For many people, giving up sugar isn’t just about discipline. It’s tied to years of habits, emotional comfort, childhood memories, and moments shared with loved ones. Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana recently opened up about her long struggle with sugar and how she eventually reached a point where she no longer craves it.
In an interview with Jatin Sapru on YouTube, Smriti shared,
“Not that I ate extremely bad food, but sugar was something I wasn’t able to leave. Abhi ichha nahi hoti. Abhi agar main khaayi toh mummy ki khushi ke liye.”
(“I don’t feel like eating it now. If I eat it now, it’s only for my mom’s happiness.”)
She added that when she’s at home in Sangli during special occasions, she sometimes has a sweet only because her mother makes it with love.
She recalled moments when her mother would say, “Beta, I made this new sweet dish,” or proudly prepare homemade jalebis. Smriti now eats one or two pieces not out of desire, but as a gesture of affection.
Her experience reflects something many face—shifting from craving sugar to reaching a point where sweetness feels optional rather than necessary.
Why people stop craving sugar over time
Kanikka Malhotra, consultant dietician and diabetes educator, explains that losing sugar cravings is deeply linked to changes in the brain and gut.
“When someone’s sugar craving slowly fades, it reflects neuroplasticity in the brain’s reward circuits,” she says.
Sugar stimulates dopamine, the feel-good chemical. But when a person reduces sugar over time:
- dopamine receptors resensitise,
- the reward system requires less sugar,
- the brain stops seeking sweetness for stimulation.
Simultaneously, the gut microbiome changes, shifting from sugar-fed bacteria to those thriving on fibre and complex carbs. This transformation naturally lowers the urge for sugary foods.
Managing emotional eating without slipping back into old patterns
Sugar often becomes a comfort, especially during stress or emotional moments.
Malhotra says emotional eating can be managed by replacing sugar-based habits with healthier rituals, such as:
- sipping tea,
- sharing fruit or nuts,
- taking a walk,
- journaling,
- or engaging in a family activity.
She adds, “The goal is to replace what sugar represented—comfort, bonding, relaxation—with healthier sources.”
Should sugar be avoided completely once cravings drop?
Malhotra cautions against total elimination.
“Absolute avoidance may lead to feelings of deprivation and trigger bingeing later,” she explains.
Instead, she recommends mindful indulgence, such as:
- small pieces of dark chocolate,
- traditional sweets like jaggery-based treats,
- dates, raisins, or prunes.
“Sustainable health is about balance, not perfection,” she says. Portion size, frequency, and context matter more than complete restriction.
