HI everyone,

Well I had my first binge since starting this woe (31/2 weeks a go). It kind of snuck up on me, and once I started I chose not to stop. I'm wondering if the cravings for sweets ever go away completely? I mean I have experienced a lessening of the cravings and most of the time I can put it out of my mind. This one was like a nagging toothache, throbbing until I satiated it. I noticed my cravings for sweets peak in the evening and my willpower is least when I am tired and not getting enough sleep or not drinking enough water. I will be right back to induction tomorrow and I expect to have stronger cravings to deal with due to this binge, so I intend to drink lots and lots of water and to keep busy and maybe go to bed early.

How do you all deal with cravings and do they ever go away completely?

Regards,
Terri

Yes, the cravings do go away.

At first, the cravings are physical and at 3 1/2 weeks you are still freeing yourself of the physical pull of carbs. As you get more into your new WOE - further away from carbs - and realize all the benefits it brings, your cravings become less.

Once I got over the physical cravings, most of my binges have been triggered by being tired, angry, lonely or afraid. Upon that realization, I started dealing with those feelings and my relationship to food.

Don't regret what you've done. Low-carbing is a life-time of learning experiences. The important point is to never stop learning.

Karen

Thanks Karen, it's good to know cravings will subside...I know this woe works because my blood sugars are really under control for the first time in a long while. I know I was on my way to insulin and I know to avoid all that I will have to eat this way for the rest of my life.

Karen's right - they do go away. I made my son a chocolate fudge cake for his birthday on Saturday, but I wasn't tempted. It looked too sweet!

And even when you do get the cravings for sweets, immediately go and eat some protein. It won't satisfy your sweet craving, it will make it disappear and you will feel SOOOO clever! Meat, cold chicken, cheese, fry an egg. It is just amazing! It always works.

So I'd say that the cravings will sometimes be there. Karen is absolutely correct - I too have years of trying to fix things with carbs. Never worked but I never noticed til after I started on LC.

BarB

When I get that nagging feeling in my tummy. Even after I ate some protein, you know that gnawing feeling that seems only happy after you eat something sweet. Try eating some fat! It's never failed! My fav is to break off a chunk of cream cheese and down the hatch! Drink a big glass of water and tell yourself before you _really_ go off your diet you'll wait 15 mins to see if you feel better. Try it next time and let me know if it works for you! Remember: Fat is your Friend!

Thanks so much everyone, your comments have been very encouraging!

Regards,
Terri

I find that the L-Glutamine supplements that Dr. Atkin's suggests really do work.

When I crave a sweet I have a tablet and a glass of water,and it usually subsides.