I drive into the office twice a week (3 days a week at home). I bring in my own lunch and Snacks because it's too expensive to eat out. I used to pack my lunch bag with little goodies for the day. Not a lot, mind you. Just some tasty treats.

I am jonesing HARD for a piece of dark chocolate right now. You want to know what was packed in my lunch box for today? A Greek yogurt (had it this morning; few bites and full), my 1.5 oz of "chicken casserole" (diced chicken, pinch of steamed spinach, pinch of cheese, and some salsa), and some chicken broth for just in case I want something warm to drink.

My lunch bag is no longer fun. sigh. I will get through this today but I really want chocolate!

I have used this mindfulness exercise in the past.

Take one small piece of dark chocolate. Slowly and mindfully open the package noticing everything that there is about all your senses (feel, sound, smell, etc.).

Place the chocolate on your tongue and let it slowly warm up and melt in your mouth.

It is very surprising how long a single piece of chocolate can last and how satisfying it can be.

I bought Hershey darks sugar free. I treat myself when I need to go #2! Lol gets my bowels moving so it's my justification ☺️

Just the little minis.

Why goldfish?

HaHa.....It's just the one tervis tumbler I use. It is really cute. The goldfish design that is on it looks like real goldfish.

HaHa.....It's just the one tervis tumbler I use. It is really cute. The goldfish design that is on it looks like real goldfish.

Oh! Hahahaha! I have that one. I read that as Tervis tumbler FILLED with goldfish. I was thinking BAD carb!

This is the most amazing thing in the world and will help with the chocolate cravings: http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Pantry_Selections_Hot_Chocolate_Plain_p/ps-ht_choc_plain.htm

I too have the Goldfish Tervis!! We have adorable taste in drinkware!!

I eat chocolate. Organic, dark chocolate covered almonds. I find about 1/2 a serving is great....it equals about 6-7 pieces.

Sugar and I no longer agree so I make sure it isn't a top ingredient.

I also drink a lot of Swiss Miss diet cocoa! I mix in 1 tbsp of dutched cocoa powder, 2 tsp of Splenda, 1/2 cup of 1% Lactaid or Soymilk, 1/2 cup water and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract. It is chocolaty guilt-free goodness.

Have you tried cocoa powder? You can add it to things like your yogurt, or ricotta cheese, or coffee, or even hot Water with a bit of splenda. If you can handle real chocolate, hey, go for it--they say dark chocolate's good for you, right? I, unfortunately, cannot stop after just one so I avoid altogether. And if I have major cravings for one thing in particular, that's usually a sign that it's something I can't handle so I'll eliminate it and then the cravings go away after 2-3 weeks. But like I said, if YOU can handle it, you could always go for a small amount of the real thing!

My lunch bag is almost always a frozen meal, a Greek yogurt and some kind of fruit like an apple and beef Jerky or a Protein bar if I'm going to the gym. Seriously, it's the same thing every day. It's sad. But going out to lunch is an expensive waste. $10 on something from the corner bakery or potbelly that will just be thrown out because the portion is ginormous.

Also, have a square of chocolate. Or get chocolate yogurt.

Trader Joe's sells a very good Low Carb chocolate bar called "Simply Lite". I have maybe one per month. The sugar alcohols can have a laxitive effect, so it acts as built in moderation for me.

my lunch bag is also sad. i find that meals turn me off, and the look of so much food nauseates me, so i just snack here and there. i have 4 chicken nuggets (VERY soft meat) cooked every day-that's about the highest calorie count i have. they are one of the only foods i can eat that go down well besides the packet chicken noodle broths and my Protein shakes, which are delicious.

otherwise--i'm pretty boring, just low sugar iced tea, milk and Water, day in and day out. the chicken nuggets have a pretty high fat content too...so i only have 4 per day. *sigh*

Have you tried the toasted coconut almonds? They are 100% delicious!

I just realized you're craving dark chocolate lol. I like the freezing a bar idea! I'm going to try that!

I used to LOVE chocolate anything pre-surgery. I have some chocolate icing in my kitchen right now for my hubby's cake. But, I did not open it. I keep protein bars handy for snacks time and frozen yogurt almonds in the freezer for the T.O.M. cravings. But I am amazed that the chocolate monster in me is tamed, for now. But I noticed that almost 4 months out, my sweet tooth finally kicked in.