sugar and abdominal obesity

Question
Sarah
Although I am in good shape in terms of body fat and cardiovascular,as I have always been a light healthy eater and physically active, I have always had a big belly.
I have tried elimination diets for gluten and lactose and red meat to no effect.
A friend suggested I consider my sugar intake.
Although sweets are only a small part of my daily calorie quota, I do have a sweet tooth and always have sugar in my coffee, and always have a small sweet after meals such as a cookie.
Also, I try to avoid white flour so I dont think its the carbs.
Could the actual sugar be the problem?
Yesterday I decided to cut out sweets and the cravings are driving me crazy. I'm not hungry-I just need a sweet.
I broke down and had a cup of tea with one tsp. sugar which took the edge off, but I still need a cookie or something.
Do you think going cold turkey on the sugar will help?
Thanks!


Answer
Hi Terry!  Sugar can be somewhat addictive because it stimulates the same "feel good" hormones in the brain as addictive behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and gambling.  The best way to not crave something is to eat it in moderation (such as one or two cookies in the evening and not the whole box) and not make it off-limits.  However, some people tell me quitting sweets "cold turkey" helps them.  Another reason some people crave sugar is diabetes; diabetes is also common with the body type you described.  If you have a family history of diabetes, I would recommend having your fasting glucose checked every few months.  As for specifically why you have that belly, it is hard to say.  It could be genetics.  People who are very stressed also tend to store fat in the stomach.  A certain food should not cause a larger belly, with the exception of a sensitivity to gluten or lactose (which can cause bloating) but you have already tried eliminating those.  It sounds like you have an overall healthy lifestyle, so I encourage you to keep it up, not let your belly get you down too much, and speak with your doctor about screening for diseases linked with your body type.

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