CUPCAKE Head Hunger ... took me by surprise!

Sigh....sooooo familiar...except for me its Cheeseburgers. They woo me daily, and I'm still in love with them. I quit smoking 7 years ago and I still want a cigarette sometimes, too. Makes me feel for my clients dealing with drug addiction....I think you just have to get used to wanting...

Sharon. I hope for both of us that the wanting gets better. I quit smoking two years ago and it is rare that I even think of it. I rememember before I quit making such a huge issue over the cravings and making them out to be giant issues in my head! I'm hoping that the head hunger will eventually go along the same path if I just let it be. I'm ready! I hope! Thanks for writing. Ken

Congratulations on beating down the food demon! I am 5 weeks post-op and I faced a little different situation last week. My daughter (age 30) had to have an endoscopy done down in Indy so I went with her to drive her home. Since she had not had anything to eat or drink since 12:00 am and it was now close to 3:00, she was ready to eat the leg off a table. She wanted to go to Cracker Barrel. I felt great saddness that I could not order and enjoy my old favorites. I ordered a slice of colby cheese and mashed potatoes. They also had applesauce but I was afraid that it was sweetened and it would make me dump. I have not veered once from my yellow sheet so I have not experienced dumping yet but I am scared to death to tempt fate. That may change down the road, but right now it is keeping me on the straight and narrow. I ate the cheese first and could only eat about 4 teeny forks of the potatoes. I was satisfied as far as the fullness factor and just had to remind myself that I ate what my body needed, not what my head wanted. When I met with my nutritionist at 4 weeks post-op she told me that it is ok to eat between meals as long as my choice is a small amount of protein to give me further energy. She said I would not feel hunger to signal it is time to eat again, but would feel a drop in energy level. That was the signal that I needed more fuel for my body and the fuel is protein. She said that some people cut up a protein bar and maybe eat 1/3 or 1/4 of it between meals to keep their protien and energy levels up. I was sort of scared to eat between meals as that was so common pre-surgery. Glad to hear you are doing so well Ken. Keep up the good work. We will fight the demons one temptation at a time. Karen

Karen, sounds like you are doing great. I get a little freaked out about the between meal thing as well just because I want this to work so much after all tihs! It makes sense to make it protein if you do snack I think. Thanks for taking the time to write and I hope all is ok with your daughter. Ken

Ken, I'd like to say that eventually head hunger goes away, but I'd be lying. It does get easier though. Mine isn't sweets. Maybe because I am terrifed of dumping...or not dumping. I don't want to know if I would or not so I don't tempt it. I will have sugar-free goodies though! Small servings and a limit of no more than 1 serving a day. My hungers are usually on the carb line which is REALLY stupid for me since I because hypoglycemic post-op and have had my sugar down to as low as 43! Now and then though...I'll give in and have ONE bite off of Bill's plate of what is calling my name. And you know? It ALWAYS tastes like crap now!?!? Nothing that I "crave" tastes nearly as good as I think it would/should. So..I usually don't crave something twice. Isn't it nice to know you are normal??? By the way...I'm looking forward to you getting further out and experiementing with some sugar-free stuff! I may be a 'cook' but it's nice to know we have a 'baker' among us. When you start experimenting with some sugar-free/low cal/low carb/low fat/whole wheat, etc stuff, let me know! I'll probably be mooching recipes from you!! Sherri

Hi Sherri, What are some of your sugar free goodies you eat once per day? I can't use them now, of course, but later on that info may come in handy. I will love to share recipes later on when I start experimenting. I used to make a killer flourless cake when I was on Atkins. I'll probably start there and work up when I start baking again. I think I can probably come up with some goodies eventually that are lowcarb/highfibre/lowfat/lowcal/healthy! Ken

Oh Ken! I can relate, you know! I am so d%@# sick of applesauce and cheesesticks ALREADY and it has only been a week. Like you, I was a MAJOR sugar-junkie. Anything sweet, especially chocolate, mmmmmmmmmm...... Oddly enough, though, I have NO interest in sweets since the surgery. You know what I want? MEAT! Any meat at all... a cheesburger, bacon, ham, sausage, tuna salad, and the saltier the better! And like you, I felt some guilt yesterday when I slipped a little. I had a little piece of ham lunchmeat. It was the tiniest piece and it caused me no problems, but I still thought "OMG! I already 'fell off the wagon' and it has only been 6 days!" I say GOOD FOR YOU that you wanted cupcakes and had saltines and salsa! Talk about an appropriate choice. You're doing great, really! I am looking forward to sugar-free baked goods, so I also am glad to know a baker who is going to experiment and send on some good recipes. I have already notice how many of my favorites come in sugar free mainstream products, like cin. rolls, ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies. I certainly look forward to a daily dessert again, but this time around, sugar free and in moderation! Hopeful, Belle