, thankfully Saturday, I spent in bed, weary. Sunday was no better. I slugged it out for the work week and by day 8, I could make it 'til 8pm before falling asleep. By week 2.5 I was feeling like my old self again. Hang in there, it is worth it.

I am on day 4 of a no sugar diet and I feel really dizzy, light headed, weak, tired and irritable! How long does this go on for?! Any ideas!! Cheers Hannah

It's really great to hear other stories of going off of sugar. I am severely addicted. I've gone off sugar before, and was good for about 1-1/2 years. During that time I felt better than I ever have. My energy level was through the roof. But those first 10 days or so are absolute hell. I am at the end of day 2 and my muscles are weak and I've been going hot and cold and I feel horrible. Oh, and the headache. I don't do caffeine, so it is sugar-related I'm sure. But, after about 10 days it will all be worth it. Hang in there, everyone! -pam

Great to hear there are others out there giving this a go. I'm on day 4 without Sugar, Wheat, Dairy or Caffeine. I gave up coffee 3.5 years ago, but I also wanted to eliminate black tea etc. 4 days feels like such a loooong time, but I'm willing to keep going. Headaches on day 1, a whole day through, days 3 and 4, aches throughout my back and legs, like flu like symptoms. I'm really fatigued and also amazed at the reliance on sugar and the rest! Good luck everyone, one a day at a time.

Wow..the headache thing is pretty surprising. I've had headaches for the last 3 days, and normal headaches for me go away in 2-3 hours.

Here's what started me down this path.... I've always been overweight, but relatively healthy. I joined Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time a couple of weeks ago, using their "core" diet plan. All healthy foods, very, very little processed sugar. I did well for about a week. Then one night after eating completely non-processed food for a whole day, I had a bite of sugared cereal. After that, I could not stop eating sugar. I ended up mixing up cookie dough and eating that too. I was *not* hungry, I just couldn't stop.

After discussions w/some folks in the health profession, I decided to cut sugar. I have had the awful headaches and lethargy.

So..for the group..my questions:

1) How long does this usually last?

2) Does alcohol create the same "can't stop" feeling? Has anyone else had this effect?

3) Does anyone have a comprehensive list of processed sugar names and a list of "natural" sugars that may not create this effect?

Stevia...been thinking of growing this as a herb, and adding to fruit salads, etc. Tastes reasonable right off the plant...can't stand it in a bottle.

Thoughts?

None of your comments spoke of ice cream addiction. Is not ice cream a problem for others as it is for me?

I have given up all sugars and refined carbs including alcohol. The headaches are terrible! I am tired too. I am willing to stick it out though because I have been unwell for three years now and need to try something to get things back on track. My specialist has discovered that my liver is not functioning quite right and I have a candida albicans overgrowth in my gut.

As for the comment about the headaches being from caffeine withdrawl, that may be true in part for some people, but I don't drink coffee, so I know it's all about sugar for me!

Good luck everyone and stick to it :)

i've experienced the sugar and carb withdrawal, and it is not pleasant! stick it out at least a week, it will get much better then!

I am on day 4 right now of absolutely no refined sugars or pretty much processed foods for that matter. It's been only fruits, veggies, whole grain brain/rice/pasta, nuts, chicken/fish. I try to throw in a variety within these categories to make sure it's not just that my body isn't getting a particular nutrient from lack of variety, but it really is addiction to sugar and/or other processed foods.

The first day was alright but since then I have had all-day splitting headaches, sore throat, mild fever, no energy at all (luckily Wimbledon has been on to entertain me). It has gotten worse each day so far. I go to bed early (like 10 PM) each day to make sure that's not a problem in my energy, but I am still taking naps most of the day. I get at least a half hour of direct sunlight each day to help.

As for exercise, I tried running the second day but nearly passed out after mile 2! (Usually go 4 or 5 fine). Can't even take a long walk now. I feel physically pretty miserable and depressed right now, even though I'm usually cheery and plenty of energy. I don't take any drugs of any sort, no caffeine, no alcohol, etc, pretty much ever and now is no exception.

Unless there's something big I missed, the only factor I've changed in my life is not eating refined sugar and processed foods, and my symptoms match those of any particular drug addict (alcohol, cocaine). I am going to keep sticking it out for at least 10 days to see if things get better (or at least stop getting worse). If not though, I definitely can't live like this and do my job, I've taken the week off for this already. Thoughts? Comments?

Hi, Wow...my friend put me on this special diet basically cutting out all SUGAR products, dairy and white flour. I have been experiencing crazy vertigo for the past few months and I was ready to try anything since all my tests came back negative.

For the past 2 weeks I have only eaten "fresh" foods, veggies, fruits, eggs, meats, etc.... and I can tell you that the headache part is real. My head hurt for 6 days and I mean it hurt! I was ready to quit, but so glad I did not because today I am feeling great. Already lost 5 lbs (that's not what it was all about, however it's nice to lose any amount of weight) and my head is clear, my stomach issues are gone, my headaches are gone, I have more energy, I sleep better, etc..I could go on and on!

I also (on my own) stopped eating over processed foods which are so bad for us and for our children. I make my real potatoes and real rice, I do not buy boxed sides anymore. I eat veggies and fruits and whole grains (brown rice, etc..).

I would love it if I could tell the whole world to stop feeding themselves junk and go the natural route. I have been reading up on it and apparently many illnesses/diseases can be cured just by correcting your diet. Cheers, Denise

I find this article very helpful in the info department. At least it gives tells me what to expect when I reduce my sugar intake in the coming weeks. You see, I have recurring urinary tract infections that are getting worse in regards to the symptoms-headaches with hip and back pain.

I know in my heart that my insane (thats what it is) sugar intake is the culprit. I've just reached the point of being fed up with my weight-gain, even though I walk at least 30 minutes a day. Wish me luck. I plan on keeping a journal of my progress and will post some of it here in order to help others. Good luck everyone!

katylin, good job! giving up/reducing your sugar is really tough to do. i cut back on sugar a few weeks ago and made it through those first few days pretty well. today, i made the mistake of having pancakes, and by noon, i felt weak, lightheaded and weird. i could really tell the difference in that sugar low that you experience when you have a lot of sugar during the day. i feel much better that i'm not relying on sugar to get me through the day like i used to.

I have been a sugar craver for years. I am therefore over weight. I cannot get enough sugar, there is never a feeling of being satisfied. Thus, I decided to give up sugar for lent. I am in the end of the third day. I have a non-stop headache. I do drink coffee but I only take milk in coffee. So it is not a caffeine headache for me. I have not had any refined sugar of any kind. I am careful to read what I eat. I understand corn syrup and honey are sugar, so is high fructose corn syrup, so I have not had any of these. Any new ideas? Thank you, Katylin

I suffer from Candida Albicans and so have to follow a low sugar diet. Are sweeteners or other alternatives safe with my condition?

regarding the headaches...when cutting out sugar, did you accomplish this at least partially by stopping things like coffee with sugar, tea with sugar, soda with sugar, chocolate...? All of these things contain caffeine, which means, if you answered yes to those questions, your headaches might be cafeine withdrawal related, not sugar withdrawal related. Give it another week or so, and try not to incorporate extra sugar back into your diet if possible, but make sure you get enough natural sugar (fresh fruit, etc.) - Max

I started a low carb diet, and since this Monday I started with severe headaches...I was very much sugar addicted and it has caused me weight gain. Is this one of the side effects? Now after two weeks I can incorporate some natural sugar back into my diet.It is very difficult to work with these headaches. Any advice will be much appreciated. Regards Denise Street