Are you angry with yourself because you can't seem to turn down tempting desserts or other empty-calorie carbs -- even though you began your day determined to eat cleanly?

If you have an overpowering sugar habit, I want you to know that this addictive feeling is not all in your head. You actually can get hooked.

The average American consumes some 170 pounds a year in foods, beverages and sweeteners. But millions don't realize that eating sugar and refined carbs could lead to many problems.

Sugar and its dangers are in the news again, thanks to ABC's popular show, Nightline, which, last night, aired a compelling story spotlighting sugar's role in the obesity crisis.

If you ate those no-no foods and ignored your good intentions, now is not the time to beat up on yourself. Instead, use your "falling down" to shower yourself with warmth, sympathy and compassion.

Even if parents develop clever schemes to limit the number of candies their children eat, kids -- and many adults -- will often overdose on sweets, in secret if need be.

It's only fitting that I begin as a Huffington Post blogger soon before Halloween, a spooky holiday, when many of our country's adults feel that it's un-American NOT to give out sugar-loaded candies.

Even though sugary temptations abound, make sure to focus often on your goal of weight loss, health, happiness and freedom.