cravings!!!

[dimar97]

I have a question about cravings. I have started week 4 this week and I still crave sweets. Will I always crave sweets? Is it like smoking in that even long after you quit sometimes you still think you might want one? Yesterday was pretty bad. All I wanted all day was my mini pumpkin cheesecakes (made with Splenda of course). They are cupcake size and I put a squirt of extra creamy Reddi Whip (>1carb per serving) on it – ohmy! its so yummy. Well, I kept holding off – meanwhile eating everything else in my fridge – cheese and pepperoni, veggies and blue cheese, lunch meat roll ups (roast beef around a cheese stick) I drank a diet pop thinking the sweetness of that might help, made some crystal light a little while later – by now I am QUITE full – between the grazing and the fluids – but still craving. So I did finally end up eating one (and a half) and THEN I was happy (stuffed but satisfied) Should I have saved myself all the extra calories and carbs and just had it in the first place? Am I defeating myself by denying myself OR by giving in? I don’t know how to deal with these feelings but they are very real and very strong – stronger than me it appears!

[*Emma*]

Re: cravings!!!

The splenda could be making you crave - could be cheese... could be anything...

process of elimination it looks like!

For me its splenda, i just want more and more and more, so i dont have any at all.

[dreamof145]

Re: cravings!!!

I don't think we magically completely quit craving things that we used to eat in abundance. The thing that I do when I feel like having a snack or if someone around me is having something that I used to like is this:

I look for something similar (substitute) that I can enjoy. For instance if my family is having a pizza night, I make me a small Atkins friendly pizza. If they are going to have chips, I make some cheese or pepperoni chips so I can join in.

The secret to succeeding in any change of habit is to replace habits with new healthier habits. If you deprive yourself unmercifully, then you're going to give in and pig-out. Thats not good. Don't think of this new way of life as a punishment but rather as an opportunity to develop new habits. Its not easy at first, but if you put on your creative hat and make it a challenge to stay on track and still satisfy yourself, you'll find that you get good at it. I have been on this program for 3+ years and I can tell you that it gets easier and as this WOE becomes a habit...then you don't even think about cheating. Instead you automatically think of pleasing yourself through Atkins friendly foods.

[not2late]

Re: cravings!!!

Reddi Whip has sugar. I think they use high fructose corn syrup and they put other stabilizers into it. So you're better off buying heavy or whipping cream and whipping it yourself.

And Emma is correct, for some people the artificial sweeteners have the same effect on their body as regular sugar. If you are one of these people, the more artificial sweetener you use, the more sugar/sweet taste you will want.

For your cravings:
1. Make sure you aren't thirsty. The thirst and hunger centers of your brain are next door to each other. So sometimes if you are thirsty, you might feel hunger/cravings. To make sure it isn't hunger/cravings, drink about glass or two of water---sip the water, don't 'chug'. If you don't feel hungry/cravy, then you know it was thirst and you'll know the next time how much water to drink daily.

2. Make sure you aren't eating sugared foods. Like I said, the whipped cream in cans typically are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and other sugars.

3. If you have to eat something, eat something high fat. Avoid the artificial sweeteners because it might cause you to 'crave' more.

[ValidRouge]

Re: cravings!!!

I believe in the theory of the "Cephalic Insulin Response". The theory is that the sweet taste alone(even if artificially sweetened i.e. splenda, aspartame, saccharine, stevia, etc.) will trigger an insulin response. The insulin enters the blood stream and commences on removing what little blood glucose there is. Because there was not excess glucose to begin with, you are left now with low blood sugar symptoms (irritability, CRAVINGS, maybe even shakiness, weakness, light headedness). So, the body sends the signal back to the brain "I need SUGAR". So, you then try to fix the craving with more artificially sweetened food/drinks. The taste on your tongue alone signals to the brain "Sugar coming" it releases insulin in anticipation and starts removing more glucose (from your now LOW levels). You then plunge even FURTHER into low blood sugar conditions.

It's a vicious cycle. And one reason that you should try to wean yourself from even the artificial sweetners and "desserts".

[dimar97]

Re: cravings!!!

I definitely don't feel like it is a low blood sugar things (shaky, agitated, nauseous - I've had those episodes before) This feels more HORMONAL in nature - which is not where I am at right now which is why I am confused. Before I "discovered" Water Sensations and Crystal Light To Go - I barely drank any water - I mean close to none - I have no taste for it at all. (Even when I was pregnant my doctor used to yell at me for not drinking enough water.) I like my coffee but I only have one big cup a day, with Splenda. I make my own treats (exc the whip cream part) so I know what' s in them... Knowing that I could have a couple of these things has helped me accept the other sacrifices this WOE requires of me... I am feeling very sad now
I will ditch the whipped cream and make my own, I can start there at least. I know weaning off my artificial sugar will have to be gradual but hopefully it will get easier... Thanks everyone

[julirama723]

Re: cravings!!!

Di, an important thing to remember is that our bodies do not always react the way they did in the past, or in ways that are predictable. Part of the atkins process is discovering trigger foods--ones that cause cravings, mood swings, intestinal cramps, bloating, etc. You may find foods that you thought were "safe" previous to atkins, only to discover that they make you ill or make you want other foods.

Good for you for ditching the RediWhip. Splenda is also a known cause of cravings, as is coffee. You might want to try giving up these two things for a week or two to see if the cravings disappear.

[skinnymom!]

Re: cravings!!!

Kristin glad you are ditching the Reddi Whip. The first time I successfully did Atkins I used to have reddi whip on my sugar free jello. My cravings were CRAZY. This time I make my own whipped cream with heavy cream and splenda. I avoid sugar like the plague. And my cravings are gone for the first time ever. I still want something sweet after dinner but that is a deeply ingrained habit I have, and I'm able to not give in most of the time. When I do, it's something made with splenda.

[dimar97]

Re: cravings!!!

do you know if you can whip up heavy cream and then store it or do you have to use it right away? I am a big fan of preping stuff ahead of time in my fridge - helps keep me on the stright and narrow (hopefully the straight and skinny one day!) I went to the gym in the mean time and beat on myself for a while and I am now resolute - i will try my water with lemon instead of crystal light and limit my diet pop to 1x a day - maybe not even (baby steps!!!) I will TRY to let go of my coffee - I never used to drink it till I had kids but they aren't bitty babies anymore... i am also of the "dessert after dinner cult" so I will have to find something to do with myself right after - see if I can let that go too. wish me luck!

[julirama723]

Re: cravings!!!

I've stored whipped cream for a day, but I haven't stored it any longer--I don't make very much at one time, and I always eat it up before it can sit too long in the fridge!

I drink my water with lemon slices ALL the time. If I had to drink plain water, I'm not sure I'd be so gung-ho about drinking it. You can also try lime or cucumber slices.

[Scooterjam]

Re: cravings!!!

I've whipped up about 2 cups and put in a sealed tupperware container, at Thanksgiving, and it lasted a good week fine, but it was tempting to go back and get more ya know. Don't put the bottle in front of the Alcoholic and say watch this for me please.

I drink plain water I'm boring and un-adventurous though...haha!

[WarOnTypeII]

Re: cravings!!!

Reddi Whip is a trigger for me.

Homemade whipped cream, sometimes with a dash of a DaVinci Syrup (Hazel Nut), not so much a trigger.


But my laziness has beaten me in the past.