Dear Life Coach,

I am a 28-year-old female and I feel as if I am addicted to chocolate. I consume five large chocolate bars each week. This started a few years ago when I had a very stressful job and worked until late at nights. On my way home, I stopped at the gas station and bought chocolate when I was hungry, needed something soothing, and something that was easy to consume while I drove home. Sure enough, I felt better each time I was done eating my chocolate. Now my job situation has changed and I just can’t seem to kick the sugar habit. I know that too much sugar can damage my health; I have already gained 20 pounds in the last three years and I do not want to be like my mother, who suffers from diabetes.{{more}}

Chocolate Girl (CG)

Dear CG,

You find it hard to resist chocolate, and you fear that unless you stop you will become really fat, and diabetic like your mother.

What’s Going On:

Here are some factors that contribute to your present situation: sugar craving, chocolate associations, addictive/non-addictive, stress reduction and breaking the habit cycle. These I will address briefly.

Sugar Craving

Conditioning: Many people worldwide crave sugary foods. This is because when we eat sweet foods, such as chocolate, the hormone serotonin is released, which results in a pleasurable feeling. When we experience a pleasurable outcome (feeling good) following a certain action (eating chocolate), it increases the likelihood that the behaviour (eating chocolate) will be repeated in the future (conditioning) and this will eventually become a habit, if practised long enough.

Sugar Crash

Also, when we eat sugar the pancreas releases the hormone insulin. The more sugar that is consumed, the more insulin is produced by the body. Insulin helps to store sugar in the liver, muscles and fat cells. If too much sugar is consumed too rapidly, an excess of insulin is produced which causes the blood sugar to fall below the normal level (hypoglycemia) and this causes the body to crave even more sugar (sugar crash). We therefore eat more sugar and the process starts over again.

Diabetes and Sugar

Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and other unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. There is also an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if one is overweight. Any diet with high calories (including excess chocolate) eaten consistently can cause weight gain, and the risk of diabetes.

Chocolate Associations

Chocolate is often associated with warm, relaxing, rewarding and or sensual events, and females. In addition, chocolate is delicious, easily accessible and readily edible. It also provides a quick burst of energy, and a way to self-soothe after a long, hard day. So, it is understandable that you would reach for a bar of chocolate after work.

Chocolate: Addictive/ Non-addictive

Research has shown that chocolate addiction is not a true addiction. Rather, chocolate craving is a combination of cultural conditioning, strategic advertising and marketing, a desire to self-soothe, and its pleasure enhancing quality.

What to Do:

Reduce Stress in your Life

Stress is a constant factor in our modern existence. We are stressed by work, family, and daily hassles. Some stressors are reasonable and expected. However, stress that is excessive and prolonged is unhealthy and should be removed. Some tips for reducing stress include the following: 1. Remove activities and situations that are removable. 2. Avoid additional responsibilities by saying ‘no’ to unnecessary demands placed upon you. 3. Prioritize your daily activities. 4. Do only what is absolutely necessary at any given time. 5. Take time to rest and recreate. 6. Get eight hours of sleep each night. 7. Exercise three times per week. 8. Spend time with family and friends. 9. Take things in stride and remain calm. 10. Learn to laugh at yourself and at the world.

Break the Sugar Cycle

Whenever you feel the need to eat chocolate, eat a fruit instead. Take a break and eat at work (so that you are filled) before it is time to leave. Avoid the chocolate store; take another route home. Say no to all forms of chocolate, and abstain from eating all products with refined sugar for a week. At the end of that week, re-commit for another week. Continue for four weeks. Picture yourself as a person in control of self, and free from the chocolate roller coaster. Visualize reaching your ideal weight.

Re-Introduce Chocolate Later

After six weeks of abstaining from chocolate and getting your cravings under control, you may re-introduce chocolate into your diet, but in small portions; be moderate. Life is short, so never deprive yourself completely of things you really like, which are not truly harmful if used sensibly. In fact, research has shown that chocolate contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. Also, as you return to your ‘chocolate love’, please note that dark chocolate is recommended as being healthier than milk chocolate.

CG, all the best as you seek to balance your love of chocolate and the health risks and benefits it presents.

Life Coach

DYNACII

Need help with relationship and other problems? Ask DYNACII’s Life Coach. Email your questions to dynacii@gmail.com. To Chat with the Life Coach, visit: http://www.dynacinternational.com. Dynamic Action Center International Inc. (DYNACII) a non-governmental organization committed to social and spiritual empowerment.