The Sugar Demons: An Addict's Guide to Conquering Sugar Addiction

by Johnathan Cranford

It’s time to end your addiction to sugar.

Before each sugar binge comes a hollow feeling, like an invisible hand pushing you to seek sugar. It manifests when you’re stressed, bored, anxious. Addiction makes you the tennis ball in a match between self-loathing and depression. Every binge leads to self-loathing, the self-loathing leads to depression which in turn leads to more binging. It’s time to break that cycle. 

As a former USA Boxing Coach and current Certified CrossFit Trainer with 20 years experience in the fitness industry and an equal amount of time spent battling sugar addiction, I’ll share discoveries from my own experience on breaking the cycle. The Sugar Demons covers my entire journey from realizing I have an addiction, to the “Ah-ha!” moments that put me back in control of my life. In this book, you’ll learn:

-The key breakthrough that gave me the edge I needed in my battle with addiction.

-My step-by-step plan for breaking sugar addiction. 

-How I reduce cravings until they are silent.

-Why “discipline” and “willpower” are ineffective strategies and should not be relied on. 

-A list of (optional) supplements to “hack” your body out of its dependence on sugar.

-Meal prep advice. 

-How to control your food environment so it doesn’t control you. 

Genres: Audiobook, Health, Nonfiction, Self Help

113 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2019

Reviews

[Karla Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a hard core sugar addict, so when I received this book from the author, I was excited to read it. It’s a quick read and full of good ideas, strategies, and tips that I will use. Three stars is not a bad rating from me; it means I liked it but didn’t love it. For me, some of the visuals just didn’t land (visualize yourself as a super hero and linking steps for beating sugar to video game playing), but again, the overall message and practical tips did have me reading til the end. Helpful, overall.

[Jayashrita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good suggestions and innovative action plans for people trying to cut down sugar. It could be a good start for people who have no clue about how addiction, dopamine and sugar works. I listened to the audiobook and to me, it felt more like a hastily scripted podcast.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes the Cake

I’ve been reading a lot of material regarding sugar lately, including Michael Collins book Last Resort Sugar Detox. It, too, was excellent. Between the two choices, though, for someone only looking to read one book, I would choose Sugar Demons. The author presents the most excellent set of tools and resources to assist you in your battle against sugar. Most of the tools and resources he mentions can be obtained free of charge. He ascribes full credit to SuperBetter author and game creator, Jane McGonigal. Mr. Cranford spends a good deal of time explaining this game. I downloaded the app immediately (it’s free), and it is life-changing. Starts with your creating a secret identity, and the adventure kickstarts from there.
 
I love his writing style, and the way he simplified the problem of ingesting sugar – refined, in particular. His words speak to the readers without judgment and provide all the head knowledge one needs to take to heart. I just ordered his workbook and am greatly looking forward to receiving it!
 
Having tried many, many diets over the course of my life and failing to adhere to a single one has been exhausting and so very taxing on my poor, fatigued, and tired body that has somehow – despite my own cancer run and numerous obstacles and challenges – kept me on my feet thus far. I appreciate all of my fantastic doctors – Joel Fuhrman, John McDougall, Neal Barnard (whose recipes I love), Jason Fung – for the solid, nutritionally-sound advice in their books. I have read more than one book from each of those fine doctors. Still, no one presented the information regarding sugar in a way that clicked and connected for me the way it did after I read Sugar Demons.
 
Is this a good time for me to quit sugar? Started a new role in the company where I work fulltime. We’re in the midst of a global pandemic, and now, there is talk that I may need to either vaccinate or lose my job. I’m also the sole caregiver for my parents – mom has a broken leg and cannot walk or drive, and dad is battling a tumor. I’m 52 years old and 100 pounds overweight. My sister is getting married. I ask myself again, Is this really a good time for me to quit sugar?
 
Strangely, I find the answer is YES!
 
Part of me whispers, “Forget it…you’re too old, and it’s too late…” However, Mr. Cranford pointed out that voices like that are not my own. They are the notorious Sugar Demons, who are permanently hellbent on a search and destroy mission for my body that won’t end until I’m dead.
 
Now, I know how to “Power Up” and silence those wretched voices, thanks to Jonathan’s book.
 
Give it a try ~ you really have nothing to lose, except your arms and legs (literally!), as the author points out in his marvelous book.
 
I found it impossible to stick to only “Green Light” carbs for 10 days. It lasted all of 1 day. But am resolved to refrain from the “Red Light” carbs!
 
I need a little bit of fruit, and I wanted a wholesome, organic, nutritionally-dense soup. Was worried about the sugar content in tomatoes but gave up the worry and made a big pot that included freshly cut butternut squash, peas, small heirloom potatoes of mixed variety, mushrooms, celery, freshly shaved corn from cobs, onions, garlic. Bumped it all up to the next level in yum-ness by using Bonafide’s chicken bone broth as a base (that I only just recently discovered at Sprouts in their frozen section). The result? Even my carnivorous parents joined me in eating the soup for the next several days. I found it comforting, nourishing, and super delicious.
 
My detox has not been impossibly difficult, which I found to be a mark of resilience by my embattled body. Mostly headaches and flu-like symptoms, but no cravings whatsoever. Maybe it’s just because I feel too sick right now to crave anything wicked. I did purchase the supplements but have yet to use them.
 
I’m on Day 4 and only need to make it through today ~ taking it one today at a time.
 
We’ll just see how it goes ~
 
Wishing you all the best!

Update - Day 7: Was tempted to edit out the line about detox not being difficult and my body’s resilience but left it in to demonstrate the incredible depth of my naïveté. After I wrote that, my body crashed hard. So much mucous and congestion...began drinking dandelion tea and using the author’s recommended supplements on Day 5. Feeling a little better. Chest is not as congested today ~ detox is kicking my butt! Only need to focus on making it through today ~

[Tman31415 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good personal perspective of sugar addiction

I liked how the author told his story and the things he does to fight his Sugar Demons. I'll be giving a lot of the ideas a try. I'm not a fan of the gameification process, to me it's just adding a layer of complexity that doesn't need to be there but that's just me. Very glad I took the time to read this book to help me achieve my goal of pursuing better health

[Kimberly Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a year ago and loved Jonathan’s advice.

However, I didn’t decide to do anything about it until the beginning of this month. I got diagnosed with a weird hormonal disorder and tried out his green light foods.

I was 139lbs on august 1st, and today at the end of the month I’m at 123.

Jonathan has been so helpful in guiding me on this diet and helping send recipes to things I’m craving at the time and substitutes.

His audio book also just came out, give it a listen to!!

[Zack Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to Sugar Demons by Johnathan Crawford on audible. Really good book and great listen. He talks about why sugar is so addictive and how we can formulate a literal game plan to kill the sugar demons. Gets into detail about lymphatic system and dopamine release.

He talks about using the acronym A.I.M

A - Activity, physical, hobbies, staying busy
I- Isolation and how it leads to mindless eating, depression, and justification
M- mindfulness, yoga, meditation.

He then gives these supplements to help with cravings.
1. L Glutamine
2. Acetal L cartaeine
3. MCT oil
4. Magnesium

Overall, great length, very relatable and concise. He exposes how our culture makes it out that sugar is okay. Nothing about sugar is okay, and it is disguised everywhere. Let the broccoli angles take down the sugar demons!

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

I feel very motivated to start my journey of recovering from sugar addiction. The book has a lot of nice tips and it is very real in explaining how addiction works. I don't know if I agree with being part of a community helps to get out of sugar addiction, though. I am part of community and pot lucks, restaurants, and bars have become a problem as everyone is into food that are not healthy. I lost 25 pounds during the pandemic when I was isolated, and as soon as I start hanging out with people, I got all my pounds back in less than a year.

[William C. Sneed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live a sugar free life!

I have been searching for the past several years for books and articles on how to eliminate all sugar from my diet. "The Sugar Demons" has met this need on so many levels. I Hardly recommend this book to any who is presenty battling with sugar addiction.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fun Informative Read

This book was really fun to read. It was entertaining while being very informative. Reading it was like talking to a new friend, thanks Johnathan! I found the info really helpful, insightful & I think it's going to be highly useful to me in my journey to becoming sugar-free.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It is a really helpful guide to how to give up sugar. I have struggled so much to do this in the past and have massively relapsed every time, but I need to give up for my health (mental, physical, and menstrual) so this guide is beyond helpful. Thank you!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than I expected

I thought this was going to be a BS type book but there were several helpful tips in it. Grateful to have read this book and I feel prepared to continue taking on my sugar cravings

[Sofie Guns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting point of view and ver informative. It's true that we consume too much sugar, it's everywhere and in everything. However cutting it completely out of one's diet seems a bit extreme in my opinion.

It did make me realise the way I see sugar and the way I consume it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book

Quick read, learned a lot. Quitting sugar and processed foods for the win! As an introvert I really hate writing reviews, but this book was so good I couldn’t wait to share it.

[Linda Barankovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sugar Demons

This is a great book with great suggestions for getting the sugar addiction under control. I recommend it highly to anyone.

[Tusharbala Sutar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got some good points

[Chappyfamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t tried the program yet but I see how there’s a lot of benefits and a different method than willpower for combating sugar addiction.

[Tiffany Smart · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings on this book are complicated. I actually found it tremendously helpful, but I couldn’t give it more than 3 stars because there was only one source cited in the entire book even though he was constantly quoting information that should’ve been backed by some sort of cited science. Example: He advises the use of a bunch of supplements but every reason is anecdotal (like some weight-lifter told him to) instead of a peer-reviewed article written by an academic.

[R · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
I guess there were a few helpful tips, especially if you’re an absolute beginner. But I don’t feel this author is credible nor should be giving advice about addiction.

Extremely weak in evidence / science backed information, and jumps around in topics. To be honest, the book reads like a stream of consciousness from a gym bro.

I didn’t give it only one star simply because it took me about 30 mins to read / skim the whole thing.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent strategies which are fun and straightforward. I will read it again!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

yikes i needed this

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a few good suggestions.