Head Hunger

Okay, I was hoping I would never face this again. And yet, just a few months after my surgery, I am. Since I have discovered I can tolerate sugar, I want it. Daily, and usually eat it. Along with starch. I still am getting my protein in, even if thru shakes, but I would love to be back to where I was before where I did not crave these things. Where I wasn't ever hungry and ate cuz I had to. How do I get past this? I sure was hoping to not face this battle again.

((((hug)))))) sorry to hear this . THATS why i just dont test those waters. FOR now i still live and fear the getting sick and wont test it. I dont know what to say but eat protein eat more and more and rid those cravings. THEY snowball and go on and on once we start. be strong over come those sugars and carbs... LISA

Thanks Lisa. You are always so sweet. Yes, I do have to be strong. I did better yesterday cuz I had something to do...which was moving a bunch of stuff from my dad's old house. I find I am doing a lot of this at my new job (which I hate), but I'll have to keep that in mind, that when I am busy I am okay and strive for this.

I haven't been tempted by sugar. I am always satisfied with a sugarfree snack and I actually gave up sugar a long time ago because of diabetes; however, just yesterday, while home sick from work, I got a huge desire to eat pretzels. I had a handful of them. I actually then felt full and didn't think I could eat dinner but a few hours later was able to get my protein in with dinner. I too do not want to return to bad habits. I guess at 5 months out this is our lot in life. The days of no cravings and no appetite are gone and we'll need to learn to be strong and to eat protein as a snack before being tempted to eat carbs. Good Luck, Chip

This is true Chip! My angelette was with me yesterday and she mentioned being able to eat more. She had her surgery 2 mos. after me. I think that may have something to do with it also. But when feeling hungry, I am just gonna have to do as you say and buckle down and do the protein first.

Yes, I think Chip is right... I also know that if I eat sugar, it acts like any other addiction, I get that searching behavior and I just keep looking for more. Carbs of any kind are like that for me. I just don't have that searching behavior when I don't eat high sugar-content foods. So, although I do get hungry now when I haven't eaten for a few hours, I know that, for me, not eating sugar keeps me from overeating... Good luck Kelli Jo, I hear ya loud and clear and recommend going a couple of days without the carbs and sugar and see if the hungries don't get a bit better. Jo

You are so right. Yesterday I was so busy moving things out of my dad's house that I didn't eat much, therefore neither did I eat bad things. ..and I didn't crave or get as hungry.

I'm not an expert....but I was a major sugar/carb junkie. The more I ate the more I craved. And I don't use the word crave lightly....in fact, crave may not be a strong enough word for it. Here's what I learned: When we eat sugar/carbs, our insulin rises rapidly and drops rapidly. Now we have excess insulin (for metabolizing sugar/carbs) so our body craves MORE .... That excess insulin is looking for some SUGAR! So we give in and eat more....the cycle begins again....and again.....and again.... The only way out of that vicious sugar cycle is to get out of the cycle all together. Try cutting out the sugar completely. Keep your sugar grams under 10 per meal (assuming a three meal day). Also, watch your carbs. Try to keep your carb intake under 60g per day. Not all carbs are bad, complex carbs are okay...in moderation. The primary focus should remain protein. Go back to the basics. Eat your protein, then some veggie. If you do these things for a couple of weeks, it should break the sugar cycle you are on. Sugar is not your friend. When all else fails, go back to the pouch rules. If you haven't read them, do a google search for "the pouch rules." And know this, YOU CAN DO IT!!! I hope this helps. Pam

Thanks Pam. That is very helpful and I do have a copy of the pouch rules so I will review them. You are right cuz I gave up sugar and carbs before surgery and was doing fine till recently. It is a vicious cycle, and sugar is not my friend.