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Cravings! HELP

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Stitch147

Stitch147

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
MODY
Hi all,

Does anyone else suffer from bad cravings (especially in the early stages)?
Ive been taking metformin for 2 weeks now and am trying to adjust my diet, but for the past 3/4 days I have been really craving sugary food and white bread!!! As a result I have found ive been over eating on (putting it politely) c**p!

I go to a weekly weight watchers meeting (have been for 20 months now) and I know that this evenings weigh in isnt going to be good. 😡

Does anyone have any tips?

I am newly type 2 diagnosed.
 
I'm newly diagnosed also! Been on Metformin about 6 weeks now. Being told you immediately need to stop eating carbohydrates is hard (especially as it was my staple diet!)

I've bought sugar free sweets and sugar free pop for the cravings so I don't feel too guilty (i don't normally drink pop anyway but I've been craving it knowing I can't have it!) but you have to be careful as sugar free sweets/chocolate/mints etc can have laxative effects!! Sugar free mints like polos are good also for me as you can suck them like sweets and also get a flavour!

I always think I'm hungry when really I'm bored so I tend to drink a lot of water and then if I'm still hungry and craving rubbish an hour or so later, I'm trying to have protein stuff. Protein fills you up and keeps you full up.

For me, cravings don't really last to long. As long as I'm able to distract myself and have sugar free stuff, I feel better afterwards (and less guilty!) the times I have caved and had sugary or carb heavy stuff, I haven't enjoyed it as much because I've felt guilty!

Hope you find something that works, good luck 🙂
 
I havent been told to cut out the carbs fully. i cant get used to not snacking on fruit though! Thats what i used to snack on whilst at work.
Im hoping that it will pass and get easier.
 
Something a lot of people find useful for the sugary cravings is to get some high-cocoa dark chocolate and just have a square or two. A good way to stop you from eating the lot is to put it in the freezer and only break off a couple of pieces! 🙂

Nuts are also good, although they can be high fat so too many might not be good if you are trying to lose weight.
 
I am not recently diagnosed, but still do get cravings a few times a year. Yesterday was one such day which ended up, after sensible breakfast, lunch and dinner with a packet of dry roasted nuts and a mars bar consumed. No logic to it, although pinning my hopes on it being due to a cold coming on as the throat has felt a bit rougher today.

The key I find is to start the next day with a clear conscience and not to try to worry about yesterday as that has passed. All I will do to try to make up for it is try to squeeze in a bit more exercise over the next few days.

Good luck
 
It will get easier 🙂

As Northener says, high cocoa dark chocolate (like Lindt 70%) is good as I'm not sure about you but I probably couldn't eat a whole bar anyway as its so rich!
 
I've bought myself some of the Wether's sugar free toffees to satisfy the odd craving but the carb content looks very high. Presumably there's some clever ingredient to prevent the sugar hike...or is there? They taste too good to be ok for me if I'm honest.

Totally get the cravings thing. It's only human but I try and find more and more inventive ways of keeping treats down to less than 10g carb. A couple of Cadbury chocolate eclair toffees satisfies my urge for something with a cuppa in the evening. And I try to keep pieces of chicken in the fridge for when I get the munchies :D
 
Amigo said:
I've bought myself some of the Wether's sugar free toffees to satisfy the odd craving but the carb content looks very high. Presumably there's some clever ingredient to prevent the sugar hike...or is there? They taste too good to be ok for me if I'm honest....
Click to expand...

Chances are they contain sugar alcohols (polyols, such as maltilol) which do contain carbs and can have the famed (or infamous!) gastric upset problems 😱 OK in small amounts though.
 
I was told don't cut out carbs completely because we need a balanced diet. I limit myself to 2 slices of bread a day, but I know we are all different.

I have found if I eat lots of veg it helps and for sweet things I have a piece of fruit. The fruit needs to be about the same size as a tenis ball or what you can fir in your hand with cherries and berries.

I still have cravings for things, especially chocolate, so go for the best quality you can afford because you only need a little of it.

Personally i think foods labelled as suitable for diabetics are a con. They tend to be more expensive and full of things like xylotol and sorbitol which cause all kinds of gastric problems and lots of bathroom visits.
 
Yes thanks northerner, I think the effects you allude to with the sugar free sweets might be coming home to roost now! 😱

I'd be better with 2 'normal' toffees I think. In fairness I do have a huge bar of Galaxy in my fridge which was a present from an unknowing friend. However I intend to give it away before it seduces me into cheating! 🙄
 
Amigo said:
Yes thanks northerner, I think the effects you allude to with the sugar free sweets might be coming home to roost now! 😱

I'd be better with 2 'normal' toffees I think. In fairness I do have a huge bar of Galaxy in my fridge which was a present from an unknowing friend. However I intend to give it away before it seduces me into cheating! 🙄
Click to expand...

If you can be good the galaxy wont hurt too much. You can have a few squares after a meal as a treat. I have been getting the Green & Blacks miniature chocolates and have one after a meal. Because it is quite rich I don't want too much of it.
 
Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone.
I did gain 2lbs when I went along to my slimming club last night, but I have just drawn a line under it and today is a new day and the start of a new week. Im experimenting with my dinners at the moment, trying cutting things out and trying new things and monitoring my BG levels afterwards to see what things bring them up. I really need to bring my BG levels down, its frustrating seeing them high still. Hopefully getting cravings and diet under control will help.
 
Lindt 90% 14g of carbs per 100g bar. 1.4 per square. Almost guilt free 😉
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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