I am aware that I have problem with sugar, I've always had a sweet tooth but now, as I am able to go to the shop more frequently, I find myself in the sweets isle too often. It has become a problem, I can eat an entire bag of marshmallows before I'm even half way back to school.
I've read online that you drink water and all that generic info but it hasn't worked for me, I slip up and then it's a downward spiral after a couple of days. Has anyone here had the same problem and found a good solution? - at this point, I'm open to anything!
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Hello, I'm a diabetic with a sweet tooth and have had problems in this area for years. I've become better at not gorging. when at home I do anything to keep my hands busy, crafts, sewing, etc. when I'm out in the street I have a packet of sugar-free Ricola herbal sweets. these are mouthwatering and create saliva which I find refreshers my mouth. I don't think I've found a full proof way to get rid of cravings, but when it gets too much, I take a drink of water, sit or lie and slowly count taking deep breaths.. first to 50 then 70 then 100. My next step is to look at the time and wait 30 minutes if I still want it, I have half.. 1 stick of kitkat, half a normal size bar, a couple of squares. in time it gets easier but it takes practice.
Great tips, I’m going to try the counting, clocks and sewing! I gave up on a dress I was trying to make and had a brainwave last night about what the instructions meant. So now I can unpick and try again instead of eating snacks in front of the TV.
That sounds really good. I'm quite busy at home with work and I don't find myself wanting sugar until about 10pm when I'm in bed. I think its boredom so I have started to read every night and it isn't so bad.
My problem is definitely in college because my friends are always going down to the shops or have a share bag at hand. I'll try a few of your techniques!
I would seriously recommend you go cold turkey. There is a physiological reason for sweet cravings: your body has essentially shut down its mechanism for recycling bodyfat because it has been given regular doses of glucose-based energy (bread, rice, pasta etc) for so long. Every time blood sugar falls, it has to demand more glucose from food instead of synthesizing its own.
There are only two evidence-based ways to reverse this: very-low-calorie diets (which are almost unbearable for most people) and low-carb diets (which are much, much easier to adhere to). The low-carb diet works by substituting carbohydrates with fat. When your body is faced with no option except to burn fats for energy, it seems to rapidly get the message. You have to exercise a certain amount of willpower for a week or two, but sweet cravings usually recede noticeably within a matter of days.
Even if you're not overweight, you are at imminent risk of Type 2 diabetes and NAFLD, so it's well worth getting this sorted. It is honestly not painful or onerous, and after the initial "induction" phase the low-carb diet can be tuned to a sustainable and healthy way of eating, which prevents you ever getting into this position again.
I realise it's pretty tough to get away from sweets (and carbs) because they're everywhere in the UK. If you have the option of going away on holiday to a place where sweets aren't part of the national scenery - rural France or Spain might be a good choice - then do so. As mentioned, it takes only a couple of weeks to adapt.
I actually looked at low-carb diets but I found it difficult to do with still living with my parents. They dictate all of the food that is in the fridge and cabinets.
I do think that it from what you are saying it will be helpful, I initially did it for about a week, but I think my dad is up for it now as he wants to lose some weight too. This would mean we could both have low carb meals.
Sorry, I didn't read your post properly at first - I only figured out you were still living with parents after lucigret's reply.
If you can do the same diet with your dad, that would be perfect. Hopefully if you mum starts seeing the positive results she'll join in!
It is really hard to eat healthily without your family onboard. There have been several posts on here about family members being unsupportive or even downright unpleasant. Adults are often very reluctant to change what they've been doing for decades. But give your dad a little push and this could all work out well
Hi ive always been a choccie demon but 5 weeks ago I sarted lchf and 5 days ago my other half bought me a marzipan chocolate bar (my favourite!) And hand on, heart, ive not even touched a square??? Im not even fighting the urge ! Worth a thought ? x
You talk about eating marshmallows on your way to school, are you in your teens?
You have had some good advice already here and I too would be encouraging you to eat some healthy fats and cut the carbs. Take note of what AwfulToad has told you. You sound young enough to me to change your diet now and have a life time of healthy eating ahead of you. This will cause you far less problems down the road as you get older.
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Hi I'm type 2 diabetic and only have to read about sugar or see a telly advert and I'm drooling like a dog so I have to admit being an addict I've found taking one small step at a time easier total denial doesn't work for me a very small treat I'd 2 squares of 70 per cent chocolate from freezer each night at start soon didn't even have it just needed the security of knowing it was there for mad moments is enough and don't be too hard on yourself it's counter productive Good luck
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