and this is why we don't take dietary/nutritional advice from people who don't know anything about diets or nutrition.
DEAR AMY: I am a young teen who has a bad addiction to sugar. When I have tea, I put way too much sugar in it. I eat a ton of chocolate.
My parents keep telling me to cut back on the sugar and candy. It's not because I'm overweight, it's just because they say it's really unhealthy.
I hate this part of me, and need to find a way to end my sugar addiction. Any ideas that I can try on my own?
Sugar-crazed
DEAR CRAZED: First of all, you're a good kid. I love that you're eager to tackle this on your own.
One way to change a habit is first to measure your habit and then alter it gradually. The taste of sugar does seem to increase the desire for sugar (it also seems to trigger a desire for salty foods). One reason you love sugar so much is because you consume so much sugar.
Perform an experiment. Put sugar into a clear container so you can visualize and measure your usage. Do you typically use a cup of granulated sugar each week, just in your tea? That's about 26 pounds of sugar a year. Sugar typically comes in five-pound bags. Line up five of those bags -- and picture all that sugar inside of your body. Gross, right?
Start by cutting down on the spoonfuls you heap into your tea. Eventually, substitute honey for all the sugar in your tea. These steps alone will cut your overall sugar consumption by a huge amount.
Dark chocolate is more filling (and healthier) than chocolate candy. Break off one square and eat it slowly. Nibbling, vs. gobbling, is a great way to reduce consumption.