Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Sugar-when it's hard to say no

NightSpirit · 07-27-2008, 03:37 AM

I tried to go without sugar a long time ago, and I know what you mean. I shared it openly with my friends because they were my friends and it became a major topic of discussion and debate.

I am inspired to attempt this again by what you are doing and because I also agree that sugar is addictive to me. Maybe it's not only the physical effects that concern me but also the 'comfort food' or emotional eating aspect of sugar that I need to avoid.

But this time, I don't think I will share this with any of those close to me. I can't see any real reason to do that. I understand your disappointment at your friend's attitudes because I faced the same thing. It seems what I was doing for myself may have come off to them as disapproving to what they wanted to eat or may have triggered some internal guilt of their own. But if you are firm in your decision, do you really need anyone's help or approval?

There are people I know that actually don't care for sweets and that is what
they say if they are offered something they don't want. My boyfriend sticks out his tongue and says "yuck" if I offer him cheesecake or anything else gooey or creamy but I don't think I will go that far.

What's wrong with, "No thanks, I don't like sweets." That's what I say if I am offered shellfish; I truly just do not want any. If it's a big change for you to refuse sweets, you could say, "No thanks, I'm cutting back on sugar for my health." and maybe they wouldn't pry or continue to offer sweets.

If a person doesn't drink, usually they don't have to go into the ills of alcohol or their problems with it. They just say "No thank you" or maybe "I don't drink." I have never had a problem refusing a cigarette and don't feel any shame or need to explain why or a compulsion to accept what I don't want.
I know sugar is seen as just a food and more acceptable but it's one of many...dairy, pork, eggs, peanut butter, shellfish, etc....that not all people like or eat.

If you don't want any, for whatever reason, why hide that? I just can't imagine feeling like I had to hide shrimp in my sock so why hide a muffin?

07-27-2008, 03:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
NightSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 379	I tried to go without sugar a long time ago, and I know what you mean. I shared it openly with my friends because they were my friends and it became a major topic of discussion and debate. I am inspired to attempt this again by what you are doing and because I also agree that sugar is addictive to me. Maybe it's not only the physical effects that concern me but also the 'comfort food' or emotional eating aspect of sugar that I need to avoid. But this time, I don't think I will share this with any of those close to me. I can't see any real reason to do that. I understand your disappointment at your friend's attitudes because I faced the same thing. It seems what I was doing for myself may have come off to them as disapproving to what they wanted to eat or may have triggered some internal guilt of their own. But if you are firm in your decision, do you really need anyone's help or approval? There are people I know that actually don't care for sweets and that is what they say if they are offered something they don't want. My boyfriend sticks out his tongue and says "yuck" if I offer him cheesecake or anything else gooey or creamy but I don't think I will go that far. What's wrong with, "No thanks, I don't like sweets." That's what I say if I am offered shellfish; I truly just do not want any. If it's a big change for you to refuse sweets, you could say, "No thanks, I'm cutting back on sugar for my health." and maybe they wouldn't pry or continue to offer sweets. If a person doesn't drink, usually they don't have to go into the ills of alcohol or their problems with it. They just say "No thank you" or maybe "I don't drink." I have never had a problem refusing a cigarette and don't feel any shame or need to explain why or a compulsion to accept what I don't want. I know sugar is seen as just a food and more acceptable but it's one of many...dairy, pork, eggs, peanut butter, shellfish, etc....that not all people like or eat. If you don't want any, for whatever reason, why hide that? I just can't imagine feeling like I had to hide shrimp in my sock so why hide a muffin?