Addicted to Sugar?
What You’ll Learn:
- New studies show that sugar is addictive as drugs
- The major causes of sugar cravings
- Practical strategies that will transform your sugar and junk food cravings for good
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Hello, I am new on the website, I know I am addicted to sugar and junk food and I am happy not to be the only one! The problem is that when I have these binges, it’s like i am on an automated mode and eat any junk food or sweet food and once it.s done, it’s as if i just woke up and realize what has just happened. That’s why vizualization for cravings might be the best option for me so it could talk directly to this automate. However, I can’t open the link you guys sent.
Also, I had a question regarding the effect of vizualization on someone who’s mother tongue is not english. Even though I am fluent in english, do you think it’ll have the same impact as if it was in french, my mother tongue?
Thanks a lot
Hi Yasmine,
You are correct the visualisation for cravings will be great to help you. Here is the link again – it is number 11 on the page : https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/group-visualization-archive/
It should open as soon as you click on it, and you can download it by clicking on the little download icon on the right hand side . Let us know how you go.
As you are fluent in English – the visualisation will be as effective.
Kind regards
Den
looking forward to healthy sweets recipes.
Hi Eileen,
There are some great suggestions in the recipe section of the support group to start with.
Kind regards
Den – GM Team
Hi Marlene
Thanks for posting your link. I saw the wonderful pictures but don’t see any recipes for them?
Let me know,
Thanks
Anna
click on the picture and the recipe comes up.
Ever since february I have had horrible cravings for sugar. I would eat cookies and brownies, and cake and ice cream in one sitting. Then about a few hours later, I would eat some more. I couldnt stop. The taste was like heaven in my mouth. I had the most cravings for donuts and cookies. I would eat them in huge quantities. I gained about 10 lbs since February. Im not big at all, but I dont want to get there. I needed help, I was scared I was going to keep gaining more and more weight because I couldnt stop eating all those foods. I would restrict myself from eating it, and I had my “good day” and then the next day would definitely be a “bad day” I always hated myself for it. I was in my ideal shape, and I ruined it by getting these horrible cravings for that devil sugar. So I saw someone talk about the Gabriel Method and I got the book. I started doing the visualizations and I was thinking to myself that maybe it wouldnt work on me. I couldnt focus during it, and I thought I wasnt getting into the smart mode at all. So its been like 2 weeks since I started, Im brand new. I especially focused on the visualizations where I would think of eating live, healthy foods, and I would put in my mind salads and fruits and vegetables and make them sooo appetizing, the juices from the watermelon running down my hand, and all that detailed stuff, and then I would think of a cookie, and imagined it as heavy, weighing down, gross crusty sugar just piled on top of each other, LARD covering it all, (and I personally think chicken skin is really gross, it has always made me gag), and so I associated all that sugary pasty as chicken skin. So…today I went out to eat. I ordered fish, shrimp, lobster and scallops. It was delicious, I was craving fish soo bad, hmm I wonder why 😉 and then my sister wanted to see the dessert menu. I was thinking Oh dear Lord, Im going to cave in. And I saw the menu and nothing looked good to me. My sister ordered a molten lava cake, and the hot fudge smell was strong, and I smelled it and I didnt care for it! I didnt even want a bite! I had NO want for that cake. Then it clicked to me, that these visualizations work, and they work so well. I was shocked, I did NOT want that cake. I didnt want anything on that dessert menu. I was really surprised. To get to the point of my story; I am sooo happy and thankful that I learned about this, and I will continue on to become healthier and eat better foods and just feel good about myself. Jon is amazing, and I thank him for what he’s done because it really works, I still have a lot more stuff to work on, but it seems as though this sugar craving has been dealt with, and I will continue on to fix everything else about myself. Jon is really truly the best!!!
Wow Katie!
That is incredible! We are thrilled that you are able to completely change your associations with the cravings you had. Keep up the great work!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Hi,
I just watched the first of John’s DVD’s and I am amazed as it confirms my suspicion. My mother was always on a diet and she always craved like mad – as if in famine: food. Therefore I refused to ever take a diet, as I worried it would damage my metabolism- so that was correct! I have gained from 59kg aged 20 – now I am 67 aged 49. I would like to lose 3kg as then I feel more at ease with myself and I believe I need to follow what John suggest on his DVD to become my right weight. I need to deal with my emotional triggers to go onto eating too much.
I just read what John said about wheat – I used to force myself eating additional wheat, but got a really sore tummy and struggled even more to go to the loo. I also noted feeling more bloated. Therefore I stopped and actually felt better – good to know why!
In the DVD John explains the famine and tiger response and I now understand why some stresses make me fat (usually gain 3-4kg) and others make me drop the weight in an instant. My partner has just been told he is about to be made redundant and I started to eat like no tomorrow (fear of famine) and he is dropping the weight and looks like a skeleton (he loses what I gain so we look more like Oliver and Stanley). I am now trying to tell myself that even with only my wages I will still get enough food and I call him every two hours reminding him to eat so that his blood sugar level is kept stable and to reduce the anxiety being triggered. I actually try to promise myself yummy fruit for being good to balance my cravings for certain (not every) sweet and cakes and chocolates.
I admire that Tracy has detoxed sugar – well done Tracy!!! – I think I would feel like life lost color and sweetness if I did so (my friend used to ask me what is your life lacking in sweetness that you crave it so much in sweet and chocolate) – I am not strong enough for this and need to focus on reducing and aiming to balance gradually. I believe Tracy’s well being will benefit enormously !
Hopefully one day I will be emotionally stronger place – I hope to learn meditation – hopefully John’s next DVD’s will assist there too.
Best wishes everyone in tackling all their issues – there are so many of us wanting to move to a stronger place a stronger core in our hearts- so food will no longer be a compensatory or/and a reward if in famine or tiger mode.
Thank you John for spreading the word and offering us a role model one can do it! xxx
Thanks Irina. Keep up the great work and please call me sometime during my ask Jon shows.
I came to this conclusion about 2 months ago. I realized I was an addict for junk food. If I had just 1 Oreo then the next thing I would know is I ate the whole package of Oreos. I finally came to the fact that I have to quit all junk good and sweets just like an alcoholic has to stop drinking completely. It was like heroin for me. I can’t have any because there is no such thing as moderation for me when it comes to sweets. I literally went through a week of withdrawals. I had horrible headaches and fatigue. I was grumpy! No one can tell me that you can’t be addicted to food or sugar because this withdrawal symptoms were as real as it gets. Once I was over the withdrawal, I began to feel so much better, healthier, more energy. I had to give up all sugars, sweets, breads, rice, pastries, ice cream, cookies, oatmeal, any grains and even that spoonful of sugar or even honey in my coffee. I even made it through that dreaded Girl Scout cookie season without having 1 Samoa or tag a long cookie. Huge victory for me! The hardest part was starting but now it’s getting easier to say no. Everyday, it gets a little easier to pass on dessert. I keep saying no thanks now because I don’t want to have to start over and go through those withdrawals again.
Hi Tracy,
So great to hear!
Den – GM Team
Hi, Jon. I’m new here. You mention in this video giving up wheat. Is wheat a junk food?
Hi Dora,
Wheat elevates insulin levels and causes inflammation, both of which activate the FAT programs. So I would not classify wheat as a healhty food.
Thank you, Jon. You also say that corn causes inflammation in one of your videos. I am at a loss as to if we can have a sándwich from time to time, is that a never or can we include omega 3’s to compensate? I’m concerned for my family. Thanks again for all you do for us.
Hi Dora,
As this is not a diet, there are no restrictions. Studies reveal that bread can cause inflammation and can convert to sugar quickly which leads to instability in blood sugar, which is not ideal for healing your body from the inside out. If you and your family choose to eat sandwiches, making sure that your meal includes live foods, protein, and Omega 3s. Adding in is better than restriction in the beginning until you find what works for you.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Looking forward to a visualization on sugar addiction.
Hi Tracey,
I will pass this suggestion along to Jon! It is a great idea!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
I find subtle sugar addictive, needing to get back on point 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
It is great that you are conscious of this to get back on track!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
I wish there is an easy way of not wanting and seeking me to sweeten up my life. It makes sense that these junk foods makes us addicted. I am addicted to sweets and it is truly like an addiction as I crave it like mad. I know the trigger due to emotional issues and I seek to sweeten up my life. I hope some of the visualization will assist me. I know it started as a child when I endured physical and emotional abuse due to my mother being mentally ill – being middle class we were not offered support but had to get on with it. I hope John can offer some support!
Hi Irina,
Understanding the roots is a great start! Hopefully you can start incorporating these ideas into practice!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
I totally agree!!! I jones after sweets like a heroin junky. The patterns can be exactly the same. Thanks for recognizing this and sharing the science behind it.
Hi Amy,
Glad to hear that you enjoyed this.
Kind regards
Den – GM Team
I found a sugar free chocolate that is sweetened with Maltitol. Are you familiar with this sweetener and is it ok to eat? Better than sugar?
Hi Sandra,
Jon sticks to stevia and coconut palm sugar. Even though the candy is sugar free and is using maltitol as a substitute it seems like a highly processed food item.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Too much maltitol (and that’s not very much) WILL give you some digestive issues.
Thanks Mary!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Hi Jon
I find it really hard to do without dairy food. My comfort food when young and not feeling well was baked custard and I take milk in tea etc. (more than most).
I have made some kefir and like it. But that was made with milk – is it still OK?
Thanks,
Mary
Hi Mary,
Some people cannot handle dairy, but if you choose to eat dairy kefir is a great choice! Make sure to choose organic dairy products when you consume them.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Hi Jon,
I just finished a 2 week cleanse and am off sugar! Wow! I know this has been the “thing” that has kept it all on all these years…it’s the one thing I’ve not been able to eliminate …till now…
I did it with a class and am now working with a book on how to have sugar be the treat it was meant to be rather than the everyday staple it turned into…I’m very excited about what can happen to my clothes and the scale now! I’ll come back in a month…
Hi Irish Rose,
That is fantastic! Keep up the great work!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
my biggest problem. And learning this year that it is because I am addicted to sugar/process foods/ fast foods and have been most of my adult life. I will try the 10 day detox and try and get this under control.
Hi Cathy,
Let us know how you go.
Here is the link to the killing junk foods cravings Visualisation to help you with your detox –
https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/category/archive-live-visualization/page/2/
Kind regards
Den
can you give me a few exemples for raw sweet ???
Hi Veronique,
Jon has some great examples in his recipe book, but there are also regular recipe updates here in the Support Group – here is a link to a couple of recipes –
https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/mint-chocolate-superfood-snack-balls/
https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/chocolate-shake/
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
Den – GM Team
Dear Jon
Thank you for the information on sweet foods vs sweet foods. I recently had an analysis done of my hair and found that my sodium and potassium ratio is out of balance. The K is off the chart. I gave up added sugar and wheat many years ago and mostly stay off both. My blood sugar has generally stabilised as I dont get junk food cravings most of the time. Between my naturapath and myself we have worked out that I am eating excessive amounts of fruit and over the past 2 weeks have tried to restrict the amounts of fruit. It has been a disaster for me because I crave the sweetness of the fruit when I get stressed and now am heading for the biscuits – that contain wheat and other muck (yesterday I ate a whole box and haven’t done that for years). I have made good progress over the years all be it very slow. I still have 10kg to lose but feeling well and healthy – just needing some tweaking. Where should I start with getting rid of the addiction to the sweet taste or to balance between the fruit and other sweet foods?
I have just started to explore tapping and tapped on a craving for chocolate 3 days ago and haven’t had the craving for chocolate since (which is a minor miracle for me) – if it comes up again I am going to tap again. Here is a video to get you started: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMLbvd61Cg
Thanks – I have done tapping for other stuff and it has worked well
Thanks Sandra
It’s March 13th and I still haven’t craved chocolate (and there is even a bar of chocolate in the cupboard). I did have 3 squares of my husband’s chocolate bar a few days ago but felt completely in control and didn’t feel the need to eat the entire bar (something I’ve only dreamed of). Today I did crave a chocolate cupcake because they have been sitting on the counter for a couple days and I watched my son eat one. I tapped on the cupcake and my craving went from a 9/10 to 1/10. I am completely amazed and have started to tap on other issues.
Hi Anne,
If you are craving sweets due to emotional reasons like stress, you may wish to try tapping on them. If they are more consistent and not due to stress, your body may be craving more protein or other nutrients. Try to reach for some nuts or a more protein heavy snack.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
I can’t seem to find the visualization on “killing junk food cravings”. For your information, there was an excellent article in National Geographic on Sugar and how addictive it is.
I’ll check and get back to you. If we haven’t created one yet, we will do so in the next few months.
Jon
Here ya go…
https://jon-g-support-group.s3.amazonaws.com/visualizations/Fighting%20_Your_Cravings_with_Music.mp3
Hi Karen, it’s on this page here:
https://members.thegabrielmethod.com/category/archive-live-visualization/page/2/
Scroll down, you’ll see the visualization, Fighting Cravings.
Warmly, GM Team
What kind of detox would you suggest for sugar addicts?
Hi Gaylinn,
Please email us at help@thegabrielmethod.com and we can help you with this.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
This gluten free style of living is a lot to digest! Lol! I was hoping starch blockers would block the gluten but I lose very slowly on them. What do you think about Ezekiel bread? It’s sugar free & made with sprouted grains?
Hi Judy,
Starch blockers block a starch-digesting enzyme called alpha-amylase but we don’t believe this enzyme helps to block gluten. Ezekiel bread is the best substitute if you are wanting to eat bread however we recommend also trying lettuce, chard wraps or nori wraps.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Thank you! I’m getting there. I’ve been off sugar for a month. Started at 309 pounds & today I’m down to 294. I just started doing the gluten free and soy free & off peanuts ect.& off most dairy 3 days ago. Hasn’t been easy but I know I’m ready. I did find out that I love organic fugi apples with almond butter! Yum!
I love the cultured foods. in the book cultured food for life by Donna Schwenk it talks about breads and flour made from sprouted grains. I thought about making these breads as a healthy alternative. Do you think it would turn my fat programs on? Donna said your body recognizes it as vegetables.
Thanks Roslyn
Hi Roslyn,
Ezekiel bread is ok, we are not sure of the other breads mentioned in her book so we cannot comment on them, but if you choose to eat bread, Ezekiel would be the best option.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Just completed NYNY and looking forward to the support of this program. I know I have major sugar addiction and since starting this program it is getting easier to manage. I am noticing that instead of choclate I am craving fruit which I’m assuming is better although I do have dark chocolate when the craving is too strong. Is this ok if I am eating a more pure dark chocolate. There are many positive things happening but no weight loss which I know will come in the future. I am looking forward to the recipes for healthier sweet options in the meantime are there any snacks I can buy in the health food store that would be ok to have and what should I be aware of other than sugar on the label?? Thank you for all of your help and support.
Hi Laurie,
We recommend making sweet snacks that are Gabriel Method friendly for when you have a sweet craving. Many times health food stores contain ingredients that are not necessary and can spike blood sugar. Sticking to the basic ingredients of raw cacao, coconut butter and stevia/coconut palm sugar helps curb your sweet tooth and ensures you know what is going into your body.
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Very interesting as i feel this is my BIG problem and a big reason why my fat programs are on. The other reason is that my husband is totally processed food aaddicted which means i am cooking twice for each meal. It gets me down and is hard to combine with work and raising a kid. Any advice for that?
My husband does not understand a meal with what he calls a “staple” (potatoes, rice, pasta, bread). I cook/prepare the big 3 and if he wants anything else with it I ask him to add it himself and this works well for us. I drives me crazy that he prefers kraft dinner to real food but I also will not make it so if he wants it he can make it himself.
Hi Sandra
thank you for your advice. What do you mean by the big 3? Is that something from the jg method? Thanks for your help.
Hi Estelle,
The Big 3 is a main principle of The Gabriel Method. I recommend you check out the book to learn more about each of these, but the basics are to make sure not to pass one meal with out: 1) Protein 2) Omega-3 3) Live Foods (fresh vegetables and fruits).
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
make him cook his own 🙂
Thanks! Very enlightening. I think there’s a genetic predisposition towards addiction. My family has a strong history and I now recognize that I go to sugar for emotional reasons and then the addiction kicks in and I’m a regular user. Although now I’m following the Gabriel Method and once again, I’ve kicked it and have no cravings at all. (I quit smoking 4 times before it stuck) I’d like to see the visualization in the Support Group. I’m sure it will be helpful.
Hi Estelle. I’ve got a non-cooperating family too 🙂 But I’m finding my husband is getting on board to a degree. I think he likes Jon’s book and sees some logic in the program. Now, I don’t buy it and I don’t cook it. I saw a great review of Mark Hyman’s Blood Sugar Cookbook on Amazon. It’s called “We are hooked for life!, February 20, 2014 By K. Aguirre “westymom” Check it out because she got her whole family to turn away from processed foods. Got her husband on board first though. You can go on strike and watch the fireworks. Tough love. Good luck!
Thank you very much for that book reference Alice. I will check it out…:-)good luck to you too!
Hi Estelle,
When one person in a couple makes a big change it is hard to get the other person on board, especially in the beginning. Sandra had some good advice in that you can prepare what is healthy for the family and he is able to add anything else he likes to his plate. Good luck!
Janine
The Gabriel Method Team
Ask your husband to cook as well – the sorts of meals you are wanting to eat – its tough but he can do it!