Sweet cravings

gelo33
gelo33 Posts: 16 Member
edited December 19 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
Hello everyone.
How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
Thanks for any advice and help.
Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.
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Replies

  • gelo33
    gelo33 Posts: 16 Member
    Kelly845 wrote: »
    I love chocolate and cakes. So it's really hard to cut them out. But if I manage not to eat any sweets 3 days, then I don't crave it anymore. If it is too hard for u not to eat any sweets at all, try to eat oatmeal with honey for breakfast for a few days and u won't have sweet cravings for the rest of the day. Well, it works for me mostly :)

    Thanks, I love oatmeal so will def try it out!
  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    edited January 2019
    Sipping diet soda and chewing sugar free gum are my go to's when I don't have the calories. Most of the time I do plan to have at least a few sweet treats a week but I always make sure I pre-plan my day to allow for them.

    ETA: I find it helpful to have them in already portioned packages so either the 100 calorie cookie packs, ice cream bar, popsicle, etc... seems silly but having it already portioned out can help.
  • StargazerB
    StargazerB Posts: 425 Member
    I always crave something sweet after lunch and dinner. If I don't have room for a treat then I usually drink a cup of black coffee or tea and that seems to make the craving subside.
  • caindove11
    caindove11 Posts: 73 Member
    I definitely have a sweet tooth. I use to try to exclude sweets totally from my diet but I would always cave in and binge on them. Now I just work it into my meal plan and make sure it fits within my calorie limit. Oatmeal Raisin and Sugar cookies are my poison!
  • marashay001
    marashay001 Posts: 9 Member
    I’ve done everything from from sipping La Croix water to taking a magnesium supplement. I had to learn to tell myself NO!! It’s that hard for me. Nothing worked!! When I was really sick, like bed rest sick for 3 weeks, I did start to feel sorry for myself and gave in. The chocolate tasted terrible!! (The antibiotics I was on made everything taste like metal) so now I only want chocolate every once in a while. I rewarded myself over 200 days when I said NO to my cravings. It helped.

  • Kelly845
    Kelly845 Posts: 37 Member
    edited January 2019
    andezz99 wrote: »
    I feel your pain and to be honest they (cravings) never go away. If you really want to get over your sweet cravings I would say don't eat them at all. I think eatting sweet items only keeps the craving alive and over time you will loose the desire for them if you cut them cold turkey. If you do have a piece of something sweet after a long abstinence you will be surprised at how much you don't like it anymore, it may also make you feel sick, especially if you are eating a healthy diet. I even try to cut my fruit intake because that too can stimulate a desire for sweets.

    Everything u wrote is true. Bit when I cut them cold turkey, my skin loses it's firmness, I look older. I'm not sure if it's because of sugar or something else. I'll find out what exactly causes that some day
  • twdlove89
    twdlove89 Posts: 95 Member
    I’ve learnt the hard way, I’ve eaten my share and some of sweet stuff over the past 3 days and now my body just feels like crap, it’s effected my bowel movements (sorry if tmi) and I feel crap mentally for eating so much. Do I regret it.......maybe lol but it’s back to just light hot chocolates for me whenever I’m craving crap and that usually does the trick to curb my cravings
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    edited January 2019
    Kelly845 wrote: »
    andezz99 wrote: »
    I feel your pain and to be honest they (cravings) never go away. If you really want to get over your sweet cravings I would say don't eat them at all. I think eatting sweet items only keeps the craving alive and over time you will loose the desire for them if you cut them cold turkey. If you do have a piece of something sweet after a long abstinence you will be surprised at how much you don't like it anymore, it may also make you feel sick, especially if you are eating a healthy diet. I even try to cut my fruit intake because that too can stimulate a desire for sweets.

    Everything u wrote is true. Bit when I cut them cold turkey, my skin loses it's firmness, I look older. I'm not sure if it's because of sugar or something else. I'll find out what exactly causes that some day

    I'm thinking this could be because reducing carbs also reduces the amount of stored water in your muscles temporarily. If this is what's causing your skin to lose firmness, it should return to normal after an adjustment period. Also, eating more fruit or other nutrient-dense and less calorific carbs would prevent it.
  • born_of_fire74
    born_of_fire74 Posts: 776 Member
    If it's not in my house, I can't eat it. Although I have a terrible weakness for baked goods, I have not yet wanted a cookie so badly that I've made a special trip to the store to get one (or two or a dozen NOM NOM NOM). As long as I don't keep them in the house, I'm safe--the hardest part is walking on by when getting groceries LOL.

    There are quite a number of protein bars that are sweet and have a good protein to calorie ratio. Right now, I'm loving the dark chocolate peanut butter Nature Valley protein bars. I account for them in my food plan so I can eat them guilt free and they satisfy my sweet tooth. Halo Top is also another go to for me. It's sweet, there are a lot of different flavor options and it has a decent protein to calorie ratio. The higher protein content might help compared to the sort of sweets you are permitting yourself to indulge in now.

    I ate A LOT of diet Jello when I was first starting out too but that seems to have passed for whatever reason. It's a good option if gummi bears and such like are your thing.
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    edited January 2019
    gelo33 wrote: »
    Hello everyone.
    How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
    I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
    Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
    Thanks for any advice and help.
    Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
    Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.

    This probably doesn’t help your problem but have you ever had chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast? It’s hands down the most amazing thing ever lol sounds right up your alley! I’m a big sweets person too, I just make room for them every day. I’m healthy, my bloodwork always comes back perfect, I have good teeth, just don’t see a problem with it. My great Grammy lived to be 100 years old and she ate mostly chocolate for her meals, theres gotta be something to it right?!

    9l6x6o6c2c6h.jpeg
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    gelo33 wrote: »
    Hello everyone.
    How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
    I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
    Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
    Thanks for any advice and help.
    Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
    Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.

    This probably doesn’t help your problem but have you ever had chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast? It’s hands down the most amazing thing ever lol sounds right up your alley! I’m a big sweets person too, I just make room for them every day. I’m healthy, my bloodwork always comes back perfect, I have good teeth, just don’t see a problem with it. My great Grammy lived to be 100 years old and she ate mostly chocolate for her meals, theres gotta be something to it right?!

    9l6x6o6c2c6h.jpeg

    I can't manage biscuits with my diabetes but I had a chocolate-based breakfast this morning - Greek yogurt with cacao powder and fresh raspberries (along with bacon and eggs.) Cacao powder is only 20 calories a tablespoon and turns anything into a chocolate festival.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    I eat chocolate every day.

    I have chocolate for breakfast almost every morning: Greek yogurt mixed with chocolate PB2, chocolate protein powder, and fiber cereal. Mmm.

    I also have a piece of chocolate for dessert almost every evening. My husband and I buy nice chocolate bars and we share one after dinner.

    I usually keep chocolate protein bars around too. Currently I'm enjoying Quest double chocolate chunk bars.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    gelo33 wrote: »
    Hello everyone.
    How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
    I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
    Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
    Thanks for any advice and help.
    Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
    Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.

    @gelo33 different things work for different people when it comes to cravings for sweets. My were gone in about 4 weeks after I cold turkey stopped eating all foods containing added sugar and or any form of any grain. That was over 4 years ago after 40 years of over the top cravings and they have not returned yet. Without understanding what I was doing I naturally morphed into a Way Of Eating (WOE) where most of my calories came from fats and protein. I do eat a lot of 100% Cacao Chocolate bars because I love it and it is relative carb free. A 4 oz bar contains a net of 8 grams of carbs and eat one a day often. I only eat stuff that I crave but unlike before I get stuffed and would now gag if I tried binging anymore on my now favor foods.

    There is no one magic WOE so just work to find one that works for you over time.

    Best of success.
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I would have a quarter cup of ice cream with nut almost every night. I also have some licorice (which I love) or a chocolate bar. I eat one piece of one square at a time. I'm fine with that.
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,868 Member
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    gelo33 wrote: »
    Hello everyone.
    How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
    I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
    Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
    Thanks for any advice and help.
    Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
    Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.

    This probably doesn’t help your problem but have you ever had chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast? It’s hands down the most amazing thing ever lol sounds right up your alley! I’m a big sweets person too, I just make room for them every day. I’m healthy, my bloodwork always comes back perfect, I have good teeth, just don’t see a problem with it. My great Grammy lived to be 100 years old and she ate mostly chocolate for her meals, theres gotta be something to it right?!

    9l6x6o6c2c6h.jpeg

    This cracked me up as I eat 1340 cal maintenance and 1200 to lose. I was curious to know the calories in this breakfast.

  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    edited January 2019
    fiddletime wrote: »
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    gelo33 wrote: »
    Hello everyone.
    How do you all manage sweet cravings? I always do well but cave in when it comes to chocolates and biscuits.
    I previously never had a sweet tooth so I can’t understand what is going on.
    Does switching up protein and fats help to bring sugar cravings down?
    Thanks for any advice and help.
    Forgot to add I try to factor them in my daily calories but end up having extra 🙄
    Eg I factor in one chocolate (12g) for after lunch and 2 biscuits for the evening but end up doubling the quantities.

    This probably doesn’t help your problem but have you ever had chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast? It’s hands down the most amazing thing ever lol sounds right up your alley! I’m a big sweets person too, I just make room for them every day. I’m healthy, my bloodwork always comes back perfect, I have good teeth, just don’t see a problem with it. My great Grammy lived to be 100 years old and she ate mostly chocolate for her meals, theres gotta be something to it right?!

    9l6x6o6c2c6h.jpeg

    This cracked me up as I eat 1340 cal maintenance and 1200 to lose. I was curious to know the calories in this breakfast.

    You know what they say, if you’ve gotta ask you probably can’t afford it 😂! In all seriousness though it’s not actually that bad.. this recipe is 90 calories for the gravy and it’s similar to how I make it. Add a couple biscuits probably 100-200 cal each depending on the recipe... I think it’s worth it 😊
  • vegmebuff
    vegmebuff Posts: 31,389 Member
    8vlxubnxasj2.png
    Protein Fluff "Ice Cream" Parfait



    Servings
    1
    Ingredients
    1 scoop whey or plant based protein powder in flavor of your choice (or I use 1 tbsp. of cocoa power - only 10 calories)
    10 oz unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk
    1 tsp xanthan gum
    1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter (only if you want...I don't use this however I might sprinkle a few tbsp's of PB2 powder just before consuming)
    2-3 large ice cubes (I use lots more than that)
    1/4 cup fresh berries of your choice
    Instructions
    In a blender or food processor, add whey protein, milk, xanthan gum, and nut butter.
    Blend on a high-power setting, stopping to scrape around blender occasionally to get the ingredients mixed well.
    Add in 2-3 large ice cubes and blend again.
    If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is achieved. It should look like a thick pudding once blended. If it is runny, add more xanthan gum.
    Layer the berries and mixture in a bowl or a fancy ice cream dish if you have one.
    Garnish the top with fresh or frozen berries, coconut flakes, cocoa powde

    I like to freeze it up for a few hours first

    Works really well for my sweet cravings
  • MichelleWithMoxie
    MichelleWithMoxie Posts: 1,817 Member
    vegmebuff wrote: »
    8vlxubnxasj2.png
    Protein Fluff "Ice Cream" Parfait



    Servings
    1
    Ingredients
    1 scoop whey or plant based protein powder in flavor of your choice (or I use 1 tbsp. of cocoa power - only 10 calories)
    10 oz unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk
    1 tsp xanthan gum
    1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter (only if you want...I don't use this however I might sprinkle a few tbsp's of PB2 powder just before consuming)
    2-3 large ice cubes (I use lots more than that)
    1/4 cup fresh berries of your choice
    Instructions
    In a blender or food processor, add whey protein, milk, xanthan gum, and nut butter.
    Blend on a high-power setting, stopping to scrape around blender occasionally to get the ingredients mixed well.
    Add in 2-3 large ice cubes and blend again.
    If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is achieved. It should look like a thick pudding once blended. If it is runny, add more xanthan gum.
    Layer the berries and mixture in a bowl or a fancy ice cream dish if you have one.
    Garnish the top with fresh or frozen berries, coconut flakes, cocoa powde

    I like to freeze it up for a few hours first

    Works really well for my sweet cravings

    What are the total calories?
  • vegmebuff
    vegmebuff Posts: 31,389 Member
    MichSmish wrote: »
    vegmebuff wrote: »
    8vlxubnxasj2.png
    Protein Fluff "Ice Cream" Parfait



    Servings
    1
    Ingredients
    1 scoop whey or plant based protein powder in flavor of your choice (or I use 1 tbsp. of cocoa power - only 10 calories)
    10 oz unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk
    1 tsp xanthan gum
    1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter (only if you want...I don't use this however I might sprinkle a few tbsp's of PB2 powder just before consuming)
    2-3 large ice cubes (I use lots more than that)
    1/4 cup fresh berries of your choice
    Instructions
    In a blender or food processor, add whey protein, milk, xanthan gum, and nut butter.
    Blend on a high-power setting, stopping to scrape around blender occasionally to get the ingredients mixed well.
    Add in 2-3 large ice cubes and blend again.
    If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is achieved. It should look like a thick pudding once blended. If it is runny, add more xanthan gum.
    Layer the berries and mixture in a bowl or a fancy ice cream dish if you have one.
    Garnish the top with fresh or frozen berries, coconut flakes, cocoa powde

    I like to freeze it up for a few hours first

    Works really well for my sweet cravings

    What are the total calories?

    I guess that is totally dependent upon what one puts into it...mine is pretty low considering I don't use many of the items listed above...

  • nseidle1
    nseidle1 Posts: 7 Member
    I try to eat healthy sweets if I absolutely cave. Like tonight for dessert I sliced a banana and crushed some walnuts and topped it with cinnamon as my desert. Its not chocolate but it was still really satisfying when I get those sweet cravings. I also really like ants on a log, as well as I do a fruit salad with mandarins,pineapple and banana topped with chia seeds. I also just have one piece if I am going to cave and have chocolate. It satisfies the chocolate craving before you over indulge.

    I've noticed that changing your eating habits is a lot like when I quit smoking. The first few weeks are the worst for cravings and usually if you can distract yourself for about 15 minutes or so while your in the middle of the craving you'll notice it goes away.

    Good Luck!
  • lillianwynter
    lillianwynter Posts: 6 Member
    I set my calories 100 under what they shoul be to help for time when I go over Bc I’m more awar and it sets me up better for mistakes when I log
  • staticsplit
    staticsplit Posts: 538 Member
    edited January 2019
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    It won't work for everyone, but I found my cravings for less nutrient-dense sweets (cookies, cake, candy) became much more manageable when I started making it a point to eat servings of fruit every day.

    I started with 3 servings minimum, but found that after a while doing it (1) I could be more flexible, and (2) quite a few lower-quality baked goods and candies started seeming too simple and "just sweet", without other satisfying aspects. I do still eat some less nutrient-dense sweets, but don't so much crave them; and I tend to save the calories for extra yummy ones that seem truly worth it.

    Like I said, it won't work for all, but I've seen others here report experiences similar to mine. Could be worth a try?

    This week I stewed 5 apples with lemon juice, cinnamon, and some almonds. I tended to have around 70g apples and 6-8 almonds either on their own or with some yoghurt/cottage cheese. I like to make smoothies with frozen cherries, chocolate protein, and almond milk too. A banana and chocolate PB2 is a nice treat, sometimes with some seeds or wholemeal toast for crunch. I buy Halo Top when it's on sale.

    These are treats that taste sweet but deliver enough protein or fibre that I'm satisfied and less likely to binge on them (I have a history with bulimia so I have to be more careful than most). I still eat normal sweets too, but less often.
  • MichelleWithMoxie
    MichelleWithMoxie Posts: 1,817 Member
    vegmebuff wrote: »
    MichSmish wrote: »
    vegmebuff wrote: »
    8vlxubnxasj2.png
    Protein Fluff "Ice Cream" Parfait



    Servings
    1
    Ingredients
    1 scoop whey or plant based protein powder in flavor of your choice (or I use 1 tbsp. of cocoa power - only 10 calories)
    10 oz unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk
    1 tsp xanthan gum
    1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter (only if you want...I don't use this however I might sprinkle a few tbsp's of PB2 powder just before consuming)
    2-3 large ice cubes (I use lots more than that)
    1/4 cup fresh berries of your choice
    Instructions
    In a blender or food processor, add whey protein, milk, xanthan gum, and nut butter.
    Blend on a high-power setting, stopping to scrape around blender occasionally to get the ingredients mixed well.
    Add in 2-3 large ice cubes and blend again.
    If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency is achieved. It should look like a thick pudding once blended. If it is runny, add more xanthan gum.
    Layer the berries and mixture in a bowl or a fancy ice cream dish if you have one.
    Garnish the top with fresh or frozen berries, coconut flakes, cocoa powde

    I like to freeze it up for a few hours first

    Works really well for my sweet cravings

    What are the total calories?

    I guess that is totally dependent upon what one puts into it...mine is pretty low considering I don't use many of the items listed above...

    I mean what’s pretty low? You’re giving no tangible number examples to even gauge an estimate.
This discussion has been closed.