Sugar Addiction Awareness Day Date in the current year: October 30, 2024

Carbohydrates, including sugar, are an essential source of energy for the human body. However, high sugar consumption causes more damage to human health than it provides nutritional benefit. Research has shown that high sugar intake increases the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and dental caries (tooth decay).

Sugary foods are also high in “empty calories”, which means that, while they do provide your body with energy, they contain little to no essential nutrients. When sugary foods make up more than a quarter of your daily energy intake, it causes the so-called nutrient displacement, which in most cases leads to in micronutrient deficiencies and associated health problems.

While it is common knowledge that overindulgence in sugary foods is bad for your health, many people find them extremely difficult to resist because our brains are hardwired to want these foods. When we eat sweet, energy-rich foods, our bodies release dopamine—a neurotransmitter that creates a sense of temporary pleasure. However, eating a lot sugary foods on a regular basis causes the brain to adapt, which means you need to eat more sugary foods to experience the same level of satisfaction.

Does this look like addiction to you? That’s because it is. The most common symptoms of sugar addiction include intense cravings for sugary foods, difficulty controlling their consumption, binge eating, and withdrawal-like symptoms when trying to cut back on sugar (headaches, fatigue, irritability, mood swings).

Sugar Addiction Awareness Day was founded in 2011 by Jill Escher, author of Farewell, Club Perma-Chub: A Sugar Addict’s Guide to Easy Weight, in which she chronicled her journey to losing 35 pounds by giving up sugar. Escher chose to celebrate SAAD on October 30 because it is the eve of Halloween, with its trick-or-treating and candy overindulgence.

The best way to celebrate Sugar Addiction Awareness Day is to take a closer look at your diet and consider reducing your sugar intake for the sake of your health. And we don’t just talking about the sugar you put in your tea or coffee; sugar-rich foods include cakes, candy, chocolate, cookies, desserts, sweet drinks (processed fruit juices, soda, iced tea, etc.), and more. Even ketchup contains sugar—maybe not that much, but it does add to your daily sugar intake.

The good news is that you don’t have to go cold turkey. It is possible to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet without eliminating all sweet foods. Dietitians recommend cutting out one sweet food a week, snacking on fruit and vegetables instead of cookies and candy (fruits also contain sugars, but they are much healthier than candy), and making sure your diet includes plenty of protein and fiber. It may be hard at first, but if you make the commitment, you’ll soon find that your taste buds and brain have adapted and you don’t crave sugar as much as you used to.