Getting rid of carb cravings

mrslondon

So since I have been eating healthier, I have tried to cut down on carbs, I have realized lately that I am in love with them. Any ideas how to stop or curb the cravings??

1sisrat

I usually drink a full glass of water and pop in some sugar free gum. If i still crave I'll get a cup of coffee (with low fat chocolate mocha creamer).

NoAdditives

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

koizumi6

eat things that remind you of carbs... try www.skinnytaste.com they have really good low carb recipes. For example, you can cook a spaghetti squash and eat it with sauce and cheese and it's almost like you are having spaghetti. For the sweet- I'll mix fat free or no sugar added cool whip and some sugar free, fat free chocolate pudding (not the whole package) and freeze it. Also, you can buy low carb tortillas that have about 3 or 4 grams of carbs.

LaJauna

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

Hogwash...Your brain is basically fat. It loves fat. To curb your cravings for carbs eat something with lots of healthy fats. A handful of almonds or a piece of cold chicken is better then more carbs!

LaJauna

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

Hogwash...Your brain is basically fat. It loves fat. To curb your cravings for carbs eat something with lots of healthy fats. A handful of almonds or a piece of cold chicken is better then more carbs!

There are studies that are now finding a link of depression to low fat consumption.

stevemcknight

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

mrslondon

I'll give some of these ideas a go! I now know that i guess its the "refined bad carbs" that i am in love with. Im going to check out that website, thanks!

suzooz

I had to go "cold turkey" for a couple of weeks to break the sugar / white flour habit. I ate alot of lean protein, "good" fats, and vegetables (they were my only carbs.) Once the initial 2 weeks was up, I was able to re-introduce fruits and whole grains back into the diet, paying attention to which carbs drove another craving. Cereal is one of those things that I love, but seems to churn additional cravings (even the whole-grain kind) So I just try to watch what my triggers are.

NoAdditives

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

Hogwash...Your brain is basically fat. It loves fat. To curb your cravings for carbs eat something with lots of healthy fats. A handful of almonds or a piece of cold chicken is better then more carbs!

No. Your heart is the one that needs healthy fats, not your brain. I didn't say the brain was made of carbs, I said it runs on carbs. It needs carbs to function properly just like your heart needs good fats to function properly and your muscles need protein.

NoAdditives

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

Protein does not get broken down for energy, fat and carbs do. So yeah, you do need some carbs.

aeckels616

Cut grains (bread, rice etc) and cane/corn sugar from your diet for 3-4 weeks. When you add them back in, avoid white flour as much as possible and stick to low glycemic index foods. I spent my whole life being addicted to breads and sugar. Now, my tastes have totally changed and I rarely, if ever, crave it.

stevemcknight

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

Protein does not get broken down for energy, fat and carbs do. So yeah, you do need some carbs.

This is just totally wrong. I don't mean to hijack the thread - but honestly. What's your source?

NoAdditives

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

Protein does not get broken down for energy, fat and carbs do. So yeah, you do need some carbs.

This is just totally wrong. I don't mean to hijack the thread - but honestly. What's your source?

We evolved to be omnivores, that's what gives us our large brain size and high brain function. We need a balanced diet of protein, fat and carbs in order for our bodies and brains to function properly.

Meathead jocks who eat primarily protein are generally idiots, hippies who don't eat meat are generally skinny wimps.

Also, this:

http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html

What is your source?

stevemcknight

Really honestly and truly, there are no essential carbohydrates. It's just a fact. Feel free to call me a meathead jock, hippie wimp - that's cool. I eat only about 30g or less carbs per day - and yet still somehow have the mental capacity to figure out which shoe goes on which foot. Unbelievable but true.

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ketones-and-ketosis/metabolism-and-ketosis/
The liver requires energy to convert the protein to glucose. The energy comes from fat. As the liver breaks down the fat to release its energy to power gluconeogenesis, the conversion of protein to sugar, it produces ketones as a byproduct. And what a byproduct they are. Ketones are basically water soluble (meaning they dissolve in blood) fats that are a source of energy for many tissues including the muscles, brain and heart. In fact, ketones act as a stand in for sugar in the brain. Although ketones can’t totally replace all the sugar required by the brain, they can replace a pretty good chunk of it. By reducing the body’s need for sugar, less protein is required, allowing the muscle mass (the protein reservoir) to last a lot longer before it is depleted. And ketones are the preferred fuel for the heart, making that organ operate at about 28 percent greater efficiency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are not necessary building blocks of other molecules, and the body can obtain all its energy from protein and fats.[10][11] The brain and neurons generally cannot burn fat for energy, but use glucose or ketones. Humans can synthesize some glucose (in a set of processes known as gluconeogenesis) from specific amino acids, from the glycerol backbone in triglycerides and in some cases from fatty acids.

*amino acids is protein btw.

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2009/5/18/there-are-no-essential-carbohydrates-even-for-athletes.html
Despite current nutritional dogma dating from the 1970's, carbohydrate consumption is completely unnecessary for your energy (or any other) needs. Fat is the primary way we store energy in our bodies, and eating fat is the evolutionarily preferred food source in a food-abundant environment.* During aerobic exercise, the predominant fuel source is fatty acids, supplemented by glycogen stores.

It is possible to eat no carbohydrates at all and still do plenty of physical work. Any carbohydrates needed not provided from glycogen or food can be produced in abundance via gluconeogenesis. Glucose provided this way makes you literally burn fat, and keeps your insulin levels low.

NoAdditives

Really honestly and truly, there are no essential carbohydrates. It's just a fact. Feel free to call me a meathead jock, hippie wimp - that's cool. I eat only about 30g or less carbs per day - and yet still somehow have the mental capacity to figure out which shoe goes on which foot. Unbelievable but true.

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/ketones-and-ketosis/metabolism-and-ketosis/
The liver requires energy to convert the protein to glucose. The energy comes from fat. As the liver breaks down the fat to release its energy to power gluconeogenesis, the conversion of protein to sugar, it produces ketones as a byproduct. And what a byproduct they are. Ketones are basically water soluble (meaning they dissolve in blood) fats that are a source of energy for many tissues including the muscles, brain and heart. In fact, ketones act as a stand in for sugar in the brain. Although ketones can’t totally replace all the sugar required by the brain, they can replace a pretty good chunk of it. By reducing the body’s need for sugar, less protein is required, allowing the muscle mass (the protein reservoir) to last a lot longer before it is depleted. And ketones are the preferred fuel for the heart, making that organ operate at about 28 percent greater efficiency.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are not necessary building blocks of other molecules, and the body can obtain all its energy from protein and fats.[10][11] The brain and neurons generally cannot burn fat for energy, but use glucose or ketones. Humans can synthesize some glucose (in a set of processes known as gluconeogenesis) from specific amino acids, from the glycerol backbone in triglycerides and in some cases from fatty acids.

*amino acids is protein btw.

http://www.archevore.com/panu-weblog/2009/5/18/there-are-no-essential-carbohydrates-even-for-athletes.html
Despite current nutritional dogma dating from the 1970's, carbohydrate consumption is completely unnecessary for your energy (or any other) needs. Fat is the primary way we store energy in our bodies, and eating fat is the evolutionarily preferred food source in a food-abundant environment.* During aerobic exercise, the predominant fuel source is fatty acids, supplemented by glycogen stores.

It is possible to eat no carbohydrates at all and still do plenty of physical work. Any carbohydrates needed not provided from glycogen or food can be produced in abundance via gluconeogenesis. Glucose provided this way makes you literally burn fat, and keeps your insulin levels low.

If all this were really true, if we didn't need carbs at all we wouldn't have evolved eating fruits and vegetables, we'd just be carnivores.

And great job using Wikipedia as a source, they're totally reliable.

stevemcknight

OK, listen - I meant no attack on you - sorry for posting at all. If the "everything in moderation" card is working for you and you're as lean as you want - then by all means, please - continue. Eat anything you want Best of luck.

aeckels616

If all this were really true, if we didn't need carbs at all we wouldn't have evolved eating fruits and vegetables, we'd just be carnivores.

And great job using Wikipedia as a source, they're totally reliable.

Oh for heaven's sake.

natskedat

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

You do need carbs. A diet that leaches keytones is completely unhealthy and does damage to your body. BCAAs can be stripped from your muscles to provide the energy you need, but in the process you'll be destroying your muscle. Half of the carbohydrates you eat every day go straight to your brain.

I've found that a good ratio for carb-protein-fat is 50-25-25. I run triathlons and I'm a personal trainer, and this ratio of macronutrients allows my clients and me to enjoy our daily activities without destroying our hard-earned muscle.

The Paleo diet, if that's what you're referring to, may work for some. If it works for you, great. But the science behind the way the body works (not behind how anthropologists figured we struggled to survive), supports a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, and roughly equal calories of fats and proteins.

natskedat

And, to clarify, my source is Fitness: The Complete Guide by Fredrick Hatfield, Ph.D. 2010, Carpinteria, CA

stevemcknight

I used to have my clients do the whole grain 40-50% carbs thing, until I learned more. The more I learn about Leaky Gut Syndrome, it made my decision to leave them behind pretty easy.

Look - I'm not saying no carbs. The first rule I tell my clients, friends, and anyone who will listen is eat all the veggies you can fit in your mouth. The second rule I tell them is avoid grains, then I explain why (if they aren't running like maniacs out of the room and to the nearest dunkin' doughnuts.)

The simple debate was if there are essential carbs - which of course you know is not true. That can be proven by either science or the observation of many tribes over the world that exist on basically no carbs and live free of D.O.C.'s.

Ketosis does no damage to your body - in fact, some parts are shown to run better on keytones than on glucose. Anytime people claim ketosis is terribly damaging to their bodies, you gotta ask them if they get up in middle of the night to eat. Because if they don't, there is a good chance that they'll be producing keytones by morning.

Ketosis is different that Ketoacidosis which is, I assume what you're referring to.

Being in ketosis by following a low carbohydrate diet is NOT dangerous. The human body was designed to use ketones very efficiently as fuel in the absence of glucose. However, the word ketosis is often confused with a similar word, ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition for diabetics, and the main element is ACID not ketones. The blood pH becomes dangerously acidic because of an extremely high blood SUGAR level (the diabetic has no insulin, or doesn't respond to insulin .... so blood sugar rises ... ketones are produced by the body to provide the fuel necessary for life, since the cells can't use the sugar). It's the high blood sugar, and the acid condition that is so dangerous. Ketones just happen to be a part of the picture, and are a RESULT of the condition, not the CAUSE. Diabetics can safely follow a ketogenic diet to lose fat weight ... but they must be closely monitored by their health care provider, and blood sugars need to be kept low, and stable.

LaJauna

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

Protein does not get broken down for energy, fat and carbs do. So yeah, you do need some carbs.

Protein does get broken down for energy! IT is the one food source that can be converted into glycogen! (Natural, body made sugars). I think you need to go read some more of your science books. Geez.

natskedat

Let's agree to disagree.

xraychick77

nothing wrong with carbs

LaJauna

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

This is untrue. You absolutely need no carbs ever. There are essential proteins and essential fatty acids, but all the glucose you need can be synthesized from a combination of protein and fat. This number is actually extremely low and probably contained in just a few veggies, thus no need to create more glucose/glycogen in your body. The majority of your body that "needs carbs" can be run just fine on keytones. This is the reason why you can sleep 8 hours and not die of lack of carbs, or have to get up ever few hours to eat a pack of crackers.

Some people can slowly scale back the carbs and get rid of the cravings, some need to totally cut them off for a bit, then slowly reintroduce a few items.

You're on the right track though - keep an eye on that number, and if you want to friend me, feel free. You can check my diary for extremely healthy options to combat carb/sugar cravings.

Protein does not get broken down for energy, fat and carbs do. So yeah, you do need some carbs.

Protein does get broken down for energy! IT is the one food source that can be converted into glycogen! (Natural, body made sugars). I think you need to go read some more of your science books. Geez.

I lived for 5 yrs among the Kazakh people in Central Asia. Their people were nomads. They were herdsmen. They lived almost exclusively on meat, fat and dairy. The land did not support any agriculture...the only grasses that the land produced was used to feed their flocks and herds! They were very healthy until the westerners brought western diets and then they got sick and started to have diabetes and heart disease.

Grokette

You need carbs, they give you energy and your brains runs on carbs exclusively, so don't reduce them too much. Just make sure you're getting your carbs from fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of refined (white) carbs and refined sugar. Also make sure you don't replace your carbs with fats.

Actually the brain functions better off fat than carbs........as it is more than 60% fat.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201103/low-cholesterol-and-suicide

http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/2007/04/06/saturated_fat_the_misunderstood_nutrient#axzz0zknkn0yT

http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/nutrition/saturated_fat.htm

http://www.health-report.co.uk/saturated_fats_health_benefits.htm


To the OP: If you want to rid yourself of the cravings................Dedicate 2 weeks of eating proteins, fats and green leafy veggies such as cabbage, lettuce, greens of all sorts, drink lots of water, black coffee and herbal or green teas..............don't use table sugar, fruit sugar or artificial sweeteners and you craings will go away.........

Grokette

There is so much interference from these organizations to keep America essentially fat, sick and unhappy for the betterment of the Big Pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers they will continue to tout and preach the low fat, high grain eating plans. There is good reason for the ADA, AHA and AMA to keep saying we need a low fat plan all the while crime rates are rising, people are seemingly more crazy and mentally unstable, more people suffer with depression and other mental illnesses.

There are plenty of doctors, PHD's and other research scientists that are saying that they need to ditch the low fat, low calorie, high carb eating plans because it is destroying us as humans............

This is what Dr Sears has to say:

WHY YOU NEED FATS

Fats provide energy. Gram for gram fats are the most efficient source of food energy. Each gram of fat provides nine calories of energy for the body, compared with four calories per gram of carbohydrates and proteins.

Fats build healthy cells. Fats are a vital part of the membrane that surrounds each cell of the body. Without a healthy cell membrane, the rest of the cell couldn't function.

Fats build brains. Fat provides the structural components not only of cell membranes in the brain, but also of myelin, the fatty insulating sheath that surrounds each nerve fiber, enabling it to carry messages faster.

Fats help the body use vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins, meaning that the fat in foods helps the intestines absorb these vitamins into the body.

Fats make hormones. Fats are structural components of some of the most important substances in the body, including prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that regulate many of the body's functions. Fats regulate the production of sex hormones, which explains why some teenage girls who are too lean experience delayed pubertal development and amenorrhea.

Fat provides healthier skin. One of the more obvious signs of fatty acid deficiency is dry, flaky skin. In addition to giving skin its rounded appeal, the layer of fat just beneath the skin (called subcutaneous fat) acts as the body's own insulation to help regulate body temperature. Lean people tend to be more sensitive to cold; obese people tend to be more sensitive to warm weather.

Fat forms a protective cushion for your organs. Many of the vital organs, especially the kidneys, heart, and intestines are cushioned by fat that helps protect them from injury and hold them in place. (True, some of us "overprotect" our bodies.) As a tribute to the body's own protective wisdom, this protective fat is the last to be used up when the body's energy reserves are being tapped into.

Fats are pleasurable. Besides being a nutritious energy source, fat adds to the appealing taste, texture and appearance of food. Fats carry flavor. Fat is also the reason why cookies melt in your mouth, french fries are crispy, and mom's apple pie has a flaky crust.