Question:
I Can't Stop Eating Sugar!

Hi all - I'm now about 4.5 months post-op, and I've lost 60 lbs. I'm really happy with my weight loss thus far, BUT... I cannot stop eating sugar! Unfortunately, sugar does not make me dump (I say UNfortunately because if it did, I wouldn't eat it), so I can eat as many sweets as I want, and I seem to want a LOT. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions as to how to break this cycle? I'm also wondering if it could be some kind of medical thing, like my body craves sweets for some reason. Thoughts?    — webgrrlie (posted on May 30, 2001)

May 30, 2001
I think I read somewhere that if you are craving sugars it could mean that you are not getting enough protein in. I am not sure if I am correct, but it never hurts to increase your protein intake. Ged rid of all of your sugary snacks and buy snacks that are sugar free and eat those instead. There is an amazing variety of sugar free ice cream, popsicles, and cookies. Eliminate them from your home and make the occasions when you do eat sugary snacks special. For example, once a week at dairy queen, only on Saturday, only at Special family events. Or make your treats at home using Splenda. Good Luck!
   — imano1momy

May 30, 2001
Hey Shawn: I can eat a lot of sugar as well. Usually, this happens if I'm overly exposed to it. Earlier this year, I worked in a company who's breakroom looked like the candy aisle at Costco. It was very difficult for me to pass down all sorts of chocolates and goodies. Once I 'detoxed' for a day, I would become a lot stronger and could go a week without it. Then, if I became stressed, I turned to sugar, just like in the old days. <p> So here are my tricks and hints: Firstly - get all the goodies out of the house! If you have family that must have the goodies, tell them to go to the store and get it and eat it before they come back! I'm serious...this is what I do with my daughters. Secondly, if you are absolutely tempted, put it off. "I will have a cookie after I finish 20 oz. of water, after I go for a walk, after I have 60 gm. of protien, after 4:00". You don't feel like you are denying yourself, you are just procrastinating. This worked for me exceptionally well when I worked at the "Candy Shop" as by the time I was caving in, a lot of time the goodies would be gone. <p> Okay, so now, you've eliminated it from the house, fulfilled all your dietary, water and exercise requirements, put off the craving for hours, days or weeks and it is still gnawing at you. You can either have a sugar free popsicle, protien bar, or sugar free pudding...yeah, how noble! I've been 'good' and had 'legal' goodies...but sometimes, it just ain't gonna do it for me. So, most of the time when this hits, I have a cup of coffee with International Creamer in it. Satisfies my sweet tooth, takes a while to finish and keeps me warm in these cool Michigan springs. <p> The last resort to all this is go ahead...go to 7-11 and get yourself a Hershey's minature or a chocolate covered cherry (just one!) and savor it. <p> Good luck, Shawn. Don't beat yourself up...kudos for asking for help!
   — Allie B.