Suggestions for a candy bar addict?

crazybigchick
crazybigchick Posts: 245
in Health and Weight Loss
For years I never ever allowed myself to indulge in these wonderful chocolate treats, but now I eat one sometimes two a day!

I am spending loong days preparing for the Florida bar exam and whenever I get hungry, tired, bored, etc. I hit up the vending machine. Now I crave them. I caught my self buying one at the gas station and then another at the grocery store.

I am watching my waist line expand. They are undoing all the hard work I have put in to lose weight and get healthy, but that doesn't seem to be enough to stop me from over indulging.

I need help! Has anyone else had an issue with crazy strong sugar cravings?? IF so, How did you over come them??
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Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,420 Member
    You just have to stop. The more you eat, the stronger the craving. Eat more protein and have regular meals.
  • xxzimmer
    xxzimmer Posts: 37
    I eat quest bars, look them up.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    i feel your pain. once you cut them out for a few days/weeks you stop craving them or i did anyway. unfortunately i though i could start having the odd one - back on at least 1 a day - snickers is my poison of choice lol
  • castaliavt
    castaliavt Posts: 75 Member
    Honestly, the only thing that works if my sugar cravings start to get strong is to cut out all added sugars. It sucks, but after a few days, you won't crave sweets anymore. I still eat fruit, but no added sugar. I did this for a month and then added a little sugar back in here and there. If I start getting all day sugar cravings again, I'll cut it out.

    Other treats you could try instead of candy bars:

    tootsie roll pops - I think they're only 60 calories and they last a long time
    blue diamond almonds - they made a ton of different flavors. chocolate, butter toffee, etc.
    frozen grapes
    gum (it actually does help)
  • Miss_Suzylee
    Miss_Suzylee Posts: 26
    I would say buy a bag of minis-but I know that's also tough to limit yourself. For chocolate cravings, I get some sugar free fudge pops-only about 35 calories per bar. Just gives me enough chocolate to keep me from going insane. But it sounds like you are so used to having chocolate that any kind of substitute will just cause you to eat an entire package of anything to try and feel like you are getting your fix. My honest advice would be to just stop-give yourself around a 2 week goal to not touch the stuff. Try to eat fruits or yogurt whenever you want something sweet. You have to re-train yourself to not need the actual candy bars. Once you get your will power back up, then you can start adding things like sugar free popcicles or some mini candy bars to enjoy ONCE IN A WHILE.
  • apgant
    apgant Posts: 82 Member
    I do the Special K protein bars....10gm protein plus they come in a few different flavors. It's not so much like eating cardboard. The chocolate caramel are my favorite.
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
    I recommend dark chocolate (70% or higher). Small amounts are still really satisfying. I have a square or two when I crave chocolate and it only adds around 125 calories to my day.
  • weightlossgurl96
    weightlossgurl96 Posts: 4
    i chew gum. for me i eat because i always have to be doing something so sugar free gum takes away that constant want to eat and doesn't make me gain weight.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    For years I never ever allowed myself to indulge in these wonderful chocolate treats, but now I eat one sometimes two a day!

    I am spending loong days preparing for the Florida bar exam and whenever I get hungry, tired, bored, etc. I hit up the vending machine. Now I crave them. I caught my self buying one at the gas station and then another at the grocery store.

    I am watching my waist line expand. They are undoing all the hard work I have put in to lose weight and get healthy, but that doesn't seem to be enough to stop me from over indulging.

    I need help! Has anyone else had an issue with crazy strong sugar cravings?? IF so, How did you over come them??

    Just quit 'em. It's the only way.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    Eat more fiber, drink a ton of water and watch your sodium intake.
  • tlinval
    tlinval Posts: 175 Member
    Sounds like you need to have a stash of "safe foods" near you!! Even a protein bar would be better! Apples + peanut butter, string cheese, apples + laughing cow + saltines, fruit, veggies + hummus...get some good snacks to have around you. I think you're just getting them for convenience and now it's a habit!
  • Presleyforpresident
    Presleyforpresident Posts: 172
    try replacing them with something else!
    that flavored extra gum is delicious! or some dried fruit?
    xx
  • bikerbiz
    bikerbiz Posts: 179 Member
    PowerBar Protein-Plus reduced sugar and a full glass of water. Get some. ;-)

    http://www.amazon.com/PowerBar-Protein-Reduced-Chocolate-2-46-Ounce/dp/B000ABAYP0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1339275027&sr=1-1
  • bikerbiz
    bikerbiz Posts: 179 Member
    My son made this Chocolate Mousse, as served at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. I gave it to someone who refused to eat advocados, and she loved it! Skip the sugar and chocolate chips....

    http://honestcooking.com/2012/05/21/avocado-chocolate-mousse-with-citrus-twist/
  • cassuccino
    cassuccino Posts: 702 Member
    Quest Protein Bars and Power Crunch Protein Bars are awesome!! So are the Think Thin Protein Bars but the first two are my faves!! =)
  • CourtneyHollinger
    CourtneyHollinger Posts: 57 Member
    Grab some chocolate protein shake and skim milk it helps. They make those 100 calorie packs or 90 fiber one bars or sugar and fat free candy, but only do 1 (ONE) serving a day. Protein shakes you can do more of. Grab a magazine while you are in line or grab a banana to eat in the car instead.
  • BackTatJIM
    BackTatJIM Posts: 1,140 Member
    Clif mojo bar peanut butter pretzel 99 cents where i live
  • BackTatJIM
    BackTatJIM Posts: 1,140 Member
    I eat quest bars, look them up.

    I wanted to try them but at 2$ a bar NO WAY..... cliff bars saved me and are only $1 A BAR ;-)
  • ColleenAtherton
    ColleenAtherton Posts: 230 Member
    You just have to stop. The more you eat, the stronger the craving. Eat more protein and have regular meals.

    ^^^This.

    I am a recovering sugar addict. I've found the more I eat, the more I want. Like if I have one sugary soft drink then I struggle not to binge on sugar the rest of the day. Natural sugars (like in fruit) don't affect me this way though. And I allow myself to have 1 Fiber One chocolate brownie each day. But I had to stop buying stuff that I used to binge on or else I wouldn't be able to control myself.
  • andydeluna
    andydeluna Posts: 6
    Advice from my doctor, don't carry loose change for vending machines and carry other treats with you like dry cranberries, raisins or grapes.
  • holleysings
    holleysings Posts: 664 Member
    I forced myself to quit cold turkey. Only now, do I occasionally allow myself a sweet item. I used to eat at least three sugary items a day. I didn't even know I had an addiction until I was forced to quit during a weight loss study. It sucked big time, but I feel so much better now! You just have to force yourself to STOP. Want to be healthy more than you want the candy.
  • sniperzzzz
    sniperzzzz Posts: 282 Member
    No one can help you only yourself!
  • josyjozy
    josyjozy Posts: 117 Member
    If you like chocolate peanut butter combo - I have found Fit & Active protein meal bars to taste pretty close to candy bars. They are a little less sweet but definitively give you a chocolate fix. I love them. ( I eat them as a morning or afternoon snack (or both) never to replace an actual meal)
  • lilbitsc89
    lilbitsc89 Posts: 77 Member
    The kashi dark chocolate and cherry bars are really good...definately help with a sweet craving
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    I quit at one point. It was tough but I stopped craving it. My partner has kept bringing it home and I've let into my diet again. Too much of it too. I'm quitting again! For good. Even with good deficits I'm not going to lose the same! Its not worth it! The less you eat the less you crave for sure! X
  • 170isreal
    170isreal Posts: 151 Member
    Skinny Cow!!! 110 calories!
  • hooperkay
    hooperkay Posts: 463 Member
    Hershey bars were my weakness. I totally stopped eating them. The other day I got one and had the calories and thought I wanted one. It had been two months, I deserved it. I ate one square and didn't like it. I didn't even finish it. It didn't taste like I remembered. I'm hooked on fruit now? go figure
  • claregoulding
    claregoulding Posts: 1
    Cut down to one a day then to one a week and before you know it the cravings will disappear.
    Or you can just cut them out all together the first few days will be hard but have the will power to overcome the craving and before you know it the cravings will be gone.
  • grnice
    grnice Posts: 96
    Luna Bars are awesome! You can get big size ones the size of a candy bar or snack size ones. The variety boxes are good, you can get those on Amazon or at Target. I'm sure they are sold at a lot of other places also.
  • workoutgirl23
    workoutgirl23 Posts: 267
    yea. i have horrible sugar cravings as well. you still should allow yourself a candy bar in moderation. you just can't over due it. as long as it fits into your daily calorie goals, its fine. there are also lower calorie options for chocolate out there. such as the dark chocolate york peppermint patties, are lower in calories and fat. or there are the Skinny Cow chocolate bars, for people who are on diets. they taste pretty good. just remember its all about moderation. make it fit into your daily calorie goals and you should be fine.

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