Sugar Addiction

"The experimental question is whether or not sugar can be a substance of abuse and lead to a natural form of addiction. 'Food addiction' seems plausible because brain pathways that evolved to respond to natural rewards are also activated by addictive drugs. Sugar is noteworthy as a substance that releases opioids and dopamine and thus might be expected to have addictive potential...The evidence supports the hypothesis that under certain circumstances rats can become sugar dependent. This may translate to some human conditions as suggested by the literature on eating disorders and obesity."

What I'm slowly coming to realize is that I simply can't have dessert. I can eat all the fruit I want - and I especially like strawberries, apples, bananas, and grapes - but I can't eat cookies, cakes, brownies, or similiar foods. Once I get beyond that deep craving, which can take a week or two, I miss that sugar and its accompanying comfort much less, and I'm okay with seeing other people eat such things, but I can't touch it myself. I can't "just have one serving." I can't actually control myself, so it's better if I just stay away altogether.

Which leads my just feeling badly, not only because I ate a dessert, but because I couldn't stop myself or control myself. I need to get past the feeling of deprivation of not having cookies, or the dessert du jour.

This is a shame because I really love to bake, and I'm good at it, too. I wonder if I'll ever get to the point where I can have just a serving and be content. I suppose it's possible, but it's going to be awhile.