are there really substitutes for chocolate?

[peacefuljourney]

Hi,

So basically I'm looking for chocolate substitutes. I've heard of some kind of jello/whipped cream/chocolate things - can anybody explain?

And when we're done with weight loss can we have some dark (like 85% cocoa) chocolate? I remember Dr. A- saying that an addiction is an addiction and thus, it should be no, but life without dark chocolate? I'm almost willing to trade a few pounds not to have to eliminate that food - guess that says I'm an addict.

I'm in my last year of medicine and my physiology professor told me that chocolate is a 'need' for someone like me because it acts as a 'soothing' agent on my neuroreceptors. Thus, it's 'addictive' quality for folks like me. I have a lot of energy and am rather type A...

Anyhow, I'm not trying to derail anyone, but looking for suggestions that have worked for other chocoholics out there.

Thanks, S-

[kate58]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

I am not a chocaholic - I like chocolate but only very dark and not sweet chocolate, but since I moved to OWL have once weekly (on a Sunday!) had a little 85% chocolate after dinner, which has not hindered my weightloss.

However it is a LITTLE - 10g which equates to three very small squares and which in the brand we use (Green and Black) contains 2g of carbs. And I buy it in 100g bars, so between two of us a bar lasts 5 weeks and it stays in the fridge untouched all that time and does not call me. We added it not just as a treat, but because there is evidence that very dark chocolate is good for your heart.

BUT this does not mean you either can or should do the same. It depends on how you react to it. We are all different and all have different trigger foods. I have to be very careful about keeping nuts about the house, because I will overeat them to the point of gluttony.

That is the case not just during weight loss, but during maintenance. We all will have foods that we are better avoiding because they lead to more bad food. 85% chocolate does not do that for me, it may or may not for you.

[deek deek]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

my friend gave me a recipe that I'm addicted too...its not induction but it doesnt stall me...it reminds be of frozen easter chocolate....
butter 1 cup
bakers unsweetend chocolate (the box)
heavy cream 1 cup
and splenda 1 cup


melt the butter on the stove add chocolate till its all melted take it off the heat and add the others mix well...put in a dish and freeze...its so good to me cause i havent had chocolate and over 6 months!!! try it

[not2late]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

Did your physiology professor mention that chocolate cravings is a symptom of magnesium deficiency? And that by correcting the primary deficiency you might stop craving chocolate?

Did your physiology professor mention that the chocolate is acting like cocaine, amphetamines, or any other mind-altering drug on your neuroreceptors and that your dependency on it is similar to a crackhead's dependency or an alcoholic's dependency?

[Sera]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

i found chocolate for diabetics in germany...its sweetened with fruitsugar and since i passed the nuts and seeds rung and now fruit rung i allow myself a piece of it on some days.
however if u are still on induction dont even think about it, u need to stick to the plan 100% and not feed your cravings, plus chocolate or cocoa isnt legal until the nuts and seeds rung and even then it still depends what else u use/is in it.

u obviously need to get over your carb addiction and that includes chocolate...u can think of substitutes once u are in control of your eating habbits and some of us never manage that completely.

[lockeshop]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

I love the Adkins Advantage shakes....yummy and curbs my craving for choc.

Not allowed for induction though.

[peacefuljourney]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

Hi all,

Thanks for the recipe deek deek - I'll try that when I get further into the plan. Does it really freeze fully - or should I put it into ice cube trays to keep it in smaller pieces? It's also nice to see that some of you (kate & sera) have worked chocolate back into your life. I can't buy atkins products over here or low-carb anything. So, I have to go the 'pure food' route - just whole foods. When we first moved here, getting a fresh carrot was tough. We had to choose the one with the least amount of black mold on it. Lettuce was unheard of and celery just made it's debut 2 years ago.

not2late: no doubt I'm a addict - I really crave it. And I feel soooo great during and after my 'hit' - but milk chocolate - no thanks. It must be the dark dark stuff that most people don't like. If I can't learn to control my intake in the later phases then I'll have to give it up. I know that and am starting to accept it. I'm aware of the Mg point, but I don't recall which specific receptor she mentioned was inhibited by dark chocolate. Still, she is an expert on neurophysiology - I must ask next time I run into her.

Ciao. S-

[not2late]

Re: are there really substitutes for chocolate?

Talk to your pharmacology professor. When I worked at a major Children's Hospital, the clinical pharmacologists were typically more knowledgeable about drug effects and interactions.

It would be prudent to look into the magnesium deficiency thing.