Sugar Addictition

vargasmicaela68 · December 19

Hello, I have tried this app multiple times but never follow through with it. I cannot stop eating chocolate and it is a serious issue. How can I find ways to eat chocolate in a healthier way or find healthier chocolate options?

Alatariel75 · December 19

I found that I can devour a whole block of milk chocolate, but will savour and be satisfied with only a 20g serve of really dark chocolate, so that's what I do. 20g of 70% cocoa chocolate with my tea of an evening.

AnnPT77 · December 19

FWIW, most milk chocolate has more calories from fat than sugar, if we're talking just chocolate (as opposed to candy bars with a lot of other stuff in them like nuts and nougat and caramel). Hershey's milk chocolate snack size (2 pieces) has 72 calories from fats, 60 from sugars, for example. But that's a quibble.

I like my chocolate, though I wouldn't call myself addicted to chocolate or sugar. It's quirky, but if I break out a whole bar or bag, I'll keep eating. But if I choose individually wrapped single-serving small but really good quality chocolate, I can savor just one or two - whatever fits in my calories while still getting adequate nutrition otherwise - and be satisfied. That may not apply for you, dunno.

If it really were a sugar issue, one thing that helped me reduce cravings for calorie dense sweets like baked goods and candy was making it a point to eat at least 3 servings of fruit daily. It took some willpower at first to eat that and skip the more sugary things, but in a small number of weeks, the effect kicked in. That doesn't work for everyone, but I'm not the only one here who's reported that experience, so it might be worth a try.

This next may sound mean, but I swear I don't intend it that way. As background, I'm pretty much of a hedonist. I ate too much food, including treat foods, because food is pleasurable, and I like pleasure.

For myself, I needed to viscerally accept that I pretty much have 100% control over what I put in my mouth, chew, and swallow. If I eat too many calories, that is a choice on my part, and I need to own the consequences of that decision. If I want to be at a healthy weight - which I have been for 8+ years now, after about 30 years of overweight/obesity pre-loss - I need to eat the right number of calories, and balance in some treat foods for enjoyment and sustainability . . . also a decision.

After reaching a healthy weight, it got easier, because there were so many quality of life benefits from being at a healthy weight, more than I would've guessed up front. YMMV.

Best wishes for success!

AdahPotatah2024 · December 20

When asked the secret of her longevity, Beatrice Wood would simply say “art books, chocolates and young men” & Jeanne Louise Calment who lived to be 122 years old — ate chocolate and drank wine every day!

Corina1143 · December 20

Two suggestions.
Tootsie roll midgees. The tiny ones. Let it melt in your mouth. Don't chew. Lasts about 30 minutes. About 10 calories. 5 hours of chocolate for 100 calories.
Dark chocolate. As dark as you can. A little darker next week. Still chocolate, but it seems the sugar and butter is the addicting part, not the chocolate.

springlering62 · December 20

I was eating upwards of two or more pounds of chocolate a day. I always had chocolate within easy reach. I was stopping at the grocery store on the way to and from work to restock. And also to hide the size of the problem from my husband and kids.

Hi! I’m Spring and I have a problem with chocolate.

When my brain snapped and I decided I had to do something, I gave it all away.

For me, not having it in the house at all was the only thing that worked for me. I couldn’t even have a bag of chocolate chips in the pantry.

As I gradually lost the taste for as much chocolate (you’ll never lose the love for it) I was able to carefully bring in a little bit. Small wrapped peices that I could control.

Storing it in the freezer helped. Frozen chocolate is tasteless and unappealing. I’m usually ready for it right then, and don’t have the patience to wait for it to thaw. Blowing calories on tasteless frozen chocolate versus waiting, well, it was just easier to move on to something else.

When I first started, I created a recipe for a smoothie that tasted just like a Wendy’s Frosty. I can’t even remember what was in it now. I remember almond milk, almond butter, cacao powder, uncooked instant oatmeal, and some molasses. I loved that thing and sprang out of bed every morning to have my chocolate “frosty” breakfast smoothie. I didn’t need chocolate for the rest of the day.

Two things help me now.

I adore Nugo protein bars. The chocolate coconut tastes just like a mounds bar, is 200 calories, and actually has a bit of nutritional value. It’s also- and this is my whackadoodle head- made of crispies, so I can nibble at the crispies in teensy bites, which makes it last longer. I enjoy one every day after lunch. If you sign up for texts or emails, they regularly send generous discount codes and free shipping.

The other thing that’s been a godsend is a Dutch “condiment” called hagel slag or just hagel, which is now available here on Amazon. It’s like American baking sprinkles but is genuine (and decent quality) chocolate. The Dutch custom is to sprinkle it thickly on buttered bread for breakfast.

I can sprinkle a wee 4 grams on (homemade low cal) ice cream or pancakes or whatever for 17 calories, and believe it or not, those few grams of scattered sprinkles can satisfy a chocolate craving.

A box will easily last me six months.

Also, check out Core Power chocolate protein drinks. I use a bottle of Corepower, a serving of cottage cheese, and ice, and blitz til the consistency of a milkshake. A few drops of malt, coconut or mint extract elevates it. 270 calories, 40 gr protein and very chocolatey.

You’re going to have to take the reins and show that chocolate craving who’s boss. It’s not easy, but if I can do it - and I guarantee you Hershey’s stock dropped like a rock when I did- anyone can do it.

You’ve just got to be creative and work around and within the problem.

lisakatz2 · 1:43AM

Nugo coconut chocolate bars don't work for me. They are made with cane sugar and in my mind are glorified candy bars, despite the protein. They send me into a sugar feeding frenzy. I prefer RX bars. Their sweetness comes from dates so not much "rush". My favorite is the chocolate peanut butter but the chocolate sea salt is good too.

yirara · 1:14PM

Only buy really expensive artisan chocolate. Either you go broke or you learn to enjoy small pieces.

Sugar Addictition

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