Cravings

Hi Celia13 .. I am a hardcore sugar addict! I can share a few tricks I have learned from doing Atkins for the past 10 years. The supplement L-Glutamine ( I take 500 mg 3X per day, after each meal ). It works great for me as long as I don't miss a dose. If I do forget to take it I will notice my cravings coming back within the same day. Also, getting enough protein and fiber REALLY helps! If I get a craving, a piece of strong tasting cheese like sharp cheddar, eaten slowly will completely kill the craving.

Just my opinion, but I don't think anything with artificial sweetners is a good idea. I am trying to give up anything that contains it (including Atkins products). Studies are showing that our bodies recognize it as sugar (excess insulin which keeps us fat) and the sweet taste keeps us addicted to sweets.
I hope some of this will help.

I was about to say the same thing about artificial sweetners. I second your opinion Zenergy. From my research, we really should stay away from them for a myriad of reasons.

Let yourself have sweets then but in small portions. If you eat them slowly (and drink generous amounts of water or tea with your treat), it feels as if you're eating a large portion.

Also, I like to have a bag of sweet trail mix on hand. I'll grab a generous bowl of salad and use a modest amount of trail mix to replace dressing. The trail mix is sweet and usually kills off the craving for me.

I would suggest you do the following:
1.- Keep a bowl of fresh fruit chopped in the fridge. A tempting fruit salad.
2.- Buy or make oat cookies, or other healthy sweet, with brown sugar which is easier to digest than white sugar.
Having these options ready, you could try going for them and still keep yourself healthy.
Best of luck

when I cant beat my chocolate craving I have an Options low calorie hot chocolate drink but keep it to half the recommended water so that its texture is nicer. Will try upping my magnesium. Never thought of it as a sign of a lack of something so thanks guys

I keep a few protein bars handy, particularly when I'm on the go. There are some brands out there now that actually taste like a candy bar (Detour is my fave), so when ya just can't beat the craving, this works in a pinch. It also gives you some sustainable energy to keep you going and keep you out of the candy aisle.

try the Deep Chocolate vitatops. I order them in bulk online and keep them in the freezer. I just had the Special K Berry cereal tonight and it was really good and sure did hit the sweet tooth just right.