Struggling with cravings
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beautifulwarrior18 wrote: »godlikepoetyes wrote: »So you will have to forgive me as I say...as an adult why not just say no to yourself after a serving?
Being an adult has nothing to do with it. If you have issues with binging and purging or depriving, it's a psychological problem, no just a weight issue. If you have not experienced it, then you cannot understand unless you really listen.
It's very likely that if she's craving sugar this bad she is addicted to it. (All an addiction is is your brain telling you that you need something you don't need so let's not argue about whether you can be addicted to sugar or not). It's like asking a heroine addict why not just do one hit, not quite as immediately dangerous but you get the point. If she wants to get her sugar cravings under control giving into them is not a wise choice.
I'd suggest completely cutting added sugar and artificial sweetners out of your diet to deal with these cravings for at least 4 weeks but preferably 8 or more. If those cravings last longer than a week or two it's likely because you still have sugar in your diet. Watch out for sneaky sugar in processed foods like ketchup and bread. Any time you're craving something sweet eat a piece of fruit. You'll find that after a few weeks of doing this most sweetened foods will become to sweet. Doing this has ruined heinz ketchup for me and that used to be my favorite because it much less sweet than hunts. But now all I can taste is the sugar. I can't even drink a diet soda anymore without feeling sick but I would eat fruit all day long if I could fit it in my macros! But beware if you fall off and start eating a lot of sugar again those cravings are going to come back. Whenever I restart my healthy eating because let's be real I fall off the wagon I always crave sugar something horrible the first week or two. But once I make it through a week it gets a lot easier to avoid.
Yah I won't go there with you as I have seen lots of threads go down hill very fast due to this....
And with that I am walking away from this thread as I refuse to even entertain the idea of sugar addiction...let alone it being equated to heroine.
Totally insulting to those recovering from an actual heroine addiction.4 -
godlikepoetyes wrote: »So you will have to forgive me as I say...as an adult why not just say no to yourself after a serving?
Being an adult has nothing to do with it. If you have issues with binging and purging or depriving, it's a psychological problem, no just a weight issue. If you have not experienced it, then you cannot understand unless you really listen.
I think in my case it is pysiological. It raises my blood sugar. Then, when it crashes, I need more to raise it. If I eat protein with simple carbs I can eat a small bit. But I can't eat simple carbs including sugar, wheat or corn flour by themselves or it causes cravings.
If I eat them in a meal with complex carbs, veggies, and lean protein I'm fine. I CAN eat a small ice cream or cookie after or with a meal. But if it were a stand alone late night snack it would trigger cravings.1 -
I think I may have undiagnosed metabolic syndrome but not full blown diabetes.0
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I struggle with cravings too - you might want to have a look around and see what kind of healthy sweet snacks you can get. I usually have some Greek yogurt with a flavoured protein powder mixed in, that usually kills my cravings - places like My Protein also sell calorie free flavour drops you can add to things like yogurt to get the sweetness you're craving in without the calories and fat!
Also, make sure you're not under eating. I was struggling really hard on 1400 calories with cravings, I've upped it to 1600 now and I've actually started losing more without half the cravings I used to have.0 -
Wow, what the broscience happened in this thread?
Wanting one sweet thing at the end of the day is not sugar addiction/binging/out of control. It's putting her 150 calories over her goal, still well below her maintenance calories, and not leading to extreme eating behavior. She's been restricting calories for a long time, long enough that she's missing foods she enjoys. Her behavior indicates she's capable of moderation; it's just a matter of deciding if she raises her calories a bit and gets to her desired weight a little slower or if she finds strategies to keep her at the same calorie goal.
There's several people in here projecting their own food issues on the OP. If you'd like to discuss your concerns about sugar addiction, insulin resistance, binging, etc., that would probably be best done in your own thread instead of hijacking hers.6 -
indiacaitlin wrote: »Also, make sure you're not under eating. I was struggling really hard on 1400 calories with cravings, I've upped it to 1600 now and I've actually started losing more without half the cravings I used to have.
That is awesome that you figured that out!0 -
I sometimes get like this too. There is no harm in having a little bit. Try dark chocolate as after one square I am usually satisfied as it is so rich. But could eat a full bar of milk choc. Also I find options hot chocolate sachets pretty good xx0
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mskessler89 wrote: »Wow, what the broscience happened in this thread?
Wanting one sweet thing at the end of the day is not sugar addiction/binging/out of control. It's putting her 150 calories over her goal, still well below her maintenance calories, and not leading to extreme eating behavior. She's been restricting calories for a long time, long enough that she's missing foods she enjoys. Her behavior indicates she's capable of moderation; it's just a matter of deciding if she raises her calories a bit and gets to her desired weight a little slower or if she finds strategies to keep her at the same calorie goal.
There's several people in here projecting their own food issues on the OP. If you'd like to discuss your concerns about sugar addiction, insulin resistance, binging, etc., that would probably be best done in your own thread instead of hijacking hers.
Sometimes I learn from other people's problems or issues. If they don't pertain "eat the chicken and spit out the bones".1 -
I misunderstood her original post. I looked back. I thought she'd said that she ate cream EGGS, not just one. I agree. This is neither binging nor "addiction."3
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I get a sweet craving every now and then too. I make sure NO foods are off limits but I do try to recognize what I want to use my calories for and what I don't. Yesterday, for example, I was craving chocolate in a huge way. I had a Nanaimo bar. I logged it and was I happy with the calories it used up? Not entirely but dam I enjoyed that bar !!!!
I stayed within my calorie goal yesterday but I didn't make the healthiest choices throughout the day. It's not going to deter me from my health journey though. I'm still working out 4-5 times a week, I log EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth (sorry-didn't mean to sound dirty lol) and I drink no less than 10 cups of water a day. I'm doing something right and it's working for me - I've lost 7.2 lbs since April 23
If you want the cream egg, eat the cream egg Make sure you log it and move on with life Sounds like you are doing awesome and should be proud of yourself. 1 -
godlikepoetyes wrote: »I misunderstood her original post. I looked back. I thought she'd said that she ate cream EGGS, not just one. I agree. This is neither binging nor "addiction."
I thought she was talking about Cadbury cream eggs-- not just one. Lol. 0 -
I get those too. My suggestion - there is a product (in the US) called Adora calcium supplements. They are a chocolate wafer, around 30 kcals that provides a bunch of calcium. That way, you get your chocolate fix AND you are getting calcium (with some magnesium too).
http://www.adoracalcium.com/
You can get this on Amazon or other online retailers.
Good luck!0 -
xjessicaxrx wrote: »Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now
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mskessler89 wrote: »Wow, what the broscience happened in this thread?
Wanting one sweet thing at the end of the day is not sugar addiction/binging/out of control. It's putting her 150 calories over her goal, still well below her maintenance calories, and not leading to extreme eating behavior. She's been restricting calories for a long time, long enough that she's missing foods she enjoys. Her behavior indicates she's capable of moderation; it's just a matter of deciding if she raises her calories a bit and gets to her desired weight a little slower or if she finds strategies to keep her at the same calorie goal.
There's several people in here projecting their own food issues on the OP. If you'd like to discuss your concerns about sugar addiction, insulin resistance, binging, etc., that would probably be best done in your own thread instead of hijacking hers.
Wow I am thankful to people like this you have restored my faith! Until this post I was thinking what the hell- Im a binge eater and have a sugar addiction similar to heroin now because I ate one cream egg hahahaha!2 -
Oh. I thought you really were having cravings!
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"Going mad for something chocolate or sweet" is different than " I think I'll go over my daily requirements by 150 calories".0
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robs_ready wrote: »xjessicaxrx wrote: »Even when I am full after a meal I am getting to the point where I am going mad for chocolate or something sweet! I eat well and stick to my meal plans within my calories during the day, The only sugar I usually eat all day is a banana for breakfast.
Then after my evening meal I blow it all and end up over my calories- today on a Cream egg! This is becoming a regular occurrence this last couple of weeks. Feeling guilty and disappointed in myself now
Had the same problem, replaced it with fruit, never got a craving again.
fruit can put you over goals as quick as chocolate can.
I have a half-empty bag of sweet cherries that totally confirms this.
OP - just work some sweets or chocolate into your calories. One of my favorites is Sanders dark chocolate and sea salt caramels. Rich, decadent, yummy and only 70 cals each.1 -
mskessler89 wrote: »Wanting one sweet thing at the end of the day is not sugar addiction/binging/out of control. It's putting her 150 calories over her goal, still well below her maintenance calories, and not leading to extreme eating .
This extra information is good to know considering she didn't include it in the original post. Thank you for the update! If that only puts her well below maintenance calories then no worries. I also read the OP wrong. Apologies.0 -
I really appreciate all the "reasonable" comments thank you, some others there are just no words for, some people are just crazy...
I feel much better today, I think I may have just restricted my sugar for so long and needed a treat.1 -
xjessicaxrx wrote: »
Not at all.0 -
I don't get the title of this thread though. It threw me off. I guess cravings for me are more extreme. 0
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Lolxjessicaxrx wrote: »0 -
Nice you don't have the more serious issues, though. You are fortunate.0
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I like to chew gum.. A LOT OF GUM and maybe fill up on a zero calorie beverage/diet soda. That and plan for the treat I want! Like someone else said, pre-log it. I actually do this with all my food most days to make sure everything I want fits and I'm hitting my goals (I count macros, not just calories.) 150 cal chocolate egg should be easy fit, especially if you're eating nutrient dense foods the rest of the day. Sometimes my "treats" rack up 400 calories! (my goal is 1500) That's usually something special on the weekend though. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you want the egg, eat the egg. Just log it and plan for it.1
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xjessicaxrx wrote: »My main concern is that I am doing it when I am not even hungry, after iv just finished a good sized meal? When I am actually hungry chocolate is the last thing I want... Am I just weird? Haha
Perhaps (as others mentooned) you could simply budget chocolate into your daily calories? 150 calories is a nice snack allowance.0 -
mskessler89 wrote: »Wow, what the broscience happened in this thread?
Wanting one sweet thing at the end of the day is not sugar addiction/binging/out of control. It's putting her 150 calories over her goal, still well below her maintenance calories, and not leading to extreme eating behavior. She's been restricting calories for a long time, long enough that she's missing foods she enjoys. Her behavior indicates she's capable of moderation; it's just a matter of deciding if she raises her calories a bit and gets to her desired weight a little slower or if she finds strategies to keep her at the same calorie goal.
There's several people in here projecting their own food issues on the OP. If you'd like to discuss your concerns about sugar addiction, insulin resistance, binging, etc., that would probably be best done in your own thread instead of hijacking hers.
Sometimes I learn from other people's problems or issues. If they don't pertain "eat the chicken and spit out the bones".
I respect that and understand learning from other people's experiences, but the OP had already elaborated on her situation. There were several posters (not just you) who glossed over her follow-up posts and provided advice not particularly relevant to her issue.I don't get the title of this thread though. It threw me off. I guess cravings for me are more extreme.
Everyone has different experiences with cravings. Yours is very intense; mine are certainly milder. I have different levels of cravings, too - there's days where a bite of chocolate sounds nice, and if it fits in my calories I'll have it, but if it doesn't I don't eat it and don't feel distressed about it in any way. Other days I want a burger, and my healthy leftovers won't be satisfying. I usually indulge this too, even if it blows out my calories for the day. I'm on point for the rest of the week, so it's fine. Then there's something I think of as the "binge craving" - I don't crave a specific food, I crave a massive volume of food. It's emotional. This is the one I ride out and don't indulge if at all possible. They're all some form of my brain signaling "I want this," but the intensity varies.0 -
xjessicaxrx wrote: »I really appreciate all the "reasonable" comments thank you, some others there are just no words for, some people are just crazy...
I feel much better today, I think I may have just restricted my sugar for so long and needed a treat.
Glad you're feeling better today hope you find a balance that works for you! 1 -
xjessicaxrx wrote: »My main concern is that I am doing it when I am not even hungry, after iv just finished a good sized meal? When I am actually hungry chocolate is the last thing I want... Am I just weird? Haha
No, I have a small amount of really good dark chocolate (or sugar free sweets) of some sort every night after dinner. In my brain, that signals the end of the meal. I could try to stop, but why? I plan it and make it fit into my calorie "budget." Then my brain is satisfied.0
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