Sugar cravings suck!

I would solve this dilemma by eating sugar. But that's just me. :bigsmile:

shell1005 wrote: »

I don't have sugar cravings or at least I haven't in a long time. I believe this is because I eat all foods in moderation.

Y'know, now that you mention it, I really don't either. I know I will want a snack at night, so I have it and that's that. I used to think I was a "can't start or I'll eat the whole box" type of person but I think that's because I made the food forbidden, so once I had one and "broke the rules," I figured I might as well eat them all and that would get the food out of the house so I could start over tomorrow. I know this may not be true for everyone, it's just my experience.

tsroberts5 wrote: »

Every night around 6 I get sugar cravings. I'm doing everything possible to keep myself busy so I do not give in. I've even tried eating fruit and drinking a big glass of water to see if it helps and still have this horrible craving. When do the sugar cravings get easier? I just don't know how much longer I can avoid the cravings...

Your diary is closed, so I can't see what or how much you are eating in general, but here are some suggestions which might help:

1. Identify the source of the craving. Are you in fact still hungry, or are you having a craving as a result of a habit you've formed of eating sweets each night? Could it be something else driving the craving?

2. If you are hungry, take a look at your diary. Are you eating enough in general? If not, it might just be hunger, in which case eating more will help. What about your macros (carbs, protein, and fat) and fiber intake? Different people find different macro intakes satiating; I find that having a higher fat and fiber intake seems to stave off hunger and cut cravings for me. It might be different for you, but playing around with your macros could make a difference.

3. If it's a habit, then it's just a matter of changing your behavior if not eating sweets is something you want to do. It sounds like you are already doing all the usual stuff (finding something to keep busy, choosing a substitute for sweets by eating fruits), so that leads me to believe that you might have luck adjusting your diet. I don't think there's much advice to give that you aren't already implementing.

4. For something else - stress, emotional eating, or fatigue can also be causes for sugar cravings. Make sure you are getting enough rest, and if you do think your cravings could be driven by more than just habit or dietary choices, exploring why you turn to sugary things based on emotions can be helpful changing that behavior. Some people are able to do it on their own with just being aware and mindful; others will work with a therapist to help develop coping skills unrelated to eating.

Since you didn't go into much detail in your post, I'm not sure which (if any) of these suggestions will be helpful to you, but I hope I was able to give you some ideas.

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Try pre-logging your day's to include a yummy at this time.

Or, try taking a 2 week break from refined sugars and fruit. See if you feel more in control, then add back healthier foods with sugars. (yes, there are healthier foods with sugars)

I find that when I eat more sweets or things with fast acting sugars (like those found in sweets, processed grain products, etc.), I crave them more. So for me, I started cutting back on those and making other choices -- often high fiber fruit, yogurt, etc. My overall added sugar went down a lot (I didn't realize how much my diet had until I specifically tracked it).

I found that a lot of my cravings disappeared or were greatly reduced at this point and a lot of things (especially fruit) tasted a lot sweeter and more satisfying. I suppose it's a tolerance thing -- just like booze. You cut back or take a break from it for a while, your tolerance goes down so a little goes a lot longer than it used to. I think that's part of the idea of some of the "detox" approaches -- to reset your threshold tolerance levels.

I also find that adequate sleep and consistent exercise majorly help with these cravings too. When I'm not as stressed/fatigued, I'll crave sweets a LOT less and the exercise tends to make me crave healthier alternatives. The cookies just don't look all that good anymore (or it's only the really high quality cookies that seem worth it -- the junkier chips ahoy, oreos, etc. have no appeal anymore).

tsroberts5 wrote: »

Every night around 6 I get sugar cravings. I'm doing everything possible to keep myself busy so I do not give in. I've even tried eating fruit and drinking a big glass of water to see if it helps and still have this horrible craving. When do the sugar cravings get easier? I just don't know how much longer I can avoid the cravings...

Fruit is sugar, so you are having some. Do you mean you are craving something more gooey and sweet, such as candies or cake or cookies, and those are the types of foods you don't want to eat at that time of day?

I don't have sugar cravings, but I do work sugar into my diet each day by way of fruit, vegetables, and some good treats! I use moderation in all foods, therefore I don't feel deprived at all. I learned how to do this early on because I know I can eat whatever I want and still manage my weight, I just can't eat as much as I want to, or as much as I used to when I was fat.

Also, if I cut foods from my diet, even sweet stuff, I will crave it so much more. It's only since I've been practicing moderation that I have been able to eat everything I love.

oyChihuahua wrote: »

Try upping the protein content of your diet.
Are you getting enough calories? How big is your planned daily calorie deficit?
Also, try mixing in a variety of different tastes (sour, bitter, salty, etc.) in your foods.

Good luck!

This too.

Eat a chocolate bar! Allow yourself the spare calories and enjoy it - if it's what you crave, there is no reason why you shouldn't have it, just keep it within your daily calories and you're good to go!

Yes sugar cravings do suck. Even when I've gone months without any added sugar or even fruit sugar, now and then a craving would pop up out of the blue. What would suck more is when I'd say, ah well, I bet I can have that now, no problem. I've changed. I can eat just a little, or eat it just today, and then get right back on track.

Wrong!

tsroberts5 wrote: »

Every night around 6 I get sugar cravings. I'm doing everything possible to keep myself busy so I do not give in. I've even tried eating fruit and drinking a big glass of water to see if it helps and still have this horrible craving. When do the sugar cravings get easier? I just don't know how much longer I can avoid the cravings...

A simple tip is to give yourself permission to eat what you are craving...just not right at that moment.

Tell yourself that if you still want the chocolate / biscuit / cake in an hour you will have it. Budget it into your daily goal and enjoy it if you do decide to eat it. You may be surprised that on many occasions you decide to forgo it.

For many people feeling deprived can make a craving much worse. Take away the feeling and its power lessens and becomes manageable.