Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

[Mirya]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Hey there my Arkansas folks!!!! My family who raised me is from there!!!—Straight up old fashioned Arkansas raising. Nobody messed with us in the neighborhood because we were deep .

Oh yeah the sugar thing is no joke!!! Read my siggy girl and you'll see if you stick with NOTHING sweet in your life you WILL LOSE AND THE CRAVINGS WILL CEASE. I just chose to have a beer one day and all he11 broke loose, that lead to apple smirnoffs then it was on like Donkey Kong.

WOOHOO GO ARKANSAS. My family is from Little Rock and Walnut grove.

[Kdog923]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

This Cephalic Insulin response is no joke. I am a recovering 6-8 diet coke a day guy, and I can tell you, the original description of drinking soda after soda with no satisfaction, fit me to a T. I realized once I kicked the artificial sweeteners, I stopped getting headaches and my hunger disappeared. Now I drink when I am thirsty and not to try and satisfy itch I cant scratch. This is a fantastic website, but this may be the most important bit of info on here for hardcore insulin junkies.

[Peej]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

I went through week 1 of induction without any artificial sweeteners and after the first few days had no cravings for sweets. I've never been hugely into sweets but I still indulged when I had the opportunity. The other day, I picked up some diet rite thinking that because it was made with Splenda it would be ok. I didn't necessarily crave more sweets, but I found myself feeling much hungrier than I had felt since cutting out carbs. I also drank much more of the Diet Rite than I had intended.

After that, I started diluting it with some seltzer so its about half diet rite and half seltzer. This way, I still get a little bit of the sweet taste but its not enough to make me feel hungry for the rest of the day. Day 3 of doing that and it seems to be the compromise that has worked for me. I also limit myself to one glass per day as a treat after dinner.

Hopefully this continues to work out well, because I really was so excited that there was a soda that I could still drink. I was definitely a diet coke junkie before starting on Atkins.

[Amaranda009]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Hi Guys, totally agree- i was addicted to taste of sweet. One little bit and i wanted more. i too find it so much easier to not have them at all.

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

My experience earlier this week supports this topic. I have been drinking nothing but water for two weeks. A couple days ago I found myself at a fast food restaurant with friends and decided to have a medium diet pepsi. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but found myself craving carbs that evening almost as bad as I did prior to switching to this WOE. It took every ounce of willpower (and a little binging on legal foods) to overcome the desire to munch on crackers, cereal, and milk! I think I just need to accept that no sweets (real or fake) is just one of my crosses to carry and in the bigger picture, that's not such a heavy cross!

[happyinlife]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

I have been sooo stubborn in the past. When I would read an article or hear something on TV about sweetners and diet sodas would roll my eyes. A typical
day for me would be "no water." I started with 2 cups of coffee w/ fat free french
vanilla creamer, and equal. I would have a diet pepsi on the way to work and would have to make a quick stop at the convenient store to get a reeses cup. That was my routine every day. I drank diet sodas all day long. I was always thinking about sweets. Sometimes a would give in to the desire for a second candy bar in the afternoon or maybe ice cream in the evening. I diffently believe that the diet pepsi was the trigger. What I have spent on diet soda over the last twenty years! I am sleeping better at night. I am not craving sweets. I made my family a carrot cake with cream cheese icing over this past weekend. I had no desire to lick the bowl. I have passed by that cake everytime I enter the kitchen. I haven't had a desire to have a piece. Nothing! I am amazed and have been waiting for the overwelming desire to binge. Thankfully the family polished the cake off and there was no slip ups.

[Thessalonian]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

How come we can't drink Diet Coke that has 0 net carbs?

[Neecy]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

How come we can't drink Diet Coke that has 0 net carbs?

It contains aspartame, which is a known staller, in addition to being unhealthy. You can try to find a splenda-sweetened alternative such as Diet -Rite, but the best alternative is plenty of water!!!

[Thessalonian]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Got it. And I suppose the same goes for artificial sweeteners. But those of us addicted to sugar, it is hard not to have anything sweet in the first week, especially after dinner. By having removed all fruits from our daily regime, I just need something to cover this need. Water won't do the trick unfortunately... And trust me, I drink 5 ltrs a day...

FYI, I can't find diet-rite or Splenda in Greece. We haven't got a "low-carb" culture yet

[Neecy]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Not all artificial sweeteners are verboten on Atkins. You can have Splenda/sucralose and stevia. Just be aware that even these sometimes cause an insulin response in some people.

[Barbee]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Well, I think this is why I'm losing so slowly... been on Atkins strictly since May first and only lost 10 lbs. I can't let go of my sweet tooth and thought I was within the diet eating whipped cream and flavored water but both are sweetened with Splenda.
So is the diet jello.... whoa is me... these things are the only pleasures I get from the diet. I'll never be able to stay on it without those few perks. As it is I am only eating to keep from hunger pangs... I don't enjoy the food at all.

[singadiva]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Hi all,
Am new and struggling with Induction. I thought it was all down to being PCOS and IR...I guess I didn't want to acknowledge the no-carb jelly and chewy sweets!

Aw, I find it SOOOO hard not to have something sweet after dinner! I can let it all go during the day no problem but the night/dessert thing gets me BAAAAD.

I've been doing Induction for a month now with minimal weightloss so should I be trying the fat fast??

Singadiva

[Barbee]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

OH NOoooooooooooooooooooooo I cut out the carbs and now I have to give up Splenda too?????? What did I do in my last life to deserve this????? OMG! No wonder I'm not losing any weight. This is truly depressing.

Been on Atkins since May 1. Took me 7 months to lose 18 lbs. I had one Christmas cookie on Christmas and quite a few Atkins bars to make myself feel better missing all the festivity. I went back to 214 from 209.

[Elizellen]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

Barbee, have you posted a typical few days' menus including quantities in our 'Review my menu' forum?

Our regulars might be able to give you some suggestions.

[singadiva]

Re: Addicted to Sweets? The Cephalic Phase Insulin Response

I'm taking it all back. I'm not giving up Splenda but I'm using Stevia instead. The reason I am losing slowly is my endocrine system is screwed (as well as being IR/HI)!

I've re-read the book and am taking the supplements Atkins advises for those with IR (Metabolic Resistance). He says if you can lose on Induction , however slowly, you can lose - and slower is better long-term.

I am now on meds for a burnt-out adrenal system and a slow thyroid.

Life is TOO short to never have a treat so am beating the sweet cravings with diet jelly and double cream, diet jelly whipped with 1oz of cream cheese or cream cheese mixed with a serve of stevia. I'm losing slowly but I know why and I'm still in ketosis so everything is doing what it should.....it's just going to take more time.

People have been commenting on how well I look so it must be right! Hang in there - you are already doing so much more for your body and health than probably anyone else you know and you WILL reap the rewards!

Diva