Question:
6 mo post op and struggling not to cheat..help
I am 6 mo post op and down 120 lbs. Now I started at 415 so I'm nowhere near done, but recently I have been wanting candy. The other day at work I actually bought a bag of reeces pieces and was so disgusted w/ my self I gave them away. I dont want to endanger my surgery or my weight loss but I find myself wanting "a taste". Now I know thats a greased slope and I could be in trouble. Any suggestions? The funny thing is I did recently have a square of a hersheys bar and it wasn't even very good to me anymore but I still am craving sugar. I havent bought or really had sugar in the last 6 or 7 mo and dont usually miss it. — Jennifer H. (posted on March 19, 2002)
March 18, 2002
Some suggestions... Frozen Cool Whip Free with Sugar Free Sweet N Low Brand
chocolate syrup on top (for an even better treat, pour the syrup on top and
freeze all together for about 15 minutes, it forms a hard chocolate
shell...yummy!) Also, sugar free/fat free pudding, you can mix it with Cool
Whip free (not frozen this time)and it makes mousse...I layer it with fruit
and make parfaits, big hit! I also love to mix cottage cheese with Splenda
and cinnamon nd put it on apple slices or crackers, it tastes like rice
pudding. Sugar free jello in the pre-made containers...10 calories! I put a
scoop of Cool Whip Free on that as well and again, a very good sweet
buster. Swiss Miss Diet hot cocoa, 25 calories and very good.Frozen
strawberries/melon covered in Sweet N Low brand Vanilla syrup,also
delicious! Just be creative and try to give in by making smart choices
without giving up your goals. You have come so far and it is normal to have
these cravings now, it's how you will address them that makes the
difference.I wish you contiued good success!
— Vicki K.
March 18, 2002
Hi, Im 9 months post op now, and I have to admit I also crave sugar and
chocolate. Even after I did cheat, by eating a Nutter butter (afterwards I
dumped) So no more of that for me. I have found that I crave these things
now, and I usually try to make the best choice for me. By having no sugar
hot cocoa, or they have No sugar fudge bars, They also have diabetic
candies. I must admit I dont do it everyday or even once a week, but when
im craving I do indulge in one of those things. It helps me to keep focused
and yet not go to a excess with anything. I think its prefectly normal to
want some of those things, but I have to admit I do try to make the right
choices. There are all sorts of NO sugar items out there that are great
tasting. Meijer stores have a huge selection, and that is where I do most
of my shopping for those items. Dont beat yourself up, just try to make the
right choices. Im sure there will be alot of people that respond that you
should go cold turkey and not have any of those things. But as long as im
conscious of my items I know Ill do ok. Good Luck, and if you need to talk
email me anytime. :o)
— Ann A.
March 18, 2002
I too, at around the 6 month mark started craving sugary things. I have'nt
been able to stop it. I'm wondering if all the tons of Splenda I use is
doing this to me??? Hope we both can find a solution.
— Danmark
March 18, 2002
I too now have a sweet tooth now that I never had before. Try eating
chocolate Velamints. They're wonderful! Very chocolate/minty tasting and
only 5 calories for 2. Really curbed my desire for sweets. Good luck!
— scottiemaam O.
March 18, 2002
Hi, I am like you also. I want sugar every so often, and sometimes, I take
a bite of something sweet. My nutritionist said that it is better to taste
a little than let it build up and build up until you have to have alot. I
usually just get one of my carmel or chocolate calcium chews from GNC they
are so delicious. They taste just like candy. My kids mistake them for
candy so I have to watch them like hawks!!!!!!! Good luck and god bless.
Open RNY 10/4-73# BTC in Columbus Ohio.
— TONYA B.
March 18, 2002
I asked a Health Food Store employee about this once and he gave me the
name of an amino acid type supplement called (forgive me if I screw this
up) L-glutimine or L-glueimine something like that. Maybe its just the
power of suggestion but it really helps my sweet cravings. Doesn't cost
much, try it and see if it gives you some control. I understand what you
are saying, I struggle with this a lot. You are not alone.
— Mary G.
March 18, 2002
Trader Joe's makes a Carbolite candy bar! Its low calorie, sugar free and
zero carbs. I have also seen them at 7-11's now too in a petite bar. Very
yummy and just a small bit satisfies the craving. Taste just like a
chocolate bar. One last me a week now instead of 2 seconds!
— Crystal B.
March 18, 2002
First let me say that I am in agreement with the poster who said we can't
consider any food "cheating" because we aren't on a diet. BUT I
do understand that it is hard to stop with just a taste. If I really HAVE
to have something, I have it. Sometimes I make myself sick doing that. But
then I usually don't want that food again for a long time. Wonder why? LOL
I went through a 2 month period where I kinda went carb crazy. What helped
me was increasing my protein to 100 grams a day. I added a protein bar as
my mid-morning meal to help boost my protein but do you know that it killed
my sugar cravings? I couldn't believe it. I do have sugar now and then but
I don't crave it all the time like I did. If you are interested, I keep a
list of good-tasting protein bars that I'll be happy to send to you if you
want to try that method.
— ctyst
March 19, 2002
Jennifer, I have a real problem with the sugar demon! The thing that has
helped me the most are the sugar free LifeSaver candies. I buy them at
WalMart or the grocery store. The butter toffee is fantastic and they also
have fruit flavored candies in great flavors such as pina colada. These
really help satisfy my sweet tooth and you get about 5 of them for 45 cals
and no sugar. Can't beat that!
— kylakae
March 19, 2002
— lilmskitty
March 19, 2002
Jennifer: When I read your post, I immediately thought, "Wow, this
lady's still in diet mentality. Why is she putting food into good and bad
categories?" I am 1 year. post-op and have lost 171 lbs. I am about
45 lbs. from goal and still losing. Throughout my journey, I have made
some great decisions and some not-so-great decisions, but all of these
decisions were mine and I take responsibility for them all. I have not
been perfect with my food (I don't think any of us really are) and
sometimes I choose to have chocolate rather than green beans ... but that
doesn't make me a bad person, and it doesn't mean I'm
"endangering" my surgery or failing as a person. It just means
I'm human and I occasionally make choices that aren't the best. The key is
what choices we make 99% of the time. For the most part, do you stick away
from carbs? For the most part, do you exercise 3-5 times a week? For the
most part, do you remember you vitamins and supplements? For the most
part, do you try your hardest to get your protein in? If you're trying to
do all these things "for the most part" or 99% of the time,
you're doing fantastic and you will succeed. Don't beat yourself up for
the occasional slip-up or poor choice. This surgery works as long as you
go into it with good intentions and try your best to follow your doctor's
instructions. None of us are perfect, and this surgery (thank God) works
regardless. Now if the sugar thing becomes an "every-day-thing"
I would get concerned, but if you're sneaking a piece of candy every few
weeks, that would put you in the human category, and I wouldn't worry too
much. 120 lbs. in 6 months is GREAT and I'm sure you're going to finish
off a winner. Good luck.
— Terissa R.
March 19, 2002
Hi, I just wanted to say that I know how you feel...especially right around
my period I seem to crave either sugars or carbs. I do allow myself to
have a bite or two now and again of sugar/candy because I don't want to
have the "diet mentality" that used to backfire on me. I just
found Snackwells makes a new sugar free cookie. They are creme wafers in
either chocolate or vanilla. They both taste great...the chocolate are
like Oreos. I have one every so often so I don't eat something full of
sugar.
— Marcie B.
March 19, 2002
Hi! You have to try the Carbolite candy bars. I buy mine at Walgreens.
They are so good, and they taste like the real thing. They have Splenda in
them. They are low carb, low fat, but do have approx 36 calories a square,
which is much better then real candy. My kids ate one and didn't even
notice the different. My favorite is the crispy, but they have almond,
milk chocolate, and a few others. They will help the sugar cravings!! :)
— Carey N.
March 19, 2002
Hello, I am the original poster on this question...many of you have talked
about the "diet mentality". I personally see that as a great
thing. No I dont see foods as good vs evil however I know me. I had a
difficult surgery and went through a lot so that this diet mentality would
work for me. Surgery is a tool you see that alot as well. What was the
tool for... for me it was an end to the sugar and fat addiction. It has
not been an easy road for me. If diet mentality is a bad thing then I hope
it doesn't change. I know that if you eat a small amount of sugar everyday
or week steadily increasing the amount I can overcome my dumping etc. So
to avoid getting to that point I relish my diet mentality. Thanks
— Jennifer H.
March 19, 2002
When I am attacked by sugar, I increase my protein supps for a few days. I
already do lots, but I'm NOT going to be beaten by sugar! So, I play games.
I can have a _______, just as soon as I finish this protein drink. And
maybe some water. It has worked for me 99% of the time. Sometimes it's the
texture calling to me, but usally one BITE gives me the texture thing.
However, I'd rather avoid the whole ordeal if I can, so I beat it back with
protein supps. AND start watching my incidental sugars more closely. The
more you get, the more you want.
— vitalady
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