Kathleen Desmaisons is also the author of the best-selling book, Potatoes Not Prozac, which deals with how certain foods affect our tendency for depression; The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program also delves into the behavioral connections between what we eat and what we do, as well as how to control cravings and naturally lose weight.
What is Sugar Addiction?
The author describes sugar addicts as those who can never say no to a cookie; they also find they're remiss in completing normal activities like keeping their living space tidy. According to the author, not being able to say no to those sweet treats or successfully complete everyday tasks has nothing to do with willpower, but rather an addiction to sugar. The biochemistry at the root of the problem has a direct effect on what they eat and their behavior.Could You be a Sugar Addict?
It is sugar sensitivity that leads to becoming a sugar addict, says Desmaisons. Indicators are the tendency to skip breakfast, eating irregular meals, and consuming large amounts of bread products or pasta. These eating behaviors can lead to depression, moodiness and generally erratic behavior. To back up her theories, Desmaisons includes the criteria for addiction from the APA and explains how the sugar addict's behavior correlates.What is the Program Like?
The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program is a highly-informative, easy-to-use guide on recovering from this addiction. Covered topics include making the switch from white foods to brown foods, dealing with second thoughts, and socializing without slipping up; recipes are also included. One of the best parts of this book -- as with Potatoes... -- is that Desmaisons says you don't have to do everything at once. Instead, she provides step-by-step instructions, for which the basic principles are crystal clear: cutting sugar; moderating your carb intake; and eating more protein during regular meals. This book isn't another fad diet, but a way to cope with a real problem and experience long-term success.A Curve Ball, a Con and a Caveat
The only "curve ball" I found was being instructed to eat a potato with its skin every night before bed. But upon reading the science behind this practice (neurochemistry/the effect of serotonin in the brain), it made perfect sense. Some of the advice in this book repeated from Potatoes... and some information is repeated in multiple sections of this book, but that doesn't detract from its overall quality. (Note that you may wish to read Potatoes Not Prozac before or along with this title. If you have previously read Potatoes... and found it difficult to adapt its principles to your day-to-day life, this book picks up where it left off.)
