Sweet Tooth

[Lon S]

I have been keeping a diary of my habits in My P.L.A.N. that I just started about 2 weeks ago. It seems that about every 6th or 7th day I crave sweets!
I just noticied this looking back over my notes, last night. Amazing how keeping notes makes things stick out at you.

I went out last night and bought some L-Glutamine which per the Atkins book is suppose to help curve this sweet tooth. Anyone else had this experience?

[zorra_1]

Hmmmm...what have you been eating?? Just curious because my cravings started to really go overboard the more I used artificial sweetners? But that's neat that you've been tracking it and can find a pattern!

[bsheets]

Have you been refusing sweets during the rest of the week? Sometimes refusing sweets makes the urge stronger and by the 6th or 7th day it's too strong for you. Or I'd check your SA intake, as Zorra suggested. That came to mind too.

What do you think?

e

[Lon S]

I am still doing induction. only sweetner I use is Splenda and I use that about every day. 1/2 pack in maybe 1 cup decaf coffee.
Perhaps I should put more butter on my vege's or meat? I heard that tends to curb the sweet tooth too.

[ShayKNJ]

Just curious where did you buy L-Glutamine? I have been looking for this and could not find it. I heard that as well to take it for cravings. I get sweet cravings every night almost. I have been eating the 1 carb Reese's.

[Lon S]

I looked at Walgreens, Target and K-Mart....Finally found it at Cambells Health Foods. You might want to try Wal-Mart as I think I heard someone else that found it there. The Wal-Mart in our area is like a "mad house" so I wanted to stay away if at all possible. Would rather pay more then join the heard of cattle. :lol:
Also heard GNC might carry it too. I was surprised it was so hard to find since it's also suppose to help alcoholics with alcohol cravings. Per Atkins book.

[ShayKNJ]

I did try Wal-Mart and they did not have it. I will try GNC but it may take me a while because it is in the mall and I don't want to go near a mall now. Please let me know how it works for you.

I use Davinci syrups in my coffee and believe this makes me crave sweets but I will not give up my coffee or the syrups. I would rather take the supplement or give in a eat the Reeses. I am not gaining and I am at goal so no damage is being done.

Thanks!

[MrsBunny]

I've always battled a sweet tooth, but when I'm on program, which means no sugar, no artificial anything, I can say no to sweets without any problem. The office is now filled to the brim with candy, cookies, you name it, and it doesn't bother me. I know that one bite, however, will put me into a spin that will take weeks to pull out of. My suggestion is to get off all sugar and sugar substitutes.

Also, I want to recommend a delicious tea called Good Earth Original Sweet & Spicy Herb Tea. It's caffeine free and is good hot or cold. I buy mine at Trader Joe's, but it's also available in grocery stores.

[JaneDough]

I seem to be in the minority on this, but don't think having a sweet tooth is any less natural than having a salty or sour one. Of course it's to my advantage to say this (loving sweets as I do) but don't see it as rationalizing. LC eating helps get our cravings under control, and now I taste the sweetness in foods like never before. That's usually enough for me, but doesn't mean cravings for sweet-tasting things aside from those foods goes away completely. So why is moderate use of artificially sweetened products or herbs like stevia, any more problematic than sprinking salt or lemon juice on a piece of fish, also in moderation?

[Lon S]

I'm sure each persons response to just a tad of sugar or salt is different. Perhaps when I said I had a "sweet tooth" I was putting it mildly. ;)
I REALLY WANT it. :lol:

[LawDawg]

I sometimes want something sweet for dessert but I have found that drinking a glass of diet cream soda tends to satisfy my need and there are no carbs (or minimal carbs) per glass. I know its a cup of chemicals so I try to keep it under control but I enjoy it.

I do every once in a while buy lc ice cream but when I have it in the house I am out of control with wanting to eat it. I am best saying NO than stop.

[JaneDough]

I'm sure each persons response to just a tad of sugar or salt is different. Perhaps when I said I had a "sweet tooth" I was putting it mildly. ;)
I REALLY WANT it. :lol:

Honestly, I feel ya. It's sweets what got me here, not the other stuff. But the overwhelming cravings have subsided over time and now feel 'normal' to me. I still put sweetener in my tea or spend my entire carb allowance on fruit sometimes; I ain't completely off the dole. :D

[bsheets]

I seem to be in the minority on this, but don't think having a sweet tooth is any less natural than having a salty or sour one. Of course it's to my advantage to say this (loving sweets as I do) but don't see it as rationalizing. LC eating helps get our cravings under control, and now I taste the sweetness in foods like never before. That's usually enough for me, but doesn't mean cravings for sweet-tasting things aside from those foods goes away completely. So why is moderate use of artificially sweetened products or herbs like stevia, any more problematic than sprinking salt or lemon juice on a piece of fish, also in moderation?
I agree that wanting sweets is natural, but naturally I believe you should find tomatoes and vegies, etc, sweet. You shouldn't ONLY get the feeling of sweetness from sugar (or its frankenfood substitute). I believe THAT is from conditioning.

e

[Lon S]

Yep, ice cream got me......I love it!!! :rheart: :skull: I bought LC ice cream and did fine for about 3-4 nights. Then, I ate about 2 cups then 2 nights later another 3 cups! I will NOT buy any more. I will not buy any more....... :bash: :bash: :bash:

[Laydebleu]

That is right stay away from the ice cream....hehe, sorry to hear of your sweet issues. Have you tried upping your fat a little bit? Some people say that helps curb cravings as well. Too bad you couldn't just 1 low carb ice cream bar ... huh?

[Lon S]

Laydebleu- Funny you mention it. Today at lunch our Quick Trip store has the Hershy's 1 carb bars on sale half price for .52. I bought about 10 of them and I am going to have my wife hide them all, but one. NOT TO EAT all at once BUT only to have a bite/section of 1 when I get the crazy sweet tooth. Chocolate really doesn't bother me as it's not something I crave at all. A little section of one of these may do it!

[Batipton]

Hey Lon S, let me give you some words of advise and encouragement.

First off, just reading your last post dealing with chocolate maybe it is not just a sweet tooth, but also a caffeine craving. Chocolate also contains caffeine. You may want to find a healthy form of caffeine like green tea. I am not saying go for caffeine, but if you are fighting two addictions at once you may want to tackle one at a time.

I would recommend getting off ALL sweeteners. The bad news is that you will struggle for a while, maybe several months. After a while your taste buds adapt. The last time I took communion at church I almost gagged on the grape juice; it was sickenly sweet. I used to be able to eat sweets, but now even grilled onions taste sweet to me. Water even tastes different. It has a sweet taste to me. Once your taste buds adapt you will eventually get to the point that you do not like sweet foods.

As far as the cravings, this happened to me on Atkins. I just did not succeed on induction level of carbs. It ended up having a rebounding effect. I would do good for a week or two and then go on a carb binge. You may have to play around with different diets until you find one that works. Each body is different. Make sure you work the diet instead of the diet working you. Remember the diet is the servant not the master. Bend it and adapt it to your needs.

The one thing to definitely avoid is refined carbs. A lot of times these are hidden in what you drink. I would recommend drinking a lot of distilled water. If you want a little change of pace try a nice herbal tea or mineral water. Make sure you read the label on these products. Many are fine, but some contain sugar. Avoid anything with sugar, sucrose, fructose, or high fructose corn syrup. Just look at the label. If it says sugar or ends in "ose" it is an ingredient you don't want. Also avoid fruit juices. It is easy to drink a lot of sugar and calories once you strip the fruit of its fiber.

Include low glycemic fruits and vegetables in your diet. These would include things such as broccoli, spinach, celery, and avocados. These will help to supply vitamins, mineral, and fiber.

Since you mentioned the Hershey bar I recommend you wrap these up real quick as stocking stuffers. Avoid anything with sugar. I personally feel sugar is a drug. It is a highly refined chemical substance. It is highly addictive. It has a great impact on your body. If this does not describe a drug, I don't know what does. Avoid it like a recovering addict.

Since you are trying to lose weight I would recommend adding exercise, if you aren't already doing it. I recommend getting your hands on a book called "Smart Exercise" by Covert Bailey, and also watching a video by the same name. You should be able to locate the video and book through your local library system. Covert explains 4 keys to proper exercise: resistance training, aerobics, wind sprints, and cross training.

Whatever the case, DO NOT give up. Stay in the game. Keep studying, growing, and adapting til you find what works for you. Remember there are some general principles to follow, but the exact rules of the diet depend on YOUR body, YOUR activity level, and YOUR lifestyle. If you find something that works stick with it. If it doesn't, then find something that does.

[Lon S]

Batipton- Thanks for all the good info and suggestions. I am working out (riding my indoor bike at 15mph for 41 minutes, 5 days a week then stretching my leg's, back, arms shoulders, site ups and neck for 10-15 mintues.) Been doing this for the past few weeks on Atkins. The first week I didnt work out since I just wanted my body to get into the no carb groove. I was kinda grumpy for 3-4 days. I think I was hooked much more to carbs/sugars then I was caffeine.

I really don't have any problem with caffeine. I drink maybe 1/2 cup a day just as something warm to drink when I first get to work. The first 2 weeks of Atkins I was having problems sleeping. I would be tire at 10pm but wake up at 3-4 pm wide awake. That has seemed to stop this week. Think my body just needed time to adjust.

Over the past few weeks I have been paying close attention to my body and how it feels. Am I really hungry OR do I just "want to eat?" What has worked is to just grab a raddish or small slice of cheese. Next thing you know, I'm not hungry any more. :)

[JaneDough]

You shouldn't ONLY get the feeling of sweetness from sugar (or its frankenfood substitute). I believe THAT is from conditioning.


No argument here! :)

[Batipton]

Batipton- Thanks for all the good info and suggestions. I am working out (riding my indoor bike at 15mph for 41 minutes, 5 days a week then stretching my leg's, back, arms shoulders, site ups and neck for 10-15 mintues.)

Good to hear you are in the exercise groove. That will definitely help out. I would recommend to also add some resistance training. There are several reasons. One, resistance training (particularly when done heavy) cues the body to release HGH (Human Growth Hormone). "Protein Power" by the Eades discusses this. Basically HGH makes people younger: builds muscles, burns fat, makes skin healthier.

Second, resistance training helps to build up lean muscle. This creates a bigger furnace to burn carbs. It also gives the body shape, so when you have lost significant weight your body has shape rather than just looking like a stick.

Third, increased strength makes almost every function in life easier. This is particularly true as your body weight decreases. If you are light AND strong it is amazing how easy things in life become. Sitting, standing, running, walking steps, lifting a kid, putting groceries in the trunk, etc. all become easier with increased strength.

Fourth, resistance training also increases bone density. This means less chance of injury. As to why it does this, I have not found a definite answer but have found a reasonable theory. One theory suggests that when the bone bears weight it flexes slightly. This "flexing" or slight bending of the bone signals it to increase density. Whatever the case, stronger bones are a good thing. This may be particularly true for the women out there.

Stay in the race. Weight loss is hard, but with the rewards are great.