Head hunger control....

[Recycled 2,182]

Ok, I have written some posts earlier on the hunger pangs vs head hunger. It's one thing to suggest that head hunger is not the same as hunger pangs from being hungry. But dealing with head hunger still needs to be addressed. Before, I simply just tried to ignore the head hunger desires during early stages post op, but lately when watching commercials or having reoccurring thoughts of chocolate or various cravings, those thoughts are very real desires that just won't go away. So, very nervously I decided to submit, but in a controlled manner. I cleared enough calorie space in my daily food intake to allow for satisfying a craving. I bought some Reeses pieces in the little minis. Later that evening I had a single serving which was 6 pieces. Boy did they taste good. Exactly like my craving tasted in my mind. Now the...but. A few minutes later the after taste was not all that pleasant. I kinda felt like they weren't that good afterwards. So, reflecting on that experience.......a few days later when the craving returned, I had them again to satisfy the craving. This time I only had two little minis. The taste was the same.....very enjoyable.

The craving seems to be satisfied and there was not undesirable side effects later.

So my conclusion was to not resist totally any and all cravings, but to allow just enough to satisfy the taste for it. No damage done to my daily guidelines and the cravings go away. The real trick is to remember the undesirable effects of too many and only partake of a small taste. Not allow the old habits of eating till the whole bag is gone.

I know some will say to avoid the sweets and cravings at all costs. And while this may be the best advice for many, I'm just throwing out another option that may help as it does for me now.

[gamergirl 4,609]

So here's what I learned about myself. I am a sugar/carb addict. That part I knew. What I learned was that the first time I ate sugar, which was 8 months after I started pre-op/surgery etc., it made me so violently sick that I "knew" I was never going to touch it again. Ever! i mean, ew! Why?!

Except that I am an addict. I kept trying a little at a time until it no longer made me sick. And then the cravings hit in earnest.

Some of us are addicts when it comes to carbs and sugar, some of us are not. Some of us can do moderation, some of us can't. I think the trick is in figuring out which one YOU are.

What's working for me is sugar-free treats. I've come up with several Desserts that I like including a key lime pie equivalent, a brownie recipe, some sugar-free cake, puddings, etc. and when the cravings hit, I eat a piece of those. For whatever reason, the fake sugar doesn't trigger my addiction and craving. YMMV because I've heard from others who say it does trigger theirs.

Again, figure out which one YOU are, and life will be good

[WorldTraveler 79]

So here's what I learned about myself. I am a sugar/carb addict. That part I knew. What I learned was that the first time I ate sugar, which was 8 months after I started pre-op/surgery etc., it made me so violently sick that I "knew" I was never going to touch it again. Ever! i mean, ew! Why?!

Except that I am an addict. I kept trying a little at a time until it no longer made me sick. And then the cravings hit in earnest.

Some of us are addicts when it comes to carbs and sugar, some of us are not. Some of us can do moderation, some of us can't. I think the trick is in figuring out which one YOU are.

What's working for me is sugar-free treats. I've come up with several Desserts that I like including a key lime pie equivalent, a brownie recipe, some sugar-free cake, puddings, etc. and when the cravings hit, I eat a piece of those. For whatever reason, the fake sugar doesn't trigger my addiction and craving. YMMV because I've heard from others who say it does trigger theirs.

Again, figure out which one YOU are, and life will be good

Very WISE advice. I too am a sugar/carb addict and will have to alter my life from now on. I was carb/sugar free for 5 months then had sugar and got sick. But, like an addict, kept coming back to it until it no longer made me sick. I gained back 40 of the 50 pounds I worked and paid to lose on a strict low-carb diet plan. Now, with getting sleeved, I know I cannot go back down that slippery slope. Too dangerous for me.

[Martha Howland-Shafiei 118]

my doctor would read me the riote act if i cheated...ur only cheatin gurself

[Recycled 2,182]

my doctor would read me the riote act if i cheated...ur only cheatin gurself

Actually, I'm not cheating. Cheating would be if I in fact did eat the whole bag or ate these type foods to excess. As I said above, I did not do that. I simply satisfied a taste craving without the need to binge. In my case, it was a means to maintain control of my eating. It's perfectly acceptable to eat foods that have carbs and sugars and the sort and still maintain a healthy diet. It just must be in very limited and controlled amounts.

However, if you feel that attempting any trigger foods would be to slippery a slope and risk blowing the whole diet, that is understandable too. I surprised myself in my ability to eat just two little pieces and be satisfied. Who knew.

[kayzoog 129]

I ate 1/2 a slice of pizza after I was on solids. It smelled so good... it looked so good... it tasted so good.... but after... I didn't feel the energy I had eating my normal Protein foods like egg and tuna. It really made me feel zapped of energy. I didn't like how it made me feel. I haven't had any since. And I have been around pizza a lot (I have a teenager). It just doesn't look appetizing to me. Don't get me wrong, it still smells delicious! I think part of the journey is really figuring out which "bad" foods still work for you and letting go of the ones that really don't help you. That is a mind change for sure.

[Martha Howland-Shafiei 118]

my lapband is an investmetn to my future...as i have said i had a bypass and cheated and blew it...i have learned th e hard way no excuses...i regained 100 0ut a 200 lb wt loss the first time. i am 59 yrs old and iwll not allow sugar adn carbs to dictate to me

[WorldTraveler 79]

my lapband is an investmetn to my future...as i have said i had a bypass and cheated and blew it...i have learned th e hard way no excuses...i regained 100 0ut a 200 lb wt loss the first time. i am 59 yrs old and iwll not allow sugar adn carbs to dictate to me

Totally get the sugar/carb addiction. Did you have gastric bypass and then a lap-band? Is it easier to control intake with the lap-band? Good luck on your journey!

[Martha Howland-Shafiei 118]

am going to have surgery for lapband May 20,thanks

am going to have surgery for lapband May 20,thanks