Question:
How do I get sugar cravings under control?
Hello well I am 1 yr post-op and I have lost 142lbs. I have been fluctuating between 205 and 215 for 3 months now. I am having a real hard time staying away from junk food. For instance I can eat a whole party size box of Crunch-n-Munch in about an hr. That is alot of sugar. The box contains 9 servings at 150 cals a piece. I have tried everything to control the cravings. They were never this bad before surgery. I have even tried taking Stacker 2. This has not even stopped my cravings. I have also tried drinking more protein. Nothing helps. I need and want to lose 45 more lbs. This will put me at goal. Any sugestions? Distal Open Rny 04/12/01 — lynbaby B. (posted on May 3, 2002)
May 3, 2002
Protein, protein, protein. I have heard from others that protein (try to
stay with lean protein) helps to fight the cravings. Maybe add a protein
shake in for a bit to curb the hungries. Lots of water or herbal teas too.
I know it's easier said than done too. Good luck to you.
— Cinna G.
May 3, 2002
I myself think the extra protein shakes work too, BUT, if it gets really
bad, I eat a Quaker caramel choc-chip rice cake. About 50 cals, no fat,
with 11 grams of carbs. My worst time is at night, so I try to stay away
from carbs as much as possible during the day, except for some salad, then,
if I feel I really want something sweet, have one of those. Orval
redibocker(sp) makes them too, though they are made out of popcron, and not
rice.
— Marie A.
May 3, 2002
I can relate to this. I was in a "carb coma" last weekend. I
never, ever craved sweets pre-op but lately I'd love some chocolate. My
sister says that I am craving carbs and since I eat a low carb diet, I want
the sugary stuff to fulfill that need. So now I eat carbs, in limited
quantities in the form of whole wheats, and fruits (good carbs). I dont
think that our bodies should be denied anything in the food group; although
some things may be more important than others. Try eating some multi grain
carbs and fruits and see how that helps. Also PLAN YOUR MEALS!! Eat what
you've planned first, then deal with cravings. I plan mentally the night
before and prepare in the morning.
— Jeannet
May 3, 2002
Hi! I went through a carb-crazy period a few months ago. Everyone is
different, but this worked for me: I drank more water, upped my protein to
100 grams a day, and started eating a protein bar every morning as my
mid-morning snack. They key for me is the protein bar. If I don't have one
or if I eat it later in the day, I tend to crave and eat more carbs. Also
be sure you are starting your day eating protein, not carbs. I usually eat
some cheese or lunchmeat or peanut butter for breakfast. Eat cereal and I
will munch and snack all day--and still feel voracious! This is not to say
I don't eat carbs--I do! But this allows ME to be in control--not the food.
If you want to try it, let me know and I can recommend some good protein
bars. Hope this helps!
— ctyst
May 3, 2002
This hit me about 20 months out. NOW I know to just make little deals with
myself. I can have the ________, as soon as I finish this protein drink. I
just can't take ____ with me out of the kitchen. So, I have to stand there
& drink the drink and wait? I think not. So, I go do something while
I drink and then I'd have to stop doing it to go get the ______. I'm way
too lazy for that. Most cravings only last about 3 minutes, so if I can
wait it out, I can often beat it.
— vitalady
May 3, 2002
Well I am only 8 weeks post op, but speaking for my wife who is just over a
year out, she has had the sweet cravings too lately. But how she has dealt
with it is to just eat a few sugar-free treats. Like cookies, frozen
yogurt, SF candies. It is amazing how many SF things there now are
available. She says just one cookie, or treat or small amount of whatever
satisfies her cravings without getting her back on the sugar-insulin
rollercoaster. (However she is still very prone to dumping with sugar or
even much starch.)
— Dell H.
May 3, 2002
Dell is right. Sometimes just eating one sweet thing satisfies the
craving. I'm still pre-op, so I'm not speaking about any cravings after
surgery. But I've always had a pretty good sweet tooth, and I remember one
time when I was trying to lose weight on Weight Watchers (thank GOD those
days are over!), I was amazed how one little fun-sized candy bar would
satisfy my craving. I didn't have to have the king-sized one. I don't
know how much sugar you can eat without dumping, but I've read other people
on this site say that they can eat one fun-sized candy bar with no
problems. You might try that, although you could still have the problem of
staying away from the whole bowl of fun-sized candy bars. One way to help
solve that problem is to put the bowl in the cupboard. When I was on
Weight Watchers, I knew I could have one as dessert after dinner, and I
never was tempted to have more than that because I wasn't sitting there
staring at the bowl. Out of sight, out of mind?
— Kristie B.
May 3, 2002
I've learned over the years that the only way I can control sugar cravings
is to avoid the stuff completely. If I don't have any, I don't crave any.
The minute I try to have a small bit, I lose all control. So, since my Dec.
10th RNY, I have completely abstained from processed sugar and greatly
limited natural sugars. The results are good, I have had no problems with
cravings. This approach won't appeal to everyone, nor does everyone need to
avoid sugar so diligently. But, for me, its the best and only way. Good
luck to you. Congratulations on your success so far.
— Donna L.
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