Maybe this is too simplistic, but what about eating salad with a somewhat sweet dressing, like a raspberry vinaigrette? Maybe it would add enough flavor for you.

I know that for me, I have to sometimes cut sweet things out completely for a few days to get rid of the cravings. It always seems easier after three days of no sugar.

Good luck!

It's three days for me, too. Three days without sugar and I am good to go.

1200 is crazy low. We're the same height and similar sized and I am losing (slowly, but still losing) on not too far under 2000 and no exercise. Have you tried not calorie counting? Sometimes the numbers crunching makes me feel panicked.

Rusiana that's exactly what I plan on doing! Ederle using more. The thing is I haven't been on plan but a week. I just wanted to control the cravings. Ive only stuck to two diets my whole life and they both were about 1300 cal diets. I lost at a very good pace but I want to see if I can lose at a higher calorie diet maybe..

Krampus I'm scared to go higher because I hate to experiment and do all the work without results. That's why I stick w about 1300 cals because then I know I'll lose. But maybe you're right. Maybe I'll try upping it to like 1500. More realistic, probably healthier and won't slow don't my metabolism ( hopefully) how long have you been eating higher cal? How much have you lost on it? What's your exercise? Are your binges more controlled? Agh sorry for all the questions!!

I don't think pre-frozen vegetables will caramelize. If you want to make better veggies, start with fresh vegetables and cook them from there. Honestly, most frozen/canned veggies are mushy and awful (IMO, and since you say you don't like vegetables, possibly also in your opinion).

You can get a head of broccoli in the produce section for a few dollars. Same for fresh carrots. Some stores will even carry these items pre washed and cut up in packages.

For flavoring, add sauteed onions and/or freshly minced and sauteed garlic to the veggies (buy whole cloves of garlic and a garlic press off amazon). Freshly grated ginger root is good too (especially with sweet potatoes) and of course don't forget salt and pepper! I use a lot of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, tarragon, cilantro, parsley) and lemon juice from a squeezed lemon. Freshly squeezed lemon, garlic and salt add soooo much flavor!!!

Also, with the olive oil, I often just use a little cooking spray, or put about 1 T of oil into the pan (you could even put it in and use a paper towel to run it around and then wipe it out). I don't have any issues...I don't use non-stick pans (i use enameled) but if you have one, it really should not be an issue not to have much oil in there.

Well, I've got the same problem I think.
Even if I consume more than 2000 calories a day I still have cravings (but only for sweet things though). On some days I don't have these strong cravings, even after consuming less than 1700 calories. For me it's all psychological (I guess you could call it that way).. On some days (like today) I'm really motivated on losing weight and don't have these strong cravings for sweets (actually not at all), on some days, I don't give a **** about losing weight anymore and eat so many sweets that I start to get sick. I know it's bad. But now I'm trying not to do that.. It's very difficult for me though, especially if I am at home doing nothing. But I'm really doing my best.

My gut instinct looking at your diet would be more protein, more fat, less fruit.

But for me, the more carbs and sugar I eat, the more I crave it, so YMMV.

What does YMMV mean?

Your mileage may vary.

Essentially, just because I experienced something does not mean you will experience the same thing.

Thanks everyone. I do believe it was all the sugar in the fruit. Unfortunately, I think I have to seriously limit my fruit and also only eat the lower sugar content ones :( It stinks because fruit is my favorite but its the reality!!

THe cravings seem much better now that I have limited my sugar. Thank you all for your advice and input!

You know, when I am trying to stop eating sugar, I have to stop eating fruit for a while. But after the cravings have been gone for a while, I find that I can eat fruit again. Maybe it will be the same for you. :)

Yes mam! This actually happens to be true for me to I found out. I cut it out for a little and now my cravings are in check. Thanks hun!

I agree with those who suggest adding in a few more calories. I'd also stick to fruits and such that are low on the glycemic index so that your blood sugar isn't going up and down. As long as I stick to low GI foods I don't binge.

Edit: Just noticed that you cut down on fruit and it solved your cravings. I do fine when I have cherries, grapefruit, grapes, pears, apples, etc.

Maybe you are eating too much food with a high glycemic index ? So your sugar level spike and make you crave for food after it goes down. Look up for food with a low to moderate glycemic index... maybe your body is really sensible to sugar.

Are you a vegetarian? Adding more meat will help. Maybe you could replace that protein shake and fruit, which would send my blood sugar up-try replacing it with chicken or steal cut oats and fibrous veggies (maybe find one veggie you like? Or if not, a granny smith apple, the pectin in the apple skin will keep you full).
Try having bigger meals and fewer snacks. Snacks just make my body think “hey its eating time…that’s it???” feels like im teasing it with food. Make that snack part of your lunch, so you feel like you are eating more.
Peas are starchy and drive me off the wall, I always need to eat more after I eat them. Maybe try replacing that with kale, spinach or beans. If you hate them, you might notice it less since its in a burger.
Try doing 3 big meals a day instead of those smaller meals+snacks, don’t drink your cals and see how it goes.
Not eating the veggies or meat does make it a little tougher, as those things really help make you feel less hungry. Maybe that’s why you want carbs-it’s the only category of food that you are allowing yourself to indulge in.