What the h^ll is better than candy and cigarettes? (Seriousl

loakit
loakit Posts: 5
edited October 3 in Food and Nutrition
I've eaten *some* candy every day since forever and am trying to cut out refined sugar and white flour....While simultaneously quitting smoking.

Basically I'm going insane. I've been trying to ride through the cravings with gum and diet sodas but I read aspartame makes sugar cravings worse! Broke down and ate a bunch of my friend's frosted miniwheats while I was at her house. I'm at that point. It's sad.

Any suggestions for good sugar alternatives? My friend said snap peas and I nearly hit her. I want a gummy candy and a Marlboro!!! Helppppp
«1

Replies

  • it_be_asin
    it_be_asin Posts: 562 Member
    Honestly, I won't tell anyone if you quit one thing at a time.

    It may be easier to make it stick if you quit one thing, and then the other later. Instead of ending up still addicted to both cause you can't quit them both at once.
  • impudentputz
    impudentputz Posts: 479 Member
    Same here, i quit smoking 2 months ago and decided to stop with my Coffee intake as of saturday,hasnt hit me yet, but it will!
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    try quitting one at a time. i would say candy first.
  • DannyMussels
    DannyMussels Posts: 1,842 Member
    Try sugar-free gum or check the nutrition section of your local walmart/pharmacy. They have diabetic candies/treats that are no-sugar added. Fairly low-cal and come in nearly evey candy type (chocolate, peanutbutter, coconut, butterscotch, gummies, sour things)
  • LadyOfOceanBreeze
    LadyOfOceanBreeze Posts: 762 Member
    wellbutrin for the nico-cravings & pickles kill sweet cravings...and plz don't kill me:sick:
  • I use stevia... I just quit smoking 5 weeks ago...went to a hypnotherapy session with my friend, a private one, not in a bar lol. Has worked really well for both of us, just really took the edge off:) Was $150 each for 2 sessions...something to check out if you are having a hard time! Good luck!
  • shellimus
    shellimus Posts: 158 Member
    Try making green smoothies to end the sugar cravings. The cravings are a sign that your body needs vitamins and minerals, not candy. You can google green smoothie girl for recipe ideas.
  • StevLL
    StevLL Posts: 921 Member
    Gala Apples, We like fresh Sugar Snap peas as well. Silk Drk chocolate Almond milk. 35 cals a cup and makes great popsicles. (molds at wal-mart) Hershey's special dark mini bars, only 73 cals per little bar.
  • mrsredneckmorris
    mrsredneckmorris Posts: 119 Member
    I would pick one thing at a time to quit...they are both very big addictions....
  • ginjanija
    ginjanija Posts: 23 Member
    I am not a big candy person but i am a smoker and in process of quiting for the 2nd time, the 1st was so much easier but, try some extra dessert gum and go for a walk. The gum is good and will help the sweet tooth and walking will take your mind off the smoke!! But if all else fails pick one or the other just not both
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    Nothing is better.

    But you know that you need to quit the cigs permanently and candy should not be a regular thing.

    Sorry - but it's worth it! October 1st I have been one year since I quit - you can do it, too!
  • janet_pratt
    janet_pratt Posts: 747 Member
    wellbutrin for the nico-cravings & pickles kill sweet cravings...and plz don't kill me:sick:

    Pickles? Really? Sweet pickles? Or any pickles? Somehow I don't see myself enjoying a pickle when I'm craving chocolate!
  • Ree_Chatelain
    Ree_Chatelain Posts: 229 Member
    Ok, don't swing!! Instead of veggie snacks try fruit since they have sugar, munch on grapes or strawberries. If you just need to have something to chew on try cherrios or 100 calorie popcorn, something you can just slowly eat that isn't high calorie.
    I don't like diet sodas but i love the zero calorie waters or the mio water flavors. good luck!!
  • quietlywinning
    quietlywinning Posts: 889 Member
    Honestly........I think I'd give up one at a time - cigarettes first. Give in to the candy if you have to give in to something. Just don't give in to the cigarettes!! When you get past the nicotine cravings, then gradually cut back on the sugar. THEN swap the white flour out for whole grains.

    The cigarettes can and probably should be stopped cold turkey. If you have stopped those, congratulations and keep it up. But have a little chocolate. Take a small bite, savor it, see how long you can make it last.....then one more bite. Close your eyes and concentrate on it and enjoy it. Then stop and save the next bite or two for 3 hours.

    You can get through this without making yourself crazy.
  • I discovered Balance Bars. They are low glycemic and I count the calories on my calorie counter. Satisfies my sugar fits.

    For the smoking, try brushing your teeth and gargling with Listerine after every meal.
  • chelsifina
    chelsifina Posts: 346 Member
    Oh, dear! That sounds pretty tough. Personally, I think giving up two different habits at once is a recipe for failure. Start with the cigs, and then worry about the sugar. One thing at a time, Sweetie! Slow and steady winds the race, and all that. Why don't you distract yourself in Candyland for a bit till your solid on your feet with the smoking. Snort it up in lines off a mirror if need be! No need to *kitten* with your body chemistry so much all at once.

    When you do get to quitting sugar, I have a few ideas. I've had to quit sugar completely for about a month, and now I'm slowly letting it back in to see how I react to it. (I've had adrenal fatigue, and that's part of the deal). The cold turkey thing works really well for me as long as I know that its only for a limited time. Now, returning to sugar, I find moderation is a hell of a lot easier, and I let myself have a little sweet stuff once or twice a day, in small amounts. I may never get to have coffee again, though, and I think I may have to throw a little memorial service for Coffee and our star-crossed love...

    On the other end, just try limiting it to a certain number of indulgences per day. Gradually decrease that number, but always keep a little room for those treats you love. And please go slap that woman who suggested snap peas. What?!
  • I've actually been using one of the e-cigrettes, it's allowing me to take what I need when I need it, but I find that without the thing burning and just taking a hit when the urge hits and it's getting less and less as I go on, plus I play with it in my hand when I start feeeling twitchy. It might help.
  • kathas0trophal
    kathas0trophal Posts: 118 Member
    I Quit Smoking two month ago.about the Same Time i Starter this Journey. Whenever i have the Feeling i Need a cigarette or Candy i take something better. I take 5 min for me, Witting on the Sofa doing nothing (perhaps Read something) and that is so much better. Chose something that you would Not allow. I think it is importanz to get the Feeling that you deserve Special Things because you a doing something Great. Stop Smoking is such a good Thing and will live you the Feeling you can do anything. I quitt After Smoking 13years and i always thought i couldNever ever. Be proud because you made such a good decision.
  • kennethmgreen
    kennethmgreen Posts: 1,759 Member
    As most have already said, quitting a bunch of stuff at once is really tough (unless you are locked up). Why not tackle one at a time?

    You said you were quitting smoking. Does that mean you have quit? Have cut back? Thinking about quitting? Quit and slipped up a few times? I know for me, one of the things I had to do was change my language. Either I had quit smoking or I had not. Same with you. You decide. If you haven't already quit, pick a date - a reasonable date - that you will be smoke free. Stick to that quite date, no matter what. Psyche yourself up as the day approaches.

    If you have already quit smoking, phrasing it as "quitting smoking" may be a subtle way for your brain to give you an out.
  • lee112780
    lee112780 Posts: 419 Member
    I would do one at a time...my fiance uses the electric cig, and loves it!
  • If your craving something fizzy try 1/4 cup of juice with 3/4 cup soda water is great. soda water has zero calories. Not candy, but skinny cow has some fantastic ice cream, that range from 100 cal to about 140 cal each.
  • Hootsmamma
    Hootsmamma Posts: 254 Member
    Fresh fruit: Nice crisp apples (esp pink ladies) , frozen grapes, a good ripe peach!
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    I am going to chime in and say. .. . . I QUIT at the beginning of this year. . . . and used WALMART BRAND NICODERM CQ. . it really helps a lot. . . . . .

    Long story. . but I had quit 11 years ago and then I picked them up for about a year after the death someone I loved this time. .

    Dumb thing to do. . but regardless. . I have quit successfully twice in my life with the use of the patch. . It helps to gradually take

    you off of them.

    ***And, like the others here have said. . I would quit one thing at a time. . that way it is not too much stress on you. . . Personally

    I would quit smoking and just cut down on your candy consumption for right now.

    Best of luck to you.:smile:
  • loakit
    loakit Posts: 5
    Yeah but wellbutrin is in my opinion not a helpful solution - I try not to ingest any drugs except occasional herb and mood-altering pharmaceuticals are especially on my black list!
  • loakit
    loakit Posts: 5
    Hmm! I thought about using one of those. I always see them walking through chinatown :)
  • loakit
    loakit Posts: 5
    Yeah dark chocolate's been a livesaver. And I love that chocolate almond milk, it's insane-o good...Pretty high sugar content though.

    I started making hot cereal with just unsweetened almond milk and cocoa powder (make a roux then add it into the cereal) - the sweetness from the starches and from heating the milk makes it taste like chocolate, plus cereal like Red River and cocoa from the bulk store are really cheap!!
  • Kristhin
    Kristhin Posts: 442 Member
    How about making yourself a healthy but tasty crunch mix--walnuts, cashews, peanuts, cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds. That way you have something to keep you occupied thats also good for you while you're trying to resist these things.
  • twinsanity
    twinsanity Posts: 1,757 Member
    This is tricky, because part of the issue with the cigs (and I'm a smoker) is the hand-to-mouth habbit. MANY people who quit smoking, don't replace the hand-to-mouth habbit, so they replace the cig with food. Be careful of that!! That's why so many people claim that quitting smoking makes you gain weight; it doesn't, it's just those people replacing the cig with food.

    For candy, I don't see why you'd have to QUIT. I'm a rebellious person, so if I take away something I love, I'm likely to rebell and end up binging on it later. That serves no purpose. I would just get smaller serving, like the mini's, and only have one per day, maybe as a dessert. Then work towards only one every other day, then maybe just one a week. One little mini a week isn't going to kill you or your calorie count!
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    I'm in a similar boat, but im losing the weight first, then when i've maintained for a while, the ciggies. Ofc, that's if the switch goes off in my head like it did for calories!
  • MIMITIME
    MIMITIME Posts: 405 Member
    You are setting your goals very high. I have to agree with the folks that say quit one at the time - your choice. Once that is accomplished, tackle the other. I don't know if you like celery on the quit smoking thing but my doctor told me that celery takes more calories to chew than actual calories contained so it has negative calories. If you like bananas, put one in the freezer then cut it in chunks and put in the blender. It blends up and eats like soft serve ice cream. I add a little sweetner and a couple of nuts to mine and it is so good. It helps me with the sugar/sweet thing. Good Luck
This discussion has been closed.