For many people, sweets are an innocent indulgence. They an end-of-day reward, a comfort during stressful times, or a quick pick-me-up when energy dips. Yet behind this consumption lies a growing issue: the creeping habit of sugar addiction.
What often starts as an occasional treat can gradually turn into an unhealthy dependence—impacting not only weight and dental health but also mood, confidence, and energy levels.
The BDLife spoke to individuals who have wrestled with sugar addiction and the journey they’ve taken to break free.
For as long as she can remember, Ann Kendi’s guilty pleasure has been sweets. Her earliest memories are of her father bringing her lollipops after work.
“When I was sent to the shop, I’d be given an extra coin to buy sweets. Over time, they became a sugary comfort blanket that followed me into adulthood,” the 29-year-old recalls.
By the time she reached university, sweets had become more than a treat; they were an emotional crutch.
“Whenever I felt low on mood or energy, I’d tell myself my sugar levels were low and I needed something sweet to feel normal again.”
Her favourites? Toffees, creamy chocolates, and bubblegum-filled lollipops. Like many toxic relationships, Ann’s bond with sugar had a darker side. It affected both her health and wallet.
“There was a time I thought, ‘Why keep buying one sweet at a time? Let me just get a whole pack, it’ll last a month.’ But it never did. I’d finish it in three days.”
Her turning point came in December 2023, after a painful dental visit to treat discoloured and aching teeth. “I had my teeth cleaned and corrected. It was a painful procedure. That memory jolted me to change. I couldn’t go through that again,” says Ann, an advocate by profession.
Quitting hasn’t been easy. “Sometimes I still crave chocolate or bubblegum, but now I reach for water or fruit instead.”
The benefits have been worth it. She estimates saving at least Sh1,000 a month since quitting sweets and has shed weight; from 74kg to 62kg.
“Too much sugar was sabotaging my weight-loss goals,” she says.
More than the savings or weight loss, Ann values the regained sense of control. “I’m no longer dependent on sweets to lift my mood. My self-esteem has improved too. I used to be self-conscious about my teeth. People would suggest dental clinics, and I knew they’d noticed.”
Her advice to anyone struggling with sugar? “Think of the consequences, the dental costs, health risks, and lifelong sensitivity. Once you see the bigger picture, it becomes easier to let go.”
Mercy Wanjiru’s sugar addiction began as a coping mechanism for stress. In 2022, after resigning from her job, the pressure of unemployment, bills, and single motherhood weighed heavily.
“I needed something to deal with the stress. First it was ice cream. I’d hide in my room and eat it to feel better. Then I started taking Actal tablets. They were for heartburn, but I liked the minty taste and began eating them like sweets. The chemist even gave me a wholesale price,” recalls the 45-year-old.
When concerns about medication misuse arose, Mercy switched to Mentos, and her dependency escalated. “I found a wholesaler selling boxes at Sh200. Each had 1,200 sweets, and I’d finish a box in two weeks, that’s 85 sweets a day. I poured them into vitamin jars to hide them from my children. I’d panic when they ran low. It gave me palpitations.”
Eventually, her health began to suffer. She had severe constipation, tooth decay, and lost a tooth. “I started feeling disgusted with myself, sneaking around to eat sweets and hiding the packets from my children. It wasn’t healthy. I decided to quit last year.”
Mercy credits prayer, accountability, and intention for her recovery. “I fasted for the strength to stop and asked my close friends to call me out if I relapsed.”
Since November 2023, she has remained off sweets. “Now, when I see them in the supermarket, I just think, ‘Foolish things. Not today.’”
The change has had ripple effects. Now a marketing executive, Mercy says she’s gained more control over her life. “I’ve learned to set boundaries at work, eat better, and save more. I always remind myself: if I could quit sweets, I can control anything.”
Expert insight
Dr Sairabanu Sokwalla, an endocrinologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, explains that sweets are broken down into glucose, which triggers insulin release.
“Insulin helps cells absorb glucose for energy. But excess sugar is stored as fat or glycogen,” she says. “The problem with sweets is their high glycemic index—they spike blood sugar quickly. This can create cravings for more sugar to sustain that ‘high,’ leading to dependence.”
Can sugar cause diabetes?
“Not directly,” Dr Sokwalla says. “Diabetes involves genetics, obesity, and lifestyle. However, frequent, excessive sugar intake, especially with poor diet and inactivity, raises the risk of type 2 diabetes.”
What’s more dangerous is how silently sugar can harm the body. “Diabetes can go undetected for years. Signs include constant thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, and reduced libido,” she says.
She advises people over 35, those who are overweight, or with a family history of diabetes to get screened regularly, even if they feel fine. So, how much is too much?
“It depends,” she says. “A construction worker may burn through 200 grammes of carbs daily. But a sedentary person might struggle with half that. Natural sugars in fruit and honey are slightly better but not risk-free—honey is still glucose. Even fruits like pineapples and watermelons have high sugar levels. Moderation is key.”
How to overcome a sweet tooth
According to nutritionist Rosemary Kabui, breaking a sugar habit is possible, but it requires a gradual, intentional approach.
“If you eat 20 sweets a day, reduce to 15, then 10. Don’t try to quit cold turkey,” she advises. “Replace sweets with fruit or high-fibre foods. And drink plenty of water, it helps reduce cravings.”
She also encourages a lifestyle shift: eating balanced meals, managing stress without food, and setting achievable goals. “Cravings often stem from hunger or imbalance. Fix your diet, and you fix the cravings.”
The damage from sugar can run deeper than many realise, she warns. “It disrupts gut health, feeds harmful bacteria, and can lead to bloating, IBS, and breakouts. Over time, it increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.”
Her advice? “If you must indulge, do it in moderation—once or twice a week, not daily. Opt for dark chocolate over processed candies.”
