To chocolate or not to chocolate...tha... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

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To chocolate or not to chocolate...that is the question!

Owlie profile image
40 Replies

So, I have repeat blood tests on Wednesday morning which will be sent to my Consultant to review. Unfortunately I have this sudden insane craving to eat chocolate knowing full well it will affect my blood results, which makes me want it even more! At this very moment in time my son’s Dairy Milk Easter egg is sitting on the floor on the other side of the room calling to me, with 3 more in the cupboard!

So, distraction suggestions would be very welcome if anyone has time!

Thanks

Owlie

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Owlie profile image
Owlie
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40 Replies
jazzjam profile image
jazzjam

Oh no, my first thought was ‘throw it away, give it away’ but then realised you can’t as it’s your sons. I don’t really know why I’m typing as I am no good to you, I feel exactly the same tonight. I have looked at the apples and oranges, the yoghurt, options orange hot chocolate drink (this has probably gone off, I need to check that) . Opened the fridge about ten times, it still looks the same. I opted for a Rowntrees fruit pastille ice lolly, bath, brushed my teeth and mouthwash (that actually does stop me a bit from eating any goodies) and bed. Hope you tell it who’s boss 😁

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply tojazzjam

I’m glad I’m not the only one who does the fridge opening thing!

I am getting better, my chocolate problem started with the immunosuppressants. A tub of Belgian chocolate ice cream for breakfast, salted caramel kit kat for lunch and more ice cream in the evening. I explained the problem with my Heptologist and he said that he would keep an eye on my blood glucose level. I switched to porridge in the morning with flaxseed and drink fruit tea with honey. It has started to ease down. I am also back to eating lots of fruit. The blood tests are good and no problems. Moderation in everything.

Good luck,

Mark.

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply to

I like porridge, not chocolate ice cream though so lucky there!

Millie09 profile image
Millie09

Hi owlie , may I ask in what way will it affect your result? I've never ever changed my eating habits before any bloods , sorry if I'm being thick, not so good at present. I eat chocolate by the bucket load ; dont get me wrong I do eat healthy etc.. but I just cant eat fruit, no matter if I buy any it ends up in the bin .

I wished i could suggest something to you but I'm a terrible chocolate lover.

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toMillie09

I eat really healthily and have got it into my head that if I don’t it will show up! Big sign saying ‘I’ve eaten bad things!!’

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toOwlie

Really? .I eat healthy but just a pig when it comes to chocolate.

Yes I know it's bad for the old liver but with 11 yrs of cirrhosis and all its battles i have been through ( yes I'm not the only one ) .and continued battles and my wanting mobility it has now gotten to the point where I dont worry. Que sera sera . Good luck!

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat

I sympathise over those Easter eggs. My wife has 3 cappuccino walnut whips in the fridge and they keep calling to me. It could mean double trouble. 1) I'm in remission for diabetes and so I shouldn't really have one. 2) they are my wife's and not mine! SOB!

in reply toalfredthegreat

Why do they put them near the queues for the tills? ☹️

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply to

Because they are evil!

Radnor profile image
Radnor in reply to

Thats one of the reasons I food shop on line - less tempting !

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toRadnor

I do home delivery due to mobility but dont stop me unfortunately.

Radnor profile image
Radnor in reply toMillie09

It still takes will power lol. I love food but not food shopping. I too can't manage a supermarket . Frys Turkish delight is my favourite I sometimes add a lot of bad stuff to my list then go through the list and zap it off. I too am a member of Supercrocks ! Back on my lowcarb on Monday, stops the sugar craving.

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toRadnor

OMG stop mentioning the Turkish delight it’s starting to haunt me now I want some soooo bad!! :)

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat in reply toOwlie

Those 3 walnut whips are still sitting in the fridge. There is only so much temptation that a man can take. By bedtime there may be two!! It's 3 days now since your original post and they have been sitting there all that time. It amounts to mental cruelty! :-(

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toalfredthegreat

I admire your willpower!

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat in reply toOwlie

Still there Owlie……..torture!!!

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toalfredthegreat

Can’t you invite a neighbour ‘round and offer them up?

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat in reply toOwlie

But they are the wife's and she will eat them at some point. I asked yesterday "Did you know that you've still got 3 walnut whips in the fridge?" Reply. "yes, hands off! your things are on the shelf below!". Trouble is she's on a diet so this could go on for bit!

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toalfredthegreat

Do what my son does...tough love! ‘You know you shouldn’t have them Mummy, I’m helping you by eating them!’ Only give them to the neighbour!

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat in reply toOwlie

ooooops!! one gone! and not to the neighbour. :-)

Millie09 profile image
Millie09 in reply toRadnor

Good for you! . My willpower upped and left many months ago now .

But good on you and to those who can resist this yummy chocolate..😋😋

cccd profile image
cccd

What about some dark chocolate instead? One square of 95% cocoa?? 😜😝😔

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply tocccd

I don’t like the dark chocolate :(

cccd profile image
cccd

Good luck with the bloods!!!!

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply tocccd

Thank you!

I visited the Cadbury's Factory at Bournville last year and have to confess I was disappointed by the tour, and most unhappy that this once great British company and Institution is no longer a British company. What most people won't realise, is that chocolate was first introduced into Britain back during the Victorian era by the Quakers as a alternative to the evil Alcohol scourge at the time.

Besides oats, the food Quakers are possibly most associated with is chocolate. In the 18th and early 19th centuries British Quakers founded a whole range of businesses, manufacturing everything from shoes to biscuits. But it was the success of the Quaker confectionery companies – Cadbury of Birmingham, Rowntree's of York, and Fry's of Bristol – that left the strongest impression on the public. Unlike the oats, which are Quaker only in name and have no link to Quakers, these businesses were rooted in Quakerism in their early years.

Part of the reason that Quakers chose the confectionery business was due to matters of conscience. Cocoa and sugar appeared to be ethical alternatives to alcohol, seen as a cause of great moral evil to Quakers of the time. The companies were primed to succeed as Quakers had already built up a reputation for business integrity, thanks to their faith-inspired insistence on fair pricing and paying off debts.

During the Victorian era, the popularity of chocolate catapulted the three Quaker confectioners into public prominence. They experimented with new flavours and styles, and also adopted innovative approaches to business. George and Richard Cadbury chose to build houses, parks and recreation centres in Bourneville, Birmingham so that their workers had comfortable accommodation away from city smog. Quaker employers also pioneered pension schemes and lobbied for improved labour laws.

I'm not a Quaker, but have an interest in the Victorian era. I just thought I'd share this little interesting fact. Liver disease back in those days would have been most prevalent back in those day's due to the Victorian's love of gin: quaker.org.uk/blog/quakers-...

Wass71 profile image
Wass71 in reply to

Hi Richard, I live in Street in Somerset, home of Clarks shoes, another quaker industry, as you mentioned. The town (well its actually a village but as big as some towns), wouldn't be here if it weren't for the clarks continued support. We have beautiful primary schools which were given to the community by clarks, also a wonderful outdoor pool, which was once a ladies only pool for local women's health and wellbeing. I'm not a quaker, but I am grateful to them for their altruistic way of life. When I was young we only had a couple of pubs, and those were fairly recent, in keeping with the quaker attitude to the dangers of alcohol. Maybe even then they knew what they were talking about!!

Best wishes

X

Radnor profile image
Radnor in reply toWass71

I much prefer shoes to chocolate. I would be skint if I lived in Street. Lovely place as is all Somerset.

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply to

Now that just makes me want a ayorkie and Fry’s chocolate cream! Interesting facts though thank you!

in reply toOwlie

Sadly that no longer works. the Yorkie bar, used to be owned by Rowntree's of York, and is made under the name of Nestle which in turn is owned by the American Kraft company.

I remember as a child learning about Elizabeth Fry in school. In 1919 The Fry Chocolate company merged with Cadbury's. Certain products made by Cadburys are still sold as being Frys. Like Fry's Chocolate cream, Fry's Picnic bar, and my favourite, Fry's Turkish Delight. In 2010 Cadbury's was also sold off to the American Kraft company. Most of Cadbury's production is based in Dublin and Poland. It will be interesting to see what happens come Brexit.

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply to

You just had to mention Turkish delight!!

P13jne profile image
P13jne in reply toOwlie

Owlie I’m with you on this, Turkish delights are my downfall 🙄 xx Jane

Pizamkazdw profile image
Pizamkazdw

Make your son a surprise and send him for a party with friends and tell them to eat all the chocolate together :) Good luck!

Owlie profile image
Owlie

Okay thanks everyone...enjoyed reading all the replies, went with blueberries!

alfredthegreat profile image
alfredthegreat in reply toOwlie

What did? The chocolate? LOL. :-)

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toalfredthegreat

Actually, they are very nice together but youngest saw me get a bit of chocolate and promptly removed it saying it wasn’t good for me!

Radnor profile image
Radnor

Ask a neighbour to 'ind' the eggs. Im sure your son will understand . More difficult to avoid bad stuff when you have a family. My low carb diet has been on hold due to my op, but still been less naughty lol. Sugar addiction is as bad as alcohol addiction for some of us. My freezer is now stocked with lots of low carb food so after this week I will be back on my diet in full. Ge thee behind me Satan! Hazelx

Owlie profile image
Owlie in reply toRadnor

Stocked the fridge with celery blueberries and porridge!

Honestly for me the craving for sugar at times is worse than any craving I ever got for alcohol. Its literally legal crack.lol

I dont give in usually. But the odd time I do its like a satisfaction of epic proportions. Especially a fruit and nut bar thats been in the feidfe for a few hours. In fact any cold chocolate is just way better.

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