what do you do when you can't take it anymore?
 

I'm starting Atkins (again) tomorrow morning. I did it a few months ago with great success but then fell off the wagon and never got back on. Are there any no or low carb treats that you turn to when you just can't take it anymore? I did the sugar free jello but that only got me so far. Maybe what I need is a shift in my mindset? Let those carbs GO and just stop thinking and pining away for them.

Well, this has helped me .......
 

I have been following the South Beach Diet, which is low carb too. I honestly and truly thought that I would really miss carbs but I don't as much as I thought I would. I really do like the wide range of choices of foods that I can eat on this plan and with eating frequently I am not usually craving any thing off the plan. I have been resourceful and even made what I call "psuedo pizza" which is essentially the top of the pizza without the crust. I still get the pizza taste without the carbs!

As for something sweet, have you branched out to other sugar free desserts? I have followed the suggestions and now eat the sugar free chocolate pudding which is really good and I have the sugar free hard candies to suck on while I watch tv at night. I bought a bag of tropical flavored ones and the banana and coconut are really good!

I guess, I would just try different things until you find something that works for you and will curb that craving you are having.

When I just have to have something sweet, I have a little Koolwhip. It is lo carb and yummy. And really great on sugar free jello.

First, listen to what JerseyGyrl has to say. She is successful and she knows her stuff. She is living the low carb life.

Second, sugar alcohols are still sugar. They can cause digestive distress [stomache cramps] and anal leakage. They can also trigger cravings. So you have to be really careful when eating foods that use sugar alcohols as sweeteners. Pay attention to how you feel for a day or so after eating them.

Third, try to eat as 'natural' as possible for at least 3 weeks. This way you are completely eliminating your bodies desire/need for flour and sugar. Natural means eating as little prepared foods as possible. Do not eat meats that are preseasoned. The seasoning may contain sugars which can keep your body hooked. Make sure you are reading labels and looking for sugars. I know Mayo has sugar as an ingredient but it should be way down on the list of ingredients, not the second or third ingredient. I would agree with JerseyGyrl and stay away from the low carb products. I would stay away for at least a few weeks.

Why eat chemicals called cool whip when you can eat the real thing. Heavy whipping cream is on the list of acceptable foods list. You should make your own with heavy whipping cream and splenda. No aspartame, no chemicals, all natural. I used to make this in a cup at work. I would hold the cup in my lap while I stirred and typed. This is an emergency only treat because you are supposed to limit your dairy to 4 ounces.

There are actually some tips in the book "Living the Low Carb Life" by Jonny Bowden for dealing with sweet cravings. I'll have to get back with the exact tip but it is something like eat something spicy/hot.

I, myself, am just back on the wagon after a 3 month lapse. And yet, HERE WE ARE!

You can do this. Just take it one day/one meal at a time.

thanks for the great advice everyone! :)

yes, i know for a fact that atkins works for me because i've done the diet twice in my life and both times i was more successful than i ever have been with any other diet. the weight just came flying off.

i've had a hysterectomy recently, well i'm coming up on the one year anniversary actually. boy has that changed my body and metabolism.

i won't give up. thanks again for all the great insight.

Well what i was gonna say would probably get shut down because i was gonna say they blue bunny low carb ice cream was my friend but from what jerseygyrl said it has a lot of sugar alcohols and i didn't realize that they were still bad for you but i always ate the low carb ice cream and the ice cream bars?? but idk if they are bad or not?

Thanks so much for your postings JerseyGyrl. I always have to print them out for reference. You are so helpful and a wonderful resource for the Atkins way of eating. I've been eating sugar-free products and I'm going to stop because of the info you supplied in this because I think they are most likely fueling my desire for more sugar and sugar is one of the things that is keeping me fat. Thanks again!

Chocoperfection bars are wonderful and have no sugar alcohols. I would avoid eating them on induction though. In case you are one of those with a sweet tooth and if sugar is your addiction.

i have to say i agree. i've done atkins before and noticed that the more i try to add things that aren't in the book the less i lose. i've cleaned up my act and lost 3 pounds in the last 2 days. i know it's mostly water...but it's enough to keep me motivated. i also should say that the weight loss recently was with about 1800-2000 calories per day which on a normal diet would make me GAIN weight like nobody's business. this diet rocks! :carrot: