How to deal with Kryptonite?

sydneycampb3ll

Hi guys! I'm new, and my first few days have been going pretty well but I have some questions about dieting tips I suppose?

I can eat salad/veggies/healthy easily- it doesn't excite me, which is kind of a bummer, but it doesn't bother me.

My real problem are that I have two pretty bad habits....drinking Coke, and eating chocolate. Specifically Hershey's with almonds, if it matters . I can largely avoid other unhealthy things but these two have some power over me. I'm a college student, and I tend to keep the Hershey's in my desk for my period (lol) and Coke is available every time I go into the dining hall, right next to the water spigot.

I know things are okay in moderation, but with the both of these it seems like if I have even a little then I feel myself wanting it more and more over the next few days, up to a certain point. I always want it, but after I get a taste I CRAVE it.

Any tips on limiting consumption of either of these? I am sure I'm not the only person with a weakness or two when it comes to junk food, and I'm interested to know how you all deal! Thanks for any input.

jessieleah

Stop keeping the chocolate in your house, only buy a small amount during your period. I had to do that with chips. They were my weakness and I had no portion control around them, but once they were out of the house, it was much easier after a week or so.

As for the soda, I'm still working on that one. I switched to diet soda, but I still drink it to this day.

Kalikel

Cold turkey. Cut them out. Remind yourself to be strong and remind yourself why you're doing it.

When I cut stuff out, that's how I did it. First time is the hardest! Once, you've done it, you're kind of proud of yourself and each time after that brings feeling of more pride. You start looking forward to turning it down because it's such a good feeling.

After a while, the thrill of being happy with yourself wears off and it's just habit.

I always like Hershey chocolate, too. True chocolate lovers make fun and I get that. But I'd take it over the chocolate that real chocolate lovers prefer.

JustAnotherGirlSuzanne

Cola and chocolate are my kryptonite as well!

Chocolate: go dark. It's hard at first, but just avoid the milk chocolate ones except for special occasions. Dark chocolate kills the cravings faster.

Cola: Drink diet if you can. Diet coke (and coke zero) gives me a headache so I drink the real stuff. Some tips would be to buy a can rather than a bottle because less coke = less calories (obviously). I switched to Pepsi Next which doesn't give me a headache and has 60 calories less per can. Makes it doable for me. For at school, just don't bring any cash. You can't buy it if you don't have the money to do so.

sydneycampb3ll

Good call on that, I usually buy the big bar cause it's the better deal but from now on I will get the regular size

I wish I could drink diet, but the aspartame tends to give me headaches on top of the fact that I don't like the taste haha (though I'll try Pepsi Next). I know I want to stop though, so I guess I am glad that I can't make an excuse for diet soda and I'll just have to stop. Though that's the hard part...

I could definitely use a test in willpower so I am doing my best to just stop! I was raised by a chef, so me and my dad often ate things for the taste of it rather than necessarily being hungry (i.e, "I know we just ate dinner but we HAVE to try the barbecue at this place while we're here cause it's supposed to be so good!"- he is surprisingly incredibly fit) I am used to just eating things when I want them rather then exercising control...but that mindset doesn't work for weight loss, unfortunately!

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savvyfantastic

More broadly, make sure you're getting lots of variety and tastes in your foods day to day. Can be hard if you're eating predominantly from a cafeteria though.

I guess it's sometimes things like deficiencies that make us crave things. Dealing with behavioural/psychological/emotional attachments to food is more complex but I guess, try all of the strategies above!

I'm a massive chocolate head but since moving to a diet where I'm cooking a hell of a lot more food, especially middle eastern food which to me is the tastest of the tasty, I'm finding I'm forgetting my (now ever growing) stash of chocolate in the back of the pantry.

I also only buy really good chocolate. Expensive, dark, delicious. Makes me less likely to buy it and more likely to enjoy it, consciously, when I have it.

sydneycampb3ll

Not Superman, not even close haha I just thought that analogy made sense!

I will try to switch things up more, like you mentioned it's harder at college but definitely manageable if I put in some effort!

Out_of_Bubblegum

For me, it's all about portion control. I allow myself soda occasionally - but I pour myself one small glass, and that's IT - no seconds... Knowing that ahead of time makes me slow down and enjoy it more.

For chocolate.. Embrace the dark - it's richer, and the rich flavor helps to get my chocolate fix out of the way with just a small amount, and with a lot less calories.

ninerbuff

Coat everything in lead.

Separate the chocolate covered almonds into snack size bags and only take ONE with you. Learning how to eat only small portions is a habit that can be life long.
If you can do it, switch to diet soda.

Like you I love chocolate covered almonds (M&M's) and I drink diet Pepsi. But I've learned how not to eat a whole bag and drink in moderation.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

lakhena

Try the little Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares that are individually wrapped. I savor each of those delectable fifty or so calories.

feisty_bucket

Soda- switch to diet. If you're not used to it, you will be shortly. Headaches are probably from your blood sugar jumping and crashing.

Chocolate - you can make your own chocolate goop concoctions with minimal sugar. Use chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, cocoa powder, sucralose, and a little water. Add gelatin powder for extra amino acid variety.
Cocoa powder seems to help with Alzheimers, in recent studies.

Mr_Knight

For foods I struggle with, I don't keep them around. And I limit shopping to 1-2 times a week, so I don't need to go into stores and tempt myself.

Everybody's path will be different....