I'm a bit confused right now about what is meant by "losing cravings." Are we talking here about physical cravings or mental cravings? The thing is that in my mind I still want to eat lots of starchy stuff. I don't have a physical craving for it, but I rarely ever get, or got, physical cravings at all if I keep myself from being hungry. Yet, when I think about what to eat in a pinch, carby foods automatically come to mind. I'm just confused and it makes me feel like I'm going to ultimately fail.

One thing I've noticed, however, is that stuff with even a little sugar in it tastes excessively sweet to me. So much so that I want to spit it out.

I think they mean physical cravings. We all WANT to eat a big ol' chunk of chocolate, but the difference is that now, after Phase 1, I can tell myself "NO!" without getting grumpy and put off about it. Before, if I had a craving, it was all I could think about until I (over)indulged.

Kara

I actually read somewhere that we crave chocolate because we are actually craving magnesium. I forget where I read it or what you could eat instead of chocolate. Cashews seems to come to mind but I could be just making that up in my head.

Kara

it's the physical cravings i.e. HUNGER... the desire to EAT anything every few hours.

those I WANT CANDY thoughts are mental and you are the only person who can say no to them.

To me -it's when a certain food or food type (like soft starchy foods) just stay on your mind...and even after you eat it ..you're not satisfied... to me - its mental, and south beach is the only WOE that has helped me NOT even crave the food type. I like cakes and pretzels and things that are "bready" - and while on SB -I just dont feel the pull for it. Another good source of info and support is the Chicks in Control thread.. I find sources of strength there . The other thing is that as you become more aware of your own triggers- SB definitely helps curb them. For example, I have a problem with nuts..and they are okay on SB-in "moderation", but I've learned that they seem to mimic that soft starchy feeling in my mouth- and well, one handful leads to another... so now through this diet, I've learned that nuts are not an option for me.

hope this helps

I find that potatoes and bread aren't missed that much, but I did walk past the bread aisle, and saw some potato cakes, and wanted some! Not something I eat usually at all, but there's something about not having them.

(I don't want to say 'not allowed' them, because it's my decision, not someone telling me no!)

Personally for me it;s been the fact that having potato with a main meal is kind of 'expected' and it's changing that perception really. Especially as the rest of the family are eating cisps, having mash and stuffing themselves with apple pastries :-(

Oberon, I'm with you on potatoes too. It must be my Irish heritage. Sweet potatoes are just not the same.

Like I said, I'm not missing the taste or anything - it's purely the fact that 'everyone' knows that a main meal is meat, a veg AND POTATOES in some form.

ladies, here's a question to go along with this one:

last night I PROUDLY didn't give in to my breadstick cravings! I had only small one with my fish and salad dinner, but did NOT go back to the bag for more!

however, I was craving sweets, so I decided to chew some watermelon bubblelicious gum because it would make my mouth busy without the worries. do you think this decision was okay???

leda

Probably not something you want to do again...6g of sugar..ouch!

Get some sugar free popsicles (the tropical ones are REALLY good)..or how about the no sugar added fudgsicles and a make a peanut butter cup...that is my favorite dessert these days.

If it was sugar free, I think it's okay, but obviously you have to keep the sweet stuff to a minimum.