What do you do when you are craving sweets?! Besides fruit or peanut butter?

I've mentioned these a few times on here but they make mini drumsticks (ice cream cones) that are 110 calories. Also dark chocolate.

Sometimes the simplest snack is the best. And while I can't have much sodium, I am finding out that an occasional processed food is within the sodium and calorie range. SO, may I introduce:

You can buy a box of them at WalMart for $2.45 or so. The good thing about them is that, because they're small, you get several in a pack and if you suck on them or take small nibbles you get enough sweet, slow enough, that the little pack satisfies.

120 calories per pack and a mere 75 mg sodium.

I love baking shortbread cookies and while these aren't exactly the same (or even close to a Lorna Doone) they're actually quite good!

amusedmonkey wrote: »

I ask myself if I really really want something, or if it's just a passing craving. If I decide I really do want it and I'm sure I'm not doing it on impulse, I plan it into my day and see how I can fit it. If I can't fit it in today, I plan it for tomorrow.

ETA: since I'm prone to impulse eating, I make sure to plan these things for later. For example, if I want something in the afternoon, I plan it as an evening snack. This takes impulse out of it, and if I still want it by the time I have it planned, I have it. Sometimes I just don't want it anymore.

This is how I generally handle it:

That is a great method for being mindful! It is important to have a plan and not be impulsive, but if you can fit a sweet treat into your plan, then go ahead and do it!

jgnatca wrote: »

Check out the calories of a single hard candy. It’s not much. And you can suck it slowly.

There are sugar free Sorbitol candies at my Bulk Barn.

Be careful with those lol. Only eat 1 serving a day

Oh, and to the OP: Be aware that peanut butter is quite horrifically caloric for the small amount that you get per serving. For the 'cost' of a tablespoon of PB, there's a lot of other things you could have instead.

girlwithcurls2 wrote: »

In October? Candy corns. So I eat them. They're dreadful. Straight up sugar. I might as well take an IV to my vein. But it's a childhood love.

too funny...I think these may be the one candy out there that I absolutely hate! lol!

I cry.

And then my salty tears make me feel a little better.

xD

Seriously though, I buy these candy bars, called Endangered Species chocolate with sea salt and almonds. They break into these cute little squares. One square is about 30-40 calories I believe. So I can get a little taste of something sweet with very few calories.

If I want something sweet, I eat something sweet. A small serving of chocolate ice cream or a pudding cup, sometimes a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. I’ve learned from past experiences that completely denying myself whatever I’m craving just leads to an unhealthy binge later so I look at my calories and save a few for a small treat. You don’t have to eat super healthy food 100% of the time.

A sweet potato, if I have the calorie space available; or, a dried date or apricot - eaten verrrrrrrry slowly.

amy19355 wrote: »

amusedmonkey wrote: »

amy19355 wrote: »

A sweet potato, if I have the calorie space available; or, a dried date or apricot - eaten verrrrrrrry slowly.

I can't even imagine my reaction if I wanted chocolate and someone gave me a sweet potato...
Not criticizing what works for you, it just made me smile how I would react to it

It probably works for me because I’m not really a fan of chocolate. I’ve always had a sweet-vegetable tooth: and root veggies in particular appeal to me: cooked sweets, beets and carrots; slow roasted for extra sugary goodness.

I understand! It just made me imagine birthday candles in a sweet potato. That's the last thing I would think of as a replacement for sweets.

I'm with the sweets-eaters. If I can hold off till the nexy day, I can plan so that I can have a nice treat that will leave me super satisfied. If not I keep several of the 100 calorie candy bars in my snack drawer. I usually keep them out of sight out of mind, but if a viscous sugar pang hits, I can savor one slowly and become a reasonable human again.

Having said that, I also have a few tricks involving sugar free sweets. Nothing against sugar, I love sugar but cutting it out of a recipe is a great way to keep calories down. For instance...

My cravings come late at night. I have a cup of herbal teas. Some of them can be very sweet to help the cravings! Then I can have a calming treat to relax and help me get ready to sleep too.

I also like Fiber One products or I’ll eat Andes Candies. 25 calories a piece.

quiksylver296 wrote: »

I save 200-300 calories so I can have dessert at the end of every day. Usually chocolate or ice cream. If I'm craving during the day, I know I'll have to give up my dessert and I usually don't want to do that.

I usually have chocolate and ice cream in my daily allowance. Got to get priorities right.