A woman who describes herself as a former sugar addict has revealed how quitting the substance completely transformed her health and led to a dramatic seven stone weight loss.
From Addiction to a Drastic Decision
Kristy McCammon, now 53, says her cravings for sugary foods had become an overpowering addiction. At her heaviest, she wore a UK dress size 28 and could consume up to 5,000 calories in a single day, often starting her morning with crisps, biscuits, or sweets.
"I literally couldn't stop eating sweets," Kristy admitted. "It was my comfort for all emotions." However, fearing she was eating herself into an early grave, she decided to take radical action in October 2017 after previous diets and gym memberships failed.
The Cold Turkey Approach and New Diet
Kristy opted to quit refined sugar cold turkey, eliminating all sugar, sweeteners, and artificial sweeteners from her diet. She swapped fast food and frozen snacks for homemade meals.
Her typical day now includes:
- Breakfast: Peanut butter oatmeal cookies or eggs with an apple.
- Lunch: A large salad with chicken or steak, plus fruit and raw vegetables.
- Dinner: A protein like chicken, steak, or fish with roasted vegetables.
To satisfy her sweet tooth, she relies solely on fruit or uses natural ingredients like bananas and sweet potatoes to add sweetness to meals. She even makes her own cottage cheese ice cream.
Life Seven Years 'Sugar Sober'
The results have been profound. Kristy has maintained her seven stone weight loss for seven years and now wears a UK dress size 16. The intense cravings have vanished, and she reports feeling better in her 50s than at any other age.
"I'm seven years sugar sober, loving life and living in the present," she said. She also noted the financial benefit, having previously spent "hundreds" of pounds each week on sugary treats.
Kristy is passionate about her belief that sugar is addictive, comparing its effect on the brain's reward centre to hard drugs. Her key advice for others struggling is that "none is easier than one," arguing that complete avoidance is simpler than moderation. She encourages a focus on nourishing the body with real food rather than turning to quick fixes.
