Sugar Cravings Make Me Want To Eat EVERYTHING

(Ms H3 Llfire) #1

Hello
I just found this site and am quite impressed.

A little about me - 39 yo single mom of two. I deal with Hashimotos and Hypothyroidism that was finally recently diagnosed.
I did Atkins last year and lost 50lbs. Then my doctor said even though my labs looked great I should switch to Gluten/dairy free and incorporate grains again. Like a good patient I listened and gain 60 lbs back…I topped out at 359lbs when I said enough is enough and forget the carbs!

I put myself back on low carb/keto. I already dropped 10 lbs in 2 weeks despite my imperfection but these sugar cravings are down right brutal - I also am having daily headaches but I’m guessing I’m not hydrating enough.

I did not have this issue before but these cravings are so bad…I will eat anything sugary.
It awful.

Does anyone have suggestions for this? I think in part these cravings are so bad because my stress is a bit up there right now.

Anyway - any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thank you!!! :slight_smile:

#2

As far as the headaches go, make sure you’re getting your electrolytes. Just drinking water, but not keeping up your salt intake may make them worse.

(Bunny) #3

Ketogenic diet long-term and maintenance: I eat more natural sugars from whole foods like fruit made by a tree or a plant occasionally. I don’t want to totally eliminate natural sugars from my diet because there is a metabolic threshold point (activating digestive enzymes feeding the gut flora) where the reward centers of the brain are further enhanced (cravings) if I don’t stimulate that part of the brain buried deep down in the mysterious biological circadian hooks of the neurological system (gut bugs are starving to death and letting you know it?). It is ok for me to eat sugar! I just don’t have any desire (addicted) to get crazy with it!

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(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #4

Bunny you “crack” me up.

(Adriana) #6

Hi! I totally get you, it happens to me sometimes and I can suggest things that work for me:

  1. I drink water, tea, coffee or sparkling water with ACV and cinnamon, most of the time I get full this way and stop the craving.
  2. I get busy! Doing nothing makes me want to eat, so I go for a walk, play a board game, wash dishes or do something that makes my mind forget the craving.
  3. I eat something keto that’s not sweet, could be a snack or a real meal; most of the time the craving is gone when I eat this.
  4. I eat something sweet but keto, and I have to make it: keto cookies, keto brownie, keto mug cake, bulletproof cocoa/matcha/golden milk, berries and whipped cream, etcetera. After the prep time, the smell of the food and the waiting time I get full super quick and stop eating after a few bites/sips. It’s super weird that I get to this stage, mostly happens near my period when I crave all the carbs :unamused:

When I do have cravings, I always do this in a series of steps, I have found that cravings are really a mind game and this steps have helped me stop binging on food (keto or not) and made me realize when I’m misreading my body signals for other things like thirst, hunger, anxiety or boredom.

(the cheater) #7

If you MUST have something sweet, here are my suggestions.

-Diet soda. Love the stuff, keep it stocked all the time.
-Atkins “Endulge” series bars & treats. Very few net carbs (usually like 2 or 3 per serving)
-I always keep a can of Reddi Whip on hand. I take a couple shots in the mouth (and give one to my Yorkie) and I’m good to go.

I also have a weekly cheat where I get it all out of my system (note my username) so I’m never denying myself something I want or enjoy, I just postpone it - delayed gratification, if you will. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: yes, the CRAVING is a product of being addicted to carbs and takes a while to curb and/or eliminate. However, that doesn’t mean you still wouldn’t enjoy the non-keto foods. I think a lot of people try to convince themselves that they no longer even enjoy sweets and stuff. I don’t buy it. I do buy that once you’ve kicked the carb habit, it’s possible to control your urges more easily, though.

Good luck!

(Ms H3 Llfire) #8

Thank you all. I appreciate the info so much.
Idk what this is. When I did low carb before I didn’t go through this but this is like a monster screaming for SUGAR.

It only confirms that I need to get this under control.

I do feel A LOT better on keto when I’m not battling the Sugar Monster.

I also read Matcha Tea can help. I’ve ordered some but I can shamefully admit the Sugar Monster won a few times…it got to the point I couldn’t take it any more.

Having a high stress life right now doesn’t help either.

What are your experiences with sugar substitutes? I tried a few with negative results - but I didn’t try them all and perhaps there is something I can try when this pops up.

I like the idea of the Atkins treats and I may initially go that route but I’m also trying to go with things I can make so I can control whats in it.

Anyway - thanks for the responses they are greatly appreciated. I want to do this - I need to do this and I know I CAN do this…I just gotta get through this.

:slight_smile:

(Mandy Ervin) #9

I have also read that L glutamine may be a factor to help co trol the cravings…it worked for me, then I gave in to the stupid artificial sweetners and relapsed! This is much harder this time so im checking for insulin response kn all sweeteners I may use as well. Sugar detox sucks!!

(Zoelynn Olea) #10

This is me right now all i want is sugar, its so hard to say no. Ive had about 32 ozs of water some beef jerky sticks and a small spoon of peanut butter. Sugar is my addiction :frowning:

(PSackmann) #11

How much fat are you eating? At work I drink chai tea with a teaspoon of coconut oil, it helps get me to my feeding window. I know in a few more weeks I won’t need the extra fat, but for now I use it when I need it.
Oh, my new fave is a cup of warm bone broth with just a pat of butter added. Decadent, gives you electrolytes and warmth plus great mouth feel. If you’re still non-dairy, substitute with coconut oil or maybe ghee. Worst case, keep some sugar-free gum handy for when you just have to have something to chew.
Hang in there, I understand the stress of being a single mom. It will get better.

#12

Whipped cream is life! I have done the calculations on this, and if you’ve been good all day, the carbs/sugar in this are negligible.

I have also explored buying heavy whipping cream and making my own adding a trace amount of swerve.