Cravings

[tickletussler]

Every now and then, I get a really intense craving.

Now, I know the difference when I get cravings because I ate too much carbs or that one time I gave in to some yummy german beer.

But does anyone get cravings for no apparent reason at all, especially after they have been cruising very happily on Atkins?

For example, this evening I had an intense craving for something sweet (and usually it is Lindt chocolate). I tried to take my mind off it by doing something that is normally distracting enough not to think of food - usually playing my favourite computer game. I went for a walk, drank a pint of water. But that didn't work. So I ate first one hard-boiled egg, then another, then a bit of cheese, and then a bit of smoked mackeral. Eventually it was dinner time, and I still couldn't shake the craving but I went ahead and had dinner.

I know that DANDR says to find something I really enjoy doing to distract me, or go for a walk, or drink water, or pick a legal food to indulge on. But what if none of these works and you're practically driven crazy trying not to think or give in to your craving?

Any suggestions from anyone?

[Starmaker]

Yes, it hits me for 6 days every month Its easy to kick it. First try eating some protein. Fatty fish like salmon seems to hekp me sometimes. It was also suggested here recently that eating a dill pickle will help. If all else fails take some cream cheese (a couple tbsp) add some cocoa (unsweetened), and some splenda to taste. Mix it up and enjoy, or freeze it in blobs and let them melt in your mouth slowly. I find the fat feel on my tongue cures most impossible cravings.

[tickletussler]

hmm... that cream cheese, cocoa and splenda thing sounds nice. I'm not a big sugar eater, so it hasn't occurred to me to buy some splenda and combine with unsweetened cocoa. Sounds like a great idea - thanks Starmaker!

[JTsBlackqueen21]

I was just about to post on this topic :nod Just today I was perfectly fine until I went back to my room and my roomate had this big bag of jelly beans..so i went and had some cheese, watching the Celtics game, and i'm trying reallly reallly hard to say NO. lol

[tickletussler]

JTsBlackqueen21, it is so hard to resist, isn't it? Especially when you can also smell it. I asked my fiance not to eat my favourite chocolate and chips around me because the smell drives me absolutely nuts. Sometimes I'm ok with it, but others not so good.

Tonight I gave in again to another Thai indulgence. My friend's family had a big dinner before some of them returned to Thailand and they'd invited us because we were close friends of the family. It's so hard to say no, especially as it's a family of cooks who also run a restaurant here. I gave in to some special pad thai, and after not eating any noodles for 3 months, I ended up feeling unusually bloated and sleepy after dinner!

I think that was good that I felt sick and bloated - as much as I miss the food, it also confirmed the fact that eating refined carbs definitely has a negative effect on me.

[sugarfreeone]

I tried that cream cheese and cocoa and splenda combo more than once...It was way too salty for me....I could not eat it.

So instead when I just can not hang any longer without the taste of chocolate. I will mix up a little heavy cream with cocoa and splenda. You beat it in a small bowl with a whisk and it gets thick and creamy like a wonderful milkshake as you beat it.....Beat it even longer (and if the cream is cold enough) and it will become mousse-like. Just be sure to watch the amount of cream you use because use of cream is limited. Too much can stall your weight loss. Keep track of the amount of splenda you use and be sure it is in line with the sweetener limits (3 per day)

Whip up a small amount of this and just savor the flavor. It does not take much.....You can adjust the richness of the chocolate flavor by adding more cocoa....(unsweetened of course)

One last thing....just use caution and be aware that if you do indulge the "chocolate craving" it could backfire on you and make you crave more.....Be on your guard for the possibility of more cravings.

If this happens, you might want to get one of the supplements recommended in DANDR. It is supposed to help combat cravings. I think it is L-glutamine.

Good Luck :hug
Kat

[tickletussler]

You're right Sugarfreeone - the saltiness in the cream cheese just doesn't go with the sugar.

In regards to L-glutamine, I did try to purchase it but was told my various stores here that Chromium was the one to use, and L-glutamine was to only be used if I was doing body-building and lots of muscle-building, as that was what it was good for and not for sugar cravings.

I don't suppose you or anyone can tell me if this is the case?

I did buy the Chromium and find it is working for me, but I can't tell if it is really working or whether it is a placebo effect?

[sugarfreeone]

L-glutamine is what the doc recommended in DANDR for cravings. Chromium is for fat burning and metabolism. Both are good to take while on Atkins.

I am not sure I would take the advice of a vitamin store personover what Dr. Atkins has said in the DANDR....They are only going by what a product manufacturer says and may not be aware of "off-label" uses of the supplement. They only sell and only know what they are told by product reps.....

If chromium is working for you than that is great...one less pill to take lol...I am really BAD at remembering my vitamins everyday.......Uh-oh, here come the vitamin police lol!

:hug
Kat