Hi, David.  Like you I have an addiction to sweets too especially
chocolate.  Tried cutting my portions and rewarding myself on special
occasions.  As for using sugar substitutes, try SPLENDA.  I find it
quite tasty when sweetening my iced tea.  However, for you sugar has
become an addiction.  Weening your self from sugar all together isn't
practical because you're already used to the flavor.  Try cutting the
portions of sweets down and to try healthy sweets like apples, raisins,
orange to satiate your appetite.  Eating balanced meals throughout the
day may help curb your desire for an abundant amount of sugar.
Perhaps, this way you can at least cut down your sugar intake, because
realistically one cannot live without some sweet tastes in their
mouths.

Good Luck!
Moodie
oooomoodie@yahoo.com

On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 22:26:59 GMT, David wrote in
<news:T8TGe.704162$pI6.210342@fe06.news.easynews.com> on sci.med.nutrition

I think a sweet tooth is much a matter of habit, so you can get used to a
less sweet taste in time, if sweets are a problem for you.
I wouldn't substitute sugar with sweeteners, as they keep your "sweet
habit" going.
Instead of cookies, desserts and added sugar, try some (whole raw) fruits:
they taste as good but are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, and less
"addictive", imho.
If you like chocolate, go for 70% cocoa or more.

Just my 2 cents.

Try chewing on some fennel seeds, cardamon, or cloves between meals :)

I don't crave sweets anymore.  I have been using a weight management system
for 1 month so far and it works great.  Shake in the morning (higher protein
than carbs w/no sugar), essential fatty acids 3 x day, product called
MetaBurn (herb complex sans stimulants) I eat at least 4 times per day most
days 5 meals.  I have lost 14 pounds, 7% body fat and lost 3 inches in my
waist.  Went out for a 1 month treat of ice cream and didn't enjoy it all
that much.  It can be done guys just stick with it.

Cheers,
Realjob

You're wise to avoid sucrolose (Splenda.)  It seems like there are new
studies every week about how bad that stuff is for you.

It sounds to me like what you have is a refined carb addiction.  It's a
real addiction, much like caffeine or nicotine.  Recent studies have
discovered similar withdrawal symptoms as those seen in drug rehab
clinics.  Check this out for a small review of sugar addiction:
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/food/junkfood_addiction/sugar.h
tml

You may want to try Stevia as a sweetener.  There are many different
types.  Some taste better than others.  It's a 100% natural product, so
it's thought to be better for you than all other artificial sweeteners.

Good luck.

Max.