Cravings!!

smileyaddiction_x3
smileyaddiction_x3 Posts: 17
in Motivation and Support
I've been having such a problem with cravings lately, and they always lead up to complete "binge"

I've been meeting with a dietitian and we've tired multiple things to get my cravings under control so that I don't go crazy, but so far everything we've tried hasn't helped.

So far I've tired:
-Giving into cravings in moderation (I only wanted more!)
-Getting "rid" of fatty/high "binge" rated foods from my apartment and grocery lists
-Ignoring them/fighting them for a 30 day period - usually going against cravings and eating regular meals + a few small snacks of veggie are suppose to curb cravings (at least what I've been told)

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do to overcome it?
I'm starting college in September and I really want to lose at least 10 more pounds before I fly out!

Anything would be of use(:

Replies

  • sweetlyybroken
    sweetlyybroken Posts: 209 Member
    Not sure how much this will help..it kind of helps me..SOMETIMES.

    Drink tons of water! and when you feel like to need to eat, work out. It doesn't have to be a lot.
  • smileyaddiction_x3
    smileyaddiction_x3 Posts: 17
    Not sure how much this will help..it kind of helps me..SOMETIMES.

    Drink tons of water! and when you feel like to need to eat, work out. It doesn't have to be a lot.

    I already drink too much water as it is xD
    But thank you. :3
  • melaniehubbard
    melaniehubbard Posts: 121 Member
    when I have a craving I measure one serving and allow myself to enjoy it as its just one serving .
  • smileyaddiction_x3
    smileyaddiction_x3 Posts: 17
    I've tired this, it's what I met by "giving into cravings with moderation."
    But thanks for trying c:
  • GFeltonLB
    GFeltonLB Posts: 10 Member
    Hi Effy (I'm assuming we can be friends, we're all in the same boat here and denying any friendship while trying to achieve our goals may not be as helpful as accepting friends. :-) ). I'm letting my ADD/ADHD stray. Sorry.

    I am having the same problem. I even wrote it in my food jounal today. My cravings are HORRIBLE right now. I am on a sodium restricted diet (dang Sudden Cardiac Death last year left me with an internal defibrillator so Salt is a no-no). Today I have tried:
    a slice of bread
    half a serving of cheetos (I did count and measure)
    cherries & strawberries
    DOTS gumdrops (less than a serving)
    sunflower seeds (not allowing myself the seasonins on the shell due to the MASSIVE amount of sodium)
    a LARGE iceberg salad (no caloric dressing, watching sodium)
    a bowl of high fiber cereal
    lots and lots of water

    I think it may be a sodium deficiency but what can I do about that. I am still under my caloric goal, at least I'm trying to keep under serving sizes and only taking TASTES of the bad-for-us stuff like candy and salty snacks hoping a taste is what I'm looking for, but for the life of me my cravings today is un-natural.

    If you can get information on how to satisfy those dang cravings so I can be released from it's hold and move on with my day I would love to learn it. I'm sure it would be great if I can figure out what the craving is, but at this point it's like I'm trying to drive a car with no direction and no map on how to get there.

    Help.
  • sarbar71
    sarbar71 Posts: 191 Member
    So - I have struggled with similar problems in the past, and still do when I start eating "trigger" foods. If I start eating, say, Oreos or candy,, chips, etc - I become a total freak and can't stop eating. So - - - what has finally worked for me is Whole Foods! Processed foods are designed to make us crave them. Companies spend billions of dollars trying to find ways to make these foods irresistible (and yes, addicting - try eliminating them for a few weeks and you will notice what a huge impact they have on you). If you eliminate processed foods from your diet the cravings will go away completely. I mean it - completely!

    I allow myself one cheat meal a week where I can have whatever I want to eat or drink, but then its right back to whole foods (I follow Paleo or Primal, personally). One meal allows for girls nights, date night, holidays, etc. and is manageable, but any more than 1 meal a week and my cravings come right back.
  • GFeltonLB
    GFeltonLB Posts: 10 Member
    Thanks for your reply Sabar,
    When I started on MyFitnessPal 60 days ago (I just noticed it's been 60 days!) I was like a gangbuster... not a jolly rancher, not a chip, not even a crumb of a cookie. And I was perfectly happy. But now that I am jogging more it seems my body is wanting more and I am not really wanting to give in because I'm afraid of that slippery slope. I do realize sodium is an issue. So little sodium it is easy for me to dehydrate.
    When I first started I was going to try the Paleo plan but I am afraid of constipation. I eat a LOT of veggies and fruit. But when I eat too much protein I tend to block up. Did you notice that on the Paleo plan? Meats have so few calories compared to processed foods, and sodium is even lower (unless you are looking at marinated meats. Shellfish is extremely high too it seems). I looked at the Paleo diet and veggies are not really in their focus, and fruits seem to be a serious no-no, but don't you need them to remain regular and for the energy carbohydrates offer? Constipation is an odd topic to discuss but it's just another part of our digestive process. What goes in has to come out, be it as exercize and sweat or be it as poop. It's a fact we have to address at times.
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
    I did a 24 day challenge where I eliminated dairy (except Greek yogurt), added sugars (fruit was okay, donuts were not), pop, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, "white" starches, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting. Basically try to stick to whole foods as much as possible. The first few days were tough, but by a week in my cravings were mostly gone. After the 24 days were over I mostly maintained that eating pattern because I felt awesome. It was like a 24 day rehab for my body.

    I started that May 2 and the only thing I still crave periodically is diet coke. There are certain foods that are I know are triggers for me, so I just don't eat them. I don't have the slightest interest in sweets, but I know if I eat a cupcake I'm going to start craving them again. Since I don't crave it now it seems smarter to just stay away.
  • sarbar71
    sarbar71 Posts: 191 Member

    When I first started I was going to try the Paleo plan but I am afraid of constipation. I eat a LOT of veggies and fruit. But when I eat too much protein I tend to block up. Did you notice that on the Paleo plan? Meats have so few calories compared to processed foods, and sodium is even lower (unless you are looking at marinated meats. Shellfish is extremely high too it seems). I looked at the Paleo diet and veggies are not really in their focus, and fruits seem to be a serious no-no, but don't you need them to remain regular and for the energy carbohydrates offer? Constipation is an odd topic to discuss but it's just another part of our digestive process. What goes in has to come out, be it as exercize and sweat or be it as poop. It's a fact we have to address at times.

    I eat tons of vegetables and at least 1 or 2 servings of fruit each day, so no - constipation has definitely not been a problem. In fact, I think I may be more regular than ever before - lol. I do eat quite a bit of protein but it is balanced with healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oils, nuts, avocados, etc) and fruits and vegetables as well. I am also a runner - I get my carbs from my fruits, vegetables, sweet potatoes, etc and it has been sufficient for me (although, I must admit - I am no marathon runner. Five miles is my go-to run.
  • sarbar71
    sarbar71 Posts: 191 Member
    I looked at the Paleo diet and veggies are not really in their focus, and fruits seem to be a serious no-no, but don't you need them to remain regular and for the energy carbohydrates offer? Constipation is an odd topic to discuss but it's just another part of our digestive process. What goes in has to come out, be it as exercize and sweat or be it as poop. It's a fact we have to address at times.

    I think that you may have read some "bad" info about Paleo. Low carb like Atkins will steer you away from fruits and certain vegetables like tomatoes because of their higher carb content but this is not the case with Paleo. In fact, vegetables should take up most of the room on your plate at each meal. Fruits are also okay, but they recommend limiting your intake to several servings a day to avoid getting too much sugar - lower sugar fruits are recommended like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, etc. although none are off limits. Often when people start eating Paleo, they inadvertently replace their sweets with tons of fruit which really isn't great for you either - everything in moderation. It is really just about eating whole or minimally processed foods while avoiding those that are known to cause health problems, inflammation, and an unhealthy gut response. I also eat some dairy - so technically I eat more Primal than Paleo.
  • GormanGhaste
    GormanGhaste Posts: 430 Member
    Maybe try being more aware of the body's signals, to differentiate between physical hunger and emotional hunger.
  • teagirlmedium
    teagirlmedium Posts: 679 Member
    Have you tried switching the stuff you binge on for the same basic thing just in a lower calorie version?
  • jan3974
    jan3974 Posts: 11 Member
    cravings for foods, the foods that aren't good for us, is like a smoker craving nicotine....it's an addiction in a way. You just have to tell your brain...no I'm not eating that...but I'm going to eat this instead.....that's my advice. I'm a former smoker and I LOVED my ciggy's but 8yrs ago I quit, cold turkey no gizmo's gadgets gum patches....just mind over matter. It was HARD!!!!!!!But the more I told myself.....the nicotine is gone out of your body....now the cravings are purely in the mind......the easier it got......I think food is like that. Only for me quiting smoking was easier than losing wt :( So I think the key is to learn to rule the mind and those damn hunger pangs!!!!!

    hope that helped...it's just my pov...g/l at school!
  • ninnyfurr74
    ninnyfurr74 Posts: 111 Member
    Maybe try being more aware of the body's signals, to differentiate between physical hunger and emotional hunger.

    I know this was a problem for me....whether it was stress or boredom, food, the tv, or a book were my go too things. Anything to escape. Portion control was another huge issue for me. Watch for your triggers, ask yourself are you really hungry? Wait 5 min and try to find something to distract yourself. If you still find yourself wanting something then eat but watch your portions, or try for a healthier substitute. Question, are you doing atkins? I tried that once, I found I couldn't sustain it due to cost, and I never want to experience those carb cravings ever again!!

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