topic Re: Help with giving up sweets! in Beauty

Help with giving up sweets!

ChancesMom — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:32:57 GMT

Hi - I saw a thread regarding giving up or limiting sugar-however, I can't find it now.

In any case, a poster said she loves desserts but recently lost 20 lbs. by giving up sugar. I am looking for tips on how to "transition" away from desserts. I was raised in a home where we ate sweets after lunch and dinner daily. I am struggling to stop this habit and would appreciate any suggestions. If I could give up sweets I know I can lose weight. Thanks for any help!

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

sgraham30 — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:36:12 GMT

I simply don't keep sweets in the house because if they're here, I will eat them. This way, if I get a craving for something sweet, I have to get ready & go out & get it......which ain't gonna happen. If my son brings sweets into the house, I tell him to keep them up in his room.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Laura14 — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:38:17 GMT

I use fruit. I find smoothies are the best thing. Sweet and filling. And I think it was on Dr Oz recently that cheese will also kill a sugar craving. Who knew?

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

wismiss — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:45:34 GMT

I have lost about 40 lbs, and this is what worked for me. If I had a craving for something sweet, I would grab a piece of fruit. Yes, you get calories, but there is nutrition along with the calories and not "empty" calories.

Also, when you get a taste for something sweet, get up, get moving and concentrate on something. You will be surprised how quickly the "hunger" pains go away.

Another tactic--do something with your hands--knit, crochet, paint, scrapbook,etc. You can't eat while your hands are occupied.

If you don't live by yourself and someone else is capable, ask them to do the dishes. Get yourself out of the eating area as soon as your meal is done. Or, if you retire to the family room for desert, go to your bedroom, or some other room in the house. Break the pattern. It is so surprising how our minds get trained and then trigger other things.

I know you will do well, for you have taken the first step by asking for help. Nothing can be successful until that step is done. Good luck.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

geezerette — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:47:22 GMT

I'm a sugar addict and I really wish I could give you an easy way to 'transition' away from it. I can't do it. The only way I've found of keeping away from sweets is to simply go cold turkey (no pun intended on Thanksgiving!).

I can't have just one candy. If I do one, it's the whole Lay's Potato Chip thing: the whole bag. So I also do as sgraham30 does: don't keep anything in the house. Also, I find that most types of prepared foods either have some sort of sugar or hidden type of sugar in them, which also spurs my sweet tooth. I don't eat that type of food either. And I limit all high carbohydrate foods.

In my case, I don't do it for caloric intake (although it does help keep the pounds off), I do it because of past health issues, and to avoid future health problems.

It isn't easy, but it's doable. You'll find that if you have the fortitude to keep away from all sweets for a few weeks, you will lose the craving. If eating sweets at a certain time has become a ritual for you, find a substitute--not a sweet-type substitute, though. It becomes a life-style after a while. Don't think of it as a diet, or chances are you'll cave in. Tell yourself that you're giving yourself the gift of health, which you are.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

stevieb — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:55:39 GMT

I'm a big believer in portion control. If I want something sweet, I have something sweet, I just don't eat large portions, and it helps to also minimize the amount of sweets kept handy. Sorry, but for me, when I want a piece of chocolate, an apple isn't going to do it, but a small piece of chocolate rather than a whole bar will... I also find that later in the evening a cup of creamy yogurt will sometimes help to address cravings for sweets.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

ChancesMom — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:44:57 GMT

Thanks so very much for all of your kind replies. I am going to try these great suggestions. I really have to do something about my sugar addiction!

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 01:55:09 GMT

People often crave sweets when they aren't getting enough protein, so try increasing that.

Also, if you're used to having sweets after lunch and dinner, maybe you shouldn't try to stop, just find a substitute ........ my favorite sweet after dinner and watching TV is sugarless hard candies ..... they come in a million varieties. Right now, my fave is a caramel cream hard candy I get at the Dollar Tree ..... you can get them anywhere, though.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Junker2327 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 03:42:35 GMT

Geezerette is right on! I can only give up sweets going Cold Turkey also. I had a lap band a few years ago and I learned how to give it up before I had that done. Gave up all sweets and almost all carbs for two to three weeks to begin with. Then the craving was gone and as long as I did start back on any then I did not crave them. You should have a high protein diet going on though because you will be zapped at first with no sugar. The way I eat is protein first, vegetables second and fruit third if I still have room. It works real well.

Beckyblu

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

ellaphant — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 04:22:34 GMT

Just stop.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Katluvr58 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 04:48:32 GMT

It is definitely not easy to give up something that you truly enjoy. I've battled weight my whole life. Now I am diabetic and although I lost 80 pounds I put 20 back on in the last three years. I know my problem though, I am a stress eater and menopause sure hasn't helped much. Right now I am trying to dump the 20 lbs and I crave chocolate like I am in a constant state of PMS. So I now buy the Dove small chocolates and freeze them. I eat about three a day and you can't eat them quickly so you really get to enjoy the taste. I eat one after dinner and it seems to help a lot.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Lorik62 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 05:21:38 GMT

I am also addicted to sugar. Cakes, cookies, chocolate, you name it. I don't buy it too often because if so do I will eat it until it's gone. Luckily I have a very good metabolism and my weight has been the same for 30 years. I do treat myself occasionally, but I find that what has saved me is to chew gum. I also try and have a protein smoothie once a day.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Carmie — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 06:23:08 GMT

I am a chocolate candy addict. I can't eat just i piece and portion control doesn't work for me.

I can tell you from experience that eating sugary sweets casuses you to crave more. I just give them up cold turkey. It's very difficult for a few day, then I don't have a problem.

Sometimes when I crave something, I substitute it with something I can have. Diet finger jello works. I also have a large selection of teas. I'll mke myself a cup of a sweet flavor, like Constant Comment. I can nurse the tea for quite a while and it seems to hit the spot,

Good luck.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Trix — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 08:19:18 GMT

I eat fruit everyday, but if I want a dessert type sweet I have it. My thing is not to have packaged sweets or whole cakes and pies stocked at home. If I get a craving that fruit just can't satisfy I go to a bakery counter and get just ONE cookie or slice of something. With a little will power you'll be surprised at how having the single portion a) satisfies the craving; b) teaches your body to adjust to less and over time your cravings lessen.

I was never a candy girl, so I never desire it -- not even the good expensive kind.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

SnowKita — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 08:44:48 GMT

I agree with the mentioned just give it up if you have no ability to moderate yourself. Frozen cherries or blueberries are a sweet yummy and good for you. I also agree that sugar can lead to craving more sugar, but if you can have discipline (which if you really want to be healthier, you will find in yourself) then find a healthier option that will satisfy your need for a 'treat'. A square of dark chocolate (real dark chocolate) with a nut butter tastes better than a candy bar to me (too sweet now.) Coconut peanut butter is SO yummy this way. Your body will process the sugar that is in the drk. choc. differently with the fat & prot. in the nut butter. You will eventually adjust to less sugar and find sugary things too sweet. Do you drink coffee? If so, try making a cup of flavored coffee when you want something...don't add sugar though, try to adjust to enjoying the flavor. Unsweetened almond milk has 0g. of sugar if you like to add milk. If you really struggle while building up your discipline, a trick I recommend is immediately go brush your teeth when you want to grab a sweet. I don't feel like eating for a long time after I brush and it will give you brain time to get past the craving. hth ~smiles, SnowKita

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Brunette — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 14:26:42 GMT

I've lost 15 pounds on weight watchers. I was a sweet ADDICT. What helped me take that edge off was Swiss Miss Hot Chocoate SUGAR FREE! It really worked and it is only 50 calories I believe. Another thing to try is the mineral Chromium PIccolate. You can find that in any Walgreens, CVS, Target Walmart. Its where they have the vitamins.

On other thing, once you go withOUT any type of sugar for 10 days (honey, dextrose etc.) you will NOT CRAVE SUGAR/SWEETS at all. Yes, it really works your body will no longer crave this addictive food.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

151949 — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 14:36:04 GMT

My DH attended diabetes class at the Joslin Diabetes Center and when the nutritionist spoke to them she said the best way to avoid craving sugar is to eat protein when you are craving sugar. My DH keeps peanut butter that is nothing but ground up peanuts - nothing added - and he will eat that or a hard boiled egg when he craves sugar. If you eat fruit , that contains fructose - a sugar - it will make you crave more sugar.The more sugar you eat the more you want so it is beat to avoid it altogether.

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Brunette — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 14:41:34 GMT

On 11/28/2014 happy housewife said:
My DH attended diabetes class at the Joslin Diabetes Center and when the nutritionist spoke to them she said the best way to avoid craving sugar is to eat protein when you are craving sugar. My DH keeps peanut butter that is nothing but ground up peanuts - nothing added - and he will eat that or a hard boiled egg when he craves sugar. If you eat fruit , that contains fructose - a sugar - it will make you crave more sugar.The more sugar you eat the more you want so it is beat to avoid it altogether.

Hi. I agree the more you eat sugar the MORE YOU CRAVE! It's a vicious cycle. Where do you buy the peanut butter with nothing added? thanks!

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

bowlicious — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:04:34 GMT

I find that eating grapes helps me with sweet cravings. Also once when I was dieting I had a bag of Hersheys kisses. I would eat one or two. The secret of course is not eating the whole bag. lol

Re: Help with giving up sweets!

Still Raining — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:22:45 GMT

For various issues I have to avoid sugars and sugar alcohols in all forms. You just have to clean out your cupboards and be very careful what you buy in the store. Really read all the ingredients. Make sure you know how many names sugar can hide under.

Once it is all out of your life you will not miss it. It will seem gross. This summer I was on a road trip and ate lunch at McDs and was SHOCKED at how sweet the buns were. We do not know how flooded we are in sweeteners.