Serious Sweet Tooth

therealthurgasi

I have a TERRIBLE sweet tooth. Now that I've started using MFP, I've really been able to look back on my logs and see that sweets are the root of my problem! How do you guys deal with an overactive sweet tooth?

myfitnesspale3

Lead with vegetables, protein and fats. Give it 5+ minutes before eating sweets. Desserts last. This may reduce hunger.

I get substantial motivation from nutrition books, articles and the consequences of poor blood sugar control.

Hard to imagine you have a big problem.

Charcharlottey

I eat a lot of fruit and quest bars.

fruit: delicious and naturally sweet
quest bars: tastes like candy but very low sugar content and high protein/fiber.

can't lose.

justcat206

Obviously I still struggle hard - but sometimes if I think I'm craving sweets at night I find I'm just as satisfied by a cup of tea. Gives my mouth something to do and the minty flavor kills my urge to snack. During the day if I remember to keep it on hand, spearmint gum works as a similar reset.

therealthurgasi

Thanks! Will definitely try heading for fruit, tea, and gum.

unicornedtuna

I can totally relate! my weaknesses revolve around cakes, cookies, and chocolates!

aside from the above mentioned technique like fruits and stuff.. i found this very helpful:
I drink hot green tea/ black tea whenever i crave.
for some reason, my craving goes off. maybe because tea has this distinct taste
that kinda "stop" my tastebuds from getting too excited with the sweets.
after drinking a cup, ill assess if i still want the sweet. most often, i pass. but if i still want, ill give in but in moderation.

therealthurgasi

I can totally relate! my weaknesses revolve around cakes, cookies, and chocolates!

aside from the above mentioned technique like fruits and stuff.. i found this very helpful:
I drink hot green tea/ black tea whenever i crave.
for some reason, my craving goes off. maybe because tea has this distinct taste
that kinda "stop" my tastebuds from getting too excited with the sweets.
after drinking a cup, ill assess if i still want the sweet. most often, i pass. but if i still want, ill give in but in moderation.

I'll try it. I'll try anything lol. Usually when I go for sweets though, it happens so fast, like I don't even realize what's happening until I've already devoured a bunch of cookies or whatever. So I think I need to be more mindful and then also keep some tea on deck. Thanks!

WitchesGuildMaster

I don't keep sweets in the house. When I want it, I go out to buy it. And when I buy it, I'm only allowed (yes its a rule I set for myself) to buy them ALREADY PORTION CONTROLLED. And just ONE.

MrTolerable

I eat a lot of fruit and quest bars.

fruit: delicious and naturally sweet
quest bars: tastes like candy but very low sugar content and high protein/fiber.

can't lose.

^this and throw away the sweets that are full of junk outta the home.

sugar and sodium are the enemies of progress.

VeryKatie

I don't keep sweets in the house. When I want it, I go out to buy it. And when I buy it, I'm only allowed (yes its a rule I set for myself) to buy them ALREADY PORTION CONTROLLED. And just ONE.

Great idea! I'm going to start doing this with chips.

I agree also with fruit. Lastly, plan your days ahead of time to INCLUDE a small dessert or snack. Maybe try baking really small portions or try recipes which sub some of the sugar with sweeteners (if you're not against them).

OH and try pudding and Jell-o. They have some low calorie options. And come in chocolate flavours too!

sljohnson1207

For my sweet tooth, what has worked for ME, is Low Carb, High Fat, Moderate Protein diet. I do not ever crave sugar on this way of eating. Now, if I want to treat myself, I will think long and hard about it, because it will put me off ketosis for a day or two, maybe three, depending upon the indulgence.

There is a tea I like as well that tastes a tiny bit sweet, but has no sugar. It is Twining's Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla. Delish!

ETA: I know LCHF doesn't work/isn't sustainable for everyone, and if you have success with IIFYM or Low Fat, I congratulate you/envy you. Blood sugar control is paramount to MY success.

therealthurgasi

I don't keep sweets in the house. When I want it, I go out to buy it. And when I buy it, I'm only allowed (yes its a rule I set for myself) to buy them ALREADY PORTION CONTROLLED. And just ONE.

Great point. Thanks!

WitchesGuildMaster

Great idea! I'm going to start doing this with chips.

To you, and the OP...

There are tons of single serve treats to buy. All ice cream cones/sticks are single serve. You can buy single serve packets of cookies (with 4 in them), all candy bars that are around 40-55g are single serve. Although I'm not one for candy bars, Lindt (a swiss chocolate company), makes little packs with 3 chocolate truffles in them. Which are delish!!!

My favourite supermarket here, has a bakery that sells cake, brownies, cookies, tarts ect per/piece. So you can buy just one slice of cake if you want it.

I used to binge like crazy on sweets but since adopting these rules for myself I've discovered a **** load of single serve treats I've somehow missed for 21 years! Lol :laugh:

I'm only allowed to buy one thing though, so that takes some thinking. Deciding wether I want cake, or chocolate, because I can't have both in one day. :flowerforyou:

ETA : All stick/cone ice creams which are PACKAGED are single serve, not the cones you buy in ice cream shops.

mickiebabs

I don't keep sweets in the house. When I want it, I go out to buy it. And when I buy it, I'm only allowed (yes its a rule I set for myself) to buy them ALREADY PORTION CONTROLLED. And just ONE.

We do this. It's more expensive but I have zero self control if there's sweets in the house. A greek yogurt in a favorite flavor often helps. Also, I've noticed that since I usually start the day with a chocolate/peanut butter protein shake, I don't crave sweets as much during the day.