Sugar Cravings
clairehowieson
Posts: 6 Member
6 weeks ago I started eating healthy. My diet has completed changed for medical reasons.
No gluten, no dairy, low gi foods.
Generally it is going very well. I am to consume 1200 calories per day and I am exercising regularly. Resulting in a total 23lbs weight loss. However over the past 3 weeks by about day 7 of each week I become very moody, snappy, argumentative etc and I am having extreme sugar cravings for sweets eg. Haribo. Very high in sugar. The cravings start around day 5 then by day 7 I find I am having to indulge before returning to normal the next day. Anyone any idea why I would be having these cravings, they are really bad!
No gluten, no dairy, low gi foods.
Generally it is going very well. I am to consume 1200 calories per day and I am exercising regularly. Resulting in a total 23lbs weight loss. However over the past 3 weeks by about day 7 of each week I become very moody, snappy, argumentative etc and I am having extreme sugar cravings for sweets eg. Haribo. Very high in sugar. The cravings start around day 5 then by day 7 I find I am having to indulge before returning to normal the next day. Anyone any idea why I would be having these cravings, they are really bad!
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Replies
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Maybe you're restricting too much. Did you cut out gluten and dairy for medical reasons?
Having a treat every now and then isn't a bad thing. If you have the calories, maybe have a few gummy bears once in a while. For some, cutting things out completely can lead to binges.2 -
Yes I cut them out for medical reasons. Gluten intolerance was leaving me in agonising pain after eating and looking pregnant constantly. Dairy and low gi due to insulin resistance. Basically I need to control my insulin levels. Funny you say "binge" because I find that one day I want to eat sugar things excessively. Thank you very much for your response0
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Maybe you're restricting too much. Did you cut out gluten and dairy for medical reasons?
Having a treat every now and then isn't a bad thing. If you have the calories, maybe have a few gummy bears once in a while. For some, cutting things out completely can lead to binges.
And to add, are you eating back your exercise calories?0 -
No I'm not.0
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I'm trying to lose and thought it would defeat the purpose0
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You should eat back some of your calories and set your goal for approximately one pound per week, this will give you more calories per day and leave you less likely to binge. Losing weight fast is not working for you.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p11 -
I didn't intentionally lose weight fast, I thought it was just watet weight from bad bloating1
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Quinoa cakes are a new thing to me. gluten free and sweet
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjUkbnT3afNAhUrDsAKHSJyD-MQFggcMAA&url=http://teaspoonofspice.com/2013/05/cinnamon-brown-sugar-quinoa-snacking-cake-improv-challenge/&usg=AFQjCNFd3TCyo5R1TVBrTG6TD0leQkj-dg&sig2=O5vaj6ogH30jOKGfD9ceeA&bvm=bv.124272578,d.ZGg1 -
OP, can I ask what your stats are? The water weight loss is usually only within the first two weeks.0
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1200 might be lower than you need, especially if you are exercising.
Beyond that, I think people often pay too much attention to what they are not eating and not what they are. I find that having a satisfying diet prevents me from craving things for the most part -- that means enough protein, and foods I enjoy. If there are sugary foods you love that you are having to cut out for medical reasons, are there other foods that you can eat instead? For example, I really love spicy foods and cheese and pickles so if I want a treat and don't want something sweet, I'll include those kinds of foods -- spicy dinner, or a snack of a pickle or after dinner treat of some high-quality cheese. Also, you might want to explore if there are ways to include sweet treats (although less sugary than a gummi bear) as part of your diet. Not knowing the specifics or the reasons it's hard to say, but for example a pear can be very sweet in taste and make a lovely dessert without some of the insulin issues that some have with other forms of treats (more fiber) and often that can be offset by including more fat and protein (eat it immediately after dinner or with some fat like non sweetened whipping cream). Dark chocolate also works for some. Or I've made puddings with sweet potatoes (and various other things -- chia pudding is good) that are only moderately sweetened and still delicious.2 -
clairehowieson wrote: »Yes I cut them out for medical reasons. Gluten intolerance was leaving me in agonising pain after eating and looking pregnant constantly. Dairy and low gi due to insulin resistance. Basically I need to control my insulin levels. Funny you say "binge" because I find that one day I want to eat sugar things excessively. Thank you very much for your response
You can eat dairy.. just look for full fat and hard cheese. Aim to get foods with high fiber content and try to mix fats, proteins and carbs when you eat to slow absorption. But it would probably also benefit to up your calories. Even if we take out the first few weeks, you are probably losing 2 lbs a week, which puts your maintenance levels at 2200. This means you can still eat 1500-1800 and lose at a good pace, which makes sticking with this easier.1 -
If my calories are too low, I get intense cravings for sweets - it's my body's way of telling me it wants more energy and wants it fast. Either raise your calorie goal or start eating back at least 50% of your exercise calories. MFP has already built in a deficit for you, and by not eating your exercise calories you're creating a much larger deficit than you need. Slower weight loss is usually more sustainable long-term.0
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mskessler89 wrote: »If my calories are too low, I get intense cravings for sweets - it's my body's way of telling me it wants more energy and wants it fast. Either raise your calorie goal or start eating back at least 50% of your exercise calories. MFP has already built in a deficit for you, and by not eating your exercise calories you're creating a much larger deficit than you need. Slower weight loss is usually more sustainable long-term.
All of this.
You mentioned restricting gluten, dairy, and low GI foods, are you specifically cutting out sugar as well? By eating more calories total and focusing on satiating foods, you may find the cravings for sweets diminish. Or, you may find working them into your diet in moderation amounts is an approach that allows you to improve your health by eliminating the foods that cause you problems but still have foods you enjoy (or alternatives) in your diet.2 -
Perhaps you need to separate issues for a bit. You just found out 6 weeks ago you have all these issues and radically changed your style of eating all at once. On top of that, you decided to lose weight and eat only 1200 calories. That is a LOT of change all at once. Perhaps you should get used to your new diet (different foods) - and reap the benefits of no pain or bloating and regular insulin levels - while eating at maintenance (and getting used to logging if you are not already). Once you are stabilized on that, then gradually decrease the calories until you start losing weight at a reasonable pace.
One thing at a time usually sticks better than a wholesale complete life change all at once.3 -
Definitely start eating some of those exercise calories back. I don't eat them but I'm eating more than you per day, and I know they are there if I need them.0
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5ft 4inch weighing 207.5lbs 6 weeks ago.
My weight is a result of a condition I have suffered from for 15 years. 7 months ago an astronomical increase in my weight over an extremely short period of time as a result of my condition worsening gave me problems with my feet making it difficult for me to walk. I wash advised to follow 1200 calorie a day diet to reduce my weight in addition to this I was told it was time to finally cut gluten and dairy out of my diet. My calories are made up of 40% Carbs, 30% Fat and 30% Protein and I am very strict about following these guidelines. I was also advised to increase my exercise however this is where I have become very obsessive and cannot go a day without exercising. 11 years ago I overcame 8 years of suffering from bulimia however anytime I do manage to lose weight like now I am terrified of putting it back on and this makes the obsession worse. I do believe that many of you are right and I am not consuming enough calories given my 400+ calorie burn but apart from 1 day a week where the sugar cravings get too much to handle and I binge, where I end of feeling very guilty I struggle to push my calorie intake. It has only been in the last 2 weeks I have managed to increase my intake to 1200 calories. I do log all my food and I am meticulous about weighing everything. I am not cutting out sugar completely. I think unfortunately I may have more than weight issues to overcome. Many thanks for all your comments, I just need to try bring myself to try and consume more calories to try and combat my urges for sugar. I know this is best just don't know how I am going to do it...0 -
As someone who has also battled bulimia, I'd very much recommend seeing a therapist throughout this process. If you're struggling with obsessive thoughts and behaviors, you really need to work on getting your mind in a healthy place before you try to lose weight. You don't want to fall back into the place you were in before, and based on your description of guilt and compulsion to exercise you're setting yourself up for trouble. Get the support you need, and don't hurt yourself
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Hi Claire, I was and sometimes I still have some problems with binging and purging. ..I really suggest you to read this book called "brain over binge". It might not solve the problem, but the girl that wrote it, suffered from bulimia for many years and now she is completely recovered. ..I am recovering by myself, with self control and setting real and not too difficult goals...anytime I want something sweet, I eat Greek yoghurt with Walden farm syrup (almost 0 calories / 0 sugar syrup ) .
I wish you good luck as I completely understand how difficult is to resist binging. X1 -
Are you eating fruit? You can choose low gi fruits. That should help. I would stay away from artificial sweeteners also.1
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Try fat free whipped cream over SF Jello. YUM!!!!0
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