Sugar Cravings!

[Mother of Jibril]

I'm not a picky eater. Even after cutting pork, alchohol, dairy, gluten, and corn out of my diet, there's still plenty to eat. Fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans, nuts, meat (mostly fish), rice... all these things are great.

So here's my question. Yesterday I was with a friend and I had a fruit smoothie. Before I ordered it, I checked to make sure there was no hidden gluten or dairy (score!). It was a Hawaiian Vacation Smoothie. Pineapple, mango, and coconut. YUM. So why did I feel like ripping the brownie out of my friend's hand? Ugh! Of course I didn't... but I spent a few minutes just coveting her food.

I only have corn syrup on rare occasions (evil stuff)... I don't even remember the last time I had it. I have eaten a few gluten-free muffins and cookies in the last few weeks, but nothing major. I was glutened a couple of weeks ago, but the symptoms cleared up in a few dayMy major treat is dark chocolate. Mmmmm... If there's one food I'm addicted to it's chocolate. I've also been eating a bit of pure maple syrup in my rice cereal in the morning. I have an uncle who likes to tap the trees in his yard and make his own maple syrup from scratch.

Anyway... all the stuff I've been reading about candida, leaky gut, diabetes, etc... has me a little worried. Am I being paranoid? How much sugar is too much?

[ShayFL]

I personally just dont do very well with much sugar anymore. I only get sugar from small amounts of fruit and the tsp of honey here and there.

Maybe you "coveted" her brownie because you are addicted to chocolate.

Had she been eating a blondie, maybe you would not have cared......

[purple]

mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...

[Mother of Jibril]

I personally just dont do very well with much sugar anymore. I only get sugar from small amounts of fruit and the tsp of honey here and there.

Maybe you "coveted" her brownie because you are addicted to chocolate.

Right... maybe I should have labeled this thread "Chocolate addiction, anyone?"

But seriously... what convinced you to cut back on sugar? And how did you do it?

[ShayFL]

Certain carbohydrates like grains and sugars spike my blood sugar. With diabetes on both sides of the family, I want to avoid that. I actually tested different carbs with my glucometer. It was pretty clear anytime I ate anything with sugar, it spiked. I just stopped eating it. I wasnt eating much anyway. Over the years I had cut back because it was "unhealthy" according to all of my research.

[Jestgar]

I cut back on sugar because my blood sugar's always on the high end of normal. I just stopped eating all sweets except the occasional dark chocolate (_{and the two bags of Hallowe'en candy} ). My sugar comes only from fruit for 90% of my diet, and not much of that. I try to drink herbal teas to quench the cravings.

[Mother of Jibril]

Oh yeah... licorice tea is supposed to be good for sugar cravings. I just couldn't drink it while I was pregnant.

I'm going to make myself a cup tonight!

Testing my blood sugar is an interesting idea... diabetes runs in my family too. Can you get a device without a prescription? What kind of numbers are appropriate?

[ShayFL]

Yes, you can. Just order one online. The glucometers are cheap. But the test strips are pricey. Just so you know. It will come with a booklet that will tell you what to shoot for. I like my fasting to be below 90. Same for 2 hours after eating.

[julirama723]

Another good way to stop cravings is to eat something high-fat, something natural and healthy. I don't know what your sensitivities/intolerances/allergies are, but perhaps some nuts, an avocado, a piece of cheese, etc. Fat is more satiating than carbs, and is slower to digest, thus making you feel more satisfied.

[Chrissyb]

So what is your body telling you when it is craving sugar and carb. Like right now I am craving pancakes with lots of butter and syrup but I and not going to make them instead I am eating some cinnamon crisps I bought from and local gluten free bakery. I go through times whe I crave peanut butter and a spoon lol. I really want to eat healthier I just need to know what my body is trying to tell me. Since I have gone gluten free I have lost 45 lbs yippe and am feeling better but I know I have a ways to go. So any help would be much appreciated.

[Mother of Jibril]

Another good way to stop cravings is to eat something high-fat, something natural and healthy. I don't know what your sensitivities/intolerances/allergies are, but perhaps some nuts, an avocado, a piece of cheese, etc. Fat is more satiating than carbs, and is slower to digest, thus making you feel more satisfied.

I used to eat quite a bit of cheese, but I had to give it up so I could keep breastfeeding my casein-intolerant son. Maybe I would feel satisfied if I ate a little more fat... looks like I need to go buy some nuts and some licorice tea I love avocados too, but it's hard to find good ones at this time of year in the Midwest.

[curlyfries]

mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...dark chocolate...mmm...

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!! <fingersinears> lalalalala....I can't hear you!

With sugar I get gluten-like tummy issues, a tongue that feels burnt, and cystic acne..........not fun. And this includes fruit and the more-than-the-occassional rice products.

I miss fruit most of all .......and ice-cream........and.... . . . .