MASSIVE Sweets Cravings

[KimK813 2]

I have always been a sweets person, but since my surgery, and especially in the last 2 months, I crave sweets ALL the time! Sometimes I can quench it with a peppermint or some gum, but sometimes I am craving straight up junk. Any advice?

[stateofzen 46]

If you drastically reduce your carbs for 2 weeks, I bet the cravings greatly diminish.

I used to have to have something sweet every night. Then I did a very strict low carb diet for two weeks. For the first three days, I swear I was a raving lunatic. But then it was magic! I suddenly lost all cravings for sweets, starches like potatoes and corn, bread, Pasta, etc.

It's worth a shot, and since its such a high Protein diet (with vegetables, but not fruit if you really want to wean yourself for two weeks), it fits wells with the band. Eventually I added fruit back in but left out all sugar and white flour. Actually, I'm thinking of doing another crash course after my holiday carb relapse

[CalicoskiesNC 2]

I too have a few sweet cravings now and again. Something that works for me is just a bite of extremely dark chocolate, at least 72%. Its very strong and after a nibble melts away, I really don't want anymore. SF Jello pudding cups help, as does a cup of sf applesauce that I stir in about 1tsp cinnamon. And sometimes when I can't get food off my mind, I brush my teeth with Tom's WIcked Fresh and that works! Makes my mouth so minty and fresh that I dont want to eat anything and ruin it! Oh, also a cup of hot peppermint tea also helps sometimes.

ETA that I also keep a few Werthers SF hard candies in my purse and at work. Taste good and only about 5cals each.

[DebH 1]

Sweets have always been my biggest downfall! I do know that one sweet for me often leads to more and I am better if I resist them altogether. I also keep mints handy and for some reason cinnamon hard candies are helpful in satisfying my craving. Another trick I have is to keep a jar of Polaner all fruit preserves in the fridge and I will take a spoonful after dinner which is often when I feel I need something sweet. Over the holidays I baked and did allow myself to have a cookie or piece of candy here and there and it was not good for me. I gained 3-4 pounds (which thankfully I lost pretty quickly) and I was so mad at myself. There have been a couple occasions where I was satisfied with just a bite of something, but I also know for me that one bite can lead to another and another, etc. I think it depends on one's level of sweet addiction!

[CheckYes 46]

I think I heard that either magnesium or manganese helps with sugar cravings. Maybe try a google search on it?

[HeatherinCA 10]

I found the best thing ever!

Hershey's makes sugar free Chocolates, I got the Special Dark ones (those are least sugary to begin with) and one little fun size bar is 30 calories. Tastes good!! I can't tell it's sugar free, and cures my chocolate fix if I need it . I take really small bites and savour it. I wouldn't eat a ton because it has lots of fake sugar, but once in a while I'm sure it's ok.

Also I got some cocoa dusted almonds, they are little 100 calorie packs, it's a little sweet, and almonds are very filling, and the new Jello mousse ones are great too, and sf fudgicals

[HeatherinCA 10]

oops double

[ElfiePoo 109]

The only thing that worked for me was to get rid of all sweets including artificial because just the taste of sweetness set of cravings. I also eliminated all carbs except those in vegies. No Pasta, no bread...no wheat products of any kind.

I can't have just 'one' because I can't control the cravings that follow.

.

[KimK813 2]

I think I may have to try the No Carb crash thing... I have tried Calcium and chromium supplements (they are supposed to calm sweets cravings) but they did nothing for me.

Thanks for all the advice!

[vlp1968 83]

Lot's of great tips! I would also add, don't keep the stuff in your house. If people you live with wants them, have a serious talk to elicit their support. Maybe they can eat sweets outside the house, buy something they like but you don't or at least keep them in a cabinent that you don't go into. Good luck!