Sugar is depressing 

I cut out all alcohol and 80% of my sugar consumption this summer, and it's incredible how I've been able to cope with physical and emotional stressors this year. Honestly incredible. Tbh the sugar and alcohol isn't worth my sanity

It's a vicious cycle for me. When I feel down or anxious I crave refined sugar, which then makes me feel worse , causing me to want more sugar. Not giving in to the cravings, when you're a comfort/stress eater, is a daily struggle for me.

I’m a sugar freak… and sugar is a highly addictive drug. It’s harder for me to stop sugar then stop smoking (which I did last year)

I suffered from severe postpartum depression after the birth of my son. I would lie in bed and sob, just literally sob, while holding my son. I remember feeling so confused and thinking that this should be the happiest moment of my life, so why am I feeling depressed? My ob/gyn prescribed me Paxil and within a few days I felt so much better. It was like a light switch was flipped in my head. Now antidepressants certainly aren't for everyone, but it helped me tremendously.

Hi Alex 👋 I have been on anti depressants for 27 years! I have them changed every few years as they do lose their effectiveness. Im also refined sugar free but its for fibromyalgia more than my depression. My doc has said ill probably need meds for the rest of life and im fine with that. It is what it is and doing this online is brave and you should feel proud that youve spoke your truth. You are beautiful inside and out and i love watching you 💗xx

My husband and I cut down on sugar and both us could tell how much happier we felt so we went a lil further I love pasta so we were eating it every week now it’s once a month but even every two weeks watching how many carbs we eat our inflammation goes way down. He has a lot of joint issues and I don’t have the best digestion but it really has made such an incredible difference just playing with our diet to try to feel better.

Before I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety/depression I used to self medicate with caffeine and processed carbs. Once I started taking medication, my intake on those things have drastically gone down. I still have sugar here and there but I definitely feel better when I don’t eat it in excess. This video was 100% relatable

I left gluten, lactose and sugar just recently (3 months ago) and my life quality has improved so much. I felt those happy feelings again that had been lost for years. I feel you Alex ❤ It is a journey but the rewards were seen in a week already. I had a lot of brain fog and head aches and groggy mornings before I did this...

Feeling like an addiction is so accurate lol I’ve been on antidepressants for 24 years and it’s the only way I can exist. Thank you for making this video. It’s nice knowing that even someone as confident, talented, and put together as you understands not only the struggle of anxiety… but also the struggle of owning a cat 😂

I appreciate when you talk about this- you aren’t trying to teach or preach, just sharing your experience one person to another.

I remember watching your first video about sugar and gave it a go. It's been probably 10 months of ups and downs and learning and what works and doesn't. It absolutely causes massive issues for my mental health and I struggle greatly with my food diet. You have helped me to drop over 15kg so far and looking to double it and improve my quality of life. Thank you for the continued videos. I appreciate it.

Okay, holy shit. The mood thing you’re talking about…I experience the exact same thing. Something that I just recently became aware of that was a huge game changer for my mood and especially my mental health, is NUMBING. And one way I would numb was with sugary foods/sweets. I tried going no sugar added multiple times, but always failed to stick with it (or any diet change). I couldn’t stick with it tho because I hadn’t looked at WHY I craved those things in the first place. When I realized I was numbing my feelings by using food to soothe myself-TOTAL GAME CHANGER.

I had chronic migraines for years. I kept a food journal while tracking migraines. I noticed processed foods we’re always right before a migraine. I eliminated them and the migraines decreased and eventually stopped. I am now able to have some processed foods now and then, because yes, sometimes I get a craving.

Upping protein can definitely help with sugar cravings. Making your own gluten-free sweets with coconut sugar or monk fruit got me through. I myself am definitely going back to a gluten-free, sugar free diet. Did that for two years and have been off of it for a year and I can’t do this anymore. I can tell it affects my mental health and I have dark circles and puffiness under my eyes all the time! Best wishes to you!

i grew up without processed foods because of food sensitivities and i still struggled with mental health issues but i underestimated my food SO MUCH when i went to college. at college i would eat like shit and i’d be like oh okay WOW this affects my mood, my productivity, everything. i’m 19 so i’m back home for the summer but i’ve been feeling so much better with the food i’m eating and i’m planning to meal prep more this coming year.

I had a liver transplant 4/19/22. Food is medicine ❤. If I eat poorly my joints hurt, my belly bloats and my face is hella puffy. It is true what you said. You wake up feeling good when you cut out processed foods and excess salt and sugar. Much ❤

I so relate. And now that we know how much the gut bacteria affect mood, it makes total sense. Changing to a whole food plant based no added salt, oil, or sugar has been Life changing for me. Finding non-food things to replace all of the “It’s blah occasion, so I want ” was fairly difficult, but totally worth it. I read a book called “The Holy S#%t Moment” that talked about how changes tied to identity are the ones that happen on a dime and stick. For a friend of mine, I remember him saying, “Ellie’s dad doesn’t smoke.” He dropped cigarettes the moment he had that thought. For me, it wasn’t that ‘easy’, but as I started actively looking for things in my day that were beautiful, good, happy, etc., I was able to install the identity of ‘person who finds joy/solace/celebration in non-food things. Also have been able to drop a blood pressure medication and have dropped 30 pounds (despite menopause and all it’s joys) without Ever being hungry.

I am the same way. Added sugar affects me so much, from weight gain to low energy and mood swings. Its so hard to quit :(

Been struggling so much with my mental health and been using food for comfort and mking everything so much worst 😢 thank you for sharing this it motivates me to make some much needed changes for the sake of my health

Another thing to keep in mind… stay away from Aspartame if you are noticing mood instability or severe cravings. Drinking Diet Coke will send me on a carbohydrate binge as well as instantly causing depression/anxiety.

I am one year sugar and flour free! I am so happy with the decision I made. And thank you Alex for talking about this and opening the conversation. Love when non-nutrition influencers talk about their struggle with these substances

Yessss! My daughter found this out by accident when the whole house went low carb. Depression and anxiety went almost completely gone. And lost over 80 lbs. It is the devil

Removing most of refined sugar has done wonder for my mental state. Much less headache, clearer mind and much better outlook in life. I am glad you got this message out to your million of subscribers.

I have had anxiety my whole life. having gone very low sugar and carbs and all decaf. has lowered my anxiety dramatically . It's a life long ordeal. Thank you for sharing. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

The sugar situation is so real! I tell people I am allergic to refined sugar because the reactions my mind and body have to it feel like pretty severe reactions akin to an allergy. I still eat refined sugar here and there (a muffin at a coffee shop, a piece of cake at a wedding, etc.), but for the most part, I have cut it out of my diet. What's wild too is that I used to be a pastry chef, so I had to regularly try the goods I was baking. It really wasn't until I quit the industry and was able to stop taste-testing that I started to really notice the effects it had on my skin. I've now been off sugar for almost 8 years, and when I do eat it, I can really feel the effects it has on my mood and overall well-being. My sleep is also absolute sh*t. I'm so glad you shared this video! It's nice to know others out there are like me, too. I also really appreciate your honesty about slipping up in the future. This is an ongoing process, and there will be times we just can't help ourselves. But just believing that we live our lives sugar-free helps keep us on track for when we do slip up.

I'm badly addicted to sugar. I'm also an alcoholic and i didn't have a drink for over 12 years now. I want to reduce my intake of sugar but i find it so hard! I think i'll have to cut it completely, like the alcohol. I'll watch your video on healthy snacks. Give me ideas. I'm also trying to cook more. I've always loved cooking but since the pandemy, anxiety and depression got out of control. That's sad because i felt that i had it under control before. So i was on leave for 3 years, i couldn't see my people, was living alone and had bad ideas if you know what i mean. I never ate so bad in my life and that's when i gained the more weight that i can't seem to lose. Anyway, healthy life choices comes together i think in a healthy life style. I keep trying. The fact that you're on that journey for several years so far encourage me. Thank you so much for sharing!

I have been told to cut sugar for my arthritis and so far I diminished it now and then I would indulge. I never connected it with my moods though. I will pay attention. Thanks Alexandra. Love watching your channel, you tout le a lot.

This makes complete sense. Refined sugars particularly cause you to have ups and then downs with energy and chemical reactions in the body and especially in the brain. It's basically overcoming an addiction, only most don't think of it that way. Because it is not looked at as illegal. I'm a nurse so I've gained some knowledge on this. Just wanting to 100% back you up on this! 💜😊

I've been trying so hard to eat better and take better care of my health. My mental health has always struggled and I am losing the effectiveness of my antidepressants. I'm not sure i could ever gove up sugar. It brings me such joy. I admire your willpower

The part of your dialogue that resonated the most with me was "so this is what everyone else feels". I'm bipolar and when I finally got on the right medication (took 3 yrs) it was like a light bulb. I was so shocked that this was the way everyone else saw things. It was like a fog lifted. I've found sugar exacerbates my mood instability so yeah ... cutting out sugar is a positive. I've fallen off the sugar wagon recently and I'm working to get back on. Best of luck on your journey!

This was the final push I needed!! Thank you for the real talk on mental health ❤

Thank you! It is important to keep an open dialog about depression and mental health, so that individuals are more apt to seek help. When you said you eliminated dairy without much of a problem, I was envious. Dairy is the only monkey I can't get off my back. I have at least decreased the amount I was consuming, but have been unable to completely eliminate it. But, I shall keep trying! 😊

I couldn’t agree more. I spent years on a medical Keto diet. (Not Pinterest all you can eat bacon and weirdo coconut oil in coffee shit 🤢) Fell off the wagon for a year and my mental health went to shit. Migraines came back, brain fog, depression, anxiety, pain in my everything. Hair falling out. Jumped back on a week ago and now past the worst of the adjustment and starting to wake up.

nothing inspired me more to cut out sugar than you saying that you want to get up in the morning and that you don’t have mood swings. health and beauty are important, but the most important thing is inner peace

i love that this video showed up in my recs because I have been considering removing sugar out of my diet aswell. I would love to see a video about what your diet is like now. I feel like everything has sugar these days and it can be difficult to transition.

Wow I’ve never thought of cutting processed foods to improve your mood! I knew of the chemicals to preserve the food though, so that makes sense in terms of interfering with the neurotransmitters in the brain. I did drink Kefer milk (more cultured milk with probiotics) and I noticed a GREAT difference within a DAY. Gut health is SO important and very overlooked in terms of physical/ mental health.

I’m a total nutrition nerd so this made me love your channel that much more yessss

Oh and also for me when it comes to sugar it is TRULY COMPLETELY WITHOUT A DOUBT FULL ON ADDICT BEHAVIOR!! But when I have succeeded for a few weeks, it's always my skin that shows improvement!!!

Love these videos you make. Hearing from you about lifestyle that is based in health but not in a off-putting way, but more of a holistic loving way

Yay, so happy people are waking up to how terrible refined sugar is! I remember people thought I was crazy doing Keto/Low Carb, but more research has confirmed it’s helpful for depression and anxiety! Hoping everyone has their own happy, healthy, health journey ❤️

I validate you feelings. I fully believe you can do it. You already did it, so there’s no doubt you can do it again! Your first video finally helped me quit added sugar (massive chocolate fan here). I haven’t eaten it in a month and I’ve lost like 10 pounds in a matter of weeks. YOU GOT THIS also, you are simply beautiful. Had to add that🥰

I notice a huge difference when I eat less processed foods, recently I have been trying to eat way more fruits and veggies vs buying a meal pre-made.

It's really awesome that you're speaking about this. Needed to hear this. truly. Thank you.

I read somewhere that, when you crave sugar, what you actually need is protein.

I'm starting to watch. The topic is VERY hot because an hour ago I threw most of the already opened sweets into the garbage. I know sugar is bad for me. Before the pandemic, I was fine, I had good results. I have been eating sweets a lot for a year and all of a sudden I have stones in my gall bladder and more in my kidneys. I also had depression and my anxiety got worse. It's much better when I avoid simple sugar. I feel hyperactive and anxious when I eat too many sweets during the day. Anything unnatural in the diet is bad. I must add that since childhood I have been struggling with anxiety neurosis too, for no apparent reason, my fears of going to sleep are getting worse. When I eat sugar, I feel even worse. You are right and thank you for this video, you timed it perfectly.

Thank you for opening up about this topic. You are going to help so many people 🍭

The latte trend has to be one of my favourite makeup looks, you killed it! As soon as I saw the your makeup I was hoping you did a video!

I get you. Thank you for the transparency... it helps people! ❤

Thank you for speaking about this topic 💙

Thank you for opening up about this! Definitely very informative!

I love that you tackled this issue publicly. So many people don't comprehend that sugar is the tastiest poison we all consistently expose ourselves to, and it's also the most difficult addiction to kick. (Just an FYI - Lab rats that were fed cocoaine to the point of becoming completely addicted actually rejected the drug in favor of sugar. It's THAT addicting.) I'm like you in that quitting sugar has to be an all or nothing situation. I once managed to avoid all sugar for a total of 27 days before I made the mistake of enjoying a single square of dark chocolate, which retriggered the cravings and insanity. My primary challenge in life is trying to break the cycle of sugar addiction, and over the years I've given up nearly all processed foods, but it's hard, especially since I'm a stress eater. My husband and I own a business, and I raise poultry (over 60 chickens right now), and I grow much of our food and our chickens' food...all in the hope of improving our overall nutrition and dietary habits, but some days are just so damn hard and it's to easy to just pick up a pizza. That's literally all it will take to trigger the cravings. So stay strong, keep fighting the good fight, and I promise you that you're not alone in this endeavor. And thank you for this and all of your other videos. I only recently found you here on RU-vid and have been watching your videos almost obsessively and have learned so much from you. I think you have a brilliantly creative mind, an utterly charming personality, may actually drop more F-bombs than I do 😂, and somehow have actually gotten even prettier and more beautiful as the years have progressed. And as much as I love your makeup videos, it's content like this video that actually gives me the most hope and joy because I reminds me that I'm not alone in realizing that things like sugar are a real problem.

You are bang on with this info. I just came back from holiday where I ate what ever I wanted. Hit with depression and serious anxiety as soon as I got home and returned to my usual diet. Took 2 weeks to recover 🤷‍♀️

Your experience with sugar really does sound like an addiction. Just as someone who deals with addiction myself, and being interested in the subject, it sounds so similar to being addicted to drugs or alcohol. You even said “I’m so jealous of people that can indulge here and there and not ruin their life” (not verbatim I don’t remember the exact words used). But yeah. Super interesting to hear your experience.

You are a very bright spot on this planet, bro. Thank you for being awesome. ❤️

I gave up sugars (and all sweetners, because they keep the cravings going) a couple years ago. Life changing! Look up bright line eating for some interesting reading.

100% this needs to be addressed by every esthetician, dermatologist, MUA, etc. Great topic and thanks Alex for sharing your skin experience. ❤ I had acne as a teen on my back. That is usually where I will show any allergic reactions to something I’ve eaten. And as a kid and teen I ate ALOT of sugar. In some ways I think it halted my thinking process and stifled my educational progress. I craved it and my moods were all over the place. Processed chips and Gatorade were my go to for dealing with academic stress. Sad news is I gained weight and the flavorings added (powder) to the chips messed up my thyroid glad. I had to go on thyroid meds to correct all kinds of damage just by eating junk and processed foods and sugary snacks. By the time I hit 19 I was walking in a brain fog for most of the day and couldn’t retain anything. Suffice it to say I cleaned up my diet and purged junk out of my life (for the most part). Went to a wedding last week and I had tea and skipped the cake and it didn’t even bother me. Last night celebrated a friends’ bday and had 2 spoons of ice cream cake and I was done. For anyone going through the addiction and trying to pull away, it’s a serious journey. Every time you faulter, just re-commit to doing better. You have to build a memory of yourself being successful in this area to not be bothered by removing sweets.

I def can relate to this . I will be doing great and then have a craving , think it’s ok to indulge in it and then my mood is affected later. Usually I will not realize it’s related to the sugar or bad eating I’ve been doing at the time. Thank you for this !

I've been on a journey through sugar addiction for about 5 years now. I find completely cutting it out the easiest way instead of say giving myself a tiny amount I can eat each day. I do have the very odd treat and I find that works because in my mind I'm thinking, this is it, no more after today until say this next time we are out or it's someone's birthday or whatever it might be. It really is amazing how addictive sugar is. I always feel better, more energy, happier, level emotions instead of the ups and downs when I don't consume it. I feel your pain! I just keep thinking of how much better I feel when I don't have it :) Good luck and thank you for sharing your journey with us ❤

I could probably cut it if I didn’t “need” a coffee in the morning. I tried honey instead of sugar for a minute and it sucked, but I got used to it. I ran out of honey and went back to sugar and never got more honey. This is my sign to go back to honey. ❤

Bro I appreciate you sharing this so much. I cut it out for years and felt sooooooo much better. It’s crept back into my life but getting back to it. Everything you said was spot on. Good job ❤️

Thank you so much for sharing your struggles with mental health ❤️

I have GAD , I cut out alcohol a year ago, and keep sugar to a minimum. I do intermittent fasting and I run. That's the things that work for me to keep me sain. That combined with antidepressants. just antidepressants wont do the job for me. I also have adhd and this is so important for me to not go crazy. It can make such a difference 🙏

This is so me, and I didn't realize it. Thanks for sharing!

I’m the same way! I can’t give in or I have the hardest time getting back on track. This year I jacked up my diet so hard but I’m actively trying to get back on track. My eating and state of mind seem to really go hand in hand also but I also have anxiety super bad. I can’t relate very much so to this video.

Thanks for sharing Alex. My skin is breaking out a lot recently and I know less sugar will help. This was the motivation I needed xx

I completely relate! Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼❤️

I want to thank you for opening up about your mental health journey. I have lived with mental health issues my whole life from a trauma based childhood. Being an influencer, as you are, and lending your voice to this extremely maligned topic matter is Hugh! Sugar...yes diet plays a big role in maintaining stability. Anti-depresents...yes, must be changed up, rotated on a regular basis. Talk therapy, good psych and support system all help. Thank you Alex for being real and transparent on this topic. Much admiration, and hugs❤️ Alice (Mental Health Survivor & Advocate).

Thank you so much for this video and speaking about depression and anxiety. I have been struggling for the past few months even with medication and I just feel so alone. This video helps me feel I’m not alone x

Thank you for this video! I need more reminders about why I need to continue avoiding sugar.

Ооооо я смогла перевести на русский описание к видео, чудо. У тебя такие красивейшие мейки и очень добрые душевные комментаторы, получаю удовольствие и потихоньку учусь понимать английский. Спасибо❤

It's so cool how you can talk about this topic in such a positive, supporting way! I love these videos where you just chat and share some snippets of your life/opinions/thoughts/experiences... I don't each too much processed food or refined sugars. Yes, I'm one of those annoying healthy eaters -- but your girl knows how to make food taste good, so I never leave parties/get-togethers with leftovers (somewhat sadly). What I notice that really affects me (both emotionally and my skin) is a lack of sleep. Dang, when I was in my 20s, I could sleep like 14hrs straight. Now, I struggle to get 6 hrs combined! It SUCKS. And when I get less than 6hrs total, my skin just looks lifeless (and I'm much more irritable and anxious, though my daily exercise routine does help me some there) -- and I have weird sweet cravings that I don't usually get (as I generally crave more crunchy or salty than sweet or creamy).

I like these lil health chats

Thank you so much for talking through your mental health, and never apologise for it! I think it's important people like yourself with a large following normalise talking about it so others feel comfortable doing so themselves and fear it less. I've been struggling with depression and anxiety most, if not all my life and I never really contemplated refined sugar having much of an effect on it, but it does make a lot of sense and I feel motivated to try this myself after hearing you mention it so fingers crossed and thank you so much for sharing!

It's really refreshing and cool to hear you speak about this. Thank you ❤ I'm very addicted to sugar. Everything I eat and drink have some type of refined sugar.

Thanks for sharing and relating with us Alex 🥰🥰

ahhh I relate so much. I’ve been diagnosed with and treated for every anxiety disorder under the sun (panic disorder for example) and now adhd, ocd. I’ve had a similar timeline to u with it. I’m glad this is working for you and I hope you and your doctor(s) continue to find a plan for you !!

I notice how Less puffy I am when I avoid sugar and processed foods, I really try to avoid that type of food. And I do feel much better all around.

Thank you for this❤

I think this is a huge important message for parents. Really try to limit your kids' intake of sugar. We call my youngest (7) a hummingbird because, if I let her, she would live on sugar. I really try to fill her up with apples, oranges, watermelon (in the summer). I know it's still sugar, but I feel like it's better than M&M's and Popsicles.

Love this! Thanks for sharing your story

Omg epiphany!! That hit hard. I’m a recovering addict whose new addiction is sugar. I cannot just have a small bit. I’m gonna try cutting it out.

I really needed to see this. Thank you so much.

You look AMAZING Alex!!!!!

Thank you for sharing this - it motivated me to get on the hardcore no sugar journey, which I had already started!

Alex thank you for being vulnerable. Anxiety was my companion since I was a teenager (I’m 59 now) and I’ve definitely noticed a spike when I eat a lot if refined white sugar. Focusing on fruit instead, especially during the 3 o’clock witching hour of cravings, shooed away the butterflies with claws on them in my belly. Best description I know. The linked video on how you weaned off sugar is GREAT! The permission to bulk up on natural sugar (fruit) first and allow it to be a process is validating. Raisins help me (just a quarter cup at a time.) Thanks for the freedom message. You look brighter for sure. 💜💜💜

I don't drink alcohol and the only "sugar" I use is Stevia. It's a plant & zero calories! 😊 I'm on Abilify and Welbutrin. Welbutrin is the only anti-depressant that doesn't make me gain weight.

Hi Alex, so glad you shared this. I really needed to hear you. I started eating raw ginger every day and it really helps kick up the dopamine. Anyway, thank so much! You are such a wonderful speaker!

Great advice Alex, this is definitely something I'll take on board. PS your skin is flawless

I appreciate you sharing this. I hope this helps you as much as it helps others. Take care of yourself ❤

You can't imagine how much I needed to hear this, thank you Alex! Oh and I am completely hypnotised by how beautiful that makeup look is

Alex, I'm taking a nutrition course right now and what you're saying about how you feel makes a lot of sense with what I'm learning about how your body processes carbs. It's very interesting to learn about how timing and the molecular structure of the sugar plays into everything too. I'm listening to this while I'm on a walk 😇

I love this video and so happy you are talking about this. I struggle every day with sugar and I wake up saying I’m not going to have any. I also have anxiety and am on medication for it. Yes sugar multiplies my anxiety and I have no energy. I’m looking forward to more videos from you on this subject and your makeup videos. Keep up the good work ❤

I’ll definitely be trying this myself, as I have a terrible sweet-tooth and have also had anxiety for as long as I can remember. Thank you for trying to help others and sharing your experience 💕

i't sad that most of people doesn't know the big impact of sugar to our body.. hope more vloggers and doctors would be on the side of good..

Thank you for sharing! I Love your makeup, it's so edgy and your haircut looks perfect on you❤🥰

Thank you for this wonderful video. ❤

Definitely had the same experience. Mood swings, irritability, fatigue when im on sugar, high and stable energy when im off it. Skin better, sleep better, eyesight better (? Iike you i also had SMILE done, my vision feels less than optimal when ive eaten a bunch of sugar) and less joint pain. Ive switched to dark chocolate and that's the only change ive been able to consistently keep. One of the recipes ive been enjoying recently is a bit of mascarpone or ricotta cheese, with some toasted hazelnuts and a quarter teaspoon of cloudy honey. Dont remember where i got that from. (Was it you?) Ive had more luck cutting out gluten and a massive impact on improving my join pain. The fact that most sweets i used to crave had some wheat components just makes it easier now.

Alex, thank you for talking about your mental health. There is a scientific study which was performed on babies. Keys were jingled in front of each baby, some didn't react and others overreacted. Anxiety is innate. Sleep paralysis absolutely sucks especially when you have to pee. And of course, when stuffed animals are coming to get you.

Thank you for sharing your story…finding our balance is a lifelong journey…you’ve got this! PS your make-up is stunning, as always. 😊

Sugar = acne for me. Took me loonnng to understand, but SO WORTH IT to have cut it from my diet :) so, I can totally relate to you Alex ❤