3 Ways to Beat Sweet Tooth Cravings

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remember that it takes 30 minutes for your brain to register that you've eaten something. If it has been three to four hours since you have last eaten then your blood sugar will have crashed and your brain will be screaming at you to eat(this is your 'appetite'). Your brain will not know you have eaten until a half hour into your pig fest.
Probably the best thing to do is have a couple crackers or a cookie when you get up in the morning to curb your night appetite and also a half hour before your meal. That way your brain is registering food in your system when you sit down for your meal and you are less likely to overeat when you are at the table

David 12:33AM August 25, 2009

I do wish everyone luck especially since I have been known to drink Log Cabin maple syrup when I ran out of Hershey's. I would marry a Hershey bar and I always hoped that if I were killed in a bad car wreck, that the person behind me would have a chocolate bar to put into my mouth as the last taste I would have on my way out. Probably I will get killed by a potato chip truck. All we can do is try.....

dsdsds of FL 4:02AM June 11, 2009

I do wish everyone luck especially since I have been known to drink Log Cabin maple syrup when I ran out of Hershey's. I would marry a Hershey bar and I always hoped that if I were killed in a bad car wreck, that the person behind me would have a chocolate bar to put into my mouth as the last taste I would have on my way out. Probably I will get killed by a potato chip truck. All we can do is try.....

Sandra of AL 4:01AM June 11, 2009

If I'm craving something sweet, I try eating some protein first. This usually fills me up and I don't want anything else to eat, sweet or otherwise, for quite some time and usually by then the craving has passed. Another good trick is to eat a snack-size dill pickle; something about pickles really does kill sweet cravings.
Another trick I use for avoiding 'fat traps' is this; if I'm craving pizza, I'll melt some low-fat mozzarella on a few Triscuits or other whole-grain crackers with a little pizza sauce. If it's grilled cheese I'm craving, I'll melt some American cheese on a few Ritz crackers. If it's a quesadilla, I'll melt a little pepper jack on whatever crackers I have handy and add some salsa. If I do this I'm less likely to eat something cheese- and grease- laden for lunch or dinner.
I agree about not making anything a 'forbidden food'. That just makes you want it more and be more likely to binge on it. If I'm craving chocolate, I have a bite of the best-quality dark chocolate I can find. The more intense the flavor, the less it takes to satisfy my taste for it. If only cheese will do, I splurge on a small serving of my favorite imported fresh mozzarella and eat it with a few slices of tomato or fruit.
Being half-Italian and half-Welsh, I come from a long line of radiantly healthy carb-eaters (pasta and potatoes!), so I don't agree that carbs are evil. I try to avoid simple carbs, however. My husband and I have always eaten a lot of fresh vegetables and fruits, but now we only buy brown rice, whole-grain bread, and whole-grain pasta, all of which we prefer to the more heavily processed versions. They actually have texture and flavor on their own, plus they make you feel fuller longer. Not that we never eat less-than-perfect food, but when the bulk of your diet is healthful, you can indulge once in a while and still stay healthy.

HBS of CA 6:28PM May 17, 2009

My farmer grandmother is in better health than most health doctors. I prefer her wisdom, over some unhealthy health doctor. She eats eggs, but has NO cholesterol problems.
Something people have forgotten when they eat (and the WHO and FDA is partly at fault for this) is that not all fats are bad. We eat too many carbs. Take the old food chart. What they said for EVERY day was far more than I ate in 3 or 4. The level of carbs was way too high. They have also cut out proteins (animal)-they have become the new "evil". Our bodies need protein to metabolize the carbs correctly- and beans aren't that great because they have both carbs and sugars, which cause some of us problems. Fats are important because they cause the body to say when it's had enough. That's why we feel more satisfied after high-fat meals. Sadly that includes the bad fats along with the good. Most of us don't eat enough fresh/frozen vegies-canned just isn't the same, too processed, and we have access to better stuff.
My family has thyroid problems-it's VERY easy to gain weight (those stinking potatoes-see one and gain 5 lbs.) for us and extremely hard to lose it. But it IS controllable, though sometimes with claws and teeth. By understanding what MY body needs, I have kept it under control. I keep my carbs down, I try to keep whole grains(white bread is nasty, & empty) with little processing, eat a LOT of vegies and meat, as much fruit as I can (I have food allergies, mostly fruit), moderate dairy, and try to keep my processed sugars to a minimum. I don't follow the BMI-it doesn't take into account body type(average, medium bone), muscle type(compact), or bone density(very strong, dense). It treats everyone the same, which makes us feel we're fat, when we may or may not be. We are ALL DIFFERENT. According to it, I am overweight. But no one who sees me thinks that-I look 130, but weigh around 165. I also try to exercise(yardwork and the like), and do lots of walking. Nothing unnatural-someday all that muscle is gonna turn to flab cause I won't be able to exercise it unnaturally anymore.
I don't buy low fat cream cheese, sour cream, yogurt-all those things that we are supposed to use low fat on- I never drink store bought milk, homogenization is bad. I am satisfied with far less than what their serving suggests, because I get more out of my 1/4 cup than I would out of their 1/2 cup-or more. My favorite dessert is strawberries or peaches sliced in a bowl, warmed to get them to 'weep', topped with plain yogurt, and a tablespoon of grapenuts on top for texture. Very little sugar (all natural) and very satisfying. And for a post earlier-I love ice cream! I'm just careful how much I eat-I top it with a strawberry rhubarb sauce I make myself-more satisfying. Never chocolate-its addictive and causes a false seratonin high. We eat too much of the stuff. I also don't generally drink soda pop of other presugared drinks-the most I do is maybe 5 cans a month, and none of it cola or caffeinated.

Kendra of KS 5:31PM May 17, 2009

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LARGE PERSON AND TALL AS WELL. I FIND IT QUITE HARD TO EAT PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. I TAKE FOOD TO WORK AND STILL DONT LOSE. I BEGAN TO WALK, I WENT TO WEIGHT WATCHERS, I HAD THE BYPASS, THE WEIGHT KEEPS ON CREEPING ON SLOWLY. THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE. EATING AND TRYING TO STOP EATING TOO MUCH TO LOSE WEIGHT. WHY CANT THERE BE SOMETHING EASIER FOR US. SOME PEOPLE CAN EAT AND NEVER GAIN. IT JUST IS SO HARD AND MOSTLY UNFAIR. I DONT WISH TO BE SKINNY, BUT NOT TO GAIN SO EASILY WOULD HELP.

rOSALIND of NY 5:28PM May 17, 2009

This is from my blog: http://askamira.blogspot.com/2009/05/sugar-denial.html
1. Eat 5 times a day (3 meals and 2 snacks).
This involves planning and probably carrying some of your meals or snacks with you. By eating this way you will never find yourself in a state of low blood-sugar where you will crave something sweet to pick you up.
2. Do not eat carbs by themselves.
Generally, eating a carb by itself is setting yourself up for a blood-sugar crash later. People who eat a bagel or doughnut for breakfast, for instance, are setting themselves up for an energy crash in the late morning. Most likely they will later fuel themselves on more sugar or caffeine.
To avoid this, pay attention to the glycemic index of your meals. If the meal is higher on the index, the faster that food will convert into blood-sugar. The faster the conversion, the more insulin your body will have to make and the harder it will be to maintain homeostasis. Eat your carbs with a protein and do not fear consuming fat.
Fat slows the entry rate of sugar into the bloodstream. It eliminates the sugar rush. It stops the crash that would come later. Fat can help you lose weight! (Other factors influencing glycemic index include: fiber, metabolic type/biochemical individuality, activity level and age.)
3. Supplement with L-glutamine.
L-glutamine is an amino acid that stops the craving for sweets and alcohol (also a sugar). Take between 500mg - 1g between meals. If you're jonesing for something sweet, take a scoop of powder or open 1 capsule and let it dissolve on your tongue.

Amira of NY 5:06PM May 17, 2009

Cut out diet drinks. The chemicals in them are extremely bad for you. Water, tea, coffee, are preferable to anything containing aspartame or phony sweeteners. You are much better off cooking your own food. Ultimately, the goal is to gain control of what you eat. We all binge or eat too much of one thing or another. That's normal People are people. But when food controls your life and becomes a long term substitute for anything, that's a problem.
I am a small boned Caucasian 5'4" 56 year old female. This is important information. You must remain true to who you are and how your physique is constructed. I went on the South Beach Diet for four weeks. I become detoxified and had much more energy and a better attitude. I drank a lot of water. I believe that in this society, it is common to be dehydrated. So any diet must incorporate the 8oz of water 10 times a day regieme. I was in the bathroom a lot in the beginning but after four weeks, it was like the puzzle pieces were aligned. Steadily losing inches and weight becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Keep your goal in mind.I didn't care if a diet was "unhealthy" What's more unhealthy than obesity? So you're on an "unbalanced" diet for two, four, six months. Unless you're diabetic or have some serious problem, the weight loss has to be priority number one. Guess what? I have a kidney transplant. I've been going strong for 19 years. Fortunately, I'm not diabetic. Losing weight and being happy with yourself - whatever that may be - is so worth it. Don't set goals, just do it. I just keep track of my measurements. That's all the motivation I need. Good luck.

Sally of UT 4:54PM May 17, 2009

Hello i have an addiction to sugar and it has mucked up my life!!! Im now underweight by 4 stonne under my bmi weight. Its not nice, Im always cold, i get the shakes and headaches, when i try and wean myself off. There is a lot of advice to lose weight, but no help for people who want to put weight on. now because of the amount of sugar i consume its stopped my appetite instead of 3 meals a day plus 2 healthy snacks i only eat 1 meal a day!! so my weight is dropping still i do not reccomend this way to any 1 i dont have all my own teeth and im now 23 years old!! please help with any suggestions many thanks for reading this.best of luck with your goal weight sarah

sarah underwood 4:46PM May 17, 2009

I have been battling my weight for many many years. I am 55 and joined Weight Watchers for my last time. I have to do it this time because I have to have a knee replacement which I will not do until I lose the weight. I have learned many techniques since joining Weight Watchers over the years. W.W. does work I just failed myself the last few times. One of the best things I learned (When Possible) is when I really want something that is not "Good for You" I take off all my clothes and stand in front of a mirror. I have yet to be able to take ONE bite. I am lucky to be able to stay at home so it is more convenient, but it really works. To all the people who's excuse is that they have medical problems is something that my mother-in-law told me many years ago "You Never Saw A Fat Person Walking Out of the Concentration Camps". Maybe there are a few things that can go wrong, but pushing away from the table is the only thing that truly works.

Sue Carol Mullen of FL 4:41PM May 17, 2009