I'm having cravings and snacking..HELP

[TinaSteven 6]

I'm some one who is a year out and still need to loose 30 to get to my goal. But the cravings are still there and I'm over snacking. Has anyone else had to experience this and what did you do to change it. I don't want to go back to the old ways.

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[Bufflehead 6,358]

Yes, I have been there! Here is what has helped me get back on track:

• Six day carb detox. For the entire six days, I only eat unprocessed meat (no bacon, sausage, lunch/deli meat, jerky), eggs, green veggies, and healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, grass fed butter): days 1 & 2, I let myself eat as much as I want, whenever I want, and do not record on MyFitnessPal. Days 3 & 4, eat as much as I want but record on MyFitnessPal. Days 5 & 6, set calorie maximum at 1,000 Protein goal at 100 grams, weigh all my portions and record on MyFitnessPal. Stay within my goal ranges.
• After that, keep logging and gradually integrate in fruit, legumes, nuts, and dairy. No grains, starchy veggies, or sweets at all. They trigger cravings for me.
• Plan my eating every day. When I will eat and what I will have. When cravings strike, look at my food plan and remind myself of when I get to eat next.
• Get all "bad" food out of the house.
• I look at the times and places that give me trouble. I was struggling to resist buying candy and sweet breads (pumpkin bread) at our snack shop at work, and struggling to avoid the vending machines there. So I stopped taking money and credit and debit cards to work with me. I can't buy something if I have no way to pay for it.

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

Great info there @@Bufflehead

I'd just like to add the following if I may..

- Generally speaking, a craving is your body lacking in something.

It could be as simple as Protein or carbs, or as intricate as some sort of vitamin/mineral etc..

There are a number of websites which can fill you in on the details...

There's one I know f which even suggests healthy alternatives..

eg Craving chocolate means you're lacking in Vitamin Yum so eat some broccoli ( ) to ease the craving..

Obviously that's not a real example but I'm sure you get the idea...

If I can find it, I'll post the link here...

[Zane's Mom 184]

I'm 22 months out and I'll tell you what my reset is. I can easily go back to full liquids for 3 to 5 days with no issues. Kind of like the pouch test but I don't count everything. I just have my shakes all day long. When I'm ready to bring back in solids, I start with my lean meats, mostly chicken and fish. And then my vegetables.

It breaks my snacking. It resets my restriction. It gets me back on track to basics of healthy choices. Then I add things back in slowly.

Mostly I just have a Protein shake every day. I think that has always helped me.

And the funniest is I bring my Vitamins with me in my purse and have them throughout the day. They are like gummies and they do taste ok. Every little thing helps.

You need to think back to the things you did absolutely faithfully while you were losing during the first year and pick that up again. So if you've stopped tracking then start. If you were using almonds as a go to snack and you've stopped, then start again. If you swear you can never eat another yogurt because you've eaten so much, go back.

Sometimes we forget what worked because the first year was hell to go through but worth it.

Best of luck to you.

[TinaSteven 6]

Yes, I have been there! Here is what has helped me get back on track:

• Six day carb detox. For the entire six days, I only eat lean meat, green veggies, and healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, grass fed butter): days 1 & 2, I let myself eat as much as I want, whenever I want, and do not record on MyFitnessPal. Days 3 & 4, eat as much as I want but record on MyFitnessPal. Days 5 & 6, set calorie maximum at 1,000 Protein goal at 100 grams, weigh all my portions and record on MyFitnessPal. Stay within my goal ranges.
• After that, keep logging and gradually integrate in fruit, legumes, nuts, and dairy. No grains, starchy veggies, or sweets at all. They trigger cravings for me.
• Plan my eating every day. When I will eat and what I will have. When cravings strike, look at my food plan and remind myself of when I get to eat next.
• Get all "bad" food out of the house.
• I look at the times and places that give me trouble. I was struggling to resist buying candy and sweet breads (pumpkin bread) at our snack shop at work, and struggling to avoid the vending machines there. So I stopped taking money and credit and debit cards to work with me. I can't buy something if I have no way to pay for it.

Thank you so much. I need the support and great idea.

Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

[TinaSteven 6]

Great info there @@Bufflehead

I'd just like to add the following if I may..

- Generally speaking, a craving is your body lacking in something.

It could be as simple as Protein or carbs, or as intricate as some sort of vitamin/mineral etc..

There are a number of websites which can fill you in on the details...

There's one I know f which even suggests healthy alternatives..

eg Craving chocolate means you're lacking in Vitamin Yum so eat some broccoli ( ) to ease the craving..

Obviously that's not a real example but I'm sure you get the idea...

If I can find it, I'll post the link here...

Great please do. Thank you guys

Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

[TinaSteven 6]

I'm 22 months out and I'll tell you what my reset is. I can easily go back to full liquids for 3 to 5 days with no issues. Kind of like the pouch test but I don't count everything. I just have my shakes all day long. When I'm ready to bring back in solids, I start with my lean meats, mostly chicken and fish. And then my vegetables.

It breaks my snacking. It resets my restriction. It gets me back on track to basics of healthy choices. Then I add things back in slowly.

Mostly I just have a Protein shake every day. I think that has always helped me.

And the funniest is I bring my Vitamins with me in my purse and have them throughout the day. They are like gummies and they do taste ok. Every little thing helps.

You need to think back to the things you did absolutely faithfully while you were losing during the first year and pick that up again. So if you've stopped tracking then start. If you were using almonds as a go to snack and you've stopped, then start again. If you swear you can never eat another yogurt because you've eaten so much, go back.

Sometimes we forget what worked because the first year was hell to go through but worth it.

Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much I just needed to hear I was not alone with this struggle. Great advice.

Sent from my LG-D850 using the BariatricPal App

[KindaFamiliar 3,867]

I've just had a look and found a plethora of information...

All I did was Google "cravings and what they mean"..

I couldn't find the exact site I mentioned earlier but the information is the same...

It may not work for you but it's definitely worth a look..