Beating Sugar Addiction For Dummies
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Four main types of sugar addicts exist. If you understand what kind of sugar addict you are and you learn to recognize some behaviors and thought patterns common to each addict type, you may start to understand how you’ve become addicted to sugar. Even more important, you’ll discover what you need to do to overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.

Answer the questions for each quiz using the following scoring system:

0 points for “Never”
2 points for “Sometimes, but rarely”
5 points for “Half the time”
10 points for “Most of the time” or “Always”

The Exhausted Addict

To determine how closely you resemble the classic Exhausted Addict, take the following quiz using the scoring system at the beginning of this section.

  • Do you need caffeine to get started in the morning or to make it through the day?

  • Do you have trouble going to sleep, or do you wake up in the middle of the night without being able to go back to sleep?

  • Do you crave sweets when you get tired?

  • Do you experience indigestion or acid reflux?

  • Do you feel like you’re always running — that there are never enough hours in the day?

  • Do you have chronic aches, pains, and tight muscles?

  • Do you get headaches?

  • Do you put others’ needs above your own?

  • Do you think that if you don’t do it, it won’t get done?

  • Do you eat sugar or fast food because you don’t have time for something healthy?

Now add up your score:

0–30 points: You don’t show strong signs of being an Exhausted Addict.
31–50 points: You exhibit some of the Exhausted Addict symptoms. Chances are you’ll score similarly for at least one other type of addict.
51–100 points: You fit the mold of the classic Exhausted Addict.

The Sad Eater

To determine how closely you resemble the classic Sad Eater, take the following quiz using the scoring system at the beginning of this section.

  • Are you lonely?

  • Do you find yourself wishing your life were drastically different?

  • Do you have a decreased sex drive?

  • Do you tend to do the same things week in and week out?

  • Do you have strong PMS symptoms?

  • Do you turn to sugar or other comfort foods when you feel sad or lonely?

  • Do you wake up tired no matter how long you’ve slept?

  • Do you gossip or talk about others behind their back? Be honest!

  • Do you feel depressed or hopeless?

  • Do you eat sugar late at night, regardless of whether you’re hungry or not?

Now tally up your score:

0–25 points: You don’t show strong signs of being a Sad Eater.
26–50 points: You exhibit some of the Sad Eater symptoms. Chances are you’ll score similarly for at least one other type of addict.
51–100 points: You fit the mold of the classic Sad Eater.

The Undereater

To determine how closely you resemble the classic Undereater, take the following quiz using the scoring system at the beginning of this section.

  • Are you tired most of the day?

  • When something stressful happens to you, does your energy nose-dive?

  • Do you skip breakfast?

  • Do you eat a low-protein diet (only one or two protein servings per day)?

  • Do you have cravings at night?

  • Do you drink less than eight glasses of water per day?

  • Do you eat a most of your food for the day after 5 p.m.?

  • Do you need caffeine to stay alert in the middle of the day?

  • Do you have trouble concentrating?

  • Do you get irritable with people?

Now tally up your score:

0–25 points: You don’t show signs of being a classic Undereater.
26–45 points: You exhibit some signs of being an Undereater. Chances are you’ll score similarly for at least one other type of addict.
46–100 points: You definitely fit the mold of the classic Undereater.

The Sugar Stalker

To determine how closely you resemble the classic Sugar Stalker, take the following quiz using the scoring system at the beginning of this section.

  • Do you keep a stash of sweets at work or in the pantry at home?

  • Do you drink sweetened drinks?

  • Do you get headaches or become irritable if you skip your sugar fix?

  • Do you eat sweet things like pastries or donuts first thing in the day?

  • When you start eating sugar, do you have trouble stopping?

  • Do you have a craving for something sweet after every meal?

  • Do you become stressed when you think about changing your eating habits?

  • Are you a chocoholic?

  • Do you hide sweets or are you embarrassed to eat them in front of others?

  • Do you order dessert at a restaurant even if you’re full?

Now add up your score:

0–30 points: You don’t show strong signs of being a Sugar Stalker.
31–50 points: You exhibit some of the Sugar Stalker symptoms. Chances are you’ll score similarly for at least one other type of addict.
51–100 points: You behave like the classic Sugar Stalker.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Dan DeFigio is one of the most respected names in the fitness and nutrition industry. His articles have appeared in numerous professional journals, and his workshops have been presented in many cities across the United States. He has appeared on the Dr. Phil show and was featured in SELF Magazine, MD News, Personal Fitness Professional, and a host of other publications.

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