Giving in to cravings is great!
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Provocative title, but ok.
"I eat what I feel like, within my calorie limit."
something is inherently wrong with this statement. What if I feel like eating some cheeseburgers but I only have 500 calories left for the day?
In fact, earlier I was craving cheeseburgers so I got two (couldn't pass up a coupon deal) and enjoyed every bite hehe.
Interestingly I am following my own diet and finding that I no longer have much craving anymore. I still have half a cheesecake sitting in the freezer. My appetite only lets me eat maybe one slice a week.
Anyway, before I forget my point, I want to say that if you manage your eating behavior well, craving may not be an issue at all. That's my experience.0 -
middlehaitch wrote: »I think I am incredibly lucky
I don't have trigger foods or binge.
I was thinking about it the other day, and I think I'm too cheap and lazy to binge.
Most of the food in my house is frozen or canned or in some way unprepared (frozen veg, canned lentils, bags of rice that need cooking before they can be eaten, cucumbers and carrots that need peeling and cutting before eating). I don't have a lot of ready-to-eat food. Just thinking about having to dig something out of the freezer and cook it up ... or walking to the grocery store to get something ready-to-eat ... is enough to put me off.
And food from a take-away place is expensive ... especially in large quantities. I have other things I'd prefer to spend my money on.
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When it comes to cravings, I tend to crave the cottage cheese and cucumbers I have after work. Or the steamed veggies I have at lunch ... especially if I haven't been able to have them for a day, like yesterday for example. Or broad beans ... love those things! Or Mexican or Indian food ... there is something really nice about a burrito or a good curry dinner.
And I've found this interesting. For a few years I was eating chocolate every day after work ... I craved it! Felt cranky if I didn't have it every day. Then I started with MFP and exchanged the chocolate for the cottage cheese and cucumbers. It has been a year and a half since I've had the cheap chocolate I used to buy in bulk from the supermarket and I don't miss it at all. I will have good chocolate now and then, or food with chocolate (like chocolate yogurt or a chocolate coated McVities digestive biscuit in the evening) but it's not at the top of the craving list like it used to be.
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Amen to that.
If I want chocolate, or ice cream, I'll have it.
I certainly don't fill my day with it, though..
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Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more. 0
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Usually the things i truly crave push me over the point of no return. It's easier for me not to have those items in the house at all1
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Giving in to cravings is great! (For me.)
Why should we always deny ourselves what we love? That's turning food into guilt, a "sin", a superstition.
I would never be able to plan my meals if I didn't give in to "cravings". I wouldn't know what to eat.
I eat what I feel like, within my calorie limit.
If I "crave" something, that's the plan for the day, and I make room in my allowance for it.
And before anyone freaks out, I crave seafood and veg more often than pizza or fries.
A little bit of indulgence keeps the binges away.
Yep. I bought some honey grams covered with dark chocolate and have been having those in my calorie limit. I made my mind up long ago to no longer deprive myself, and I am so glad!1 -
Today I craved basil in my pasta sauce, chocolate chips in my Greek yogurt, and spicy chili tuna. Gave into all three.
I think it's important to remember that not all cravings are bad. They can lead us to flavorful foods and enjoyment. We just have to also find ways to stay in control of them. Whether that's keeping certain foods out of the house or avoiding trigger foods, that doesn't mean we can't give into *any* of our cravings, right?
Thanks for the reminder @Orphia! :drinker:2 -
One sort of strange thing with the cravings ...
Prior to starting with MFP, I wasn't much of a bread eater. Didn't really like it. Wasn't keen on sandwiches. I would have some toast for breakfast on weekends, but that was about it.
Shortly after starting with MFP, I started getting really intense cravings for ... bread! When I get cravings for certain things, I can usually pin-point why I'm getting the craving. For example, when I crave potato chips, I'm after the salt, so eating something like a dill pickle will solve the problem. But I still don't know why I craved bread so badly.
Anyway, I solved it by starting to eat 1-2 slices of bread every day. When I started doing that, the craving disappeared. 3 -
I for one don't believe in depriving yourself. You can loose weight and still eat foods you like.2
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I totally believe in depriving myself of things that aren't good for me. That's why I quit smoking and that's why I don't eat super carby food at this time. I don't like the results I get from doing those things, kind of like how I don't drink 12 margaritas on a work night even if I want to, because I don't want to deal with the hangover. Hedonism is a thing I understand, but right now in my life I have a goal and certain things are going to get in the way of that so I don't include them. I don't see why this is bad. It's not like you have to go super ascetic and eat nothing but vitamin crackers and shave your eyebrows and wear a hair shirt. Limiting intake to lose weight and building a sustainable way of eating is a good thing, if you ask me.3
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ogmomma2012 wrote: »Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more.
Thanks.
I think if you tell yourself that, you'll keep behaving the same way.
By defining those foods as trigger foods, you allow yourself to binge on them.
By defining yourself as weak, you stay weak.
Here is a post I've saved by @pondee629 .
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34445987/#Comment_34445987When you go to a party with an open bar, do you always get falling down drunk?
When you see a very attractive member of the opposite gender, do you always make inappropriate moves on that person?
When someone disagrees with you, do you violently oppose them, even if you want to?
Do you get up and go to work every day even though you really don't like your job?
When an office superior says something stupid, do you immediately and loudly correct that person?
OK. Will power ain't the problem. We can, and do, control many, many impulses. If you want to lose weight, you must control your caloric intake. ONLY EAT THE CANDY THAT YOU WILL FIT INTO YOUR CALORIC BUDGET!
Act like a responsible adult, you do on the rest of lifes decisions. This is one you have made.
You do have self-control in many things. You can apply it to things you love to eat.
Cognitive-behavioural self-therapy can work. Don't believe everything you think.4 -
ogmomma2012 wrote: »Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more.
Thanks.
I think if you tell yourself that, you'll keep behaving the same way.
By defining those foods as trigger foods, you allow yourself to binge on them.
By defining yourself as weak, you stay weak.
Here is a post I've saved by @pondee629 .
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34445987/#Comment_34445987When you go to a party with an open bar, do you always get falling down drunk?
When you see a very attractive member of the opposite gender, do you always make inappropriate moves on that person?
When someone disagrees with you, do you violently oppose them, even if you want to?
Do you get up and go to work every day even though you really don't like your job?
When an office superior says something stupid, do you immediately and loudly correct that person?
OK. Will power ain't the problem. We can, and do, control many, many impulses. If you want to lose weight, you must control your caloric intake. ONLY EAT THE CANDY THAT YOU WILL FIT INTO YOUR CALORIC BUDGET!
Act like a responsible adult, you do on the rest of lifes decisions. This is one you have made.
You do have self-control in many things. You can apply it to things you love to eat.
Cognitive-behavioural self-therapy can work. Don't believe everything you think.
I agree that this is worth a try. I do think that for 'newer' 'dieters', this can be a bigger challenge because it seems the father along you are in your journey, the stronger you get. As I mentioned before, Soda is my trigger food. Does this mean I avoid it completely? No, but I am still learning how to drink it in moderation and still trying to figure out a way to do that. I had 4 cans last week when my goal is to have one a week. STILL working on that one, but I will do it dangit!!1 -
ogmomma2012 wrote: »Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more.
Thanks.
I think if you tell yourself that, you'll keep behaving the same way.
By defining those foods as trigger foods, you allow yourself to binge on them.
By defining yourself as weak, you stay weak.
Here is a post I've saved by @pondee629 .
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34445987/#Comment_34445987When you go to a party with an open bar, do you always get falling down drunk?
When you see a very attractive member of the opposite gender, do you always make inappropriate moves on that person?
When someone disagrees with you, do you violently oppose them, even if you want to?
Do you get up and go to work every day even though you really don't like your job?
When an office superior says something stupid, do you immediately and loudly correct that person?
OK. Will power ain't the problem. We can, and do, control many, many impulses. If you want to lose weight, you must control your caloric intake. ONLY EAT THE CANDY THAT YOU WILL FIT INTO YOUR CALORIC BUDGET!
Act like a responsible adult, you do on the rest of lifes decisions. This is one you have made.
You do have self-control in many things. You can apply it to things you love to eat.
Cognitive-behavioural self-therapy can work. Don't believe everything you think.
That's not cognitive-behavioral therapy. That's a combination of affirmations and should-ing.
I can say over and over again that super carby food won't make me want more super carby food, but that won't make it true. I can do six shots of rum and repeat over and over that I'm not drunk, but I'll still be drunk. Wishing won't make it so. If thinking positive is helpful to you, that's great, but don't tell me what makes me weak or what controls me. It's arrogant as hell and makes me want to avoid you like the plague.
By all means talk about what works for you, but don't presume to be the arbiter of what works for everyone.5 -
I think this discussions is evidence once again that what works for some, does not work for all. Live and let live, people ^^
OP, that's great that you've discovered what works for you!1 -
maryward88 wrote: »I try to satisfy my cravings in a healthier way. Like if I want something sweet, I opt for some protein nut butter.
I see. Seafood and veg and sanity are not healthy. Good to know.
I haven't eyerolled this hard in a long time.3 -
Giving in to cravings is great! (For me.)
Why should we always deny ourselves what we love? That's turning food into guilt, a "sin", a superstition.
I would never be able to plan my meals if I didn't give in to "cravings". I wouldn't know what to eat.
I eat what I feel like, within my calorie limit.
If I "crave" something, that's the plan for the day, and I make room in my allowance for it.
And before anyone freaks out, I crave seafood and veg more often than pizza or fries.
A little bit of indulgence keeps the binges away.
That is what makes counting calories awesome! Losing/gaining/maintaining weight is just math. If I want to eat something and it fits within my calorie limit and I am hitting my protein minimum and fat minimum I eat it. I have some just for fun food everyday - guilt free!1 -
ogmomma2012 wrote: »Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more.
Thanks.
I think if you tell yourself that, you'll keep behaving the same way.
By defining those foods as trigger foods, you allow yourself to binge on them.
By defining yourself as weak, you stay weak.
Here is a post I've saved by @pondee629 .
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34445987/#Comment_34445987When you go to a party with an open bar, do you always get falling down drunk?
When you see a very attractive member of the opposite gender, do you always make inappropriate moves on that person?
When someone disagrees with you, do you violently oppose them, even if you want to?
Do you get up and go to work every day even though you really don't like your job?
When an office superior says something stupid, do you immediately and loudly correct that person?
OK. Will power ain't the problem. We can, and do, control many, many impulses. If you want to lose weight, you must control your caloric intake. ONLY EAT THE CANDY THAT YOU WILL FIT INTO YOUR CALORIC BUDGET!
Act like a responsible adult, you do on the rest of lifes decisions. This is one you have made.
You do have self-control in many things. You can apply it to things you love to eat.
Cognitive-behavioural self-therapy can work. Don't believe everything you think.
Or maybe because I have PCOS, which includes insulin resistance, so heavy carb-laden things not only trigger pleasure hormones it also triggers me to eat more because I'm insulin resistant.
You said it's good for YOU. I say it is not good for ME. I love my eating style. I am not weak for recognizing foods that trigger over-eating and shame on you for pretending this was a "what works for you" thread when you really just wanted to berate people who are aware they may need a little more help.
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Whenever I do eat that warm chocolate chip muffin I've been denying myself, It feels like I'm cumming. The fountain kind.0
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ogmomma2012 wrote: »Okay, yay for you! You have that kind of self-control where you can have like, half a pop-tart and be okay with that. I can't do that. I know what happens when I eat bread, or cereal, or pasta or rice. I am more prone to over-eating because they do not satisfy my hungry and make me crave more.
Thanks.
I think if you tell yourself that, you'll keep behaving the same way.
By defining those foods as trigger foods, you allow yourself to binge on them.
By defining yourself as weak, you stay weak.
Here is a post I've saved by @pondee629 .
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/34445987/#Comment_34445987When you go to a party with an open bar, do you always get falling down drunk?
When you see a very attractive member of the opposite gender, do you always make inappropriate moves on that person?
When someone disagrees with you, do you violently oppose them, even if you want to?
Do you get up and go to work every day even though you really don't like your job?
When an office superior says something stupid, do you immediately and loudly correct that person?
OK. Will power ain't the problem. We can, and do, control many, many impulses. If you want to lose weight, you must control your caloric intake. ONLY EAT THE CANDY THAT YOU WILL FIT INTO YOUR CALORIC BUDGET!
Act like a responsible adult, you do on the rest of lifes decisions. This is one you have made.
You do have self-control in many things. You can apply it to things you love to eat.
Cognitive-behavioural self-therapy can work. Don't believe everything you think.
That's not cognitive-behavioral therapy. That's a combination of affirmations and should-ing.
I can say over and over again that super carby food won't make me want more super carby food, but that won't make it true. I can do six shots of rum and repeat over and over that I'm not drunk, but I'll still be drunk. Wishing won't make it so. If thinking positive is helpful to you, that's great, but don't tell me what makes me weak or what controls me. It's arrogant as hell and makes me want to avoid you like the plague.
By all means talk about what works for you, but don't presume to be the arbiter of what works for everyone.
"Positive thinking" is *kitten*. This isn't positive thinking. It is CBT.
I've overcome some very serious mental issues by CBT, so I know what it can do. Far, far more serious than liking carbs.
I wasn't even talking to you. Sorry you felt like I was preaching. I'm an atheist, so that's gotta hurt!
I was addressing the "self control" issue, and quoted a very good post that people have said has helped them.
Again, sorry to come off as preaching. I'm glad you can deal with your cravings in your own way.0
This discussion has been closed.
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