I CAN'T KNOCK THIS CRAVING. Need an alternative

Hello all. I've been on my weight loss journey since March of 2013, so about a year. I have lost 76 pounds, and am now down to 131. My goal is 125, but i can't get there thanks to my addiction to wawa french vanilla cappuccinos. Yes i know they're high calorie, high sugar, high saturated fat, highly unhealthy. But they're sooooo good! They really hit the spot, especially when i'm watching my shows on sunday and tuesday nights. I used to drink a 12 oz maybe 1 or 2 times a week but now i'm up to a 20 oz 3-4 times a week, and worse, got my cousin addicted (to the smores variety). The reason i started drinking them is when i got down to 131, i was like "i can add a LITTLE more calories to my diet, i'll just lose the last few pounds slower than i used to." besides, you lose weight slower as you get smaller anyway, depending on your exercise. But i had a completely clean diet of lean meat, good fats like nuts, and fruits and vegetables. So this altercation probably hit my body hard, and negatively. But i can't stop, i need a tasty hot coffee alternative that's lower calorie and healthier. But please don't say "regular coffee" as i DESPISE the taste.

Please help! And please, no trolling. It's not funny, it's just annoying.

Thanks to any who give an educated or well thought out answer. :)

Replies

  • Iknowsaur
    Iknowsaur Posts: 777 Member
    I like green tea lattes o:
    I don't know if they'll really solve your problem though.
    If it fits into your calories, I don't know why it's such a problem D:
  • breeshabebe
    breeshabebe Posts: 580
    Why not scale back again to your 12oz and eat less of something else through out the day if they are that important?
  • girlschmoopie
    girlschmoopie Posts: 140 Member
    First, commit to going back to your 12 oz. instead of the 20 oz. Even if you still allow yourself to have it 3-4 times a week, it is nearly half the calories of what you are having now.

    Or look into making your own, and use lower calorie ingredients.
  • Owl_Green
    Owl_Green Posts: 99 Member
    I wonder if French vanilla tea would do in a pinch? You might have to add milk to get the creamier texture you're used to. Otherwise, I think the others were right when they said get the smaller one and enjoy it.
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    Buy the smaller size. Your body doesn't NEED 20 oz to feel that the craving is satisfied, you've just made it a habit so it seems that way.

    I personally mix chocolate or vanilla whey protein powder in with black coffee. It's delicious and it benefits my macro goals a little more than the standard cream and sugar filled specialty coffees.
  • BarbellBlondieRuns
    BarbellBlondieRuns Posts: 511 Member
    I don't like black coffee at all but I love this: Folgers Mocha Swirl coffee with 1T of Coldstone Creamer Sweet Cream creamer. 35 calories and yummy. Even if you use double the creamer, it'd still be way less cals than you're consuming.
  • trevnem
    trevnem Posts: 93 Member
    I agree with shortening the amount you're consuming, I love chai lattes, but I have them with soy and only a couple times a month, maybe if you start lowering your consumption you will lessen the craving, its all about will power honey, and I know you have it because you've come this far!!! Tell yourself NO :)
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    OK - switch it up - I used to drink those too!

    Now I make my own ICED coffees at home, but I suppose you could drink it hot as well

    First I make my own syrup - not perfect, but less cals than buying Torini

    Boil a cup of brown sugar with 1 cup water (or any equal ratio) I even sometimes add a little extra water.
    Let cool and store in bottle/jar in fridge.

    I use a pint glass - fill/pack with ice - 2 TBSP Syrup, 2 TBSP Fat Free French Vanilla CoffeeMate, fill with regular coffee and stir.

    This comes to about 75-80 calories a glass - and I drink 2 a day (one morning, one after lunch). Takes care of my coffee and a bit of the sweet craving for the day and still stay in my calorie goal for the day.

    Your calories may be a little different if you add more of either ingredient. (note the value for the brown sugar is 1/2 of that on the package because you are mixing 1/2 water).
  • lnxjenn
    lnxjenn Posts: 64 Member
    Try a vanilla Chai tea or try a coffee with a sugar free vanilla syrup or flavour instead. Those should be fairly acceptable replacements. The FF Coffeemate isn't a bad idea either.
  • strawberriekt24
    strawberriekt24 Posts: 61 Member
    If you have a Keurig, look into Grove Square French Vanilla Cappuccinos (and other flavors too). They are so tasty, and 80 cals for the cup.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    I eat a lot of stuff like cakes, cheesecake and so on.
    HOWEVER, I generally make a point of only doing so when I've met protein targets and it's either late in the day or I've got it planned out that I won't be hungry late.

    Often because I've done exercise. In fact, a couple of times recently I've had say 300 calories left. Cycle to the big supermarket a few miles away and burn another 400 givining me a now pretty respectable 700 calories of treat.

    So, I'd force myself to 'earn' the calories before consuming them - and now 'borrowing' from a day ahead!

    Have you tried having them with skimmed milk, maybe taking some of the stuff a bit easier?
    I'll drink skimmed milk to get a bit of protein in on occasion if I've got the calories spare for some carbs too.
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    First, commit to going back to your 12 oz. instead of the 20 oz. Even if you still allow yourself to have it 3-4 times a week, it is nearly half the calories of what you are having now.

    Or look into making your own, and use lower calorie ingredients.


    worth a try!!!! PORTION CONTROL! ;)
  • raventwo
    raventwo Posts: 91 Member
    I adore The Republic of Tea's Red Tea - Good Hope Vanilla (a rooibos tea blended with vanilla bean).
  • rayraex
    rayraex Posts: 50
    What about a smoothie? Maybe some almond milk, banana, vanilla extract and cinnamon? It would be good for you and have that creamy vanilla taste you're craving.
  • It matters because calories are not all i care about. If that were the case i wouldn't havebeen on a clean diet. I also care about my health, which is why i'm asking for alternatives. Maybe i made the topic too much about losing the last 6 lbs and not enough about lowering the sugar/fat content. Even the small 12 oz has 7.5g of saturated fat in it. I like my arteries unclogged, thanks. And thank you to those who gave me alternatives to look into. :)

    I love the smoothie idea but it has to be a hot alternative.

    I'm loving all of your feedback though <3
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    It matters because calories are not all i care about. If that were the case i wouldn't havebeen on a clean diet. I also care about my health, which is why i'm asking for alternatives. Maybe i made the topic too much about losing the last 6 lbs and not enough about lowering the sugar/fat content. Even the small 12 oz has 7.5g of saturated fat in it. I like my arteries unclogged, thanks. And thank you to those who gave me alternatives to look into. :)

    I love the smoothie idea but it has to be a hot alternative.

    I'm loving all of your feedback though <3

    When you stop labeling foods good and bad, it makes losing weight and life in general much easier.
  • YES! I will give that a try. 15g of sugar and 0g fat kicks my cappuccinos *kitten* :) portion is a bit small but aye what can ya do.
  • Yes but like i said, i don't only care about losing weight. "bad foods" are what give you heart disease and diabetes", so yeah i'm going to label lol.i'm not saying im going to cut them out completely, but 7.5g of saturated fat and 23g of sugar is a bit intense for a drink.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    It matters because calories are not all i care about. If that were the case i wouldn't havebeen on a clean diet. I also care about my health, which is why i'm asking for alternatives. Maybe i made the topic too much about losing the last 6 lbs and not enough about lowering the sugar/fat content. Even the small 12 oz has 7.5g of saturated fat in it. I like my arteries unclogged, thanks. And thank you to those who gave me alternatives to look into. :)

    I love the smoothie idea but it has to be a hot alternative.

    I'm loving all of your feedback though <3

    If you're that bothered, just stop drinking them.
  • glassgallm
    glassgallm Posts: 276 Member
    I make my own cappuchino with skim milk: first make some strong coffee. In the mug you'll be using pour in about 1/3 cup of skim milk. Add a teasp. of sugar ( or the fake stuff if you use it, I don't add any sweetener). Microwave the mug of milk until hot and steamy (depending on your microwave 40 sec to 1 min or so). Remove from oven and get out a whisk.(Add a little vanilla or other extract if you want.) Roll the whisk handle between your 2 palms vigorously to froth the milk (this is a workout itself!) When the milk has at least doubled in volume carefully pour the coffee into the milk to fill up the cup. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
  • D_squareG
    D_squareG Posts: 361 Member
    I like the Baileys Mudslide creamer. It is 35 calories for a T. I add some sweetner as well.
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    Yes but like i said, i don't only care about losing weight. "bad foods" are what give you heart disease and diabetes", so yeah i'm going to label lol.i'm not saying im going to cut them out completely, but 7.5g of saturated fat and 23g of sugar is a bit intense for a drink.

    quit labeling foods as good or bad and if you are eating 'clean' most of the rest of the time, it isn't going to kill you.
  • kristendeyell
    kristendeyell Posts: 80 Member
    Try David's Tea, they have a ton of flavours! I'm very addicted!
  • Telomin
    Telomin Posts: 45 Member
    When I get ANY craving at all, and not wanting to give in to it, I take a few bites of picked ginger (the kind they use to sushi). It's sweet, but ginger is quite good for the body, and since the flavour is strong, you kinda don't want any thing else afterwards.
  • sue_langley
    sue_langley Posts: 63 Member
    Maybe sip the smaller one reeeaaally slowly that way it felt like you had more, and the joy or pleasure you experience lasts that much longer.. Sounds weird but this concept works. Try :-)
  • doctorsookie
    doctorsookie Posts: 1,084 Member
    Cold turkey. Your have to decide what is more important. Your goals and your health, or your sweet tooth. Three weeks ago I finally took a look at how many calories I was Ted daily putting cream and sugar in my coffee. So one Saturday we were at a diner and they only had sweet and low at the table and plain non dairy cream. On a whim I drank my coffee black. And I haven't gone back. I decided I would rather have this 180 calories to eat real food or not eat those 180 calories at all. So, this is the only advice I can offer as I have to do everything cold turkey or I will find a way to justify just a little.

    Good luck.