Sugar Detox: How To Stay Sane

I've always had a problem with sugar. Chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake — for as long as I can remember, I've been powerless to its myriad charms. And, it's not getting better. As I've gotten older, my cravings have increased both in number and intensity. The situation has become so dire that I feel the need for something sweet after every meal. I can barely make it to bed without a little chocolate — and it seems I never miss out on my 3 p.m. cookie.

I've recognized the problem brewing for a few years now, but I've never been able to muster the willpower to do anything about it. When I was coerced volunteered to try a sugar detox, though, it was a very different story. This time, I had my coworkers to hold me accountable — and, I had to answer to all of you. Turns out, a little pressure was all I needed.

The assignment was simple: Record everything I ate for a week while avoiding sugar as much as possible. Fruit was allowed, but anything with added sugar was strictly off-limits. I'll admit I was more than a little nervous, not only about whether or not I would slip up and have a chocolate bar, but also about what it would do to my body. I'd heard sugar withdrawal can cause fatigue and depression-like symptoms in addition to particularly nasty cravings.

As it turned out, it was a lot easier than I thought — and I learned a lot of tricks along the way. Click through to find out what worked, what didn't, and whether it was all worth it. (Hint: It was.)