Is anyone here as addicted to sweets as I am?

[Lckymii]

I was writing away in my journal and was wondering if anyone else here craves sweets like I do? Here is my journal post... I'll give cliffs below, I know it's long.

I am almost ashamed that I feel like I need sweets so much. I have been really sitting back and examining why and I can't figure this one out. I have tried many methods to purge it, and have been successful at going cold turkey for 3 weeks straight (although it was not pretty) but it was not a sustainable method for me.
I tend to crave things very specifically and it becomes all I can think about or concentrate on. It is really quite sudden. For example I will be gardening and wham I will want a charlston chew. It is really that specific and extremely intense. It feels like an addiction almost I guess. And that is not healthy imo It is almost like a drive rather than desire.
It makes me wonder if it is not a family trait or environmental habit from when I was a child or something. My dad, brother and grandmother all have/had the same desire for sweets.
For example my grandmother used to carry sweets where ever she was. It was in between the seat cushions of her favorite chair, in candy dishes all over her house, under the car seat and in her purse.

Cliffs:
Despite different dieting/cold turkey approaches I still crave/desire sweets.
It is a drive that I would describe as close to an addiction.
Cravings occur at random times with strong associations and a desire to fulfill them.

Anyway just some thoughts about a weird habit of mine and I wonder if anyone else has the same issues with sweets or specific foods or has someone they know who does? I am curious to see if it is more environmental, mental or maybe even physiological? Any thoughts or experiences would be wonderful!!

[melinda11]

I totally know what you are talking about! I have the biggest sweet tooth out of any of my friends that I know. Before I started my training (only began on June 1st) I would have chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake... you name it I would scarf it down and the thing was I would never feel sick from it, and I would never feel full from having more helpings etc.
Since ive began my training I have been pretty good. It hasnt been too long but today I was thinking about my cheat meal for this weekend and thinking about McFlurrys and crunch chocolate bars....

So yes I can completely relate to you! If sugar was healthy I would be the heathiest kid on the planet...

If anyone can tell us why we get this Id love to know as well!!

[freebirdmac]

I do too. The weirdest one is craving twinkies. I never really liked twinkies! Because of my food intolerances the only sweet I can have is a certain brand of dark chocolate. I eat 2 squares a day. I never eat junk food or processed food so it's not that. I don't drink anything other than plain water and the only sugar I use is in my morning oatmeal and coffee. It doesn't matter what my macros are or even if I'm hungry.

The way I look at it I've given up pretty much everything other than oatmeal, chicken, and veggies so I'll keep my dark chocolate for those sweet or chocolate cravings. I just have to keep myself from going berserk with it

[twinnett]

I too have a horrible sweet tooth..I'm wondering if "fake" sugars are the cause perhaps?

[gynoid]

ME!

Ever since I started exercising a lot, my lust for cakes, chocolate etc has been *so* much worse. I don't deny myself either.... I eat something sweet almost every day It's kind of like PMS cravings, but ALL the time.

I was even talking about lollies and chocolate to my boyfriend at 11pm last night while I was lying in bed...

There have been times in my life where i've gone cold turkey and felt great, but then I fall off the wagon again

[TankGirl]

There was a time when I'd sit in front of the TV and eat a WHOLE huge bag of Haribo Tangfastics. *sigh*

[Lckymii]

Originally Posted by melinda11

I totally know what you are talking about! I have the biggest sweet tooth out of any of my friends that I know. Before I started my training (only began on June 1st) I would have chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cake... you name it I would scarf it down and the thing was I would never feel sick from it, and I would never feel full from having more helpings etc.
Since ive began my training I have been pretty good. It hasnt been too long but today I was thinking about my cheat meal for this weekend and thinking about McFlurrys and crunch chocolate bars....

So yes I can completely relate to you! If sugar was healthy I would be the heathiest kid on the planet...

If anyone can tell us why we get this Id love to know as well!!

Lol that is like me. My husband would marvel at how much junk I could put down without getting full or sick.

Originally Posted by freebirdmac

I do too. The weirdest one is craving twinkies. I never really liked twinkies! Because of my food intolerances the only sweet I can have is a certain brand of dark chocolate. I eat 2 squares a day. I never eat junk food or processed food so it's not that. I don't drink anything other than plain water and the only sugar I use is in my morning oatmeal and coffee. It doesn't matter what my macros are or even if I'm hungry.

The way I look at it I've given up pretty much everything other than oatmeal, chicken, and veggies so I'll keep my dark chocolate for those sweet or chocolate cravings. I just have to keep myself from going berserk with it

lol I've been wanting twinkies too!
Yes! I eat clean, good macros, little sugar and no sweetners and still!!
I am doing the same thing as you, a little treat a day to stay sane lol

Originally Posted by twinnett

I too have a horrible sweet tooth..I'm wondering if "fake" sugars are the cause perhaps?

I have heard people say that. I can see how that can be, but I avoid fake sugars and sweeteners.
I wonder if anyone else has seen this relationship? Hmmm.

Originally Posted by gynoid

ME!

Ever since I started exercising a lot, my lust for cakes, chocolate etc has been *so* much worse. I don't deny myself either.... I eat something sweet almost every day It's kind of like PMS cravings, but ALL the time.

I was even talking about lollies and chocolate to my boyfriend at 11pm last night while I was lying in bed...

There have been times in my life where i've gone cold turkey and felt great, but then I fall off the wagon again

It is hard to find that balance. I have struggled for years, on the wagon off the wagon it's not easy! We should get a sugar support group or something

Originally Posted by TankGirl

There was a time when I'd sit in front of the TV and eat a WHOLE huge bag of Haribo Tangfastics. *sigh*

lol salt water taffy and ice cream for me... I would eat one pound of taffy or 2 gallons of ice cream in one sitting.

[litlfalafelgirl]

the body learns to like sweet and associate it with nurishment from birth as breast milk is very, very sweet. so it is a bit genetic. at least this is what an article by an RD said.

so aparently this means we are normal. dont be so hard on yourself. you're only human!

[pirouette]

I'm with ya on this one. I love, love, love em! And I have very specific cravings as well. My BF thinks it's funny/weird. For example, I don't just want something sweet, it's usually something specific....like a certain candy bar or yellow cake with chocolate icing etc.....I'm that way with regular food too. I often crave cheeseburgers...but I crave a specific kind from one particular place.
I've had to retrain my body to crave other things. I sub my chocolate cravings for a chocolate protein shake with a spoonful of peanut butter...mmm reeses'.
I also crave grilled chicken and baked sweet potato for dinner sometimes.

but...still I have to have my cheats from time to time...a little cheat keeps me from going bonkers. having a couple of fries keeps me from cleaning out an entire bag of chips when no one is watching....sickening I know....

[Lckymii]

Thank you for sharing that
I def. agree that it is a natural, even healthy, predilection for a lot of people but what happens when it becomes so consuming? I think that when the balance is tipped the problem begins ie over eating sweets which is not healthy, obsessing over eating them or gorging on them. Or consuming so many that weight becomes an issue. Then it becomes a very unhealthy craving and a problem. Then I wonder why this happens, and how often it happens as well as what we can do about it....

[Lckymii]

Originally Posted by pirouette

I'm with ya on this one. I love, love, love em! And I have very specific cravings as well. My BF thinks it's funny/weird. For example, I don't just want something sweet, it's usually something specific....like a certain candy bar or yellow cake with chocolate icing etc.....I'm that way with regular food too. I often crave cheeseburgers...but I crave a specific kind from one particular place.
I've had to retrain my body to crave other things. I sub my chocolate cravings for a chocolate protein shake with a spoonful of peanut butter...mmm reeses'.
I also crave grilled chicken and baked sweet potato for dinner sometimes.

but...still I have to have my cheats from time to time...a little cheat keeps me from going bonkers. having a couple of fries keeps me from cleaning out an entire bag of chips when no one is watching....sickening I know....

Exactly I am so happy to meet other people out there that do the same thing. My hubby thinks my cravings are funny too...
I find that the training thing works too. But only to a point. Have you found that sometimes you just want the real thing? That the substitute just won't cut it?

[pirouette]

Originally Posted by Lckymii

Exactly I am so happy to meet other people out there that do the same thing. My hubby thinks my cravings are funny too...
I find that the training thing works too. But only to a point. Have you found that sometimes you just want the real thing? That the substitute just won't cut it?

yes. I can usually get by with sugar free jello but eventually I have to have skittles.

[Lckymii]

Love your back btw
Looks like the skittles were put to good use

[sexyargentina]

I can tell you what I did for my sweet craves.

-Magnesium: I am taking magnesium + multi. The magnesium helps me with the chocolate craves.

-Artificial sweeteners: Yes, they increase cravings. I read an investigation about it. Rats at a laboratory have the choice between saccharine water and cocaine. Every time, they choose the saccharine (the investigation is here, in some place). I use stevia and only in my coffee (I love very sweet coffee).

-Also, I read a book about food addiction ("The anatomy of a food addiction"by Anne Katherine). Now I can distinguish between hunger and cravings. Sometimes, we use food as a way to feel better. Anger, sadness or any sad feelings can trigger the cravings.

-Allergies: I discovered that I have allergies to lactose, wheat and corn. When I eat some of those things, my cravings come. (Usually with lactose).

It is not easy. I still have some (before my period I want to eat chocolate more than anything). But I am a lot better.

Good luck.

[darkangel]

Food sensitivities and candida-related complex can also both cause very strong cravings for sweets. Coupled with hormonal fluctuations, you have an extremely irresistable drive. If you any of these may be contributing to your situation, I highly recommend you check out The False Fat Diet by Elson Haas. It was an eye-opener for me.

http://www.amazon.com/False-Fat-Diet...3300556&sr=8-1

And here's an article of his you might find helpful:

http://www.elsonhaas.com/starches_su...ight_gain.html

[sexyargentina]

Originally Posted by darkangel

Food sensitivities and candida-related complex can also both cause very strong cravings for sweets. Coupled with hormonal fluctuations, you have an extremely irresistable drive. If you any of these may be contributing to your situation, I highly recommend you check out The False Fat Diet by Elson Haas. It was an eye-opener for me.

http://www.amazon.com/False-Fat-Diet...3300556&sr=8-1

And here's an article of his you might find helpful:

http://www.elsonhaas.com/starches_su...ight_gain.html

I read it also and did the diet. It was an eye-opener for me also. Great book.

[kh88]

sugar free jello and crystal light are what helps keep me from going crazyy.. i do still crave cookies and carbs tho.

[LionChick]

interesting post. i never crave sweets. in fact, the thought of sweets is almost appalling to me... sort of like, if i could eat sweets all the time and be healthy i would not choose to do it...

however, i crave weird things too, primarily BEEF, sausage (which is odd because I'm not really a pork person if I can help it), bacon, venison (have you ever had the worst venison craving-- where all you can think about is deer meat? probably not, but its happened to me), and almost insatiable urges to eat entire rotisserie chickens. they are so strong they will wake me at night and keep me from going back to sleep, and if i have any of these foods around, BAM! gone in like 30 seconds!

so i guess we all have our oddities in the food world.

[OnTheRoad]

I could seriously live off candy (in Australia we call them lollies)...I am completely addicted to sugar in the most processed forms.

I have just given up all sugar, diet drinks and process carbs and just through 5 days of continuous headaches...but I am through and I know without a doubt that anything I eat with sugar in it, will send me into a frenzy....sugar is now completely off my menu's....

Why can't I crave lettuce leaves??????

[Squidge50]

i cant afford sweets

[Patrice827]

Sounds like a lot of you have the same cravings as I do. The only thing is that you all's bodies are on point, whereas mine is not. How are you all able to do it?

I'm currently struggling with my sweet addiction as well and have realized that the sweets is what made me overweight. Its all because of my parents. My mom rarely cook because she was one of those working parents and got off work and didn't feel like cooking. She would pick up McDonalds, KFC, etc. On top of that, there would be sweets everywhere. Her house is the same today. She always have room for cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. I remember growing up, my mom would bake chocolate cookies from scratch and freeze the batter. I would always sneak in the freezer and pick at it until an entire bag was gone.

I need to get it under control and get my body like the rest of you.

[Lckymii]

Originally Posted by sexyargentina

I can tell you what I did for my sweet craves.

-Magnesium: I am taking magnesium + multi. The magnesium helps me with the chocolate craves.

-Artificial sweeteners: Yes, they increase cravings. I read an investigation about it. Rats at a laboratory have the choice between saccharine water and cocaine. Every time, they choose the saccharine (the investigation is here, in some place). I use stevia and only in my coffee (I love very sweet coffee).

-Also, I read a book about food addiction ("The anatomy of a food addiction"by Anne Katherine). Now I can distinguish between hunger and cravings. Sometimes, we use food as a way to feel better. Anger, sadness or any sad feelings can trigger the cravings.

-Allergies: I discovered that I have allergies to lactose, wheat and corn. When I eat some of those things, my cravings come. (Usually with lactose).

It is not easy. I still have some (before my period I want to eat chocolate more than anything). But I am a lot better.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by darkangel

Food sensitivities and candida-related complex can also both cause very strong cravings for sweets. Coupled with hormonal fluctuations, you have an extremely irresistable drive. If you any of these may be contributing to your situation, I highly recommend you check out The False Fat Diet by Elson Haas. It was an eye-opener for me.

http://www.amazon.com/False-Fat-Diet...3300556&sr=8-1

And here's an article of his you might find helpful:

http://www.elsonhaas.com/starches_su...ight_gain.html

Originally Posted by sexyargentina

I read it also and did the diet. It was an eye-opener for me also. Great book.

Thank you for the insights and tips!

Originally Posted by kh88

sugar free jello and crystal light are what helps keep me from going crazyy.. i do still crave cookies and carbs tho.

You do what you have to do Way to stay on track!

Originally Posted by LionChick

interesting post. i never crave sweets. in fact, the thought of sweets is almost appalling to me... sort of like, if i could eat sweets all the time and be healthy i would not choose to do it...

however, i crave weird things too, primarily BEEF, sausage (which is odd because I'm not really a pork person if I can help it), bacon, venison (have you ever had the worst venison craving-- where all you can think about is deer meat? probably not, but its happened to me), and almost insatiable urges to eat entire rotisserie chickens. they are so strong they will wake me at night and keep me from going back to sleep, and if i have any of these foods around, BAM! gone in like 30 seconds!

so i guess we all have our oddities in the food world.

You are too funny! But I suppose a craving is a craving, can't say I have ever seriously craved venison that bad lol

Originally Posted by OnTheRoad

I could seriously live off candy (in Australia we call them lollies)...I am completely addicted to sugar in the most processed forms.

I have just given up all sugar, diet drinks and process carbs and just through 5 days of continuous headaches...but I am through and I know without a doubt that anything I eat with sugar in it, will send me into a frenzy....sugar is now completely off my menu's....

Why can't I crave lettuce leaves??????

^^ I say that every day!!

Originally Posted by Squidge50

i cant afford sweets

Probably a good thing you can't... if you can't buy them you can't eat them right?

Originally Posted by Patrice827

Sounds like a lot of you have the same cravings as I do. The only thing is that you all's bodies are on point, whereas mine is not. How are you all able to do it?

I'm currently struggling with my sweet addiction as well and have realized that the sweets is what made me overweight. Its all because of my parents. My mom rarely cook because she was one of those working parents and got off work and didn't feel like cooking. She would pick up McDonalds, KFC, etc. On top of that, there would be sweets everywhere. Her house is the same today. She always have room for cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. I remember growing up, my mom would bake chocolate cookies from scratch and freeze the batter. I would always sneak in the freezer and pick at it until an entire bag was gone.

I need to get it under control and get my body like the rest of you.

It'll come with time. It isn't easy and took me a year to get a grip and stop binging like a mad woman. At least you have recognized the problem and are working towards fixing it, that takes guts and is probably the hardest darn step!
It was the same at my house as a kid. Except we wouldn't have any food at all but my parents would find money for cookies and candy... And they are still the same today.

[rubes00]

For me, I have to cut sweets out all together! If I even have a bite of a dessert at dinner or something.... It's ON! Seriously it's a total trigger food for me (as it probably is with most of you).

If I can go like 5 days without a treat (cookie, cake, ice cream) then the cravings diminish drastically. I don't think I could ever cut them out forever though

[Jane_DOH]

Originally Posted by Lckymii

I was writing away in my journal and was wondering if anyone else here craves sweets like I do? Here is my journal post... I'll give cliffs below, I know it's long.

I am almost ashamed that I feel like I need sweets so much. I have been really sitting back and examining why and I can't figure this one out. I have tried many methods to purge it, and have been successful at going cold turkey for 3 weeks straight (although it was not pretty) but it was not a sustainable method for me.
I tend to crave things very specifically and it becomes all I can think about or concentrate on. It is really quite sudden. For example I will be gardening and wham I will want a charlston chew. It is really that specific and extremely intense. It feels like an addiction almost I guess. And that is not healthy imo It is almost like a drive rather than desire.
It makes me wonder if it is not a family trait or environmental habit from when I was a child or something. My dad, brother and grandmother all have/had the same desire for sweets.
For example my grandmother used to carry sweets where ever she was. It was in between the seat cushions of her favorite chair, in candy dishes all over her house, under the car seat and in her purse.

Cliffs:
Despite different dieting/cold turkey approaches I still crave/desire sweets.
It is a drive that I would describe as close to an addiction.
Cravings occur at random times with strong associations and a desire to fulfill them.

Anyway just some thoughts about a weird habit of mine and I wonder if anyone else has the same issues with sweets or specific foods or has someone they know who does? I am curious to see if it is more environmental, mental or maybe even physiological? Any thoughts or experiences would be wonderful!!

You are definately not the only one with a drug-like sugar addiction. I would drive from one side of town to the other at 10 pm for ice cream, for example.

As far as chocolate goes. I have discovered sugar free fudgesicles. mmmmm they really do the trick and they are 40 calories per. Very low carb ..forget what though. sugar free sweets is the only way i can stay on track. And diet soda really seems to help me with the sweet tooth. It's bad I know. But you gotta think which one is worse for your health? eating mass quantities of sugar driving your insulin levels to astronomical states ruining your muscles and health? Or chemical artificial sweeteners? I dunno but i am thinking refined sugar seems worse on the body. It destroys your health immensely.

A few things,

Refined sugar breaks down your muscle mass, causing you to become a flabby mess.
It gives you wrinkles
Refined sugar:
suppresses the immune system
causes hyperactivity in children
kidney damage
mineral deficiencies, especially chromium, copper, calcium and magnesium
makes the blood acidic
tooth decay
advances aging
digestive disorders
arthritis
asthma
Candida albicans
decreased blood flow to the heart
causes osteoporosis
causes food allergies
causes eczema
atherosclerosis
free radical formation
loss of enzyme function
increases liver and kidney size
brittle tendons
migraines
blood clots
depression

[corzzx]

Ooo me and my boyfriend actaully have long conversations about the random sweets we are craving.
I randomly crave the texture of chewwy fudge, which is very strange, I literally crave the chewwyness haha.

[Moonmaiden]

Yes I crave maple bars or cookie dough ice cream! I totally agree that if you go for a few days or maybe even a few weeks the cravings go away. I've used sugar free jello and it's been working part of the time. I also crave sugary cereal. I'm thinking these cravings will start to go away the more I curb them and not give in. I haven't heard of the sweeteners, guess I need to give up my diet coke as well!

[Net1]

Not an absolute, but I find the more carbs I eat (whether it is oats, rice, potatoes, or fruit), the more I crave sweet stuff that is wicked bad (like oatmeal creme pies and chocolate pb ice cream). The less carbs, the lower the cravings... I didn't have this difficult of a time with the cravings before I dieted down for my first contest. Since the contest tho, WOW! The cravings have been much more intense than I remember...
Net

[preciousp88]

OMG I feel soo much better after reading all your comments! I am totally addicted to chocolates and other sweets and Its really hard for me to stay away from them but Im determined to do so.

[cakes45cal]

Originally Posted by preciousp88

OMG I feel soo much better after reading all your comments! I am totally addicted to chocolates and other sweets and Its really hard for me to stay away from them but Im determined to do so.

Me too I feel better, my only suggestion is dont deprive yourself of those cravings, If your consuming to many calories dont change your diet just run more, or possibly splurge one day then one day off, then increase to two days off. If this isnt possible then try to keep it out of the house (Which impossible for me) Maybe keep a food journal and make room to satisfy those cravings, while not going over you daily calorie goal or limit.

It may not be ideal but lets say your limit of calories for the day it 1400, eat 1000 calories of healthy food, and 400 of candy. That is how I do it. And take a multivitamin and extra Iron supplement, I think low Iron makes me crave the sweets more.

[limniade]

I crave sweets all the time, too. So I try to work in things like Muscle Milk protein shakes (which are really tasty, if a little high in fat) or fat-free, sugar-free Jello pudding, which is only about 100 calories a serving (and 2 servings is a pretty damn big bowl). I even found that if you make the Jello in a blender, it really makes a nice, rich pudding. And if you add a scoop or two of whey, boom, it's even a little healthy while tasting just as delightfully junky. I also like the South Beach meal replacement bars, which are "chocolate" dipped, and the breakfast bars. They're pretty high in protein (19g for the meal replacement, 14g for the breakfast) and reasonable in carbs (about 25g) so it's not complete junk. If I'm trying to eat healthy, at least I can get things that taste like chocolate and candy without going totally off the wagon.