Crave sugar
chipsgirl123
Posts: 8 Member
Hi all,
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
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Replies
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chipsgirl123 wrote: »Hi all,
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
Good job on your weight loss. Whatever you are doing seems to be working. Sugar only creates a problem in weight loss if you have a medical problem or if eating so much of it crowds out nutrition or crowds out more filling food which leaves you hungry.
Will reducing sugar assist with your nerve pain?6 -
I understand where you are coming from. I find the less refined carbs I eat the less I crave it. Try increasing fat and protein a bit and be sure you are getting lots of low cal veggies. Whenever my cravings get really bad I often find I have been eating too little fibre or too much carb. I was never very good at eating my vegetables so increasing them sometimes helps. Everyone is different but that helps me the most. Great job on your loss so far!2
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Thank you so so much for the replies and the lovely words. So appreciate it! Thank you Novus - I do wonder if it will help. Its so hard to reduce sugar and diabetes runs in my family so that’s another worry.
Thank you Cheryl that’s a great suggestion.... guess potato isn’t included
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chipsgirl123 wrote: »Thank you so so much for the replies and the lovely words. So appreciate it! Thank you Novus - I do wonder if it will help. Its so hard to reduce sugar and diabetes runs in my family so that’s another worry.
Thank you Cheryl that’s a great suggestion.... guess potato isn’t included
If it is not a guarantee to help and you can stay within your calories (most days) easily then ignore it and put the priority on your sustainability. Being happy with what you are eating makes any plan more sustainable. Being miserable because you are craving something makes it harder.
Think of weight loss as climbing a really steep hill. You want to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Will cutting sugar make it easy for you or make it harder?2 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »Thank you so so much for the replies and the lovely words. So appreciate it! Thank you Novus - I do wonder if it will help. Its so hard to reduce sugar and diabetes runs in my family so that’s another worry.
Thank you Cheryl that’s a great suggestion.... guess potato isn’t included
I think it might be better to focus on how you can add nutritious foods and fiber to your diet rather than worrying about reducing sugar. I think it will help you have a richer, more satisfying diet rather than "missing out" on the sugar. You can replace sugar with another column in your diary settings, and I recommend fiber. Fortunately, sugar only has a major effect once you have diabetes - if you do not yet have it, sugar intake doesn't increase your risk of diabetes, but your weight and activity level will increase your risk, so those are more important.9 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »Thank you so so much for the replies and the lovely words. So appreciate it! Thank you Novus - I do wonder if it will help. Its so hard to reduce sugar and diabetes runs in my family so that’s another worry.
Thank you Cheryl that’s a great suggestion.... guess potato isn’t included
Just remember that diabetes is a disease wherein the body does not properly process any carb, not just sugars. If you have a family history, the best way to prevent it is to get to and maintain a good weight and stay active. Whether you eat sugar or not has no bearing on developing the disease (except where it is extra calories that cause you to gain weight).5 -
Hi CG123 - I find that refined carbs do not help the sugar cravings - maybe for a nanosecond or so - but actually make it worse. I do have my snack of junk each day - minimal. If you like grapes (red seedless, green, black, whatever) they help/satisfy like nothing else. Any fruit that is watery-sweet should do the trick. I can't ignore the sugar cravings or exist on high protein like paleo, Atkins and the plethora of other eating plans --but some can.
My motto is -- if you crave sugar then have some but find the most nutritional that's your fave.3 -
Hi CG123 - I find that refined carbs do not help the sugar cravings - maybe for a nanosecond or so - but actually make it worse. I do have my snack of junk each day - minimal. If you like grapes (red seedless, green, black, whatever) they help/satisfy like nothing else. Any fruit that is watery-sweet should do the trick. I can't ignore the sugar cravings or exist on high protein like paleo, Atkins and the plethora of other eating plans --but some can.
My motto is -- if you crave sugar then have some but find the most nutritional that's your fave.
This is what I do and I limit my portions. If I want cake, I will buy a cupcake at the bakery. If I want a candy bar, I will buy one regular size at the store or gas station. Some ice cream now comes in 1/2 cup portions in the grocery store (at least Ben and Jerry and Haagen Daz does). I find I don't do well moderating if it is in the house so I control what I bring in. I still enjoy the treat.5 -
earlnabby - I hear ya re/cake(-: I deprived myself for decades of dessert but I only have one med/large size bite with my Haagen Daz (bite) and save one bite for after dinner of my other fave dessert - I have to be cautious. Never could figure out why my husband could devour dessert every, single, night - no weight problemos, EVA -- and healthy teeth! He always believed the simple science of calories and I'd debate the drivel a calorie aint a calorie - I lost that one, of course.
Enjoy your treats!0 -
Hi CG123 - I find that refined carbs do not help the sugar cravings - maybe for a nanosecond or so - but actually make it worse. I do have my snack of junk each day - minimal. If you like grapes (red seedless, green, black, whatever) they help/satisfy like nothing else. Any fruit that is watery-sweet should do the trick. I can't ignore the sugar cravings or exist on high protein like paleo, Atkins and the plethora of other eating plans --but some can.
My motto is -- if you crave sugar then have some but find the most nutritional that's your fave.
Are you identifying fruit as "junk" or am I misunderstanding you?1 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »Hi all,
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
Are you cutting down on sugar because it makes you overeat? I’m also like that too. I’ve found that eating higher fat and protein helps me to control my cravings. Although I’m going to admit I’m still in the process of cutting out sugar (for health reasons) so I’m still finding it hard! The withdrawal symptoms are a real pain. Once I’m off sugar I don’t crave it. And if I have a small amount I’m fine. It’s the initial first week/weeks that are the hardest.3 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »Hi all,
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
@chipsgirl123 for 40 years sugar cravings controlled my life and heath. I was never able to taper off off sugar but at 63 my pain levels and failing health became a wake up call. On a hunch I cut out a forms of sweeteners and and any form of any grain cold turkey. Pain started to drop like a rock in just 15 days but weight loss did not start until day 45.
Now 5 years later I have maintained a 50 pound weight loss for the last 4 years and still have good pain management. I do not know about your type of pain so I have no idea if sugar is a factor in your case. Losing the high carb Way Of Eating has lead to better health and health markers at age 68 than 30 years ago and continues to do so.
Best of success.
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mmapags -- NO - fruit is nutritious/healthy. Sorry about confusion but my junk is cake/icecream bite(s) per day. I'm cautious with the processed, refined, stuff.2
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If I were merely craving sugar, I'd have fruit. Sugar is the major source of calories in fruit (unlike most dessert type foods like cookies), and fruit is quite sweet. I often do crave fruit, especially on hot days, and I see no reason not to go with it, as it's not that caloric and I find it as filling as whatever I might substitute it for (mostly starchy carbs). Peaches, plums, clementines, berries, pears, apricots, etc., so good.
Often when people say they crave "sugar" they mean something else, however, so if so there might be other approaches.5 -
Try switching it out for natural fruit sugars. When I have a big craving I make myself an extravagant smoothie bowl that has just fruit ad nothing else.
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[quote="carbos101;c-4397
3682"]mmapags -- NO - fruit is nutritious/healthy. Sorry about confusion but my junk is cake/icecream bite(s) per day. I'm cautious with the processed, refined, stuff. [/quote]
Got it. Thanks for clarifying.
I get most of my sweets fix from fruit. Occasionally a little chocolate or a cookie or ice cream. But not a big cake person. I don't keep ice cream around much because I have trouble moderating it.
It is usually after dinner that I like a little taste of something sweet. Never in the middle of the day.3 -
AnnieCarpenter14 wrote: »I use to crave it, but don’t crave sugar anymore since I have been drinking my magic coffee and I have tons of energy. Also lost 22 pounds in 8 weeks
As I asked in the other thread where you posted this, what is "Magic coffee?"3 -
Thank you again so much for all your replies. I have been a member of MFP for several years but in the last three tracked daily my food and this is the first post I have done in the community area. Hannah walks, your smoothie bowl looks delicious. Can I ask, do you also add yoghurt. I love cake!1
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chipsgirl123 wrote: »Hi all,
Just wondered if you had any tips regarding sugar cravings. I.crave.sugar. I have lost 3 and a half stone and take a high dose of Amitriptyline for nerve pain. If I could reduce my sugar I know I would lose more weight. But these cravings....
Have an apple...some grapes...some cherries.2 -
xx I don’t overeat but I have definitely noticed since my pain meds were upped I am craving more biscuits and cakes. I have a gluten allergy and my specialist wanted me to try no dairy which has helped. I would find giving up sugar really really hard. @GaleHawkins You are so inspirational.2
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snickerscharlie wrote: »AnnieCarpenter14 wrote: »I use to crave it, but don’t crave sugar anymore since I have been drinking my magic coffee and I have tons of energy. Also lost 22 pounds in 8 weeks
As I asked in the other thread where you posted this, what is "Magic coffee?"
I researched...couldn't find a great answer other that it is coffee with additives. While looking I also found "Happy Coffee", "Skinny Coffee" etc etc. I also found sites where they offer the "xxxx Coffee diets". Just a scam like all the rest of the crap out there.
I think however there are lots of additives that are supposed to suppress the appetite.
I think I will stick to my regular coffee!3 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »xx I don’t overeat but I have definitely noticed since my pain meds were upped I am craving more biscuits and cakes. I have a gluten allergy and my specialist wanted me to try no dairy which has helped. I would find giving up sugar really really hard. @GaleHawkins You are so inspirational.
I don't think it's necessary to give up fruit (or even moderate amounts of dessert items), and therefore I don't find it more inspiring when someone does vs. achieving their goals in some other way. I'd even say fruit is generally healthier to have as part of a diet than not.10 -
chipsgirl123 wrote: »Thank you again so much for all your replies. I have been a member of MFP for several years but in the last three tracked daily my food and this is the first post I have done in the community area. Hannah walks, your smoothie bowl looks delicious. Can I ask, do you also add yoghurt. I love cake!
You can add whatever you like. I just add fruit and sometimes nuts/seeds.2 -
I am on amitriptyline as well. One of the side effects is increased carb cravings. Be aware of that and moderate as you see fit. I am on a low dose(tried it a year ago with odd side effects, chose another med but am on it again since early May and it is working fine aside from the cravings and maybe a bit of bloat) but I still notice the increase and I am a sugar person; as a child I got scolded many times for eating out of the sugar bin with a soup spoon... My solution is to avoid all added sugar. If I am hardcore craving I stick to fruit but even that doesn’t solve it some days.3
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Carbs are so varied I've never understood what a carb craving is supposed to be. I suppose if I craved something as general as carbs I'd eat brussels sprouts or some other veg.
Sugar is more specific, which is why I suggested fruit (as it's a low cal source due to the absence of fat and also has micros and fiber). Curious if OP has a reason why that wouldn't work.
(I am not anti added sugar for an occasional treat or in moderation for those who want it more, but I am always mystified why those who have general "sugar cravings", and worry that satisfying it with high cal dessert items (which also have lots of fat!) lead to excess cals, don't just go with fruit. Many kinds of fruit are pretty low cal. Maybe it's not so much a "sugar craving" as a "specific dessert item craving"? Dunno, but calling it a sugar craving makes it seem like some strawberries or an orange would work.)10 -
Carbs are so varied I've never understood what a carb craving is supposed to be. I suppose if I craved something as general as carbs I'd eat brussels sprouts or some other veg.
Sugar is more specific, which is why I suggested fruit (as it's a low cal source due to the absence of fat and also has micros and fiber). Curious if OP has a reason why that wouldn't work.
(I am not anti added sugar for an occasional treat or in moderation for those who want it more, but I am always mystified why those who have general "sugar cravings", and worry that satisfying it with high cal dessert items (which also have lots of fat!) lead to excess cals, don't just go with fruit. Many kinds of fruit are pretty low cal. Maybe it's not so much a "sugar craving" as a "specific dessert item craving"? Dunno, but calling it a sugar craving makes it seem like some strawberries or an orange would work.)
In all fairness though do strawberries and oranges have the same level of sweet taste as a thickly iced cupcake? So maybe it is not the sugar but more about the taste of the sugar that people crave. I honestly have never tasted of any fruit that has the same level of "sweet taste" as a piece of cake.
If I craved anything it would probably be salt. Since a small child I have loved sat. I would pour it in my hand and eat it. I love a glass of ice cubes with some salt sprinkled on and then suck on them. I put salt on almost everything even cantaloupe, watermelon and things that most people would already consider salty enough...I always needed just a little more...I wanted to taste the salt. Many years later even with HBP I struggle. I have cut back but I still crave that taste of salt.
Is it cravings...addiction...IDK. All I do know that I still love the taste of salt on my food and have a very hard time not adding salt to my food.
Funny thing is...I replaced my afternoon salty snacks with...fruit!
No matter what people call it...craving...addiction...whatever...I think sometimes we do these people a disservice by telling them that eating a chocolate covered doughnut is no different than eating an apple or orange...sugar is sugar. There is a difference...the taste.
I am usually far below my sugar levels and if I am not it is because of...fruit. Very few things that I eat has added sugar.
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@lemurcat2 I mean an added sugar craving non dairy chocolate, cake and biscuits. I eat two pieces of fruit every day but I still need to eat some of the bad stuff!1
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@youngmomtaz Yep there is definitely an increased need for carbs. I noticed it from my dose rising from 10mg to 75mg which I am currently on. I put on 10 pounds when dosage was increased and although I have managed to lose 8 pounds, I can’t seem to lose anymore at present. I have been dairy free for two and half months and it’s hard to find something to eat whilst out. Giving up added sugar will be even harder.
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chipsgirl123 wrote: »@lemurcat2 I mean an added sugar craving non dairy chocolate, cake and biscuits. I eat two pieces of fruit every day but I still need to eat some of the bad stuff!
The way that I handled my cravings for the crunchy/salty items is that I put myself on an eating schedule. I eat a brunch(400 to 500 cals) at around 11am, a snack(150 to 250) at around 3pm and dinner(500 to 600) at 6pm. If I have anything left over then I can eat or not what I want. I also stop eating at 7pm...kitchen closes. I found that by cutting my meals down to two instead of three I was much more satisfied and didn't struggle as much with wanting to eat all afternoon. The schedule and larger meals seems to have lower my appetite quite a bit.
Yesterday I bought a small box of crackers(I only do this rarely)...funny thing is...I didn't really enjoy them as much as I thought I would. I ended up giving the other half to someone.
I am not saying this type of plan will work for you but maybe experiment with some different ways of eating and it might help.
Also...not keeping those types of food in the house on a regular basis helps. If it is not available you can't eat it unless you want to get up a go to the store.
Good luck in finding a solution!1 -
Carbs are so varied I've never understood what a carb craving is supposed to be. I suppose if I craved something as general as carbs I'd eat brussels sprouts or some other veg.
Sugar is more specific, which is why I suggested fruit (as it's a low cal source due to the absence of fat and also has micros and fiber). Curious if OP has a reason why that wouldn't work.
(I am not anti added sugar for an occasional treat or in moderation for those who want it more, but I am always mystified why those who have general "sugar cravings", and worry that satisfying it with high cal dessert items (which also have lots of fat!) lead to excess cals, don't just go with fruit. Many kinds of fruit are pretty low cal. Maybe it's not so much a "sugar craving" as a "specific dessert item craving"? Dunno, but calling it a sugar craving makes it seem like some strawberries or an orange would work.)
In all fairness though do strawberries and oranges have the same level of sweet taste as a thickly iced cupcake? So maybe it is not the sugar but more about the taste of the sugar that people crave. I honestly have never tasted of any fruit that has the same level of "sweet taste" as a piece of cake.
I think oranges in particular are super sweet, so I'd say so.
What's different about cake is the fat and sometimes more complexity of taste.
Granted, cake can be made more or less sweet and for me if it's as purely sweet as a plain piece of fruit I'd consider it overly sweet and not like it. (Similarly, I think over-icing is bad and avoid the more sugary ones. Buttercream is sweet, but it's got the butter to balance it.)No matter what people call it...craving...addiction...whatever...I think sometimes we do these people a disservice by telling them that eating a chocolate covered doughnut is no different than eating an apple or orange...sugar is sugar. There is a difference...the taste.
Of course there is. That's why I said upfront that IF the craving is simply for sugar, fruit, but that most people mean they are craving specific dessert items that typically have much more than sugar in them when they say they crave sugar.
I have never had a craving as general as "sugar" or "carbs." I do often crave the sweet, juicy coldness that I get from fruit that's been in the refrigerator. (I also do crave something salty, and specific foods at time.)
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