insulin resistance

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stephaniesowers140
stephaniesowers140 Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I talked to my doctor about my uncontrollable sugar cravings and she said its because of my insulin resistance. so my question is for anyone who has insulin resistance what do you do when you crave sugar?
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  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
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    I have bad insulin resistance.

    Bananas.
    Strawberries with light cool whip.
    Kozy shack 90 calorie chocolate pudding with light cool whip.
    Frozen blueberries.
    Piece of dark chocolate.
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
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    After about a week the cravings go away. I use to fight it until it just went away. Regular servings of fruits really helped curve the cravings for it.

    I WOULDN'T eat small bits of candy or small servings of junk. It will just make your body crave it more.
  • toscarthearmada
    toscarthearmada Posts: 382 Member
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    I have bad insulin resistance.

    Bananas.
    Strawberries with light cool whip.
    Kozy shack 90 calorie chocolate pudding with light cool whip.
    Frozen blueberries.
    Piece of dark chocolate.

    Is there such a thing as BAD insulin resistance? Isn't it all relatively bad? Isn't the BAD IR diabetes?
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
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    I have bad insulin resistance.

    Bananas.
    Strawberries with light cool whip.
    Kozy shack 90 calorie chocolate pudding with light cool whip.
    Frozen blueberries.
    Piece of dark chocolate.

    Is there such a thing as BAD insulin resistance? Isn't it all relatively bad? Isn't the BAD IR diabetes?

    Some people aren't as insulin resistant as others. A simple blood test can show this.

    I am no where close to being diabetic- not even pre-diabetic. I'm hypoglycemic, so I have the opposite problem actually.

    Just because a person is insulin resistant doesn't mean they are diabetic. They MIGHT become diabetic if IR is left untreated. People often misunderstand that.
  • FrankJ3rd
    FrankJ3rd Posts: 10 Member
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    I am Insulin dependent, and know how difficult this can be.
    Try dark chocolate with at least 70% cocao. The high fat content is very satisfying/filling and you'll only need to eat a couple squares. Contrary to conventional wisdom, carbs and not fat make you fat. I don't eat grains and keep carb intake to less than 100 grams per day. I get all the carbs I need from nuts, vegetables and some fruit
  • bribrijean234
    bribrijean234 Posts: 90 Member
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    Ghiradelli twilight intense dark chocolate square (72% cocoa) with a tiny bit of peanut butter or almond butter spread across the top :)
  • AmyZ46
    AmyZ46 Posts: 694 Member
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    I used to get terrible cravings when I drnk soda or diet soda now it's just when I eat too many carbs .



    I just try reconize that if I eat too many carbs I'll have to fight the cravings and that usually happens on Monday for me because Sunday is my carb day ..Monday I usually crave sweets but can handle it with some fruit for breakfast and of course through out the day a little cheese helps or . a little peanut butter on celery ... small amts of fruit ...
  • stephaniesowers140
    stephaniesowers140 Posts: 5 Member
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    thanks for the tips everyone, i will definitely try them. I have done good the last few days but its a vicious cycle, I go two or three weeks with out sugar then I give into my cravings (mostly because of stress) and go on a sugar binge, I know I have to stop this but its very hard.
  • stephaniesowers140
    stephaniesowers140 Posts: 5 Member
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    the problem I have is once I have just the tiniest bit of sugar I want more and more and I cant stop I fell completely out of control
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
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    the problem I have is once I have just the tiniest bit of sugar I want more and more and I cant stop I fell completely out of control

    Ok, stop. Hold on. How many calories are you eating on average?

    When I read things like this, it makes me guess that you're simply not eating enough normally, and you binge because you're starving your brain. So, let's say, in my example, you're eating 1200 calories every day -- but you SHOULD be eating 1400 calories. You keep eating too low, then once every two weeks, you're down a total of 2800 calories TOO low (2800 lower than the deficit you need to lose weight and maintain your brain) so then your body has access to some sugar. You eat it. Then you keep eating until you're back to the calorie level your body wants.

    In my experience, if you simply ate 1400 every day (in my example) you would binge less when sugar is around. Since you won't be as hungry for needed calories.

    [Edited for some clarification]
  • utahshelly
    utahshelly Posts: 7 Member
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    Are you on medication for your insulin resistance? Ive got the same thing, along with PCOS. So, not only does my body turn insulin into extra fat cells, but the PCOS is causing me to be infertile. I blame it 100% on my diet. I know I did it to myself. I have tried and tried to curb my cravings, with no luck. I would end up getting so emotionally upset, or angry at myself, and I would always give in. I always instantly felt better at first, then HATED myself after. SO... I went to my doctor, we talked for a while, and decided to try a couple of meds. I am now on Januvia and Phentermine. Januvia to help with my insulin, and Phentermine to help with my uncontrollable cravings. Today is day 4, and honestly, I feel SO much better. Im eating so much better, and NO MORE SODA/SUGAR cravings!!! Some people cant handle Phentermine, but Im ok with it so far. I hope you find the help that you need... =)
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
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    I talked to my doctor about my uncontrollable sugar cravings and she said its because of my insulin resistance. so my question is for anyone who has insulin resistance what do you do when you crave sugar?

    The two things that have helped me with insulin resistance are (1) low carb Primal diet and (2) trying metaformin (too early to tell if it's working yet, but it looks promising). I'm not sure if the Primal aspect is really important for insulin resistance or not, but I started following it because I was having major fatigue, among other issues, and it was literally the only thing that worked for me. I later found out that I had a thyroid condition that was causing the fatigue, or at least most of it (Hashi's). They suspect that certain things in the diet may trigger the auto-immune response of Hashi's, causing me to go hypothyroid.

    The insulin resistance was a surprise, but totally makes sense on why I was having so much difficulty losing weight even at a significant deficit (700 cals/day). When I was diagnosed with these, my specialist specifically recommended a low carb Paleo diet and was happy to hear that I'd already been eating that way for over a year (felt better with the fatigue caused by Hashi's but only able to maintain weight -- but at least I didn't gain anymore). Low-carb helps regulate the crazy insulin response those of us with insulin resistance have, and as you lose weight, helps reduce the insulin resistance for many people.

    Since starting metformin after the insulin resistance was diagnosed, I definitely notice an even greater reduction in sugar cravings. It's only been 3 weeks, so it's a little too early to tell, but I definitely notice less sugar/carb cravings and I'm starting to see weight go. But, it will take another month or two to see if the weight loss trend continues -- I am eating very well and exercising -- so I'm doing the work, just that metformin is hopefully helping me to metabolize carbs correctly and not having thos big insulin spikes anymore that made it so impossible to lose weight. For the moment, I'm optimistic.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
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    I go two or three weeks with out sugar then...
    Don't cut it out entirely, cut it back significantly. Be disciplined, do not cave in and binge. Do this for two or three months and your sugar cravings will dissipate.
  • twinteensmom
    twinteensmom Posts: 371 Member
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    I am insulin resistant and have PCOS. I have been taking Metformin(a diabetic medicine) for just about 9 years now. Recently, my doctor wanted to cut the dose in half, thinking that since I had lost so much weight, I might not be insulin resistant any longer. Well, let me tell you, my carb cravings went through the roof!!. I was eating everything I could reach, even to the point of getting sick. After regaining some weight and a call to my doctor, I went back on a full dose and the carb cravings settled down. Just a thought.
  • FrankJ3rd
    FrankJ3rd Posts: 10 Member
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    Our bodies/genes will adapt to and then demand to run on what we eat regularly. Eating too much sugar or carbs, which are immediately converted to sugar, will cause an Insulin spike .The body cells become Insulin resistant over time and greater amounts of Insulin are needed. Insulin also causes our bodies to produce Leptin which tells the brain when we are full. Eating too much sugar causes too much of an Insulin response. This causes an abnormal production of Leptin. Too much Leptin will make the brain Leptin resistant. So as a result, you won't know when to stop eating the food choices you have unwittingly trained your body to demand.

    Once you begin taking meds to make your Pancreas overproduce Insulin, it will eventually quit altogether. Then you will become dependent on injected Insulin. Beside being extremely expensive, compensating with injected Insulin for the food you eat is fraught with other side effects which include increased appetite. and weight gain. This becomes a vicious cycle. Why would you want to eat something you had to compensate for by injecting a substance that will case further problems?

    Since my doctor believed in treating symptoms by writing prescriptions rather than eliminating causes thru education, I learned all this when it was too late to reverse the process. There is no easy way to unlearn bad eating habits. It takes a whole lot of motivation and self control. Eliminating grains, corn is a grain too, staying away from processed food, and increasing protein and fat in your diet will help. It's not about being on a diet; it's a total. lifestyle change.

    Question: If bread is so good for you, why do they have to put vitamins in it?
  • stephaniesowers140
    stephaniesowers140 Posts: 5 Member
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    my dr put me on metformin I have been on it for 3 years now. I didnt know there was a medicine to help with cravings I will have to look into that
  • lupinesse
    lupinesse Posts: 1 Member
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    I've gotten off sugar cravings by followings ways:

    1) Enough sleep - I strive to sleep at least 8 hrs every night. I'm more prone to sugar cravings if I'm tired.
    2) Cutting off all sweeteners, cold turkey - It took about three days until the worst cravings subsided. No sugar, honey, maple syrup, stevia, xylitol, artificial sweeteners, not even fruits for the first days. Your body will adjust itself.
    3) Enough fat and protein. I follow paleo diet so I use butter, animal fat and coconut fat in cooking, keeps me full for long time.
    4) Gymnema sylvestre (http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Gymnema-Standardized-60-Capsules/1913) is a herb that lessens cravings. It was a huge help to me when I was starting my sugar detox.

    Hope this helps!
  • LadyBoss_1989
    LadyBoss_1989 Posts: 121 Member
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    I just started with Pro Nutra Fit 15 (protein powder)
    It contains 1 gram of sugar, also Milk and Soy, as well as some artificial flavors.
    Does that mean there is "Added" sugar? or is this a natural Sugar?
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
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    I just started with Pro Nutra Fit 15 (protein powder)
    It contains 1 gram of sugar, also Milk and Soy, as well as some artificial flavors.
    Does that mean there is "Added" sugar? or is this a natural Sugar?

    It's probably considered added sugar, as most processed items are going to have added sugar. But, people usually mean that in the way of adding extra sweetness to things. Like you have canned peaches which then are added extra sugar to make them sweeter as opposed to peaches that are canned just in their natural juices (which would be the natural sugar).

    With protein powder, there is almost always going to be added sugar, to some extent -- though perhaps that's just part of the whey refining process (hard to telL0. You just need to see how much there is and if that works for you. 1 gram seems very low.
  • LadyBoss_1989
    LadyBoss_1989 Posts: 121 Member
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    Only 1 gram but im trying to knock out all "added" sugar and keep natural sugars as low as possible.

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