The chocolate dilema

[carmenziliao33175]

Well... I think I found them... (sugar free chocolate) and they taste really good too; specially the Dove brand. I also found sugar free candy that has 0 grams of carb per serving. They only bad part is that the chocolate can trigger my cravings at times. But I have to admit that I rather have those that 3 or 4 doughnuts... right??? I don't know if I'm allowed to eat them and eventhough I did not weighted myself this week I know I didn't loose a pound. I should probably try a clean induction again eventhough I'm not eating anything high in carbs. My mom switched to Weight Watchers again because she cannot deal with all the meat and she hasn't lost anything; but I'm planning to stay on track and start eating some veggies (wish I really hate ), stop eating my sugar free jellow and read the book again... I have to admit that I'm bored to tears, but I need to keep loosing weight. I'm just wondering... Since I want to start with a clean induction again. Can I cheat at least just one time?

[Elizellen]

Re: The chocolate dilema

You can do whatever you want to do - but if the chocolates give you cravings you will only be increasing your likelihood of cheating again, so what good will that do you?

From what you say it doesn't look as if you have been eating strictly to plan up to now - maybe you can list your menus in our 'Review my Menu' forum so others can suggest improvements to your food choices that would make it less boring.

[matawguro]

Re: The chocolate dilema

How are the chocolates sweetened? Splenda (sucralose) or sugar alcohols (maltitol, sorbitol, isomalt, etc,)?

Supposedly, sugar alcohols aren't completely absorbed by the body which is why they don't impact blood sugar as much. However, sugar alcohols aren't created equal and some are more absorbed than others. Blog and ADBB posts seem to indicate that your mileage may vary with sugar alcohols. A good indicator might be the side effects. If a product with sugar alcohols is giving you the runs, then you're probably not absorbing a good amount.

Also, Atkins Nutritionals doesn't recommend having more than 10g of sugar alcohols per serving. I've seen some low-carb products out there that have around 20g or more of sugar alcohols per serving. I tend to avoid those since they tend to promote weight gain.

[carmenziliao33175]

Re: The chocolate dilema

They are sweetened with sugar alcohols and I believe they have about 18grams. Thank you for the information about the tendency to promote weight gain. I didn't know this. So I'm going to try to avoid them as much as I can. (eat them just when the cravings for something sweet start to kick in)

[Sherri]

Re: The chocolate dilema

Hello,
My advice would to completely stay clear of any Frankenfoods (processed food) and stick with wholesome whole foods, and keep to the Induction allowed food list on pages 124-129 DANDR 2002.
If you're having craving for sweets, a great supplement to take is L-Glutamine. It will stop the sweet cravings. Dr. Atkins explains L-Glutamine on page 136, DANDR. You can take up to 3000 mg a day. It really does work.
Sorry to hear your mom quit Atkins. Why was she eating so much meat? Eating to much meat will turn into glucose and be stored as fat. Best to keep your protein portions at 4-6 oz.
We should be getting the majority of carbs in each day in the form of Veggies.
2 cups of salad veggies and 1 cup of other veggies a day.Veggie list page 125-126 DANDR.
Read the rules of Induction on page 122-123 DANDR 2002. That will help you keep honest with doing Atkins correctly and you will have better results. Do the plan 100% and you'll get 100% results. Here's a great recipe site for you to use so you won't get bored with your meals. The Induction recipes are marked with a *
Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home
Wishing you the best of health and lite.
Sincerely, Sherri

[eschli35]

Re: The chocolate dilema

I my experience the sugar craving to go mostly away if you stay on plan really well. You said you were bored. I can think of a million ways to do low carb meals that are awesome. Be sure you are not just eating the same things over and over. I am not a stellar cook and I also have a crazy busy life so I stick to making easy things that my family loves! There is a recipie section or I can email you some of my ideas.

[carmenziliao33175]

Re: The chocolate dilema

Sherry
I though meat had no carbs...
and for those of you that would like to email me some recipies or ideas this is my email address
carmenziliao33175@yahoo.com
thank you

[MommaRuthie]

Re: The chocolate dilema

regarding chocolate: I made "chocolate ice cream" the other night with 1 pint heavy whipping cream, 1 tbsp baking cocoa, and two packets splenda. It made a ton and i stuck it in the freezer to get hard. I thought it would be a good sweet lower carb treat. Well I allowed my self a 1/2 cup serving. I wanted more so badly! I just kept thinking about it! I ended up throwing it away because I was afraid I would lose self control! If a certain type of food causes you to want more of it just avoid it all together... I guess my everyday "treat" is my 3 cups of hot tea spread throughout the day with a packet of splenda per cup. funny thing is is that the splenda is seeming to be too sweet so today I put half a packet in and it tasted just fine.

[Sherri]

Re: The chocolate dilema

Sherry
I though meat had no carbs...
and for those of you that would like to email me some recipies or ideas this is my email address
carmenziliao33175@yahoo.com
thank you

You're right!
Most meats have no carbs unless it certain shellfish as in oysters, clams, lobster, scallops, squid, and mussels. Also processed meats such as ham, bacon, pepperoni salami, hot dogs, and other lunch meats-may be cured with added sugar and will contribute carbs. My point there was that excess consumption of meat(protein) will turn into glucose and be stored as fat. Also, that you should be getting the majority of your carbs in by the form of veggies.
Reading what you said here-- I have to admit that I'm bored to tears, but I need to keep loosing weight. I'm just wondering... Since I want to start with a clean induction again. Can I cheat at least just one time?

A clean induction means "No Cheating" at any time.
Sherri

[carmenziliao33175]

Re: The chocolate dilema

Thank you Sherry

[Sherri]

Re: The chocolate dilema

You're welcome Carmen

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: The chocolate dilema

eat (sugar free chocolate) just when the cravings for something sweet start to kick in

Several posts talk about having something artificially sweetened on hand for when the craving for something sweet kicks in. I have to say that this strategy baffles me.

First off, the whole point to eating low carb is so that your insulin levels return to normal and sugar cravings go away. If you are still (physically) craving sugar on a regular basis after the first ten days of Induction, then odds are that you are doing something wrong to incur those cravings.

Secondly, if your sweet tooth begins grumbling for no good reason, giving it something sweet, even of the "legal" variety only adds to the desire for more sweetness. If you keep giving into your cravings, they'll never go away. The better option is to eat something filling (like a hard boiled egg or a slice of turkey and cheese). This is the only surefire way to reduce the (psychological) need for sweetness down the road.

If you still choose to feed the urge, I suggest having a very minimal amount of the desired item in the house. If I have a whole box of sugar free chocolate in the house when a craving hits, I'm more likely to eat more than enough. Instead, I keep one sugar free chocolate bar in the pantry at a time. If I must splurge, I have no option of going overboard. This also forces me to decide if I should eat the "emergency ration" now or wait until later when the desire might be even stronger! (Of course, replacing the bar immediately after you eat it renders this plan pointless! You need to stick to one bar per week -- or month!)

Here's to hoping you can overcome those cravings for sweets rather that giving into them each and every time! You'll be happier (and thinner/healthier) in the long run.