#77: Can We Be "Addicted" To Sugar? (Revisited)

The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

Let’s chat about SUGAR (diet culture's favorite food to fear-monger). We're revisiting a favorite episode and digging into the concept of “sugar addiction”. As the summer holidays begin, and we're surrounded by others' diet talk, the question of sugar and desserts is always one that comes up.

This topic has been requested countless times, and it's no wonder why: Diet and wellness culture have both demonized sugar in a myriad of ways, leaving so many of us to feel like we “can’t control ourselves” around sweet foods, or fearful of what those foods will do to our bodies and health. If you’ve ever felt like you are "addicted" to sugar (or food in general, for that matter), tune in to this one, because we're taking a hard look at the research.

Abbie talks through the most recent evidence and scientific literature reviews on sugar addiction, including:

• How it impacts the reward centers in our brain
• What it means that it lights up neural pleasure pathways
• How deprivation and restriction (including “intermittant access” play a fundamental role in our behaviors with sugar
• Cravings for sugar
• Psychological impact of avoiding sugar
• Behavioral patterns associated with restriction of sugar
• Neurochemical components of addiction and food

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Social Media / Abbie's Website:

• Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
• Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
• Abbie’s website: www.abbieattwoodwellness.com
• Abbie's Group Program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching

Studies / resources mentioned:

• Sugar Addiction: The State of The Science
• Exposure Therapy In Binge Eating
• Intuitive Eating Improves Health Indicators
• Episode 35: Addiction, Sobriety, and Disordered Eating: An Interview With Abbie & Her Husband