I never craved candy until I started loosing weight..

Sylkwyrm

I'm the type of person who craves salts and pasta but I never really craved sweets. I've been on a low calorie diet for about three months and I'm really starting to crave cookies, chocolate, and peanut butter. Has anyone else cutting down on calories started craving sweets when they didn't before? Does anyone know what causes this or how to stop it?

Thank you!

FitGirl329

Have you been introducing more Splenda (sucralose is the ingredient on the ingredients list on the food label) or aspartame (Equal) or other artificial sweeteners?

I've always have a mad sweet tooth. I've never consumed huge amounts of artificial sweeteners. But each morning I'd have a couple of Splendas in my coffee and maybe some in cereal, oatmeal or tea later. I'd have some snack foods or Crystal Light or the occasional diet soda that has aspartame. But I eliminated all artificial sweeteners about three weeks ago, including any foods that contain them (including my little jello pudding cups I'd eat as a snack). I had to read every label in my entire kitchen and even throw out the usual mints I ate!

But the surprising thing that happened was that my sweet tooth diminished tremendously. I still have a treat. But I don't feel the need to keep going back to the pantry to get the sugar that my body wasn't getting before.

mensasu

You could actually be craving fat based on your 3 listed items. Try some unsweetened almond butter and/or dark chocolate to see if you find those reduce the urge. If they help you might want add more good fats to your diet.

Sylkwyrm

I've been trying to avoid the artificial sweeteners.... but I've also been avoiding fats.. Hmmm....

mensasu

try the almond butter on some apple wedges for a sweet good fat treat

Sylkwyrm

But don't almond butter and peanut butter have the same amount of calories? Should I just give in and eat peanut butter?

Voncreepy2

Are you getting enough fruit? Maybe your body is trying to tell you you are lacking.

FitGirl329

If you open your diary, it might help people help you. I did it a while back and am glad I did. I got help when I needed it.

magerum

But don't almond butter and peanut butter have the same amount of calories? Should I just give in and eat peanut butter?

Peanut butter FTW!

For what it's worth, I rarely ever ate ice cream prior to my weight lose. Now I eat an entire pint every night! :laugh:

mensasu

Peanuts are a legume, Almonds are nuts. That the main difference. If you are going to have peanut butter do not use commercial brands as they add salt and sugar to them. That's why I tend to recommend Almond butter - unsweetened.

Sylkwyrm

I'm eating ~2 apples and a banana every day.

meshashesha2012

healthy fat is actually good for you. your brain needs it to function properly. low fat diets also tend to be depressing mood wise. you dont have to eat a tub of lard, but maybe try adding in healthier fats like full fat yogurt, avocadoes, nuts, fatty seafood like salmon, real butter etc.

Sylkwyrm

I think you have a good point about adding more healthy fat to my diet. I'm thinking I may start adding some avocado to my salads I make for lunch. Thanks for the tip! :-)

I will disagree with you about the real butter though. margarine is bad for you because it has partially-hydrogenated oils (AKA trans-fat). Butter is bad for you because it has a high amount of saturated fat (bad fat). I switched to Canola Harvest Spread because it does not have any partially-hydrogenated oils, has a high amount of monounsaturated fat (the REALLY good fat), and it tastes like butter! X-D

A few months ago I gave up my morning toast and Canola Harvest for an apple and a banana. That may be one of the causes for the fat cravings.....