Junk Food Compulsion Is Ruining Me

[VeggieLifterChick]

I have come a long ways since I started reading the boards again (since January). I've been lifting 4 days a week (heavy one week then moderate the next), started doing my cardio about a month ago. This week I started FTITM cardio. I'm weird I guess, because I actually like it! I wake up with all this energy and I just go. Awhile ago I asked for diet help, and you all gave me some awesome info. I now eat a minimum of 140g protein, and I eat all clean foods. No more bread, no more pasta, nothing processed. I have definitely made some strength gains and I have developed the beginnings of some muscles too. My shoulders, back, and legs have made some noticable improvements. Unfortunately, there is just one thing holding me back from my goals, especially with the summer coming up. I can't lose any fat because of F*&%ing Sweets! I am seriously addicted, no joke. I've tried everything, from banning them to having just one a day or one every other day...No matter what, I end up eating them binge style. It ruins my carb intake, its always around 220g and that's way too much for me. I want to steady my carbs at 150-160. I need some help, this is totally ruining my confidence and holding me back from reaching my goals. Its seriously some sort of a compulsion. I can be thinking that I don't want to eat the chocolate bar and yet a second later it will be in my mouth. I'm open to whatever ideas you gals can offer, even they're critical. I'm sure some people will say I just need more will power, but how can that be the problem if I want so badly to eat right? Ughhh I feel so frustrated. My self esteem is really suffering too because a) I feel like I can't help myself and b) I have nothing to show for my efforts in the gym.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

I just read about how eating tons of sugar can cause recurrent yeast infections. I certainly do eat a ton of sugar, and I have been getting them a lot lately. I wonder if maybe I can try to look at the junk food avoidance as an essential health issue and whether it might help?

 

[wilson6]

Do you consume meat? What are your protein sources?

W6

 

[Night Fly]

This is a good question. I could use some help with this also, veggie chick. I just can't seem to control those cravings sometimes...well...most of the time, that is.

 

[Temple]

First look at your diet as W6 suggested. You might also want to consider some St. John's Wort if nothing else works. I believe it was MS who talked about carb cravings and seratonin levels at one time. When I was in prozac (and I am not recommending that you do that) my desire for sweets went to almost zero. St. John's Wort should have a similar effect.

 

[Night Fly]

First look at your diet as W6 suggested. You might also want to consider some St. John's Wort if nothing else works. I believe it was MS who talked about carb cravings and seratonin levels at one time. When I was in prozac (and I am not recommending that you do that) my desire for sweets went to almost zero. St. John's Wort should have a similar effect.

Good suggestion, Temple. I will have to give that stuff a try.

 

[Gladiola]

OMG - VLC, you're like my twin!

I feel the EXACT same way - I could have written that post. Sugar is the ONLY thing holding me back! I get all my protein & veggies, I LOVE pumpin' iron & have no lack of motivation in the gym, it's the damn sugar. My office is FILLED with it too - no exaggeration, it's supplied for us & it's everywhere. I HATE it.

I have been struggling with this for literally YEARS. I will tell you all the things I've read & tried - most haven't worked or didn't work long term (like a band-aid on a gushing wound!) but I'll send them anyway.

When you want to binge: distract yourself. Call a friend, do something else indulgent (get a manicure).
JOURNAL.... you'll realize later how glad you were to be be strong.
Eat something that will be moderately satisfying but not sugar - I LOVE chocolate protein bars with peanut butter. Fats help too - cashews or macadamia nuts. Diet soda, you can buy sugar-free hot choclate with splenda (still has carbs, but not so bad), gum, altoids.
Another good tip is to have one idulgent thing (someone mentioned Lindt choclate truffles - which are also among my fav sweets) each night to help satisfy the cravings. This doesn't work for me - as it makes me want MORE MORE MORE - it's awful. I swear I can feel it messing with my brain chemistry!!!

I tried St John's Wart & didn't see a diff - but that's just me. I've also heard that it can interfere with the BC pill, so I won't try it again & risk that. I DID just buy 5-HTP, which is supposed to be the precursor to seratonin & have some of the benefits of a SSRI (Prozac, etc.) - I've only taken one so far - scared it's going to make me drowsy (I'm drowsy driving as it is).

Maybe turn to us for support here as well.

I usually find it's not so bad as long as I get enough protein AND once I go a few days with none, it gets easier.

My problem is that I turn to it when I'm sad/depressed/stressed... at which time I also simply DON"T HAVE THE WILLPOWER - I just don't WANT TO BE STRONG when I feel like dirt. It's at the times I feel weak (sadness & self-loathing, whatever) that I can't be strong & resist. I haven't been able to break the sadness--> food connection yet. Maybe eventually....

 

[Temple]

Spats - that may be true but the other thing that I forgot to mention was that IMO Sugar is an addiction not unlike any other drug. I used to consume LARGE quantities of the stuff, tried cutting back and that didn't work. I have been totally sugar free for almost 3 months and the only thing that worked for me was to bite the bullet and go COLD TURKEY. I meant that if it has sugar in it I threw it in the trash - granted I work from home so I am able to isolate myself from the rest of the world for long periods of time while I did this. The first week was like going to hell but after that it was better. The stuff now makes me feel sick.

 

[Genie]

First look at your diet as W6 suggested. You might also want to consider some St. John's Wort if nothing else works. I believe it was MS who talked about carb cravings and seratonin levels at one time. When I was in prozac (and I am not recommending that you do that) my desire for sweets went to almost zero. St. John's Wort should have a similar effect.

St. John's Wort may really help, but be wary if you are on birth control. St. John's Wort can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the pill. I read somewhere up to like 30% less effective. Keep that in mind when purchasing supplements. I bought a new bottle of thermogenic supplements at my gym recently and was about to pop them in my mounth when I noticed that there was St. John's Wort in it. Just be careful!!

 

[SheHuLK]

I think SUGAR IS THE DEVIL Its everywhere. Making it nearly impossible to stay away from. My fiance brought over an easter basket he made for me, he put it together with all this pink stuff (its one of my newfound fav colors), so he put pink hay in a pink basket, pink eggs, candy, etc, and i swear the pink marshmellow peeps are taunting me... i can almost hear them saying "EAT ME!" I'm trying hard not to listen

 

[Gladiola]

i swear the pink marshmellow peeps are taunting me... i can almost hear them saying "EAT ME!" I'm trying hard not to listen

That's what happens to me to. Finally I just get SO SICK of the voices that I eat to get relief from the taunting... I just get tired of digging in my heels. I want to make that feeling go away - so I go ahead & eat.

 

[Gladiola]

I'm curious to know what the dietary differences are between those who encounter this problem and those that don't.

I think part of it has to be genetic. My boyfriend & his Mom both enjoy chocolate & cookies, but can have a ton in the house & just have a few here & there.. not biggie. My sister, Mom, Grandmom & I are all alike in that if it's in the house - we eat it. We get cravings. My sister & I both were telling my bf how irresistable donuts are - our eyes were getting large - he told us what freaks we are!

I literally, seriously have been trying to find a solution for myself years. My bf bought me a book called "The Sugar Addicts Guide to Total Recovery." I've called myself a sugar addict for years - aren't the psychological signs of addiction things like:
1. You get cravings
2. It's a distraction to you to have cravings - they disrupt your life
3. You go through withdraw if you don't have it
etc.

Almost NO ONE has ever taken me seriously when I have said this - including on this board.

Anyway, this book had some great theories about WHY some ppl crave sugar & can't just 'take it or leave it' like others. I'd be happy to type them out & share if anyone cares to read my post.

 

[Temple]

Gladiola,
I don't doubt you one bit. For me it was an addiction almost as strong as a drug addiction (been there, done that, know what I am talking about). That is why I say that ya just have to cold turkey it. It will be miserable. One thing I found helpful was to get a huge jar of dill pickles and when I craved the sweets, eat one. There is something about it that will decrease the craving - No Shit.

 

[Gladiola]

That is why I say that ya just have to cold turkey it.

Wait - so you don't EVER have sugar? No Christmas cookies? No birthday cake? No Halloween candy? No donuts on a cheat day? Nothing, ever?

Sweets are so ingrained in our culture, I dont' now that I could make the committment to NEVER have them - & is it practical? I would rather just do the healthy & normal thing & have them in moderation. Why can't I just be normal in that respect ??? I know, I know, I can't.

Spatts... I've had these cravings literally My Entire Life!. As far as PCF ratio - you know cuz you read my diet thread last week. As far as supps, just glutamine - I recently stopped ECA cuz I'd been on too long. I'm on the BC pill, but have been for 1.5 years. That's it.

 

[Temple]

The cold turykey part was a solid 8 weeks of ZERO sugar. Now I maayyyybe have it once every 3-4 weeks. I had three cans pepsi and a piece of cake a few weeks ago and was physically ill the next day very similar to a hangover. You will lose your taste for the stuff - I used to be able to eat 4 cinnamon rolls at a sitting (total loss of control) now two bites and I am done because it is too sweet. For me it came down to what did I want more, the sugar or to look the way that I want to look.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Wow, I had this idea that all of you have these iron wills and eat clean 100% of the time like DDC. I thought for sure I'd get a bunch of "suck it up" responses. Its really reassuring that you're taking my seriously. Temple, I agree, it really is like a drug addiction, and I think you're right that when you go without sugar for awhile your cravings do subside somewhat. Gladiola, I'm so sorry to see that you share my sugar addicted pain...the cold turkey idea is depressing but I fear its necessary, and maybe genetic.

Ok, well for W6 and Spats, who requested to know my diet. I haven't eaten meat in 4 years, with the exception of fish which I eat often, and I can't think of a time when I didn't crave sugar.
Here's a basic sketch of what I've been eating since I'm home on break and can cook.

*Morning cardio*
Cracklin Oat Bran with soy milk

oatmeal with natural pb (1 tsp)

*Lift*

MQ 360 protein shake

Yam
.5 cup Egg Beaters scrambled with 3 oz tofu, peppers, mushrooms, 2 slices soy cheese

Salad with 6 oz tuna and zero cal dressing

1 cup nonfat cottage cheese

Then I spot the oatmeal raisin cookie, which is my ultimate weakness, and I tell myself I'll only eat half, and then before I know it its all in my tummy. And then well, I see this sugar free chocolate pb bunny with 400 calories and soething like 30g fat. Same thing happens...

 

[Temple]

Are you eating the oatmeal and the oatbran or
is it one or the other. How many grams of carbs are you getting a day???

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Oh, and as for the supplements and meds I am taking, just the injectable bc Lunelle, which is equivalent to a low dose bc pill. The cravings have not been any stronger on it. I can remember a time when I gave the sweets up, somehow, for like 2weeks, and the fat loss really kicked in and I stopped craving it. Then I had 4 chocolate chip cookies, because they looked good, they didnt have any real power over me, and a glass of milk too, at the dining hall at school. I got sick like Temple did. I would like to quit my addiction because even though the sweets bring me momentary satisfaction, they really do ruin me in the long run. I want to see my hard work, and I want to feel better. I know I need to give up the junk for a long time. I am definitely an addict. It would be easier to do if I had someone to be accountable too, someone to quit with. Any volunteers?

 

[Temple]

Spats - to answer your question about diet. As long as I do a 40/40/20 I have no carb cravings. The minute I try to rotate the carbs I don't crave sugar but at 9pm I would kill for a bowl of oatmeal - this may be my own fault as I tend to not eat enough fibrous carbs on the low carb days. I am still trying to get the hang of this rotation thing.

 

[Temple]

Yes Spats, by Sugar I mean the white stuff. I keep my carbs low glycemic.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Yes I eat both the cracklin oat bran cereal and the oat meal. This is a more restricted diet lately, as I tend to eat atleast 220g carbs. This one has more like 150g.
When I talk of craving sugar, Spats, I'm definitely talking about craving green beans! I'm talking about craving processed junk, like breads and candy bars. I'm sure Gladiola can attest.

Yeah I know that day is only around 1400 kcal but I'm trying to keep it between 1400 and 1700 because any more than that and my slow ass metabolism makes me a chunker. I tried the 2000 cal diet, clean or not, its really too much for 135 lb me, atleast until I pack on some more nutrient craving muscle, anyways.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

OOPS! I meant I'm definitely not craving green beans.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

constant

 

[Temple]

Who are you talking to Spats???

 

[Gladiola]

Beta-endorphins:
Women have lower levels than men naturally.

Those with exceptionally low levels typically have low self-esteem.

When you have low BE levels naturally, those things that give us a "BE Boost" (sweets, exercise) - the ppl who are low get a BIGGER boost (I thought of this like a drier plant sucking up more water quickly). If you try to give it up cold-turkey, your body rejects that - it wants that BE spike.

These are the theories of the author of "The Sugar Addicts Total Guide to Recovery". They make a lot of sense to me.

If the theory is somewhat sound, I definitely have lower BE levels. My self-esteem is often crap (& there's no good logical reason I shouldn't feel good about myself) & I get SO HIGH from exercise, I swear sometimes it's BLISS! I've often said - the HIGH that I get from exercise, I honestly don't know why anyone would do drugs. I've talked with enough ppl about fitness to know that THAT MUCH OF A RUSH/HIGH/BLISS is NOT NORMAL.

If VooDoo Lady (my sister) is lurking, hopefully she'll jump in - but she did start a thread on "Binging" not long ago. No, no other addictive behaviors run in my family for the most part.

 

[Gladiola]

constant

Ditto for me, the only thing it's correlated to is if I'm upset/sad/feeling lousy about myself. I'm also more likely to have cravings on days I don't exercise, or don't do so intensely.

 

[Temple]

Spats, I think you might be onto something here, at least for me. I am quick to say cold turkey on the sugar but my lack of sugar cravings could have to do with my supplements and overall diet as well. At the root of the cravings I think there is an insulin sensitivity issue brought on by years of sugar consumption. I have currently been sugar free for a few months but have done this before for longer periods of time. Cold Turkey + low glycemic carbs + increase protein + moderate cardio + heavy weight training + alpha lipoic acic 600-800 mg/d + vitamin and mineral supplemnts as a whole program improve insulin sensitivity over time and stabalize blood sugar levels which gets rid of the cravings. But..... sugar on a regular basis puts me right back on the roller coaster.
Type II diabetes runs in the family and I am a card carrying manic/depressive/obsessive/compulsive/addictive personality type so if I can beat this anyone can.

 

[KEL]

I'm late to jump into this one....but it makes sense to me.
Beta-endorphins low = need a sugar high

 

[Gladiola]

Cold Turkey + low glycemic carbs + increase protein + moderate cardio + heavy weight training + alpha lipoic acic 600-800 mg/d + vitamin and mineral supplemnts as a whole program improve insulin sensitivity over time and stabalize blood sugar levels which gets rid of the cravings.

I am willing to try anything... really. I'm just beginning to lose hope that I will ever beat it. I was SO excited about this book that I read last year. The woman turned out to be NUTS (seriously, literally, she kicked me of her discussion group for questioning her recommendations of eating only 3 meals per day & not counting calories!!) so that made me forget it & dump the program.
I suppose I just have VERY little hope & optimism - after years of struggling & trying everything I come across + not being taken seriously (even here when I first brought it up).

BUt - I would appreciate it if you could share what the vinamin & mineral supplements you take are. Right now, I just take a women's multi from GNC.

 

[Temple]

Spats - IMO there is physical withdrawal from it, lethargy, depression to a certain extent much like an alcoholic is with alcohol only to a lesser degree I would imagine. It was easier for me to kick my cocaine habit that it was for me to kick the sugar.

As for the supps that I take the multi vitamin is probably good.
I take the Tyler's Liver Detox Factors but I think the most important one that I take is the Alpha Lipoic Acid. Oatmeal was also my best friend during "detox" and still is to a large extent but I don't eat it past 3pm. Also take 5-10 g L Glutamine ed.

 

[KEL]

Also, doesn't giving-in also make you crash harder in the long run?

Yes. The first time I made drastic changes in my diet was 4 years ago. It took close to 6 months for me to adjust. Now when I have too much sugar (high GI carbs) I come close to passing out. IMO- it is a bad idea to cut sugars cold turkey! You go through major withdraws very similar to smoking (nicotine) except sugar is more publicly accepted.

 

[Temple]

Glad you ended that one with a cry for WILSON cause you lost me......

 

[Gladiola]

I can "understand" that too, but what I don't understand is why you can't just not eat it?

It may start out as a biochemical response, but isn't your reaction to it strictly behavioral?

Yes, you are right. Ultimately I DO make the conscious decision to put the food into my mouth, chew & swallow. Do you REALLY want to hear all of my reasons & theories as to why I can't 'just say no'???? Trust me, I have certainly put a lot of effort into solving this problem - trying to figure out why it is the way it is!!

Why can't the alcoholic 'just say no' to the drink? Why can't the person with OCD 'just stop' washing their hands?

I was even going to a 'shrink' (Psychologist is too darn long to type & say!) & tried to get her help with my perceived lack of self control. When I told her my "binges" were maybe 2 candy bars a few times a week - she said, "Oh, that's not that bad!" So I felt silly discussing it further & let it go. This was in 1998. I'm telling you, YEARS I've tried & tried hard to find a long term solution.

 

[KEL]

Gladi -are you an emotional eater?

 

[VooDoo Lady]

I can "understand" that too, but what I don't understand is why you can't just not eat it?

It may start out as a biochemical response, but isn't your reaction to it strictly behavioral?

I have to admit this place frustrates me sometimes....

Not everyone has the strength of resolve you have, spatterson, when it comes to eating properly. Unfortunately, we are saddled with the attitudes and responses we were conditioned to have as children when it comes to food. So, some of us have to work HARDER and take a different APPROACH than just simply choosing NOT TO DO IT.

Yes, it’s most likely NOT strictly a PYSICAL addiction, BUT telling someone to SIMPLY NOT EAT IT, doesn’t cut it. It’s like some on this forum are not willing to entertain further discussion about REALISTICALLY overcoming sugar/junk food addiction. A simple, “Just don’t eat it,” or “Just push away from the table,” in response to these questions is doing these people disservice.

It’s not a popular notion around here to think we don’t have 100% command of our bodies at ALL TIMES, but addiction is REAL, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or food.

Instead of arguing about it’s existence, why not offer up some coping strategies? I think it would prove to be much more productive.

 

[Gladiola]

Gladi -are you an emotional eater?

- Yes, precisely. See my very first post on this thread on page 1 & I sorta explain what happens when I feel bad about myself &/or my life.

 

[Gladiola]

Thank you for being OBJECTIVE and RATIONAL in your answer

I try my best. Maybe b/c I try to be rational first over emotional - my emotions get even with me by creating torturous cravings that lead me to poison myself... but I digress. ha ha

Thus far I've found this thread to be pretty helpful & if we can get MS and/or W6 or anyone else in here to comment on the brain chemistry, I'd be thrilled.

Thanks

 

[KEL]

too much f'ing estrogen on this thread.

ding, ding, ding todays winner: spatts

 

[VooDoo Lady]

Never mind. I'm clearly not adding anything to this discussion, so I shall leave ya to it

 

[Temple]

Kel - the reason that I do recommend the cold turkey approach is because it IS an addiction much like alcohol or drug. When you go to rehab there is no gradually lowering the dose - you detox pure and simple. From that point on you have to consciously make the choice every day what you are going to do. Eating sugar is a conscious choice the same as snorting coke or drinking alcohol. You can simply "not" do it. Alcoholics crave a drink more when they are feeling bad about themself and they have to make the choice. My favorite form of sugar is PEPSI hands down - every time I go to the checkout counter at the grocery store it is there staring at me - I have to make the choice. I have several boxes of girl scout cookies that have been calling my name for weeks. Actually I am only keeping the damn things around as it is a battle between me and them at this point and I am getting a kick out of winning.

 

[Gladiola]

Actually I am only keeping the damn things around as it is a battle between me and them at this point and I am getting a kick out of winning.

Don't you get tired of fighting though?

I personally just get tired of fighting the battle. There's enough other things in my life that are battles - other ways in which I have to struggle. I get just sick & tired of struggling to resist. My resolve isn't 24/7 - I'm human.

Interestingly enough - I have NO problems turning away from pizza, soda, burgers, fries, Chinese, etc. No problems at all - it's just the sugar (donuts, cookies, chocolate, cake, pastry).

& no one else has posted who has recovered & was in my perdicament- SURROUNDED by it at the office & NO CHOICE to get away. That's real comforting & makes me so optimistic.

 

[sheez_ripped]

Hey guys....gotta post something on this...

Spatts just doesn't understand the "sugar cravings" cause she doesn't have them....neither do i....(another thing we have in common spatts!)....but my husband is the addict....so i know what you guys feel...only he's lucky to have the metabolism of a hummingbird....he "has" to have sweets after he eats....and especially at night....his big cheat day is Sunday afternoon....he buys a half gallon of Purity brand Nutty Buddy ice cream and a jar of chocolate sause....gets a large spoon and eats it ALL while watching sports on the tube....i would literally barf if I tried that!

He is totally addicted to ice cream....chocolate tacos & Snickers Nutty Buddys are his next favorites....along with Baskin-Robbins milk shakes....hmm...i think he must be the one with the estrogen in the family! lol!

When I seriously started dieting/cutting back in November i cut out all sodas...even diet ones...no junk food...no sweets....though i did allow myself one cheat meal a week...but will cut that out soon as trying to get ready for a contest...

but it isn't a problem for me...i can eat the same thing every day and totally bland stuff....oatmeal, chicken, tuna, egg whites, water, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes...i don't even try to spice any of my stuff up...but i know that's not the norm!

So...just my input...I can't really help as I can't relate....but if u allowed just one day to totally binge...maybe that would help and gradually cut it back over time....that's what my hubby is doing...he's always been the ripped one...but now i have abs and he's starting to feel the heat....hehe...i'm catching up to him in the ripped department...

 

[TEXgrl]

Kel - the reason that I do recommend the cold turkey approach is because it IS an addiction much like alcohol or drug. When you go to rehab there is no gradually lowering the dose - you detox pure and simple. From that point on you have to consciously make the choice every day what you are going to do. Eating sugar is a conscious choice the same as snorting coke or drinking alcohol. You can simply "not" do it. Alcoholics crave a drink more when they are feeling bad about themself and they have to make the choice. My favorite form of sugar is PEPSI hands down - every time I go to the checkout counter at the grocery store it is there staring at me - I have to make the choice. I have several boxes of girl scout cookies that have been calling my name for weeks. Actually I am only keeping the damn things around as it is a battle between me and them at this point and I am getting a kick out of winning.

"clap clap clap" i totally agree with cold turkey! i do great avoiding sweets, especially chocolate until i have one, then its over! i'm gonna inhale everything i get my hands on! it IS like alcohol or a drug, i've had struggles with drugs before and you sometimes try to kid yourself into thinking, "just this once", bam! one thing leads to another and you get so compulsive. i read somewhere that chocolate releases endorphins, hell, who doesn't like that!!

now that you've mentioned sweets, i got a big craving for a wendy's frosty!!! other things come to mind too!!

when i have cravings for sweets, i try to substitute something else. my thing right now is pistachios!! i keep a stash in my desk for emergencies!!

 

[KEL]

Gladi- when you eat donuts, cookies, chocolate, cake or pastry can you eat just 1 bite / serving OR devour the whole item and some extra?

FOR ME it was all about baby steps. One or two bites and that was enough. If I felt like I was missing out I wanted it that much more. This would lead to over eating something I knew I shouldn't. Then the guilt would come. I would beat myself up for being a glutton. It is a bad cycle but you can get over it!
Now I can have one bite and feel satisfied no "feelings of deprivation". If I have too much on occasion "oh well".
I have learned to yell and scream when necessary instead of eat or build up a BIG wall. Yell- it does a body good!

BTW: I had almost the same problems with cigarettes but that was a long time ago!

 

[Gladiola]

Gladi- when you eat donuts, cookies, chocolate, cake or pastry can you eat just 1 bite / serving OR devour the whole item and some extra?

Typically always I KEEP going. My coworkers put out a bowl of hershey kisses... I think about them till I have one. THen I think of having another & another. Typically if I actually make a stop to buy donuts - I get 2, sometimes 3.

On occasion, I can eat ONE of something (like a little chocolate truffle) but that's not the norm.

The thing is - one of the things that makes me most miserable (& want to eat) in my life is my job... it also happens to be where tons of free junk food is still out LITERALLY in front of my face. AND there's not much I can do about the situation... I have to wall it up & keep my mouth shut about my feelings.

Not trying to make excuses, just think it's beneficial that since we're sharing personal experiences, you understand where I"m coming from.

 

[Gladiola]

What happens if you "allow" yourself to eat the item, on the condition that you first chug some water and eat a protein/fat item? Has anyone tried that? Did it decrease the craving? Change the amount you ate? Anything?

GREAT idea! That is something the nutty sugar-addict lady suggested. That IS indeed helpful.

BUT... the thing is... the need for sugar typically (IMO & IMX at least) has NOTHING to do with what I have & have not eaten. I crave it when I'm upset - what I have or have not put in my body doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. Also feeling 'stuffed' doesn't make much difference (but sometimes it does help a bit).

It's all about the emotion-> food connection that I cant seem to break.
Again, I REALLY appreciate the genuine attempts to help.

 

[MS]

http://www.obesityresearch.org/cgi/content/full/10/1/65/F13

This link presents some of the first human data that indicates a clear, single gene difference between people who really dig the taste of sweet stuff and people who are less interested in sweet stuff. This gene variation is present in 5-10% of the population.

Aside from that, maybe you should set yourself small goals, like a couple of days, and then allow yourself a sweet treat. Cravings for sweet stuff are innately human. It is a biological craving that has ensured that we survive. I don't honestly think that any amount of 5HTP, St John's Wort, SSRI's or any other drug you can take, will completely kill these cravings. You need to develop coping strategies to deal with them. Start out going 24 hours without eating anything sweet. Then reward yourself. Gradually increase the time you go without sweets. In terms of your BB progress, try to allow yourself a day each week or two where you eat sweet stuff to your hearts content, BUT MAKE SUE it's low fat. This will actually help most people with weight loss on calorie restricted diets.

Other than that, don't stress, as this only makes the cravings worse.

 

[KEL]

don't stress, as this only makes the cravings worse.

that's the truth- like I said before "baby steps"


your link requires a password

 

[Hannibal]

I'm interested to read W6's take, as well...other than there being too much f'ing estrogen on this thread.

HAHAHAHA...TESTOSTERONE GOOOOOOOD

 

[muskles]

this thread is the bomb!

thanks VLC for posting this!! i am also an emotion-driven eater.. and i've just gotten over a 3 week battle with CONSTANT sugar cravings which doesn't go very well with my current keto diet!! the last week or so i've been replacing the sugar with whipped cream and jello (i mean A LOT of whipped cream).. i also started eating cheddar cheese with whipped cream and cinnamon (tasted like apple pie w/out the apple and the pie ) i've been without any sugar for about a week and am just starting to see the cravings subside. since i'm so driven by emotion, i have to get my mind set on how i want to look more than what i want to eat.

when my whole sugar craving thing started i had changed my lifting routine to 2 x per week (HIT). i've gone back to 2 days on, 1 day off and i wonder if that is also helping... the rush i get from working out also helps me stay away from bad food

 

[MS]

Sorry about the link. It's a subscription only journal. In a nutshell, a gene for a sweet taste receptor has been discovered in humans that differs between individuals, and strongly predicts an individual's response to sweet tasting stuff. What's interesting about this gene variant is that both individuals with and without the gene variant could taste sweet foods equally well. Both groups could tell you that a food was a little sweet, not sweet, very sweet etc....but the group of folks that had one or two variant copies of the gene would find the sweet foods MUCH better tasting and MUCH more preferable than the other group. This correlates very well with work done in mice taste receptors......

The important thing to remember is that the urge to seek out and eat sweet tasting foods is primal, healthy and normal. You give a kid a piece of meat or a candy and 9 times out of 10 (or more!) they will eat the candy first. There is no need to beat yourself up for having these urges anymore than an alcoholic should beat themself up for wanting a drink. Instead just acknowledge the craving and do something positive to prevent yourself from indulging all of the time. Take a walk, have a workout, eat some more protein or fat, play an instrument, have sex, take some 5HTP or prozac or whatever combo works for you. Indulge yourself occassionally. In my years of training BBs, not once have I ever seen a food craving go away until it's been indulged. Some people are just better at putting of their indulgences than others. Don't say "NO", just say "Not Now".

 

[MS]

Yeah, I'm a salt-craver too. I will almost always take the salty stuff over the sweet stuff. The bummer for me is that I'm also pretty sensitive to sodium, so when I over indulge I blow up! Makes for great pumps in the gym though.

I watched my father die from heart failure on a very low sodium diet. He was a very bad salt craver, and used to lie in his hospital bed and BEG us to sneak some salt in for him, even though he knew it would harm him. I think he was the salt craving equivalent of a sweet junkie, so I'm pretty sure there is such a thing. I do get sweet cravings in my last few weeks pre comp. Dipping below ~10%bf seems to make my body scream out for sweet stuff that I wouldn't normally be interested in. Ahhh, we all have our addictions and cravings we have to deal with.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

I like that term MS wrote, "sweet junkie," that's exactly what I am. I think your advice to say "not now" instead of "no" is a good idea. Well, if cold turkey might not be the best route, what if I just work on making the sweet stuff healthier, like ban it over time? For instance, what if I do answer my cravings, because they never do go away until you answer them, but with an ammended junk food. like instead of a candy bar, have a high carb chocolate protein bar? Or a no sugar chocolate candy? I feel like that might work better, because there would be no ensuing guilt and no binge and yet the craving would somehow be satisfied. You know, I ate two Cadbury Cream Eggs today. Those are soooo good. Had I read this thread before I saw those blue and red foil wrapped "eggs", I would have said "not now" and got a cookies and cream Kashi Go Lean Bar.

I think there is something to Gladiola's getting a "high" theory because I do definitely get one from working out high intensity. In fact, if I don't work out for a couple days, I'll get depressed.
But then, if I quit cold turkey and I keep working out I shouldn't have a problem, right??

I'm wondering which route to go, cold turkey (atleast for some specified amount of time) or ammended junk. Muskles I guess you did the cold turkey and you said the cravings subsided? How long are you going cold turkey for?

 

[starfish]

About the above post-- SSRI's completely gave me the craving for sugar and carbs... I could ENHALE them and NEVER feel full. Many people gain weight on them.

However, Wellbutrin, wich works with dopomine- had the opposite effect.... Anything sweet or salty tasted SUPER SWEET OR SALTY and I can only stomcah a few bites..

 

[starfish]

I haven't read this whole thread yet... but what about just using Splenda for sugar in stuff... Maybe that is bad

 

[KEL]

splenda=good aspartame=bad

*please don't ask me why*

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Gladiola, by the way, I just wanted to tell you, I'm your sugar junkie twin! All the stuff you wrote, about how you can't stop once you start and you keep thinking about it inbetween until you give in....I know exactly what you're saying. And I can easily turn down fries and greasy or salty foods, too.

Spatts, you wanted to know my diet. Well my goal is something like 40/40/20 with 150g carbs and 150g protein and 40g of fat or so (I don't really worry about the fats, because I get enough of the good stuff from flax and fish and natural pb). That works out to 1560 kcal. My goal is fat loss right now. I still weigh 135. I have put on some muscle and i have lost some fat since i started, so I'm sure the bf % has gotten lower. Well, anyways, those were my diet GOALS. The reality is I usually end up eating around 1900 - 2000 cals with 220g carbs with maybe 60g coming from junk I can't resist. The junk ranges from non fat frozen yogurt to brownies...anything sweet.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

If you are asking about the diet to get at a possible reason for the cravings due to lack of something or other, then I should tell you that I tend to believe this is more of a behavioral thing, more of an addiction than just a strong craving. Because like Glad was saying, I do make the decision to open the pie hole and insert the junk. So I'll ask again...is the best way to beat this addiction to quit it all cold turkey or to use ammended foods? Is anyone considering doing either?

 

[Temple]

Anybody want to be Spats Amino Acid guinea pig???

 

[Temple]

VLC - try the gentler approach and if that doesn't work for you then try the cold turkey thing. You might try the Splenda as it will give you the sweet taste but I think what you crave is not the taste but the "high" that you get from the sugar.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Thanks Temple! I am going to start by cutting out the blatant junk. Tonight, I heated up some chocolate soy milk and mixed it with the diet hot cocoa powder (25 cals, 4g carbs) and this was very very good. Hmm...maybe I'll start a thread on recipes and suggestions for pseudo-sweets, to help the other struggling sugar junkies and the dieters with a sweet tooth...

 

[Temple]

VLC - have you tried plain soy milk with 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder and maybe a little ice? can you say chocolate milkshake???

 

[MS]

Mmmmm deficiencies???? Various reports will have us believe that sweet cravings can be reduced by increasing chromium, fiber, glutamine, tryptophan, and various vitamins, others will tell us to cut down on caffeine, high GI foods and exercise more. Then there's the artificial sweetener method which feeds the craving but keeps the sugar intake low. If you're eating a lot of soy products, you may be mineral deficient from poor absorption (especially zinc, magnesium and iron). I have never seen one of the above supps work for everyone, and you may have to try them all! Also, where you are in your menstrual cycle can certainly affect your cravings and blood sugar.......

 

[Gladiola]

Anybody want to be Spats Amino Acid guinea pig???

surely!

VLC - Good idea to start a 'sweet craving cure' thread! I already saw one on the 'diet' board if you want to check that out too.

Too funny - I'm drinking my nightly soy milk & chocolate protein powder shake right now!

 

[Shak]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person struggling with this!!!
I have a clean diet all week long, and then the weekend hits. My number one problem: my parents' house. I go over there to visit on the weekends and the house is always stocked with food - ice cream, donuts, candy, cookies, chips - you get the point. I can tell myself all the way over there that I'm not going to eat that much, but when I walk in the door, my mind goes blank. I'm almost robotic - I lose all will power.

I love seeing my parents, but it's killing my diet!!! The thing is, as much as a dread shoving down the junk food, I also kind-of look forward to it. All the junk food I can eat, all day long. I know it's bad, but it tastes so good. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[maddie121]

Unfortunately, there is just one thing holding me back from my goals, especially with the summer coming up. I can't lose any fat because of F*&%ing Sweets! No matter what, I end up eating them binge style. I'm sure some people will say I just need more will power, but how can that be the problem if I want so badly to eat right? My self esteem is really suffering too because a) I feel like I can't help myself and b) I have nothing to show for my efforts in the gym.

Hey VGL- I know exactly what you are going through. I am a recovering bulimic. It's been something I struggled with since I started college 6 yrs. ago. I got some counseling and I'm over it, but mostly it was me being so fricking tired of letting this food thing control me. It was also very painful, physically and emotionally.
Anyway, I know this thread isn't about ED's so I'm gonna stop, but I just wanted to say that I still get mad cravings just like you explained. And I DO believe some people are addicted to sweets and it's a lot easier said than done. I am currently doing a no starches/fibrous carbs only diet. I DO eat post w/o carbs like a banana/gatorade, but that's it, as I have found I look my best w/o starches. Anyway, sometimes, I WILL give in to those craving and I just suffer the water retention/bloating, etc. I haven't binged/purged in a looong time. HOWEVER, I'm gonna tell you, once I stopped giving in to the sweets and just started eating mad protein and guzzling tons of H20 everytime I got the munchies, it REALLY MADE A DIFF. Eat more protein cals if you need to! It's better than the sweets and won't "do a thing to your diet." Last night, I had 2200 cals( usually it's only 1700) b/c I wanted to binge and instead of ice cream, I had 4 oz. of steak w/ Heiz 57. I was watching Will and Grace and wanted sweets soooo bad! Lol! I woke up this morning and thought for sure I'd be holding H20 or something b/c of the late night eats and excess cals, but lo and behold..nothing!
I am MUCH more cut since I got more strict and now people actually ask me about my workouts and stuff in the gym. I used to do lots of cardio and lift JUST AS HARD as I do now, but no one knew b/c of my crappy diet. I'm serious, girl. So...if only for a month, try it and maybe seeing some results will help keep you more motivated to keep the cravings in check.