Even when I am full after a meal, I still crave sweets. What can I do to reduce the need for chocolate cake or anything sweet?
Craving sweets is unfortunately a common problem. Most people just need to eliminate all refined sweets for about two weeks and the cravings will go away (until you eat that one more sweet-then it tends to come back).
The only healthy sweet that any of us should eat is fruit–and by that I mean the whole fruit. Fruits seem to taste sweeter to us as we stay away from sugar.
There are harmful sweeteners-the most common being aspartame (Nutrasweet) and Splenda. Healthy sweeteners include stevia and xylitol, although they still trigger sweet cravings. Again, the only sweet things that we should ingest are fruits.
However, if that’s not an option for you, the best time to eat a small piece of cake or other dessert is right AFTER eating a healthy, balanced meal. Keep your portions small, try to get by with just a bite or two, and see if you can work your way down to eating just the healthy stuff.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
3 responses so far ↓
1 Robyn // Jun 24, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I have significantly reduced my sugar intake over the past 6 months and I have found my post meal sweet cravings almost completely gone. Two other strategies that I use with success is to have very dark chocolate (I have found one bar at 90% cocoa - my favorite) on hand - one square is enough to satisfy any sweet craving for the rest of the evening. If that isn’t enough I vacate the kitchen. Out of sight out of mind!
2 Ellie Boyd // Jun 26, 2010 at 11:01 pm
What is the name of the 90% cocoa bar? I would love to buy that chocolate and try it. I am trying to cut back on sugar and I used to dislike dark chocolate and loved milk chocolate but now I am slowly liking dark chocolate since I know it is healthier.
3 Susan Cropper // Jul 8, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Amen to the comments — leave it be and your craving lessens, slowly but surely. Hard to do of course - and that’s where the fight comes in. You break your resolve, and hate yourself, and intake more to make yourself feel better = a heck of a vicious cycle! You CAN break it! Determination, a catchword, a certain article of clothing, a non-food reward, etc.
PS milk choc really is basically yucky. In France it is not considered chocolate - but something for babies. Go live in France - and live as they do! [minus the red wine - substitute cranberry, pomegranate, or grape juice...]
Allons-y!
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