10-day program claims to help kick sugar addiction

When it comes to the fight against obesity and health problems, sugar seems to have become enemy number one. So now a new program promises to help people break their sugar addiction.

We enlisted four Action News viewers to put this program to the test. It claims to cut cravings, help you lose weight, lower your risk for heart attack and diabetes, and improve your overall health.

But for some, it won't be easy.

Michael and Jill Lavelle of Hamilton, New Jersey and Jodi Fiore and her son Nick from Sicklerville all took the challenge to follow Doctor Mark Hyman's new program the 10-Day Detox Diet.

We spoke with Doctor Hyman at the Cleveland Clinic. He says the average American eats 152 pounds of sugar a year, and in high quantities, sugar can be as addictive as cocaine.

Dr. Hyman explains, "The science shows that certain foods are biologically addictive so it's very hard to eat less when your brain and your taste buds is high-jacked by high sugar, highly processed, refined foods."

So in order to break the addiction, for 10 days his program suggests you cut out: sugar, gluten, grains, dairy, beans, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and processed food.

But he says it is not a traditional detox like a juice cleanse, and it's not a starvation diet.

Both of our families followed many of the recipes provided, and recorded video diaries throughout their journey.

All admit the first few days were tough.

Doctor Hyman says this is normal. It's just like coming off a drug.

"You do have to go through a bit of withdrawal before you get back to your normal state of health," he said.

But by day three...

Jill: "I woke up this morning feeling great!"

Michael: "My energy is up, my thinking is much more clear."

Jodi: "Oh and I had so much more energy!"

All three said they also lost weight, and surprisingly all agreed they weren't hungry.

But for Nick, who's a freshman in college: "I lasted two and a half days. It was tough."

He says he had trouble concentrating in class. And the lure of processed foods on campus was too tempting.

"You've got everything you want - cheesesteaks, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, there's a grease truck around there," he said.

Dr. Hyman says planning is key. Just as you would plan the details of a vacation, you have to plan for your journey to health.

Dr. Hyman explains, "Detox your kitchen, get your work environment set up - make sure you know where you are going to find the food you need so you make it easy on yourself."

After the ten days comes a transition period where you start to add foods back in.

For Jodi this will be cheese and coffee. But she says a lesser amount.

Jill and Michael are staying on the plan a bit longer.

And Nick says he wants to try again over summer break.

For more information on the program, visit: http://10daydetox.com/successfuldetox/