Killing Cravings

zooflute

After a few super busy weeks at work, where I tend to indulge in junk food, I now have time to do some better meal planning and work on new eating habits. But I'm totally jonesing for some junk food. My weaknesses are sodas (which I don't keep in the house), anything with cheese, ice-cream, alcohol and just eating out in general. There are pairings of junk foods too: just eating out (even if it's healthful) makes me crave a fountain coke in the worst way, and having pizza equals BEER and Indian food needs a nice white wine, etc. etc. If I make popcorn at home (relatively harmless) then I usually want something sweet afterwards.

I know if I eat better and exercise, I will crave the junky food less. I'm wondering what the collective wisdom here thinks the time frame is for killing off the cravings. A week? Two weeks? Better to go cold turkey for a certain time period, or gradually taper off?

PNWriter

I used to have a couple glasses of Reisling and a bag of butter microwave popcorn every night. It took me a few weeks to get over it. I find that dill pickles (specifically Claussen) really take off the edge. They're salty and crunchy...they even stave off the sweet cravings!

michz

I'd have to say - after about 3 weeks (4 weeks tops) of "choking" down water, working out 20-30 minutes a day, and watching my intake - my craving have disappeared. HOWEVER - if I have extra calories and it is sunday night - then I still give into pizza.

I dont think they every go away! But my craving just don't overpower my mind anymore

albayin

After a few super busy weeks at work, where I tend to indulge in junk food, I now have time to do some better meal planning and work on new eating habits. But I'm totally jonesing for some junk food. My weaknesses are sodas (which I don't keep in the house), anything with cheese, ice-cream, alcohol and just eating out in general. There are pairings of junk foods too: just eating out (even if it's healthful) makes me crave a fountain coke in the worst way, and having pizza equals BEER and Indian food needs a nice white wine, etc. etc. If I make popcorn at home (relatively harmless) then I usually want something sweet afterwards.

I know if I eat better and exercise, I will crave the junky food less. I'm wondering what the collective wisdom here thinks the time frame is for killing off the cravings. A week? Two weeks? Better to go cold turkey for a certain time period, or gradually taper off?

From my past experience with South Beach Diet, it seems taking about 2 weeks to kill all these cravings. Their meal plan for stage 1(about 2 weeks) is high in protein and good fat, low in carb, but not totally avoiding cheese and sweets. You may want to check it out?

PlanetVelma

I think short term goals help with this problem....maybe instead of giving EVERYTHING up - concentrate on one thing at a time.

As an example, I'll bake cookies for my kids, i just don't make as many. I'll make one cookie sheet and put the rest of the dough in the freezer.

Also, I did stop drinking diet coke, I am now drinking iced tea. Now I don't feel as bloated and ick as I did before. AND I'm drinking more water than I was before I quit the diet coke.

Another thing you can do, is everytime you eat brush your teeth. That usually curbs me from wanting to eat anything cuz you lose that fresh taste in your mouth.

MyaPapaya75

I say have what you want in moderation so your not making yourself miserable and focusing on food 24/7 ...allow yourself the fountain coke but only have the smallest size...things like that and make sure you have the calories allotted

MyNameIsNotBob

From my personal experience? About 2 weeks.

I have a special section in my diary for "late night / midnight snacks" and realized yesterday that it was the first time I'd had a late night snack in a while. I just went back, and it's been about two weeks since I've regularly snacked at night. (Curious, however, to see how this relates to the phases of my cycle... I'll letcha know in a few days!)

On a regular basis, I only keep popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and tiny tubs of ice cream as snacks. If I'm craving a salty crunch, I try to make myself go for the popcorn first, because it's the lowest cal. & high in fiber (very filling).

But I hear you on some of the combos. Pizza sucks without beer. I just try to build in room for it by exercising.

kje2011

yep, I caved.... now it's time to kill the cravings too.

Water is the 'key'. I drink water, and also I have cut up fruit that I will snack on instead of cookies,etc. ---- I am trying:)