I am on day 4 of low carb and I am craving sugar so bad. I have never been a big sweets eater and usually crave salty over sweet, but I am wondering if my craving for sugar is actually a craving for carbs in general like breads and stuff since it all kind of ties to sugar. Has anyone felt that way during week 1?

Scooter;

While I'm not generally a big supporter of the "willpower" preachers (when it's used to "blame" those unable to "just do it"), the "cravings" or "urges" you describe are experienced by many and for all too many, why they may "fail" to be able to stay on board. So you certainly aren't alone.

My bride (and first wife) and I have been down the road numerous times (both lo cal and now VLCHF), succeed, fall off the wagon, rinse, repeat.

This time though, it WILL be "different" - for each of us but for different reasons.

Both of us would be described by those who know us well as headstrong, stubborn, informed, and anything BUT lacking in willpower.

For her, there is no question that willpower will overpower the "urges" every time. Her experience mimics poster Leon's to a "T".

For me - not so much. My Italian heritage probably doesn't help but at some point homemade bread, pizza, pasta, and wine eventually win out, hands get thrown in the air, and "you only come this way once" takes the day.

UNTIL I found what I like to describe as "willpower in a bottle".

I KNOW the anti-drug "purists" will jump up and down at the mere suggestion, the "there's no magic bullet" crowd thump their chests and trot out the Dr (Wizard of) Ozzy platitudes but so be it.

What I also know is that (for me), utilization of a newly FDA approved "drug" has totally eliminated ANY "cravings", "urges", and feelings of hunger. By "totally" I mean that in the literal meaning of the word. I can honestly say that while using it I have "never", not once, come even close to feeling the urges or the "need" to eat (a feeling chemically induced by natural bodily function).

So, for me, it's a tradeoff - use a "drug" to ensure I'm able to not only "succeed" but, more importantly "sustain" a diet lifestyle that's orders of magnitude "better" for my long term health and will keep me OFF BP and T2D drugs in the future, OR, listen to the purists.

I chose what's behind door "A" - whether you (or anyone else) does or does not is THEIR choice, I only offer the suggestion for consideration and could care less which alternative anyone selects.

So what is this "miracle cure" (/snark)?

It's called Belviq, available by prescription only, may or may not be covered by your insurance provider, and likely never heard of by your docs.

There is another drug which was approved by the FDA at approximately the same time (begins with "Q") but they are TOTALLY different animals.

"Q" is essentially a proprietary blend of two generic drugs that have long been used by many diet docs "off label". Both drugs are generics and can be prescribed as such, (which saves a ton of money) - but it is also a "stimulant" with all the negative effects (heart) that most are familiar with regarding stimulants.

"B" is a completely "new" drug which functions in an entirely different manner, it's NOT a stimulant, does not attempt to modify metabolism, and relies on newly discovered science relating to a specific receptor that is responsible for the levels of satiety the brain reports back to you (thus your feelings of "urge" and "craving").

There is a TON of research (including the FDA clinical trial results and now over a year of "in the field evidence"). If you are interested in considering this approach, start with a googlemachine search of the word "belviq" (or just add a dot com and go to their site), or post back and I'll be glad to provide some direct links.

If you elect to proceed you will likely need to "convince" your docs to write the script so print out the stuff you'll need (clinical trial results, Dr prescribing info, etc) to do so.

"B" is only available in the US as of now (approval applications have been filed in a number of other countries and are under "review"), and there are strict requirements as to who is "eligible" (over 30 BMI or over 27 with one or more co-morbidities (BP e.g.), and others.