There’s No Such Thing as Being Addicted to Sugar: A Dietitian’s Perspective on Creating Healthy Relationships with Food
Is Sugar Addiction Real? A Closer Look with a Registered Dietitian
In parenting circles and wellness groups, it’s common to hear phrases like “I’m addicted to sugar” or “My kids are sugar monsters.” These statements often come from a place of frustration, guilt, or confusion. But according to leading nutrition science—and our registered dietitian at MamaCare—it’s time to stop blaming sugar and start understanding our relationship with food. At MamaCare, a multidisciplinary wellness practice serving families across Ontario, we believe in nurturing healthy, happy, well-fed kids and parents. Our registered dietitian works closely with mothers and families to help break down food myths, reduce anxiety around eating, and create sustainable, joyful eating habits.
Debunking the Myth: Sugar Addiction Is Not a Clinical Diagnosis
Despite the headlines, “sugar addiction” is not a recognized clinical diagnosis in Canada or anywhere else. While people may feel drawn to sweet foods—especially during times of stress or fatigue—this behavior is more about emotional eating, restriction, and psychological patterns than any biochemical dependency. “Eat that chocolate! There is no magic cure to beating those sugar cravings or kicking that sugar addiction”, says our Ontario-based Registered Dietician, because the truth is there is no such thing as being addicted to sugar. Sugar doesn't hijack your brain like a drug but the way we think about and restrict sugar can make it feel like we’re out of control.
What’s Really Going On?
For many mothers and caregivers, sugar becomes a battleground. You want your kids to eat vegetables, avoid ultra-processed snacks, and grow up with a positive relationship with food. But when you’re juggling exhaustion, societal pressure, and misinformation, the idea of “sugar addiction” can take hold. What actually happens when people feel “addicted” to sugar often includes:
Dietary restriction or guilt leading to binge behaviour
Emotional eating patterns (e.g., using sugar to cope with stress or overwhelm)
Lack of balanced meals, which can create intense cravings for quick energy (like sugar)
A Dietitian’s Approach: Gentle Nutrition and Family Food Freedom
Our Registered Dietitian, Dara Gurau, RD, doesn’t hand out restrictive meal plans or moralize your food choices. Instead, she uses a weight-inclusive, non-diet, evidence-based approach to support mothers and families in Ontario. She helps you:
Understand your cravings and what they might be telling you
Build balanced, satisfying meals that stabilize energy and moods
Navigate kids’ sugar cravings without shame or power struggles
Reduce food guilt and anxiety, especially postpartum
Raise kids who eat intuitively, joyfully, and with confidence
The goal isn’t to eliminate sugar—it’s to reduce the fear and control around it.
Why This Matters for Ontario Families
If you’re searching for a dietitian as a new mom or looking for nutrition support for kids in Ontario, MamaCare is here for you. Our dietitian understands the unique pressures that parents face when it comes to feeding themselves and their children. We offer virtual nutrition counselling across Ontario, so no matter where you live—from Toronto to Thunder Bay—you can access personalized support from a registered dietitian who gets it.
Dietician services are covered by most private insurance plans. For more information, book a free consultation with our Client Care Coordinator here.