Help! Unbearable sugar cravings! =(

Cocoru

The past week I've been having really REALLY bad sugar cravings...I don't know what's wrong with me, and it's unbearable, literally. The thought will repeat and repeat in my head for hours. I thought maybe it was my body confusing food for thirst, so I've been chugging glasses of water but it still won't go away. Today I caved in, had a piece of cake, scoop of icecream with chocolate on top, and a cookie, some piece of chocolate, all in ONE day, and NOW my brain has finally calmed down enough for me to not crave it anymore. I'm so ashamed I don't want to even find out how many calories I consumed, I honestly feel like crying. I've had a piece of cake everyday this week and due to my busy schedule haven't had much time to exercise. No I am not pregnant, and I'm definitely not on my period, so what is the matter with me? Please help, this is killing me emotionally.

PS. I've also been going through some strange depressing mood recently, not my usual behavior. I was doing so well last week with my food intake and exercise, now I'm too emotionally exhausted to keep going.

nuclearbanana

You seem really stressed, are you alright?

Cocoru

I did go through a bad break up about 4 months ago, gained about 10 pounds since...moved to a new place, got a new job, I was doing fine for a while but now I'm going through that stage in my life where I'm wondering what my purpose is and not being sure what I want anymore. I'm usually a very positive upbeat person but my random weight gain and no idea of my future has been beating me up emotionally.

Blondehelmet

Maybe you're not eating enough protein or a low GI food that keeps your sugar levels in your blood even so you're getting all these cravings. Also I found cutting out/back Diet sodas helped, something in them triggered my sweet tooth. The other thing you could try is the vitamin tablets called 'chromium', apparently they help control sugar cravings, or at least make them easier to deal with. Have you tried having a piece of fruit and seeing if that makes them go away?

ElviraCross

Eat some chocolate fudge pudding, fat free and sugar free kind. It's delicious and tastes sugary to me!

arielian

The best thing for me is actually taking three bite of what I crave and leaving it alone. The first bite you enjoy, the second you appreciate the taste and the third you savor! If it continues, cut the processed sugar and eat fruit! It's natural candy!

pamina1

Eat your favorite fruits, grapes and pineapple have alot of sugar. The calories may be slightly higher but it will satisfy your cravings. Make fruit salad, daily, you will miss it if you don't eat it. Really....

shannonmaria

Maybe you should make a Dr's appt and just have some baseline labs checked. Maybe your thyroid levels are off.

Cocoru

Yes I have little fruit bowls or a mango, still doesn't go away. And I have cut out all soda from my diet, I haven't drank that stuff in at least a year. So it can't be the soda. Perhaps not enough protein, but I do have a lot of chicken and some shrimp every now and then, I barely have beef, not a fan of the stuff.

Spanaval

It's just ONE day. In the grand scheme of things, how important is one day? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and do better next time.

Personally, I don't deprive myself, ever. On a fairly routine basis, I have cake and cookies and ice cream, in moderation. I don't want to live a life where those foods are out of bounds, anyway. Off to eat some frozen custard.

Leiki

http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Sweet-Cravings

This article has some good suggestions. I highly recommend trying to up your protein, first, and if that doesn't work, eat one piece of dark chocolate with a high percentage. I like Godiva or Lindt.

Cocoru

Eat some chocolate fudge pudding, fat free and sugar free kind. It's delicious and tastes sugary to me!

Sounds delicious! But if it's sugar free there must be some sugar replacing substance, which surely can't be good for you? I heard fake sugar is actually worse than the real stuff. =(

Cocoru

It's just ONE day. In the grand scheme of things, how important is one day? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and do better next time.

Personally, I don't deprive myself, ever. On a fairly routine basis, I have cake and cookies and ice cream, in moderation. I don't want to live a life where those foods are out of bounds, anyway. Off to eat some frozen custard.

Well that's the thing, I've had a piece of cake everyday for the past week. It isn't just one time, and I indulge in the stuff I can't seem to control myself.

shannonmaria

That's a good way to handle craving sweets. I like that

ElviraCross

honestly I don't sweat stuff like that every day. I have it as a treat otherwise it's all I want.

You have to treat yourself sometimes, but that's just me!

I figure it's better than me eating a chocolate fudge piece of cake.

Cocoru

The best thing for me is actually taking three bite of what I crave and leaving it alone. The first bite you enjoy, the second you appreciate the taste and the third you savor! If it continues, cut the processed sugar and eat fruit! It's natural candy!

I wish I had the willpower to do that...once I start I can't stop so I try to avoid sweets all together.

nuclearbanana

I did go through a bad break up about 4 months ago, gained about 10 pounds since...moved to a new place, got a new job, I was doing fine for a while but now I'm going through that stage in my life where I'm wondering what my purpose is and not being sure what I want anymore. I'm usually a very positive upbeat person but my random weight gain and no idea of my future has been beating me up emotionally.

I'm sorry to hear that, but it's really awesome of you to actually start taking measures to take care of physical self. Most people don't even bother.

Now, as much as this forum is dedicated to fitness and nutritional health, you should also very much take care of your mental and emotional self. Seems like a lot to handle in a short amount of time, but it's perfectly normal to feel completely stressed out. If I were in your shoes, I'd be, too. Take care of yourself, and if you ever do need help, it's not because there's something wrong with you, it's just admitting to yourself that life could be a little happier. You had a day of sweets and stuff, but that doesn't mean everything you've worked for is negated, and you definitely shouldn't stop working now. You have the drive and the potential, else you wouldn't be here!

Also, chocolate strawberries. Oh my god. They're so allowed. Also, sugar substitutes aren't really harmful. Aspartame is one of the most harmless sweeteners ever, and it'd take too much effort for even you do get sick off of it.

HorseWithNoName27

Try eating one or two squares of a very dark (70% or more) chocolate. I eat two squres of Gharidelli 86% cocoa most days. It satisfies my sweet tooth and is pretty nutritious as far as chocolate goes--150 calories with some magnesium and iron to boot.

I'm thinking your cravings may be more emotional than physical, however. I've had a LOT of days in my life where, after a stressful day of work, or a fight with a friend, or feelings of depression, etc. I wanted to swallow the world and fill myself with sweets. Maybe try doing something to calm yourself rather than eat--go for a walk, play a video game, listen to some music, etc.

Good luck!

poetgurl2005

You can always get the pudding cups with sugar. They aren't all that bad on calories. If I really crave something I wait three days, and if I still crave it I eat it. This way I can think about it and budget my calories. Sometimes you just need sugar.

Spanaval

It's just ONE day. In the grand scheme of things, how important is one day? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and do better next time.

Personally, I don't deprive myself, ever. On a fairly routine basis, I have cake and cookies and ice cream, in moderation. I don't want to live a life where those foods are out of bounds, anyway. Off to eat some frozen custard.

Well that's the thing, I've had a piece of cake everyday for the past week. It isn't just one time, and I indulge in the stuff I can't seem to control myself.

I eat dessert daily. Just make sure it's within your calorie allowance. For me, it doesn't work to not eat what I want, because then I'll crave and overeat. There are others that just have to cut it all out because one bite leads to twenty more. You need to figure out what works for the way you want to live. Just don't beat youtself up for one (or a dozen) less than desirable choices.

coreymo

I've been at this weight loss thing for about a year now, and I can tell you I've been through exactly what you just described. Everyone's different, but what works for me is this: when I am totally craving sugar to the point of caving in, I let myself. I can eat whatever I want to eat, BUT I HAVE TO LOG IT IN. The first time I did it I was literally having a nervous breakdown and beating myself up completely for overeating one evening....then I cliked the "complete this entry" and it told me if every day were like today, in 5 weeks I'd be...AND it wasn't so bad. It said IF EVERY DAY WERE LIKE TODAY...I'd gain 5lbs in 5 weeks. I had two revelations when I saw this: 1. I didn't get fat overnight, it was a very long slow process of getting fat, and so getting skinny was going to be the same long slow process, and 2. ***Just because I blew it today doesn't mean I have to give up! It doesn't mean tomorrow will be a bad day too, or the day after, or the day after. I ate too much today, I didn't exercise enough this week, this has been a difficult month....whatever the true stamement may be, BUT I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE UP. I can still choose to be on the journey.

Now I've lost 46lbs and I've got about 4lbs until my goal weight - and I still struggle with this just like you did today. But I choose to keep going, no matter what.

munny_p

Time of month? I'm there now...super bad cravings! Pushing through though by keeping myself busy.

jbbattles

I agree on the dark chocolate...I eat two squares (1/2 serving) Lindt 90% Dark Chocolate. It's sweet enough to curve the craving since I LOVE chocolate, but not enough to make me want more. Plus it's good for your heart.

graelwyn

You have the option of either eating totally clean for 6 days per week, and allowing just one day to give into your cravings, that way you aren't spiking your insulin on a daily basis, and you get the bonus of a slight spike in metabolism (this was recommended by my trainer and seems to be done by quite a few people here), or you can simply reduce refined sugars as far as you can, and fill up on things like eggs, cottage cheese,nuts, fruit and the odd raw food bar. I find that if I eat sugar, especially combined with wheat, I experience more hunger and more and more desire for more of the same foods, so I try and keep refined sugar out of my diet as much as possible, and will be limiting it to one day a week, if that.

Part of it is also learning to ignore those cravings and to walk past the stuff you are craving and keep reminding yourself how little it offers in way of nutrition for the calories and visualise the sugar spiking your insulin and your body having to fight to regulate your blood sugar after ingesting it each time.

My treat each evening is a big bowl of 0% greek yoghurt (fage) with a few tbsp mixed seeds, little ground flax and a scoop of protein powder, all mixed together and stuck in the fridge for a few hours so it takes on a thick texture. Works for me most of the time.

suzieqcookie

flavored coffee or tea does it for me. Flavored beans.. not flavored creamer.

cheryluphoff

I find if I pray about it the Lord will help me through it.

sdcohen85

I know this may sound like something you have heard before...but the more sugar you eat, the more you crave it. Has it just been this week you have been eating sugar/ having cravings? If so, try cutting it had completely. Yes it will be tough but the more time you are without it, the less you will crave it. Your depression definitely goes hand in hand with sugar...it can be a vicious cycle. Eat sugar...crave sugar...eat some more sugar...gain weight...depression. Trust me I'm trying to get out of a funk myself. Feel free to friend me if you'd like to chat further!!

Vickilite

Depression can do some strange things to your head and does a terrible number on your "self talk". I think if I were you, I'd definitely seem someone you can talk to for awhile.

As for food, here is one thing that has helped me back away from the sugar: Walmart has this great little Hamilton Beach drink blender. I think it costs abuot $16 and it blends so well! Then you just lift off the container, stick a straw in it and go.. I put in 1 c skim milk (or your could use unsweetened vanilla almond milk). To that, I add 1/2 c frozen fruit (mango, pineapple, strawberry or just the mixed berry kind) and 1/2 fresh fruit (again, berries are my favorite, but 1/2 a banana would add lots of sweetness). Then (because I'm diabetic, I put in a tablespoon or so of sugar free coffee creamer in vanilla, hazelnut or whatever flavor you like. That add a bit of sweetness. And the frozen fruit gives it a milk shake consistency. It makes a BIG drink that you can sip slowly thorugh a straw. It's DELISH and healthy.

Another option, bake a fresh apple in the microwave or oven and top it with cinnamon and/or a bit of sugar free syrup. Mmmm...

OK, now I"M hungry! lol...

RobynMWilson

Sounds like you have a lot of stressors going on and that's not helping...you've had huge life changes in the past few months and that can be a trigger! I, too, allow sweets several times per week, like 2 cookies or a couple of squares of dark chocolate. It's not usually sugar I crave as much as chocolate. My sugar cravings and salt cravings (I normally hate salt lol) goes right in line with PMS, which is getting worse as I get (cough) older lol.

I def think a complete blood count should be in order before making any changes or beating yourself up anymore. Make sure the thyroid is working properly and let your doc know you want a complete thyroid workup in that bloodwork. I know if I deprived myself completely, my sugar/ chocolate cravings would be off the hook! As soon as you tell me I can't have something, even if I don't like it (like salt lol), I immediately want it. I'm a defiant character by nature. I like to feel I'm CHOOSING healthy things every day rather than RESTRICTING unhealthy choices. For me it's all in the mindset Good luck!

laulyn

It COULD be related to your mood. When you eat something fatty and sugary it activates the reward center in your brain. Try to incorporate something else that will activate that reward center. Music has been shown to be very powerful in activating that same area. Exercise activates it also. Unfortunately, neither of these work as quickly as chocolate, lol. If you start incorporating something else, likely the cravings will begin to subside. I deal with this also.

ChaseAlder

I keep dozens of sparkling flavored beverages on hand. They're like 33oz and they totally satisfy a sweet craving. If it's bad enough, I'll get a diet soda of some sort. Diet Dr. Pepper usually does the best for a sweet craving.