Question:
HELP! I keep craving carbohydrates at night?
Every night I crave carbohydrates like dorito's and potato chips. It's always at night too. It seems that I can eat some without dumping so I do indulge. But why am I craving the carbo's at night? Anyone know what I can do? and please don't tell me to not buy them because my son loves his chip and dip. I have an 11 and 12 yr old and just because I am on this diet doesn't mean they have to go without their favorite snacks too. — Peggy D. (posted on May 23, 2002)
May 22, 2002
How are you doing on getting in all your protein? I found that when I
don't get my recommended proteins in (I'm a distal RNY so I need to have
4-6 proteins shakes a day). When ever you start craving carbs, make a
protein shake and see if that helps. (60" distal RNY 08/28/01 -90 lbs
gone forever!!)
— trtorrey
May 23, 2002
I think you have actually answered your own question. You say that you
"do indulge". Just because you CAN eat carbs deson't mean you
should, right? Eating carbs will cause cravings for more due to blood
sugar fluctuations and insulin secretion. STOP eating those carbs honey!!!
They'll slow down your weight loss and just get you back into the habits
that got you fat to begin with. And remember, your kids eat food and you
eat yours! Maybe they could switch to cheese sticks instead of chips too.
??
Good luck and hang in there,
Diane N.
— DianeN
May 23, 2002
I think you have actually answered your own question. You say that you
"do indulge". Just because you CAN eat carbs deson't mean you
should, right? Eating carbs will cause cravings for more due to blood
sugar fluctuations and insulin secretion. STOP eating those carbs honey!!!
They'll slow down your weight loss and just get you back into the habits
that got you fat to begin with. And remember, your kids eat THEIR food and
you eat YOURS! Maybe they could switch to cheese sticks instead of chips
too. ??
Good luck and hang in there,
Diane N.
— DianeN
May 23, 2002
I have had those same cravings, and like the other poster have said most of
the time it is due to lack of protein........but sometimes I just want
something salty or spicy, so I have found Bloody Mary Mix , I do not drink
it often, but when that urge is there to just have a tste on my tongue, I
pour a shot glass full (no Vodka tho) and just sip it.
It is unreal how it satisfies me,
Do not drink it to often though, it is full of sodium and can be hard on
the tummy, once in a while does the trick for me
— Jeri P.
May 23, 2002
When I crave chips, I buy restaurant-style tortilla chips and have 2 oz of
cheese (monterey jack or cheddar), 1 oz of chips, and some spicy salsa. I
use it for my evening meal. It satisfies my craving for crunchies without
going overboard and I still get 15 grams of protein for the meal. I don't
think one ounce of chips is going to break the bank and it is enough to
satisfy me.
— ctyst
May 23, 2002
Thanks for your answers. Sounds like I need to concentrate on getting more
protein in. Protein has always been a problem for me because my doctor
doesn't want me to get my protein from shakes, he says they add too many
calories, etc. (Plus I haven't found one that I actually like anyway).
I'll just make sure I have more protein, especially for my supper and then
hopefully those cravings will stop. Also, I quit smoking 7 wks ago today
so it's hard to not munch when I'm missing that cigarette in my hand but
I'll NEVER go back to smoking. I'm going to try to up my protein.
Now.......got some protein suggestions besides cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.
??
— Peggy D.
May 23, 2002
You can get some protein in and have your crunchy snack at the same time!!
I buy the Genisoy crisps. They are like the mine rice cakes, but made with
soy. I actually like them better than the quakes. Get the BBQ, MMmmm they
are yummy and they hit the snack spot!
— Cheri M.
May 23, 2002
Seems like that's a common time to "relax" our vigilence a
little. The work is done, chores are done, feet up, time to relax, it
"should" be OK to let loose a little, right? Unfortunately, we
are fighting a killer, merciless disease, so when we slack in the
treatment, we give it a chance to win again. I did a little fast regain
from allowing myself to lapse into complacency a couple years ago. My rule
now is that I can have the ____, but first I just have to finish this
protein drink. It works to #1, fill my pouch #2, provide true nutrition in
case there was any basis for the head hunger and #3, now I have a done a
"good thing" for myself, so it makes it much harder to self
abuse. If that makes sense. On the kids... Of course they are yours &
what you allow & disallow is yours, but perhaps you could limit chips
& such to JUST Friday nights or something, so that they dont' get a
feeling of "entitlement" to unhealthy eating. A special event
perhaps, rather than routine. I wish I had discouraged junk food eating is
routine as my kids got older. I controlled their eating pretty tightly
when they were small, but as they were teens, I thought, well, all this
good training will take over. Wrong. Both are substantially over (in their
20's), though not quite 100#. YET.
— vitalady
May 23, 2002
I agree w/Cheri, the Genisoy chips are great. For a salty snack, I like the
cheddar cheese, for a sweet snack, I get the apple cinnamon. Around 5 grams
a protien for half bag, just enough for us. Not all healthfoods stores
carry them, but worth having a couple bags around if you can find them.
— Marie A.
May 23, 2002
PROTEIN. Mine was prox, not distal. Yet, I have to supplement to keep my
lab work ok. The ONLY protein I found that I do not gag or throw up is
liquid protein, made by Vita4life.net, and I empty a few inches off the top
of my 20 oz. water bottle, add the protein to the water, then top it off
with a splash of flat-sf-diet orange soda. I drink 1-2 of these per day.
Pull up the web site and have a look. They will send you a free sample. I
use the honey flavor.
— Barbara B.
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