Cravings and Substitutes

xcassiiex

Hello fellow MFP members

I just have a question about cravings and substitutes really…

For the past four weeks now I've been working as a camp counciler. Of course they don't give us the healthiest of snacks but I'm trying to control myself and pack my own lunches. The problem however really starts when I am at home. Ever since I have been working at camp, I have craved sweets. Milk chocolate, nutella, rice crispies, regular (vs. natural) peanut butter, and other sugary, (usually) chocolate items. I never craved these foods THIS BADLY before and I was just wondering if anyone knows what would be the cause of this horrible craving?

In an attempt to right this snacking problem I have been looking for a recipe or type of protein bar that I could snack on when I have this type of craving. I however haven't found a protein bar with exactly what I am looking for; low cal, high protein, low sugar and low fat.

If anyone could help me figure out and battle this non-benificial craving, your input and help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

peanutbutterrunna

Well in terms of a protein bar that fits what you're looking for I suggest Quest nutrition bars. 20 g of protein per bar, low calorie and high fiber! (and low sugar too) They have delicious flavors

I find I crave sweets when I unknowingly don't eat enough..like I look back to my diary on days where I had said cravings and notice I could have eaten a few hundred more calories throughout the day. Maybe you're not eating enough at camp? It seems like you must be active during the day if you're working with younger kids so maybe just try to stay extra fueled so you're body isn't asking for a pick me up.

TribeHokie

About a month after I started seriously watching what I eat, I started getting major cravings for chocolate and a pb&j sandwich. I don't eat chocolate very regularly (not much of a sweet tooth) and I couldn't tell you the last time I had a pb&j, but both suddenly became almost obsessive cravings. So I had a pb&j sandwich for lunch one day, had a bit of chocolate one night, and I've been pretty well set in the month since then. Obviously not everyone is the same, but what worked for me was just having what I was craving and knowing that I could do it within my calorie budget. Therefore I knew that if a craving came back it wouldn't ruin my progress.

Conversely, I deal with my pizza and burger cravings by having healthier versions of each once a week. Notice I say healthier, not healthy, because if it tastes too different from the real thing it really doesn't help with curbing the craving. You won't catch me eating lasagna that uses tomato slices instead of noodles ; )

CatAMcC

My friend advised me once which has worked since........ craving chocolate - have handful of almonds instead. Your not craving chocolate your craving (i forgot sorry) an element that may be magnesium ofr something similar. Instead its in almonds and it works everytime for me.

Try it...........

adorable_aly

Eat it and work it into your macros. I've tried subbing before, and honestly it doesn't work and I still want the original food after. That or you could use a delay tactic, by telling yourself you can have it tomorrow, sometimes we just want to rebel against ourselves, and giving yourself permission can decrease the craving, because there is nothing to rebel against!

pluckabee

Are you eating a particularly low fat diet? It could be that your body needs fats which is where the cravings are coming from. Adding a bit more fat into your daily diet might help

PunkinSpice79

Could it be psychological? It has to be tough to watch the kids eat all those snacks. They are young enough (and fast enough metabolism) that they can get away with it right now. Maybe you see them eat that stuff and subconsciously you regress to a time that you could too?

Does that even make sense?

xcassiiex

thanks for your input

by any chance… would you happen to know where to get that in Canada?

and ya, i definitely feel like that may be part of the problem…
before starting camp I would eat around 1300-1400 calories a day (generally good foods), burn around 600 (according to MFP) and do weights.
After starting camp i bumped it up to 1600 calories.. but i don't know if that's a good number.. before 5:00 i maybe eat 500-600 calories if i am lucky and hardly drink water.. then i go home and write a paper everyday as well, leaving no time for exercise (my job is combined with a school internship).
so.. do you think these cravings would be from the lack of food throughout the day along with the lack of calories maybe…?

it's just frustrating.. seeing as i used to work out almost daily and have way less cravings… and now i`m eating from a jar of nutella with a spoon… clearly this has stalled my hopes of toning and getting more fit overall for the summer..

sorry for the rant and panic attack! but thank you so much for your input !!

xcassiiex

i guess that saying "you always want what you can't have" was definitely applicable in your situation. i never really try to deprive myself.. normally i give into my cravings because i'm never satisfied until i do....
before working at camp, when i had more time and my routine was more stable my cravings were probably more relatable to yours however, ever since working at camp i always crave sugar and it is starting to drive me crazy.. i don't really care if i lose much more weight anymore but i would however like to lose fat and gain more muscle mass and i feel like this type of food and lack of time (and exercise) is really stopping me from reaching my goals…

having healthier (and not super healthy substitutes) sounds like a great idea i'm currently attempting to do the same thing kind of. i've never tried making a healthier hamburger though.. thanks for the idea i'm really hopping to find a recipe or store bought protein bar though, that hopefully satisfy my chocolate-sugary cravings… without doing too much damage….

thanks for your advice

xcassiiex

i heard that too!! i think you're right.. it's magnesium!! apparently it's also found it leafy greens.. thus i've taken to eating spinach just about everyday… maybe i will try eating it right when i get the craving instead of just randomly throughout the day.. it's awesome that you found something that works for you!

i will definitely try that next time, thanks

xcassiiex

i totally agree with you! depriving yourself can definitely make you want it even more.. i'm just finding it difficult to accept these cravings because they were never this bad before.. so i`m hoping for a healthier alternative i guess.. because eating nutella with a spoon is not okay.

thanks for your input

xcassiiex

Sorry for the late reply! I'm not entirely sure…. Ever since camp my diets been all over the map..
I just got back from the cottage too.. So maybe my body is just getting used to the fatty foods and wanting them again?
I don`t know..
I`ll try eating more healthier fats and see how it works..

Thanks for your input!!

xcassiiex

Haha ya it does I think! I think it`s more just.. I miss sugar and it`s always in front of me..?
I don`t know.. I`m trying to find maybe a healthier protein-fulled dessert (ie. protein bar?) that will maybe, make me have the same satisfied feeling…
That being said, I finish in two weeks… So I am going to hold off beating myself up till then…
I figure when I am a teacher or whatever I will have my own breaks so I won't be given sugary food and can eat my own food...
So, we will seee…

Thanks for your input