For me, what really helped was expanding the decision to cover a lot more than that first bite.

Aren't I sick of being tormented by something I actually don't want to do? So I started countering the craving with that all too familiar carb coma/digestive upset/brain fog feeling I would always get after indulging.

By making my body connect the two, it was easier for it to go, "Oh, wait, that's right, it's not just the bite -- it's what it does to me."

Absolutely I have desires for things I shouldn't eat. Pizza is one of my cravings. I have been know to just scrape off the cheese and toppings and eat that - throwing the crust away. I LOVED spaghetti and meat sauce and I have cooked it for my family and put my meat sauce on a spaghetti squash. Its not the same, but it does satisfy my craving. I can just eat the sauce with Parmesean on it and be happy. I bought some low carb tortillas and have been known to sneak them into a mexican restaurant and use for my fajitas.

I don't really crave sweets.......but do find that an Atkins bar helps with that.

Eventually you will quit craving those things so much.

Adapt.......I just try to keep as faithful as I can and adapt what I can to my way of eating.

I buy a low-carb millet and flax lavash (flatbread), put tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and a little spice on top, bake it in the toaster oven and I have a personal sized pizza.

Macaroni is something I haven't found a substitute for, and growing up, my Italian/American parents made it twice a week. But my parents were 300 lbs and died too soon from obesity related diseases. So I'll just have to miss macaroni.

I miss desserts, my sister-in-law makes the best pecan pie in the world, but I haven't touched it in 40 years now.

I quit smoking 40-some years ago too. Some things that are pleasurable are simply bad for me so I choose not to indulge anymore.

You simply have to say I don't eat _________ anymore.

Bob

Bob, you are so wise. I look for your posts.....always inspiring. And full of experience.

Thanks for the kind words Ms Arielle.

Bob - can you post a link / or the product name?

The brand is Sami's I get it at my local 'health food store', here's a link:
https://samisbakery.com/product/millet-flax-bread/
it's 13 carbs, so I don't eat much else carb-y on that day.

They also have a 4 carb flatbread
https://samisbakery.com/product/light-lavash-bread/
but it isn't always available locally

This one has soy so I steer clear, others might be OK with it:
https://samisbakery.com/product/slim-trim-lavash/

And other low-carb treats.

Bob

My favorite health food store has a frozen crust made with almond flour with low enough carbs for the occasional treat.

I can also make an egg crust in a frying pan, with toppings like a regular pizza.

Quick and easy? Fry up some Italian sausage, simmer with a small amount of tomato sauce, and shake that Parmesan! Or, fresh mozzarella melted over it, but you gotta eat that stuff up quick.

Thanks for posting. I'm avoiding gluten (to avoid leaky gut / inflammation).

oops, wrong link for the pizza crust, here's the correct one (I hope)

Time for a new mouse and/or keyboard, one or the other is getting flaky - time for a new brain too, but that ain't gonna happen.

https://samisbakery.com/product/millet-and-flax-lavash/

Ingredients: Millet Flour, Brown Rice Flour, Ground Flax Seed, Salt, Water,Rice Bran, Sea Salt, Aluminum Free Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophophate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potato Starch, Monocalcuim Phosphate) ,Cultured Brown Rice Flour ,Cultured Dextrose and Ascorbic Acid.

12 carbs for the whole thing, and it makes a personal sized pizza.

I put no-sugar tomato sauce (hard to find), some spices especially oregano, cheese (mozzarella, asiago, and pecorino romano), and pepperoni on top. Then I put it in the toaster oven ~ 350 and when it looks done, it is done.

The lavash does not taste like yeasty pizza dough, but has a nice taste and low carbs.

I also sometimes toast the lavash, break it up, and use it for baked brie cheese.

Bob