Cravings and falling off the wagon....

[JacquiS]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: What can I do to curb the cravings?? I've given in to the worst food three days in a row. I don't know how I've ended up lucky enough to not end up with BG up in the 200's again but I'm sure it's just pure dumb luck.

Anyone who has suggestions to help with the cravings PLEASE help!

[4519]

I too have severe cravings. This last week i have been trying Hoodia. While it does take away my appetite there are still cravings, though fewer. Cravings are not just physical, but mental. I take it at night becsuse that is when it is the worst. I don't take it 2 hours before meals because I have my meal plan down pretty well. It is the between meals that get me.

[dbc]

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: What can I do to curb the cravings?? I've given in to the worst food three days in a row. I don't know how I've ended up lucky enough to not end up with BG up in the 200's again but I'm sure it's just pure dumb luck.

Anyone who has suggestions to help with the cravings PLEASE help!

I'm not so bad any more - initially the only thing that worked was not to ANY of things I craved in the house. Somehow it was easier to manage if giving in involed driving somewhere....

[shanda]

I'm sure no expert on this since I was only diagnosed 4 months ago, but here is something that seems to work for me:

My weakness has always been starchy foods like bread and potatoes. So when I crave them, I go ahead and have them but I plan it into my meals and count the carbs. Sure, you are limited in the amount you can have but it's better than feeling like you can NEVER have it again.

When I first came to this Forum I joked that I had been diagnosed on Feb. 14, 2006, Valentine's Day! No chocolate for me. Then one of the members here replied why couldn't I have chocolate when a half of a Hershey's bar is only 15 carbs. I had just assumed that as a diabetic I could never have sweets again but I was wrong. I can have chocolate, but in very limited amounts, and I would have it as a treat, not everyday.

This may help you feel that you are not deprived and can still enjoy the foods you love and not feel guilty, we just have to be more aware of what we put into our bodies now.

I hope this is of some use to you :)

shanda

[mg_2204]

Hello Jacqui!

Apparently a craving doesn't last more than 2 to 5 minutes. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get busy? Or go for a walk?

Make sure you don't have anything in the house that is not healthy for you.

I found I do much better when I have lighter meals and a small snack in between. I don't go hungry. Cravings don't have the same firm hold on me. In fact, have had very few of them since I've been doing that.

Junk food is quick to get, quick to eat. It's there. I suggest you make all kinds of healthier choices available to you in your own home. When I have a craving I don't particularly fancy peeling a carrot and eat it. But if I have carrot and celery sticks ready in the fridge, and even a little healthy dip well that helps a lot!!

I cannot go without carbs. I just can't. What I do is have them early in the day. And I don't over do it. Because I have them early on I make sure I spend the extra energy. And I don't feel deprived... so I don't crave.

I hope this helps a bit.

[liz32]

Cravings are a pain! However, like others have said having an alternative food choice on hand is great. the other thing to consider is the mental aspect of a craving. I find that it's like trying to break any other bad habit...it takes awhile and ALOT of determination! You have to basically rewire your brain. They say 21 days make or breaks a habit. Maybe you can set a goal of trying to go 21 days without a bad food choice. You may or may not reach that goal right away, but if you aim for nothing you'll get nothing. Anything worthwile is never easy....don't get discouraged, just try again! Don't worry we'll be here to support ya!
Liz

[Monika]

Cravings are the worst aren’t they? What Shanda suggested works for me too. If I really have a craving for something I’ve found it’s better to just put it in my carb/food plan for the day…. get it out of my system rather then deny myself and end up fixating on what I CAN’T have…. that just makes me want it even more. I make sure my BG levels have been good that day and make sure what I’m craving isn’t going to knock my numbers out of range. If my BG has been all over the place and eating that ‘treat’ is out of the question, I’ll make plans for it the next day. Anyway that seems to work for me.

About falling off the wagon….well I think we all do that once in awhile. We’re human.

[JacquiS]

Thanks to all of you once again! I think this gives me a little better idea of how to manage the cravings. I do have a box of Dibbs, the only problem is that last night I had 12 of them!! LOL....tonight, none. I was really good today and I think I'm back on track, at least for now.

I crashed this morning....BG dropped to 54. Trembling, dizzy, almost passed out. Thank God I was sitting at my desk at work when it happened and not behind the wheel. Had a piece of candy and it passed after about 45 minutes or so.

Goal setting sounds good..I hadn't thought of that and Shanda, you're right...a little will be ok as long as it's not every day.

You are all so terrific! I don't know what I'd do without you. I can't say how much it means to me to have this support and help!

At some point maybe I'll feel in control enough of my life to be able to help you guys or someone coming in newer than me. Right now I"m just one day at a time and struggling....

[decimaldancer]

I went ahead and ate a bag of Doritos today. Crave big time, but I counted it in on my journal and it didn't seem to have a big effect. If my average for the week is low I tuck in a cheat every now and again.

[Cyborg]

You could eat smaller meals, but eat more often, say every 2-3 hours. You could also try to low carb. Certain low carb foods to satisfy the cravings.

[Lynne1]

I'm trying a new approach which is working pretty well so far. I have a really huge sweet tooth and have cravings all the time. I decided to associate sweets, pastrys and other empty calories with a picture of myself in 10 or 20 years in a dialysis room. I associate healthy foods with a picture of myself at a ski lodge after a wonderful day of skiing with friends. That has worked for 3 days so far. I know if I avoid the junk long enough the cravings will go away.

[Roy Gardiner]

I crashed this morning....BG dropped to 54. Trembling, dizzy, almost passed out. Sorry to hear that, forgive me using it as a vehicle for my education.

I thought our problem (it's certainly mine) was to get BG down? Mine is never that low.

[JacquiS]

Hey Roy -

Not sure what you mean about a vehicle for your education but I think we all use this forum to educate ourselves in how to take care of ourselves so that we can stay as healthy as possible!

Low is good, but too low is not. Good normal low is 70-100. 54 is hypoglycemic and causes others problems like the trembles, dizziness and nausea. I'm not sure what other long term effects there are from BG being too low but those are what I experienced.

When that happens a small glass of OJ, an orange or a quick candy bar usually fix the problem within about 45 minutes to an hour.

I did well yesterday with the cravings but today they're back. It's like Chinese water torture..eating (excuse the choice of words) away at me. I might as well just give in and have a few bites. My BG is up today anyway...

[RickLV]

I know this goes against the grain on this forum as I guess most folks go along with the ADA recommendations (I think they are disasterous).

I've been VLC'ng (Bernstein) for about 10 weeks now. I've lost 25 lbs and have about 12 to go. My BG's are way down and trending toward normal (mid-80's). I keep lots of records and charts.

Anyway, I used to be "hungry all the time" and had big cravings in the evenings. That has all gone away. I am no longer carb-addicted. My average carb intake right now is 18.32g/day.

I take no meds other than Insulow+EPO.

Just my two cents.

[Lynne1]

I did well yesterday with the cravings but today they're back. It's like Chinese water torture..eating (excuse the choice of words) away at me. I might as well just give in and have a few bites. My BG is up today anyway...
Don't do it!!! Get those bgs down. Have some nuts instead...very filling. How about an omelette? Try some coffee w/splenda. Rah, Rah, Rah!!! (Your cheering squad)

[JacquiS]

LOL...THANK YOU Lynne!!