Satisfying a sweet craving without sky-high calories

SteampunkSongbird · July 2014

I really want to cut back on the junk food I eat, I know that if I'm within my daily calories it's technically Ok to have them (I'm not a 'sugar hater' and I am still losing weight at the predicted rate despite my poorer food choices) but I find I keep snacking on sweet things that are high in calories but have little nutritional value, so I almost run out of calories too early in the day and leave myself feeling hungry and craving more sweets.

I find it difficult, I'm already fairly limited in what I eat since having to go gluten-free (especially on the go) and I get way less enjoyment from food than I used to, so part of my brain says I 'deserve' to have the yummy things that are safe for me to eat. I have the willpower in me somewhere, I was a person who LOVED to eat and yet since being told I have coeliac disease I haven't once deliberately eaten anything I shouldn't, no matter how badly I used to love it and how much I wanted it (and I won't ever give in to that desire) but it's just hard to muster that strength to hold back on my treats. I'm a comfort eater also and I've had a rough couple of weeks, so I've been grazing a lot more.

What foods are good for snacking that could help curb my sugar cravings, but aren't crazy high in calories? I'm guessing upping my fruit intake might help? I am a bit paranoid about minding my sugar macro and feel really guilty when it creeps into the red; I'm not diabetic, nor is diabetes prevalent in my family, but having coeliac does put me at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes so I get nervous when I go over my sugar for the day, which makes me feel bad about eating fruit. I'm at a bit of a loss, I'd really appreciate any advice!

Menix8 · July 2014

You know, you might try stopping the cravings with deprivation. I will occasionally go sugar free for a few weeks just to kick the habit, discourage mental dependence, and stop the cravings. Cold turkey isn't the best long-term approach, but it can help to establish new, healthier habits. Once you've conquered the cravings, you can start to re-introduce certain foods back in.

If you can't cut out sugar completely, I'd steer you towards (you guessed it) fruits like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

SteampunkSongbird · July 2014

Unfortunately, going 'cold turkey' leaves me thinking about nothing but the foods I'm denying myself, and inevitably leads to a binge. I've tried to cut out the junk completely in the past but it just doesn't work for me, the craving for those foods takes over my thoughts until I cave. Cutting back, not cutting out, is the best way I know not to propagate failure for me.

So, berries, my least favourite type of fruit, lol. I'll buy some tomorrow, thanks.

mary659497 · July 2014

I eat small single servings of good dark chocolate or any fun size bars.

Meerataila · July 2014

I switched over to raisins. Not because they're that low in calories, they really aren't, but to steer myself toward fruits and away from packaged snacky foods. So I'll have a salad with raisins in it, or a handful of raisins for dessert right after a meal. Seems to help.

maroonmango211 · July 2014

dark chocolate chips, one at a time. tic tacs. sugar/fat free jello. melon, a little higher calorie per servings than berries maybe but I love them especially cantaloupe and honeydew combined, maybe with some greek yogurt on top.

Kidominos · July 2014

I like dark chocolate so I always have a bag of 60% Ghirardelli baking chocolate chips on hand. I use them for making my dark chocolate banana protein oatmeal cookies. Whenever I want something sweet I just eat a couple of the chips. Each chip is only 5 calories.

SuARogue · July 2014

While they are not the best thing...the no sugar added 40 calorie fudge pops are a life saver for me. They give me a little sweet/chocolate without going overboard plus on a hot day it helps me cool down!

http://www.popsicle.com/product/detail/107678/fudgsicle-no-sugar-added-pops

Hell_Flower · July 2014

Nak'd bars and dried mango are my go to.

Or sugar free jelly pots. They usually come in at about 6 calories and taste like sweeties.

ekat120 · July 2014

I love a square or 2 of good dark chocolate (my favorite is Green & Black 85%). I never understood people who said they're satisfied with a couple squares, until I tried it.

RhysJones92 · July 2014

I pretty much got rid of my sweet tooth by going cold turkey, now I know you said that didn't work for you - but when you did it were you still eating enough of real food?

Before MFP my diet consisted of skittles and chocolate haha, so when I went low carb I cut out the sweets and instead filled myself up on protein and although the first few days were hard with a determined mind i've stayed away from them!

juleszephyr · July 2014

I like to make up my own mixes of dark choc chips, dried cranberries and whatever nuts / seeds I have around. Actually I have loads of combos of dried fruit, choc drops, choc buttons and nuts (graze inspired me). They are NOT low in cals necessarily but are a good way of having a bit of choc, something sweet and some good fats...

Oh and melon, grapes, pineapple - any fruit but watch the portion sizes!!!

litsy3 · July 2014

I slightly hate myself for this, but I actually genuinely enjoy chocolate-coated rice cakes. Also chocolate corn cakes.

Chaskavitch · July 2014

You could eat fruit with one of those little packs of chocolate almond butter, or with whipped cream. I love Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips, but if I buy a bag and open it, I will eat them all in like 3 days. Same with trail mix or protein bars, I just eat them all. Whipped cream is fairly low in calories, actually, and the individual packages of chocolate almond butter (Justin's brand is what I buy) are nice because you can't just spoon more Nutella out of the jar and into your face.

Also, like ekat said, super dark chocolate, like 75 - 85%, is a lot easier to eat small amounts of than milk chocolate. I am actually good nibbling on one square of a bar, where if I'd gotten milk chocolate with almonds or something, I'd eat the whole thing.

carlyraer · July 2014

Bananas are sweet and are low in calories. Apples are good also. You could also freeze grapes

Menix8 · July 2014

Unfortunately, going 'cold turkey' leaves me thinking about nothing but the foods I'm denying myself, and inevitably leads to a binge. I've tried to cut out the junk completely in the past but it just doesn't work for me, the craving for those foods takes over my thoughts until I cave. Cutting back, not cutting out, is the best way I know not to propagate failure for me.

So, berries, my least favourite type of fruit, lol. I'll buy some tomorrow, thanks.

I push berries because they have a low amount of sugar compared to other fruits, and are also a low-GI food. They're probably the least likely fruit (except limes and lemons) to exacerbate your sugar cravings, but are still sweet enough to silence your mental want. They're also harder to overeat when you eat them one at a time.

Luckee_me · July 2014

Hi,
I just got a bag of frozen mixed berries. They are so sweet and refreshing. I am guilty of putting dry cocoa puffs on top of them to give them a little crunch. They are very good by themselves though.
Good luck to you.

Adaniel65 · July 2014

I love greek yogurt. It's sweet and full of protein so it sticks with me too.
To me, it's like soft serve ice cream when it's good and chilled.

cebreisch · July 2014

I LOVE potato chips, but talk about a food with HIGH CALORIES and low nutritional value!!! OY!!!

There are a few things you can do to help hinder that sugar craving.

1 - increase your fiber intake and make sure you're getting PLENTY of lean, quality protein. The protein is the one thing it's okay to go over macro's on without feeling guilty. With the fiber, get Chocolite protein bars (www.healthsmartfoods.com - and you can get coupon codes at www.retailmenot.com)
2 - drink more water!!!

I will do things like not get my "red light" foods that I just can't stay away from - meaning I won't have them in the house. I will, however, make room for such things in a seemingly controlled environment. I love queso - so instead of bringing it in the house, I'll go to Don Pablo's, order the kid's sized queso and count out about 8-10 tortilla chips, and thoroughly enjoy it. That way I've settled the craving, but not totally blown my numbers for the day. OR, if I'm really craving cake, I'll ditch the queso, and go to the Flying Cupcake after lunch and get something there - but always to go. Have to sit and eat it elsewhere, so I can thoroughly enjoy it, and not be tempted to turn around and get more. You have to work in things every now and then so that you don't go crazy and have a huge binge.

For what it's worth, and good luck!!

fullersun35 · July 2014

I've been eating Quest Bars - cookies n cream flavor mostly. Microwaved for 15 sec, it tastes similar to a warm oreo cookie. 21 grams of protein and 17g of fiber.

fallingtrees · July 2014

Cherries and peaches are in season now!

Then there's always a Dove dark chocolate bite in an emergency.

shining_light · July 2014

Fibre One 100 calorie chocolate peanut butter flavour bars. So much win in one little package. That, or chocolate whey protein shakes. It feels guilty but it's not!

ekat120 · July 2014

Fibre One 100 calorie chocolate peanut butter flavour bars. So much win in one little package. That, or chocolate whey protein shakes. It feels guilty but it's not!

I can, unfortunately, blow through a pack of granola/snack bars in a couple hours or less. But I only made that mistake with the Fiber One bars once...

StaciMarie1974 · July 2014

A handfull of blueberries + a couple of thin apple slices in some fat free whipped cream.

kk_140 · July 2014

Well healthy option: a peach with some sugar sprinkled on it runs about 80 calories

unhealthy: I like to put 72 grams of no sugar added chocolate ice cream by Blue Bell (tastes wonderful! and is only 90 calories!) and then put a couple tablespoons of light whipped cream on it (6 tablespoons is only 15 calories) and then sprinkles on top!

emilyemily12345emily · July 2014

Try making some homemade meringue cookies. They are made of only sugar, egg whites, and vanilla extract. No gluten!

KareninCanada · July 2014

Cherries.

Some people swear by frozen grapes as well.

ellliemaeee · July 2014

Trail mix! Dollar General has a lot of different kinds of trail mix for a lot cheaper than other places have. About 160 calories per serving, which is about a handful. Usually tackles my sugar cravings -- I'm a big fan of the chocolate peanut butter one they have!

kikityme · July 2014

Gluten free graham crackers dipped in lemon greek yogurt tastes like lemon meringue pie. But I'm a fan of pudding in general. Seriously, could live on the stuff.