Getting past the sugar cravings

[luvbug412]

Day 1 - breakfast, snack, lunch and *WHAM* if there is a piece of chocolate in this house (and I know there is) because it is SCREAMING at me.

How did you all get around this?

[paintedbliss]

When your sugar cravings get to you have a little protein such as a 1 0z serving of low fat cheese or a hardboiled egg, drink yourself some water. It may take about 20 min but the cravings will go away, and busy yourself to get your mind off it. They will go away eventually so just keep at it.

[RedRox]

Late afternoon was always a hungry/munchy time for me. I always made a mix of black beans, salsa, green pepper and tomato (heated in the micro) and had that for an afternoon snack and that helped fill me up and hold me over until dinner.

Also I would think of the times I would have a candy bar in the afternoon and how sleepy I would get afterwards when I crashed out from the sugar rush. If I wanted to avoid that low point, then I knew I had to avoid the chocolate. The immediate "joy" of the initial taste became increasingly less important to me than being able to stay alert, productive and feeling good without being hungry when I chose an appropriate snack instead of a sugary one.

[luvbug412]

Yaaaa me! Thank you all!!!

I got past the cravings using a small pile of nuts and some peppermint tea.

I made it to past dinner where I made desert. The vanilla ricotta creme in the SBD book.

[k.s.e.live]

I hear you about craving chocolate and sugar. On days when I am NOT craving something like that i think, "well, I'm past the cravings now. Got that beat." And maybe for that day or that couple of days it is true.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/south-beach-diet-forums-phase-1/2334-getting-past-sugar-cravings.html

But especially this time of month, I can tell you the cravings come roaring back. It is true that a small protein snack of cheese (lowfat cottage cheese with lots of pepper for me) helps abate the craving. But in the meantime, I can get pretty down thinking about how much I'd like to have something sweet.

I have tried sweet substitutes like "mock french toast" and "black bean brownies" but, for my taste buds, I'd rather just do without.

I'm in phase two, so I can enjoy the sweetness of an orange or strawberries. That helps. Sometimes the bright flavor of sugar free jello or crystal light helps too.

don't give up/i'll try not to either. I had to take my girls to the mall tonight for some shopping/exchanging. I think we walked past the cinnamon roll booth three times. They looked/smelled SO good. And that was never something i allowed myself BEFORE south beach.....that really indicated to me that 1) i was running on empty and should have had a snack and 2) i know this is a lifestyle way of eating not a diet but i still have some issues with deprivation mentality and south beach. I have some work to do.

[logmyloss.com]

Congratulations on making past the cravings. That is a tough battle. The only advice I can offer for the next time is just to be sure you have some things you can eat handy. For me, that can even be celery sticks. Congratulations again - just stick to it, you will be happy.

[Cocoamelody]

I just want to say congrats as well. Im on day too and I had the WORST craving for some pancakes loaded with butter and syrup... so close to getting in my car and cheating my but off.. but I did this which helped more then any nut or jello ever could.. I imagined that beach body in my head and said... pancakes definitely wont get me closer to my goal and eventually it just went away...SO picture your goal in your head, hopefully that motivation will help you when the going gets.. rough lol

[Jilly_Bean]

I think the ways to get past a craving are as varied as the people here. It's great to share what works because that's how we get ideas on what to try. But, if something doesn't work for you, find something else. I think we are all having to break some bad habits (or why would we be here?), and the trick is to form a new habit. That can be whatever works. No one way is the right way.

I have several options I turn to, though my cravings now are not physical. I might get a thought into my head that I'd like to have this or that and if I stay with that thought, I'll start to justify it. I'll start rationalizing with something like: I've earned it. I deserve it. Hey, I've lost 14 pounds, I can afford a break... So, if the thought enters my mind now, I have to get right out of that mode or I'll talk myself into doing something I will regret. I make a phone call to someone who "gets it" or I read inspirational stuff (either my SB book, a self-help book, etc.), or I pray, or decide it must be time for that walk, to name a few. I think it gets easier as time goes on, but I don't think it's ever going to go away completely. My bad habits are very ingrained. The best thing is to learn to replace them with good habits.

[Dancer]

Jilly,

I do that exact same thing. "I've lost X weight, I can afford that peice of cake" or whatever the case may be. I've fallen off the bandwagon so many times just because of that.

[Cocoamelody]

mmm that thinking is so dangerous. Its like mmm well Im doing good for that cake then that cake turns into something else. Falling off is never fun but we can do this