Food cravings...just curious

How do you handle them? Give in to them with a smaller portion? subsitute with something else? or ignore them entirely? Staying focuused, al

Al, I find that I do not have any cravings after WLS (8 months out). Although, if presented with a option for foods I normally would not order or buy, as in a buffett line its hard to not take a small sample of someting I shold avoid. I would say, roughly 50% of the time in this case I can skip over the not-so-good option and stick to better choices. Herb

I'm still pre-op but I can attest to the fact that giving in hasn't worked.  That is why I'm in the shape I'm in.  Seriously, I feel giving in is dangerous. . . it makes it easier the next time and next, etc. I am curious about "smaller portions" or "subsitute".  Ignoring them. . . do we get to a point when they just go away Mike Ray

I think it depends on your personality, and you have to be honest about who you are.  For me, the best way to handle most cravings is to have a little bit, and savor it, and move on.  For other people, that just doesn't work, it's cold turkey or problems.  The nice thing about the surgery is that it helps give you the control to choose either option.  I like my Scotch, but right now, I just can't have it, so I haven't.  I also like fried foods sometimes, and though I avoid ordering them, friends have been really nice about letting me have one bite of theirs, and I often do.  Hmmm, that's nice, back to my food. I've also focussed even more on spicing after surgery than I used to (I already liked spices before).  Part of why I liked rich foods has gone away: I used to enjoy the sensation of really loading up on them, a pound or more of whatever.  But now that I don't do that, they actually don't even taste quite as good as they used to.  For example, at an Indian restaurant, I try to get richly spiced dishes instead of rich (fatty) dishes, and I think for slow, small-portion eating, that may give me even more enjoyment.

I'm a carb addict and I can't sample foods.  Unfortunately, I don't ignore my cravings and I indulge.  I hold myself out as how not to respond to those cravings.  But, I've discussed physical addictions with my psychiatrist and he said the success rate for recovery from addiction is less than 30%.  So, I'm glad that I don't have an addiction to drugs or alcohol but I can understand their problems when I deal with my own cravings.  I do have an addictive personality and that seems to come from my mother's family;  my manic-depression comes from my father's family.  Sometimes I'm just a mess.  That may be the reason that many people say that my wife is a saint for staying with me.

Al, "Cravings" are an interesting set of issues. In my Pre-Op Psyche-Eval, that was one of the topics I discussed with the Shrink. Here’s what I thought was an interesting bit of insight. It seems that most people (not just the Obese) have "cravings" and sometimes Un-natural "Comfort-Food" moments. "What" you crave is very telling as to "Why" you crave. Some examples- When a person is ‘stressed’ by anxiety (fear) or anger, the body preps for "Fight or Flight." Either of these are ramped up needs of electrolytes for increased reaction times. The body needs Salts- to "run away quickly" or "fight to the Death." The primitive Limbic system of the brain can’t tell the difference between Fear of not making the Bills this month or Saber-tooth Tiger on the ledge above. The brain signals the body that "Salts" are ‘to be used.’ This results in wanting a salty snack. On the other end of the spectrum… If one is depressed, feeling un-loved/under-appreciated and in general Sad, The limbic system seeks "Nuture." Mother’s Milk. Restorative caloric increase. Suddenly a sad person finds that sweet taste (as from milk sugars) to be the most attractive taste. Combine that with an increased desire for Dairy fats? Equals--- "I’m Sad, I want Ice Cream!" I just thought it was interesting. Depending on the craving, there may be an emotional dip or spike that is causing it. So if you’re ‘craving’ Doritos? Figure out what is making you mad or anxious. If you’re ‘craving’ Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey? What’s got you down? Fix the underlying emotional pressure and it may relieve the craving. ‘Craving’ pickles with Ice Cream? Figure out who ‘knocked you up!’ Med studies do show that sweet tasting foods (even Sugar Free Sugar substitutes) Trigger the body to feel more hungry. Many find that by "giving in" just a little to sweets, Only accelerates their desire for more. Then there is also the "3 bite Rule" that many find works well for them. Russ posted it as- "1st bite.....does it taste as good as I think it will.... 2nd bite....conformation ...yep it tasted pretty good.... 3rd bite.....that's your last bite...." The whole notion is based on the fact that the sensation of taste Is dulled by similar tasting material. The first couple of bites is when the flavor is impressive, after that, it’s merely ‘consumption.’ Sort of like seeing a bright color. It has a huge impact at first But after a short while of being exposed to it We have "color fatigue" and it no longer seems to have the "Punch" it did at first. Switch to a new color? Bam!! It seems all the brighter that the previous. This "impact appeal" of new sensation to the senses is why all animals will over eat if given a larger variety to feed on, and will eat less if given just One food. The Buffet! Is a romp up the taste sensation spectrum. A craving, tends to be targeted to one "color" or range of flavor. There’s also a great book called "Turn off the Hunger Switch." It’s by an ‘Ex-Bariatric Surgeon" who claims (based on several studies) That deficiencies & imbalances in particular brain chemistry Are responsible for compulsive cravings that lead to obesity in many people. Very interesting approach. Sorry to babble on…. I just find the whole "Cravings / Compulsion" thing very interesting…. Answer to your question? Substitute with something in the same 'flavor range' That has far less calories, or get to the emotional root of the craving and meet that need head on, rather than numbing it down with food. Best Wishes- Dx

How I handle head hunger, I close my eyes and fantasize about jumping into a swimming pool full of whatever I'm craving and then after seeing myself bloat up the size of a small sail boat, rushing into the house and kneeling in front of the throne for an hour while switching positions several times, and that takes care of my head hunger until the next episode.

Good morning buddy.  I feel your pain!  I too have cravings every now and then.  I think 99% of us do.  How we handle it will be different than it was before WLS.  I look in the mirror and ask myself do I want to go back to that former me.  Is this food worth it?  Will I let this food control me.  It IS a mind game!  Don't let the food control you my friend!  Don't let the food consume you.   Remember to sip sip sip.  Sipping will help keep you full.  It's ok to take a "bite" every now and then.  Just don't sit and consume the whole thing or eat too much of it.  Walk away.  BE STRONGER THAN THE TEMPTATION THAT IS BEFORE YOU!  Another thing is to not bring it in your home where it will tempt you.  I'm keeping you in my prayers my friend!