can't stop craving sugar!

kimberlyAjohnson

I admit, I'm a self proclaimed sugar addict. Ever since I really started watching what I eat, I've been doing MUCH better with my sugars. A month goes by with very little craving, but for the last few days, I've been craving it like a mad woman! I try to chew gum, eat fruit, whatever, but nothing is working. What do you do when nothing seems to be helping with your sugar cravings?

shimila1101

Sugar free candy works for me.

ColeyCannoli

Honestly? Eat a little sugar :P

You don't have to cut out everything you once liked, just don't go binge happy and over your calories. A small bite or treat every now and then won't hurt your progress too much and it'll keep you sane.

Edivel

Im not one to talk becaus no matter how much I want to stay away from white rice and white bread/flour I still eat it ...daily...Im working on it...but for sugar what I do is drink a crystal light or generic make it a bit sweeter than usual and it really curbs my sweet tooth...try it .

Ironbeak88

Try evaporated cane juice or oligofructose. It's low calorie, healthy sugar

lruff1987

Take it from someone who can't have sugar... sometimes you just have to deal with the cravings. Find a way that isn't food centered to distract your mind from the craving. Ya know... journal, do a craft, watch a movie, go for a walk, call a good friend, etc.

luppic8

I always chew gum, but if that doesn't work I try about one ounce of Menchie's Frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries, blackberries and mangos it really hits the spot!

kimberlyAjohnson

Honestly? Eat a little sugar :P

You don't have to cut out everything you once liked, just don't go binge happy and over your calories. A small bite or treat every now and then won't hurt your progress too much and it'll keep you sane.

haha I have today (a few jelly beans, a 200 cal dessert). I tried to allow myself to have some so that I would stop craving, but it's just not working!

And investing in SF candy would probably be a smart thing to do!

staceybyerly

I am the same way. Sometimes I eat sugar free pudding w/Cool Whip. Seems like a huge treat, but isn't that bad w/calories if you portion control. Today, the sugar won...ate way too many mini Reeces...maybe tom. I will:-)

fitinyoga14

Sugar is addictive, and you may not have been aware of your addiction or how much you were actually taking in before starting a healthier diet. Don't cut out all sugar cold turkey, but slowly start to ween yourself off of it. As you transcend into a lifestyle of 'cleaner' eating where you are taking in very small amounts of refined sugar, even things such as grapes or carrots will taste sweet to you after a while! Its truly amazing how you can come to appreciate sugar after you have been away from it for a while.

monoxidechick

I agree that if you have tried the gum and fruit and still feel you need to have sugar, have some. Dont let this be a cop out, but if you really just want something, make room in your diary for it, and have it

Maybe try to eat a cadburry egg, they are sooo sugary and delicious that I eat one and never want to eat sugar again...Just a thought :ohwell:

Good luck

orierie113

Try the Jello Mousse. Its 60-120 calories and you would never know it sugar free. They are great tasting. They have 4-5 diffrent kinds.

ColeyCannoli

I always chew gum, but if that doesn't work I try about one ounce of Menchie's Frozen yogurt with fresh strawberries, blackberries and mangos it really hits the spot!

Frozen yogurt with strawberries is THE BEST, just saying

jinkies54

Interestingly, sugar acts a similar way in our neural pathways as does addictive drugs like heroin. So don't beat yourself up if it feels like a craving because it is! You may even get emotional, jittery, and sluggish without it but if you persist, it will get better with time. I struggle with the same thing and have thought about treating it like a true drug addiction. I work in the field so I'm going to try and implement a few activities and strategies to see if they work on this too.

It's hard, but time and persistence is the healer here.

soze

See sig!

Try fruit instead of candy. That has pulled me through quite nicely.

kimberlyAjohnson

Sugar is addictive, and you may not have been aware of your addiction or how much you were actually taking in before starting a healthier diet. Don't cut out all sugar cold turkey, but slowly start to ween yourself off of it. As you transcend into a lifestyle of 'cleaner' eating where you are taking in very small amounts of refined sugar, even things such as grapes or carrots will taste sweet to you after a while! Its truly amazing how you can come to appreciate sugar after you have been away from it for a while.

Oh, I was eating a lot. I think that's where more of my calories were coming from than anything else, unfortunately. I tried to slowly start weaning myself off it before I started counting calories and eating cleaner. I've been doing really well for a month, but these last couple of days are kicking my butt!

NoAdditives

Gradually reduce the amount of refined sugar that you consume. I completely cut out refined sugar back in January and it wasn't easy at first, but it only took about a week before my cravings were gone. What worked for me was not having any sugar in the morning. I'd make myself wait until lunch before I had any candy/cookies/etc. After a couple days I made myself wait until my mid-afternoon snack. A couple days later I made myself wait until after dinner. Then, I stopped wanting it after dinner. Now that I've cut out Coke completely I don't want any soda or sweets. I still have a cupcake or a piece of candy once every week or two but I don't want more than one, i can't handle that much sugar.

kimberlyAjohnson

See sig!

SO TRUE!

brobbins178

I have 3 tricks

1: trail mix (1/4 cup is 170 calories- the chocolate+sugar hits the spot)
2: cup of fat free strawberry banana yogurt w/ 2 crushed up graham crackers ( depends on the yogurt but it's under 250)
3: graham treats-s'mores or chex mix- chocolate treats (both under 130 and are delicious chocolaty treats)

I feel it's important not to cave to the craving but also not to let the craving take you down. balance=good and all these sweet treats help curve the craving but not throw you out of whack

o_brown1

I'm the same way myself. I just eat a 90 cal. bars or snacks

kimberlyAjohnson

Interestingly, sugar acts a similar way in our neural pathways as does addictive drugs like heroin. So don't beat yourself up if it feels like a craving because it is! You may even get emotional, jittery, and sluggish without it but if you persist, it will get better with time. I struggle with the same thing and have thought about treating it like a true drug addiction. I work in the field so I'm going to try and implement a few activities and strategies to see if they work on this too.

It's hard, but time and persistence is the healer here.

Mental health field over here also, substance abuse prior to that. Maybe making a list of coping skills wouldn't be a bad idea...

mamma3monkeys

mostly for me, it's worse when I'm stressed, AF is on her way, or I had some sugar earlier. It's hard... I go work out, journal, nap... I eat fruit but chewing sugar free gum makes me crave. A really good thing for me and cravings has been a very good vitamin supplement. Sometimes though, you just have to go get a TINY amount and allow yourself - everything in moderation right? The worse thing I can do is have it in the house. If I want something I have to go out and get it and that's when I have to control myself the most (since I don't have it in the house, lol).

kimberlyAjohnson

The worse thing I can do is have it in the house. If I want something I have to go out and get it and that's when I have to control myself the most (since I don't have it in the house, lol).

I think the most sugary thing I have in the house right now is Newton thins (which are delicious btw!) My husband, however, has oreos, oatmeal cream pies, etc etc. He's an evil man....

squishyjenn

8 oz of Berry Blend Light by Tropicana (15 cals)
8 oz of water (0 cals)
1 packet of Great Value Blackberry Grape Powder drink mix (10 cals or something)
3-4 ice cubes (0 cals)

Throw it in a blender, grind it up nice and pretty and BAM. Instant sugary goodness in only 25 cals. 16-18 oz total

This also works with just about any crystal light one. Try the Mango Tea one for a tropical burst.

ILuvLifehouse

Snackwell's have 100 cal packs now and this time I tried the fudge creme brownie bites(150 cal) and they are good but even for me that I love sugar it's almost too sweet for me so after that I'm good. Alsom Breyer's smooth and dreamy dark choc velvet ice cream it is really rich.

kimberlyAjohnson

8 oz of Berry Blend Light by Tropicana (15 cals)
8 oz of water (0 cals)
1 packet of Great Value Blackberry Grape Powder drink mix (10 cals or something)
3-4 ice cubes (0 cals)

Throw it in a blender, grind it up nice and pretty and BAM. Instant sugary goodness in only 25 cals. 16-18 oz total

This also works with just about any crystal light one. Try the Mango Tea one for a tropical burst.

That sounds great! I think I would have to drink it later in the afternoon, even though it sounds good for breakfast. I think I'd be more likely to want more sugar if I had it in the morning.

summergirl46

my mother always told me if you crave something have it and the craving will go away. If your body want something have it, it gets worse and you want more if you don't give your body what it wants..just think about when you were a kid and wanted something you wanted it more when you could not get it, same with your body, my thing is steam rice .

ILuvLifehouse

8 oz of Berry Blend Light by Tropicana (15 cals)
8 oz of water (0 cals)
1 packet of Great Value Blackberry Grape Powder drink mix (10 cals or something)
3-4 ice cubes (0 cals)

Throw it in a blender, grind it up nice and pretty and BAM. Instant sugary goodness in only 25 cals. 16-18 oz total

This also works with just about any crystal light one. Try the Mango Tea one for a tropical burst.

That sounds awesome I think I may try it.

monkeybelle83

Personally, if I'm really craving something, I just eat it. I have a dark chocolate bar in the kitchen waiting for me, and a big box of strawberries

perrytyra

I found a delicious gum. Extra Mint Chocolate Chip. Yummy.

Supermel

I have been working on eliminating that sort of craving also. I have found that my big sugar crash time is around 11am. I am preparing lunch for my dyacare children and i could eat everything in sight. So i added oatmeal to my breakfast and i'm sooo much fuller i'm not even tempted by most things i am making now. I eat a full lunch with lots of snacky veggies for the crunch i seem to need. I also have cut back on carbs a lot. I don't eat as much bread, and fibre1 or 100 calorie bars seem to just spike my sugar and crave more more more, not fill me up. I have been eating some kashi bars and some days i was doing ok, but now that i'm nearing the ToM (my worst sugar/carb craving time) i find nothing is helping the sweets craving. I gave in and had two mini york peppermint patties tonight and it really helped tonight.