Question:
Is there anything to take that helps block carb cravings?

I thought no sugar was going to be hard - that's a piece of cake (pun intended!) compared to the carbs! HELP!    — jen41766 (posted on January 31, 2003)

January 31, 2003
Eating more protein usually helps. It doesn't always with me, since before surgery all I ate was carbs. I never ate meat until after my surgery, b/c I need the protein. Also, try a protein drink or shake, that helps sometimes, too. I know the cravings are hard to fight, goodluck!
   — Lezlie Y.

January 31, 2003
PROTEIN, PROTEIN and more PROTEIN. My surgeons rule is 3/4 of your meal should be Protein the other 1/4 veggies or fruit. (both carbs but the good carbs). It has really worked.
   — Sharon H.

January 31, 2003
I know that the carb cravings are tough but the best way I've found to control them is to avoid starchy carbs as much as possible. If I stay away from potatos, breads and crackers, I don't have any poblems. The minute I start eating them I want more. I almost never eat bread and I really don't like potatos that much now. But crackers, especially Cheez-its, or Cheese Nibs are my downfall. I literally crave them sometimes and if I give in and buy some, I'm not happy til the whole box is gone. So, I try to avoid the grocery store when I'm in that mood. I eat soy nuts a lot - they are crunchy and seem to help - and they are protein. I do agree with the previous poster - increase your protein. Some good protein choices are: jerky, peanuts (or any other nut), peanut butter, soy nuts, protein bars or shakes. I also eat a lot of salmon and sardines.
   — Patty_Butler

January 31, 2003
There are a lot of diet products on the market that claim to help but I don't trust any of them. Let's face it..if diet products did everything they claimed, none of us would have needed surgery. Anyway, finding something to divert my attention generally worked for me. I'd get busy doing something else that I enjoyed and the craving would soon be forgotten. Also, here's something else that helped. I know you're post op but have you learned to determine when your body is truly hungry and when it's just playing games with you? I found that when I put that question to myself, I generally wasn't really hungry when I was craving the bad stuff, I was usually just bored....the perfect opportunity for trouble to find me. :) Anyway, I don't have any magic answers -- everyone needs to find something that works for them. Good Luck!
   — Pam S.

February 1, 2003

   — vitalady