How Do you Curb Your Carb Cravings?

NoirDancer
NoirDancer Posts: 62
in Food and Nutrition
I hope you liked that alliteration I did there ;-). I'm a carb addict but know that low carb is the gateway to my weight loss. The instant I started, I lost 12 lbs in about a month. Now, I'm getting the desire to go back to carb eating, especially bread and potatoes, and I'm just wondering how you avoid going back!
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Replies

  • japage83
    japage83 Posts: 2
    I've been hardcore dieting for only sixteen days (10 lbs down, though!) and I have occaisionally given in to carb cravings without big consequences. One day I ate 43g of Froot Loops. Last Saturday I had fettucini alfredo at Carrabbas.

    One little thing that might suit you is unflavored pork skins with a little melted butter, Splenda, and cinnamon sprinkled on. I still think it tastes a little porky, but my boyfriend liked them. It's sort of like a churro.

    Also, have you tried Oreida baked sweet potato fries with a bunch of salt? They're pretty satisfying!

    If you don't give in a litlte once in a while, you'll go crazy! I'd be insane if I knew I didn't have some tasty carbs coming my way within a week. That's how I make it through all the other 50 or less carb days.

    If nothing else, a carb is 4 calories, so just work off the extra carbs before you eat them so you can enjoy your bread and potatoes guilt-free.

    Good luck!
  • MrsSausage58
    MrsSausage58 Posts: 143 Member
    In short, I don't! I couldn't live without carbs. If I don't eat carbs at almost every meal I feel like I haven't eaten!! Currently losing 2lbs per week so can't be all bad! :happy:
  • krithsai
    krithsai Posts: 668 Member
    Eat them in moderation. Being a vegetarian, I'd be able to eat nothing if I totally ditched carbs. Make sure you always fall within your set macros and you'll be okay. Some carbs do suit me better than others do, in terms of bloating, water retention and constipation. That is up to you to experiment and figure out.
  • Dree3
    Dree3 Posts: 54 Member
    I've been doing low carb for a year now, and I've found that whenever I'm craving something carby, I just make the low-carb equivalent of it. You can adapt just about anything to low-carb, from pizzas to desserts. It requires a little more legwork than just picking up the phone and ordering in, of course, but I've found it's worth it in the long run!
  • mjculbertson4512
    mjculbertson4512 Posts: 157 Member
    Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. So everything in moderation. Your body needs some carbs everyday to function. That said, we carb lovers still have to get a handle on the cravings. Lots of ways to do it.

    Exercise
    Drink a glass of water and wait twenty minutes
    Leave the area with your tempting carbs
    Chew gum
    Sing
    Take a shower
    Eat a portien
    You get the idea

    Now, make the carbs you eat count. Measure them, count them in our diary. I have some carbs with each meal. Just not the 5-7 servings a day suggested by the My Plate Club(no offense intended here). Need to loose weight and carbs are my kryptonite.
  • Bekahmardis
    Bekahmardis Posts: 602 Member
    I discovered the Sara Lee Mini Bagels that are only 100 calories each! When I get a major carb craving, I pop one of those bad boys into the toaster, add just a hint of butter, and it makes the craving go away.

    Sometimes, I am aware enough of my craving that I realize it's not a "carb craving" so much as a "Crunch Craving." When I want that satisfaction of crunching into something, I'll cut up a red, yellow, or green bell pepper and crunch to my heart's content.
  • mjculbertson4512
    mjculbertson4512 Posts: 157 Member
    These are great tips, thanks for the question.
  • lstpaul
    lstpaul Posts: 2,013 Member
    I used to have terrible carb cravings, but what has worked for me is to eat 'in balance' every time I eat - (eat a protein, healthy fat and small amount of healthy carb (mostly lower starch veggies, or smaller amount of fruit or starchy veggie, or even smaller amount whole grain food)), and eat every 2-3 hours so I'm never 'starving'... the idea is to keep your blood sugar level more steady instead of having highs and lows from eating too many carbs at one time - because that will just cause you to crave more carbs when your blood sugar drops down again.
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    I LOVE CARBS!! But, I try to cut them out of my dinners alteast 2 times/week..... and try to use healthier alteratives like Sweet Potato fries instead of regular.... whole grain pasta/bread instead of white.... etc.

    But, again... if you eat it and then just work your tail off in the gym it'll be OK. :)
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I just eat carbs. :) Not what you want to hear probably! I never bothered with going low-carb though. I try to focus on getting a lot of protein, which means that my carb intake doesn't end up being ridiculous, and I have quite a good balance.
  • kinman23
    kinman23 Posts: 13 Member
    I really suggest Carb Nite Solution!! It's a diet NOT a life style but great for shredding fat!!
  • lisamarie1780
    lisamarie1780 Posts: 432 Member
    I don't crave them, I eat them. In moderation. I don't believe in cutting food groups out, I think it's ridiculous. Just sayin....
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I hope you liked that alliteration I did there ;-). I'm a carb addict but know that low carb is the gateway to my weight loss. The instant I started, I lost 12 lbs in about a month. Now, I'm getting the desire to go back to carb eating, especially bread and potatoes, and I'm just wondering how you avoid going back!

    glycogen and water prob accounted for most of those 12 lbs
  • Zumbanator
    Zumbanator Posts: 8
    I've read that L-Glutamine really helps the carb cravings. It's an amino acid that is widespread throughout the body. Google it!
  • SwimSoccerTaxi
    SwimSoccerTaxi Posts: 98 Member
    I had to go Gluten Free due to Intolerance (and the pain/discomfort easily turned me off all products) however since this transition my carb cravings are GONE. I eat carbs, lots actually, but I never have that "I need them NOW" feeling....I get hungry....and I eat.

    Not suggesting you do a GF lifestyle however my kids are about 90% GF and they also find the desires gone (as well as many other benefits). Something to think about though.....

    Good luck!
  • Grazia23
    Grazia23 Posts: 2
    Since going on my healthy eating plan,(not a diet) I have been successful because I have not cut out carbs, just reduced them.
    I love pasta but only have a cup with a healthy sauce.
    I have had bread and cereal(not sugary) and finding it easier to lose weight but I exercise everyday.
    Good luck!
  • goodtimezzzz
    goodtimezzzz Posts: 640 Member
    DO NOT!!! HEY i just dropped 20 lbs eating as many carbs as I wanted...I do not think that carb depleting is your gateway...trust me....its your gateway to temporary water weight loss and an unhealthy body and life! CARB up ALWAYS
    Kristian Rocco
  • kuntry_navy
    kuntry_navy Posts: 677 Member
    Have a cheat day, where you enjoy that kind of stuff.
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    Eat them in moderation while staying at or under your calorie goal.
  • Annerk1
    Annerk1 Posts: 372 Member
    Instead of toast have 1/4 cup (uncooked) of oatmeal with cinnamon.

    Instead of rice or potatoes have Quinoa.

    If you are having a major sweet carb carb craving, have 1/4 cup of Cheerios (or similar) nibbled on one or two at a time or a small apple sliced with a little cinnamon sprinkled on the slices.

    The less carbs you eat, the less you will crave them. You will get to the point where you don't care for a lot of the things you used to love because the chemicals they send to your brain to make you crave more of them will be out of your body. Complex carbs from whole grains, beans, and vegetables are good carbs and your body will eventually crave those instead of the processed junk it's craving now.
  • Josee76
    Josee76 Posts: 533 Member
    I hope you liked that alliteration I did there ;-). I'm a carb addict but know that low carb is the gateway to my weight loss. The instant I started, I lost 12 lbs in about a month. Now, I'm getting the desire to go back to carb eating, especially bread and potatoes, and I'm just wondering how you avoid going back!

    What's wrong with bread and potatoes if they meet your macros?
  • BaconMD
    BaconMD Posts: 1,165 Member
    I curb my carb cravings by eating hundreds of grams of them every day.
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    I was low-carb a couple of years ago, did not find it sustainable for me. But, eating 50+% carbs does not work for me either. I feel constantly hungry, never satisfied. So, I played around with my macros until I found something that works for me and is sustainable long-term. For me it's about 150g per day, which gives me plenty of fruits/non-starchy veggies, a limited amount of starchy stuff like sweet potatoes and grains, and enough wiggle room to squeeze in treats if I plan well. Now, if I feel cravings it is usually due to low protein the previous day, and is predictable enough that I can knock it out with a high-protein meal.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    I see from your profile that you have insulin resistance & PCOS so you are going to have to watch your carb consumption clearly.

    Personally, I think the way to curb cravings is to not have them to begin with - you don't have to fight something that isn't there. I think one of the keys to this is to not be hungry (which can be an indication of fluctuating blood sugar levels.)

    I think your best bet maybe to focus on lots of veg and high quality protein sources, sufficient calories to stay in deficit but not so low it creates lethargy and bad mood etc and eat when you feel hungry not at socially ordained meal times.

    If you can handle some potatoes / bread whatever in moderation then by all means do that as well. Some people can, some people finds it triggers binges. It's going to depend on you really.
  • Ashshell
    Ashshell Posts: 185
    I'm not trying to act like I know more than you do about your own body, but I would like to share my experience with you.

    Low carb dieting worked for me once. I only needed to lose around 20 pounds at the time so I was just looking for a quick fix and was willing to restrict myself and work hard for a short period of time. I lost 22 pounds in two months (11 pounds in the first two weeks) by eating less than 50 carbs a day. After that, I continued to watch my carbs, but splurged often and just watched the scale to make sure I kept myself in check. I kept the weight off for a year and then I got pregnant. Since my son was born in 2010, I have tried to get back on the low carb train SO many times because it worked for me before. I just couldn't stick to it because it is so restrictive. I finally decided to stop trying (and failing) and allow myself to have all things in moderation and count my calories. I have lost 24lbs in 60 days - MORE than I lost while on a low carb diet.

    I always thought low carb was the way to go because I saw quick results (e.g. 11 pound loss in two weeks) and that is what I wanted. I never realized I could see BETTER results while allowing myself to eat the foods I like.
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    DO NOT!!! HEY i just dropped 20 lbs eating as many carbs as I wanted...I do not think that carb depleting is your gateway...trust me....its your gateway to temporary water weight loss and an unhealthy body and life! CARB up ALWAYS
    Kristian Rocco

    You know, in this forum people get upset when a vegan OP wants vegan tips to increase protein levels and someone responds with "OMG EAT MEAT". Since this OP is a low carber, so your advice to "CARB up ALWAYS" isn't helpful, and I'd hope you'd respect that choice.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    less carbs i eat, less i crave them. i assume you mean grain-y carbs? cause eating veggies/fruits don't trigger an emotional response like grain carbs do (for me)

    like clockwork, if i eat bread, or a bagel, 2-3 hours later i need another hit of carby foods. and i usually get a headache. f*$king hypoglycemia.
  • SnicciFit
    SnicciFit Posts: 967 Member
    Eat plenty of healthy fats to keep you satisfied and give you the energy to resist the carb cravings. Eat things like Avocado, coconut (flakes, oil, milk..etc.), olives & olive oil, real butter, nuts...etc. at every meal (even snacks).
  • Sparlingo
    Sparlingo Posts: 938 Member
    I hope you liked that alliteration I did there ;-). I'm a carb addict but know that low carb is the gateway to my weight loss. The instant I started, I lost 12 lbs in about a month. Now, I'm getting the desire to go back to carb eating, especially bread and potatoes, and I'm just wondering how you avoid going back!

    I don't sweat it. When I get urges like that, some days I just make it a high-carb day, try to make sure I hit a minimum protein intake so that I don't get TOO hungry and go off the deep end, and stick to my calories. It's never been detrimental.

    And knowing that I can have a day like that if I feel like it, whenever I want, makes me want those days less frequently.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    STOP WITH THE "CARBS AREN'T YOUR ENEMY". They are damn well my enemy. Seriously people, just because you can stuff your face with bread at every meal, doesn't mean everyone else can too. My body HATES carbs, i mean hates them. The only thing I've found is to eat under 150g of carbs a day. And it's working. You have to think of substitutes. I go to subway, but i don't get the sub, I get everything in the salad that i would normally pile on a yummy bun. Up your protein so you don't feel hungry. Know that some days are going to be worse then others, up your veggie intake, stop with sauces and dips and try herbs and spices. Snack on almonds, edamame, blueberries, and drink tea and water. There's tons of low carb recipes online that are super easy to make. If you want baked potato with sour cream and bacon bits, try sweet potato with olive oil and herbs. Yes you're going to consume carbs every day, but it's all up to you how much carbs you eat.

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