Ok so I just had a gastric bypass I am I believe 5 days out and I have been doing so good until I got my kids these Reese’s animal crackers I freaking ate one like no thought just ate it… I feel fine but the internal guilt I feel and ugh I don’t know how I can do this with a sweet tooth of a demon.

I know it's so hard with kids, but I suggest getting rid of everything in the house that could be a temptation. This summer, I stopped replacing the snacks as they ran out. I stopped buying candy and cookies. We started making "nice cream" from frozen fruit. I have just under 4 weeks to go and I'd say about 90% of the stuff is gone, replaced with salted nuts and apple sauce cups. Luckily, my girls are 12 and 15, so they understand why, and I can let them have candy for themselves when the time comes and they'll know not to have it anywhere near me. But don't feel guilty! It's a learning experience, that's all. Now you know you have to be extra mindful when food is around.

Aah head hunger. You know it’s head hunger when you crave a specific food, texture or flavour in your case sugar. All the conscious or subconscious emotions & the hormonal roller coaster from the surgery are probably making it worse. Of course knowing what it is & possibly why you’re experiencing it doesn’t help that much. Most of us find distraction helpful when head hunger hits. Go for a little walk. Craft, read, watch a movie, play a game, ring a family member or friend. A warm drink can help like a green or herbal tea if you’re allowed. Find a nice sunny spot to sit & sip so you’re away from those indulging in

By my second week post WLS I had an amazing hankering for ricotta cheese baked into a pasta shell. As a lactose intolerant person, this wasn’t something I normally kept around the house. This thought stuck in my head for days. I finally bought the frozen stuffed shells after reading that ricotta is mostly lactose free, baked it with marinara, and ate the soft inside when it was done. My kid thought he won the lottery and I felt so so satisfied. I never craved it again. It was exactly one ounce of ricotta cheese inside one shell.

I did taste the shell, which tasted like wet cardboard, and spit it out, because why bother. The idea is to think about your craving first, then plan it into your week when your body is ready. I find guilt to be a waste of time, we are all messy humans. Slow down and enjoy your craving in small healthy sizes with careful thought.

I know those Reese’s animal crackers VERY well. Maybe try to find a chocolate peanut butter protein shake? We’re still learning so don’t beat yourself up.
If you can I recommend keeping your foods separate for a while so you don’t have to see their snacks. I keep my kids snacks in the closed pantry and put my drinks/protein shakes on a shelf.

Head hunger is the worst for me, and if I eat anything with a lot of starch or sugar, I crave it constantly. I'm having to distance myself from anything with more than single-digit carbs, otherwise it takes me about 3 days to get rid of the cravings, which is misery.

Also remember when chewing up and spitting out carb-heavy foods, just to get a taste, your mouth will absorb some of those carbs, which can trigger those cravings. Not so much with protein or fat heavy foods.

I'm trying to remember my wife's motto, she says Little Debbies lead to Fat Deborahs. Although there's days I'd do something regrettable for one of their Christmas Cakes lol.