https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:27:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1172526 Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:24:18 +0000 ironkurtin 1172526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/learning-to-cut-the-sugar/?action=click&amp;contentCollection=Real%20Estate&amp;module=MostEmailed&amp;version=Full&amp;region=Marginalia&amp;src=me&amp;pgtype=article" rel="nofollow">http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/.....llection=R</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171492 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:57:48 +0000 texstyle 1171492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, so glad to hear you are taking on a&nbsp;goal for yourself!&nbsp; </p> <p>I wonder sometimes if a craving for a food item is a sign that some nutritional aspects are lacking in the diet overall.&nbsp; For example, way back when I first started taking magnesium my love and craving for dark chocolate vanished. It was weird how quickly I changed from LOVING and wanting a piece of chocolate every day to not really wanting it at all. I've rarely eaten anything chocolate for the past ten years!&nbsp; And now, with low iron that I'm still working to solve, I crave nuts, greens (which luckily I grow so I have them all the time) and other things that I used to not eat much.</p> <p>Maybe it would help to be sure you are getting plenty of minerals in your diet. Seems that many of us are lacking in basics like magnesium, selenium, zinc, etc. </p> <p>For me, it's the health aspect that changes my diet the most. I know sugar is not good for the health so maybe I've "taught" myself to not like it. I have an occasional sweet but I don't feel greatly satisfied by it.</p> <p>Someone recently mentioned a book called "Intuitive Eating" and while I may not need this book to understand the concept, it seemed&nbsp; like a good concept to me after reading the reviews and previewing it online.</p> <p>Regarding "candida" it IS really important if you have this to get rid of it from what I've read. I won't go into details because I am not a doctor but it seems to be related to many illnesses. There are several herbal and nutritional supplements I've seen that are said to kill off candida (as long as you don't keep feeding it with sugars).</p> <p>I use the lef.org web site sometimes for nutritional information. They DO sell supplements now (I don't think they did way back when I first found them). There is also as site from the Nobel Peace Prize winner Linus Pauling lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter that is great for research on food as medicine.</p> <p>For me, learning more about what's IN the food I eat and how it can impact my health, keeps me on track.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171400 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:26:06 +0000 ironkurtin 1171400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What about gum?</p> <p>When I was on my horrible limited calorie diet I drank water and chewed gum 24-7. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171394 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 14:21:55 +0000 April 1171394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a total abstainer. &nbsp;I can ignore the chips completely, but I can't have three and be done with it. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171226 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:15:31 +0000 Louise 1171226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm afraid I'm another moderator like suz and mo. If I deny myself things I want them all the more and end up gorging. But good luck with your diet I hope the sweet cravings pass really quick x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171199 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 06:26:22 +0000 Gigi 1171199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing that I found was helpful when I cut all sweets out of my diet was to eat a lot of cinnamon. I would put quite a bit of it on my oatmeal in the morning. For some reason, the taste of cinnamon reminded me of sweets (probably because a lot of baked goods have cinnamon), and that helped me feel like I was eating something sweet. I don't know what other spices might be in this category...cardamom, maybe? Basil and tarragon I think have a bit of a "sweet" taste to them too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171168 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 05:04:54 +0000 T 1171168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I went on a low-carb/no grain &amp; sugar or processed food diet myself about a year and half ago. During the initial first week, the sugar cravings were really bad. I used to instead munch on something healthy - like nuts (dates, cashews)&nbsp;or grilled, spicy chicken or cheese or spicy buttermilk&nbsp;- basically anything that was allowed as per the plan. For me sitting around hungry just makes the craving worse.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171146 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 04:35:44 +0000 JayS 1171146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, good for you for choosing to take control of your eating. That's a very hard thing to do. You sound as if you have good motivation and your head is in the right place. That's a big part of the battle.</p> <p>The thing about cravings such as yours, Mochi, is that they do go away if you don't feed them. LIke Carter, I've given up grains, sugars, processed foods in general. I finally decided to go that route because I get cravings when I eat those kinds of carbs. I really don't like cravings so I guess I'm in the&nbsp;abstainer category.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you're dealing with hunger, please make sure you're eating plenty of good fat..olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, etc. Fat sates hunger.</p> <p>Good luck. Doing something for 3 weeks helps it to become a habit, so you're well on your way to success. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1171091 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 03:34:33 +0000 DonnaF 1171091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sugar cravings are hard, but once you power through they're not so bad.&nbsp; I pretty much have to completely abstain for awhile, and then be super cautious.&nbsp; Fruit doesn't result in triggering binges however.&nbsp; Nowadays, I eat two pieces for dessert after lunch.&nbsp; I also drink Celestial Seasonings' Bengal Spice tea.&nbsp; No caffeine, and it's not sour/astringent like a lot of herbal teas.</p> <p>Best wishes.&nbsp; You can do it!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170989 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 01:43:44 +0000 Gigi 1170989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck, Mochi! Sugar is a toughie. But I will also say that one time a naturopath put me on a very strict diet where he wanted me to avoid all simple sugars (including fruit), and after about a week, I had terrible sugar cravings and found myself eating the junk that people brought to work (doughnuts from the grocery store, cookies, etc.). I hadn't eaten that junk in YEARS! So I decided that there was something wrong, and I added fruit back into my diet. The cravings stopped. My body actually needed the sugar from the fruit.&nbsp;So if something happens and you simply can't avoid giving in to the cravings, maybe you could consider modifying your fruit intake; maybe your body has a need that's not being met.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170978 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 01:28:04 +0000 MsMaven 1170978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Usually once I make it through the first four or five days of abstaining I get over the sugar cravings. &nbsp;I do eat lots of fruit though. &nbsp;I have done the South Beach diet and may have to do it again--at least for a couple of weeks. &nbsp;It's more because it's kind of a pain in the neck to keep track of what I can and cannot eat.</p> <p>About the tango: &nbsp;I lived in Argentina for a couple of years ages ago and have &nbsp;been back 6 or 7 times. &nbsp;I love the tango--the real tango as danced by just about everybody, young, middle-aged and old. &nbsp;I love Carlos Gardel--he's an acquired taste I think, but he is authentic. &nbsp;</p> <p>I can be in a crowded place such as a restaurant or bar and if I hear the strains of a bandoneon beginning a piece my ears pick it up and I stop whatever to listen. &nbsp;</p> <p>Congratulations to you on your tango dancing and I hope you keep it up. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170849 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:13:44 +0000 Caro in Oz 1170849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>More sympathies - I'm a salt rather than sugar craver too. I don't know what your regime is but if I have cravings&nbsp;I find having a small amount of protein very helpful. I have hard-boiled eggs &amp; home made meatballs ready for these occasions I also do the - if I still want it in 5 minutes I'll have it trick - by then my "logical brain" usually kicks in &amp; I'm over the craving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170831 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 22:58:25 +0000 catgirl 1170831@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also I think it is important to remember that excessively limiting calories is not reasonable if you are exercising. The important thing is making those calories count. Women spend way too much time hungry in the name of weight loss! See this article: </p> <p><a href="http://sophieologie.me/2013/09/26/1200-calories/" rel="nofollow">http://sophieologie.me/2013/09/26/1200-calories/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170725 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 21:16:24 +0000 carter 1170725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I gave up the vast majority of carbs in October. No bread, pasta, sugar, starches, grains. My carbs these days come from veggies, nuts and berries. I eat a ton of veggies, protein and plenty of fat. The first week and a half to two weeks were tough for cravings, but it's been smooth sailing ever since. For the first 6 weeks, there was no wine, no "low carb" prepared foods, no sugar alcohols, no nothing. Now that I've lost the weight I wanted to lose, I'll have a glass of wine, a piece of sugar-free chocolate (from Trader Joe's), a half a low carb pita or half a sweet potato every now and then. Once you break the carb frenzy cycle, it's really very easy. You should be almost there so hang in there. The last thing you want to do is cheat now when your body would have to start all over. I do worry about the hunger pangs though. I'm not sure what diet you're on, but I'm not a big believer in being hungry if you're not eating carbs. Is there something you can eat? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170533 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:37:37 +0000 rachylou 1170533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really love my Viennoiserie and bread. Hells bells, I'm a baker. But I should reign it in. For the sake of my liver, as well as my blood sugar and arteries. I was reading something on Rodale news about how added <u>simple</u> sugars, the sort that spike your blood sugar, make you look old and decrepit. I have to admit, I found that somewhat motivating. Nothing like vanity to get a person going. Lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170525 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:32:38 +0000 LACeleste 1170525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Mochi,</p> <p>In detoxing solidarity with you. &nbsp;It is definitely hard---even for hard-headed will of steel types. &nbsp;Cravings are so sneaky.</p> <p>I support you and I hope it helps to know others are going through the same thing ( and drinking lots of tea! :)) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170522 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:31:48 +0000 Hil 1170522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am totally NOT a moderator. It's all or nothing for me with sugar... And I totally commiserate!&nbsp;</p> <p>Today was a good day... I managed to abstain for the most part. And I felt so muchh better this afternoon&nbsp;as a result. So much more energy. If I could just do this day after day!&nbsp;</p> <p>Good luck with your plan!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170469 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:00:14 +0000 catgirl 1170469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am there with you!&nbsp; I just restarted the Eat To Live plan (modified to account for the fact that I am not a gastric bypass candidate) which is easy for me except for giving up sugar.&nbsp; I really crave a piece of chocolate now and then, and I don't like feeling deprived.&nbsp; I bought some fruit bars from the health section (like fig newtons)&nbsp;and try to eat those to ward off candy needs.&nbsp; It is definitely like detox/withdrawal so hang in there - you're not alone! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170458 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:52:10 +0000 Freckles 1170458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><i>I commiserate with you.<br />If you like herbal teas Tetley makes one called Warmth. &nbsp;It is a cinnamon and spice orange blossom mix. &nbsp;Tastes like dessert to me...</i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170428 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:31:21 +0000 Gaylene 1170428@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm like Mo and Suz that moderation was the way for me to adjust my eating habits because my goal was to think long term, rather than a quick fix. But, as Suz points out, different strategies work for different people. </p> <p>My tip for controlling cravings was to tell myself that, if a craving was still all-consuming after a set period of time, I could give into it in the least hurtful way. Usually the thought was enough to settle me back down so I could move on to something else. That strategy was successful 99% of the time because it changed my focus enough to make me want to reach my goal instead of capitulating to a momentary whim. </p> <p>I also think that having a highly specific reason, such as being able to perform a tango move or, in my case, lowering my blood pressure numbers before my next visit to the doctor, is really key to helping us stick to a weight loss program. Visualizing reaching my goal made it easier to cope with the transitory nature of a craving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170371 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:55:37 +0000 Suz 1170371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you for taking a step forward, Nancy! It's always tough.&nbsp;</p> <p>I can't remember if I posted this for you before -- probably, or you may have seen a link to it in Lean Eating -- but it's relevant:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2011/04/quiz-are-you-a-moderator-or-an-abstainer-when-trying-to-give-something-up/">Are you a moderator or abstainer?&nbsp;</a></p> <p>I'm like Mo -- a moderator. I can't give stuff up entirely or I get incredibly rebellious. But I can moderate my intake. You might be the opposite, in which case, your new plan may work for you much better.&nbsp;</p> <p>Strength -- core and otherwise! &nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170366 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:53:02 +0000 Mochi 1170366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>shedev, if it's anything that gets me through this, you're right, it's that higher goal.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170364 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:49:59 +0000 Aquamarine 1170364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was just thinking about this earlier. I generally do not crave sugar (like April, I crave salt) BUT if it is around and I try even one bite, I am done. There is a big bag of Lindt chocolate in my cupboard (thanks to my DH...Valentines Day) and if I have one piece, I dive in and can't stop. For me, cold turkey is best with some foods. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170361 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:47:10 +0000 shedev 1170361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it will increase your chances of being successful that you are doing this to help with another goal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170350 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:42:57 +0000 Mochi 1170350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, and I realize I have a lot of solidarity out there with other food cravers! I realized that I needed something really strict for this point in time. I kept just putting off, putting off, putting off each day making any changes. So all the knowledge I had, I was keeping it abstract. I also decided I would need something where, no matter how hard, it would lead to some results right up front. I couldn't be hovering around with a 5-lb weight loss for months. I decided to do the weight loss like putting the horse before the carrot (probably a lousy analogy--but somehow that would just fire me up to keep going, rather than trying to improve the fundamental habits and then hoping for eventual results. I couldn't do that this time.)&nbsp;</p> <p>I will be back to an easier food plan that is completely normal, and that is when I am thinking I can segue back to all the lessons I have previously learned. I just want to be visibly slimmer and feel fitter right away! And so far it's working.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170336 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:37:26 +0000 Mo 1170336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm on April's team, but cravings are cravings. &nbsp;It's hard. &nbsp;I'm not sure total abstinence would work for me, but we all operate differently. &nbsp;Good luck!<br />I've realized I'm happiest with moderation in all things - buying clothes, drinking wine, running, you get the picture. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170333 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:35:44 +0000 amiable 1170333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You and me too Mochi - I'm discovering that I'm horribly addicted to sweets! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170320 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:28:07 +0000 April 1170320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi, I don't have much of a sweet tooth -- my downfall is salty, chippy-type snacks -- but&nbsp;I also recently went on a "no grain" regime (not actually for weight loss) and am finding that part of it the trickiest. &nbsp;I miss my snack foods. &nbsp;<br />Just wanted to say that you're not alone, even if we're craving different things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/desperately-fighting-off-sugar-cravings#post-1170309 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:21:04 +0000 Mochi 1170309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But it's all good, I think...</p> <p>I'm inspired to write this after just now reading here&nbsp;of others' struggles with feeling bad about current fitness state. It's kind of apples and oranges, I realize; it's just the precariousness and vulnerability I'm choosing to relate to at the moment. </p> <p>About ten days ago I started in on an eating plan that is healthy IMO but for some people&nbsp;controversial (so I won't mention which one it is). The food is good but it's so low carb (allows some fruit)&nbsp;and I've tried this protocol before and quit twice before. This time I am hanging in there. Today was very difficult (and it's not even noon!). I just wanted to bust out the sugary treats so bad. So far I rode it out. But I keep looking at my record of how many days are left on this strict stage (about three weeks), and all I want is for it to be over. And I don't know how I will get through it, or at least how without being obsessed almost every minute of my waking life! Ugh.&nbsp;</p> <p>But I feel different starting the program this time...it's the first time I really feel like I can do this. And should stick it out. WITHOUT even a little cheat (which is not "little" on this program). I did the Precision Nutrition program about two years ago and though it gave me some good things to think about, and some great workouts and resulting improvement in fitness, I never succeeded in changing my eating habits in any deep way.&nbsp;</p> <p>It's funny that the difference to me is about tango. I have advanced in these last few months, and up till now have done very well with my excellent core strength and overall fitness. But when I took a series of classes on turns that involved a lot of pivoting, I finally had to concede that the weight (concentrated in my belly) was throwing me off, making it really hard and creating a lot of imprecision. Even my right foot was hurting in the metatarsil.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am just blathering now, but am hoping it will be therapeutic to write it down. I have widened my circle of friends and my community exponentially since taking up tango. It's led to a lot of changes in my life, in my work (I'm now assisting my two teachers at the gallery that they also run), and in my positive outlook toward life. I am feeling now that if I can hang in there and lose weight, even 20 lbs (out of the 50 I probably should lose), I will be an inspiration for a lot of my friends and&nbsp;colleagues. It's a big responsibility that makes me want to succeed.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also know more realistically that if I go crazy with sugar while I'm in this stage of the program, it's going to be a very short-lived enjoyment. Probably not even any enjoyment at all.&nbsp;</p> <p>I wish I wasn't dealing with hunger or cravings at all. (Actually, I will take the hunger pang over the food craving any day.) I seem to have fought it off this morning. I hope I can manage and find other things to occupy my thoughts the next few weeks till I move into the more lenient part of the program. Which WILL come. I just feel like it's never going to happen.&nbsp;</p> <p>I know it could be candida or some other thing that's fighting back, that wants to be fed--knowing isn't helping all that much! But anyway, I'm fifty and I hope I can finally grow up and deal with a few mere weeks of limited food choices.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm enjoying my cuppa tea about 12 times a day, though : &nbsp;)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>