I'm having a very bad time with sugar cravings. I use 14 pts a week on Chipolte flavored tortillas, I don't think they're whole wheat. Last night, I gave in & used some extra points for a pastry. I was like an addict. It's the only thing that calms me down. I'm at the point that I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back to South Beach because there seems to be no structure. I've had hypoglycemia since I was 20, but the past few years have been experiencing a lot of symptoms. Does anyone else have this problem. I can't keep the sweets out of the house, because my husband can eat what he wants & not gain, if I keep it in another room, I'll know it's there.
Eek!

Could you make up some sf/ff chocolate pudding or something to curb those cravings? I only get them really bad right before TOM. And the pudding usually helps and if it doesn't I make a banana smoothie and add some sf chocolate syrup to it (0 pts for the syrup) and it's like a chocolate shake! (if the banana's are frozen first) it always hit the spot. But I say that if you have the WPA's to eat pastry's and such then what is the harm? Sounds good to me. I have a brownie fudge sundae at least once a month, lol... can't give it up, but I use my WPA's for it. HTH!

I ate SF/FF pudding or jello at least 3 times a week. Sometimes I eat it BEFORE dinner. Yes, as I am cooking! I just need a sweet sometimes. Also, have you tried any SF hard candies. I get a cinnimon or carmel one that is great. I only eat one and it sure helps.

Actually my sweet cravings have almost disappeared.

I never used to think there was anything to the whole "carb addict" thing, where too many refined carbs and sugars lead to cravings and bingeing. BUT when I tried some low-carb diets (South Beach, Atkins) I found that my cravings for candy and pastries and ice cream all but disappeared. I've also found that to be the case with the Core Plan. Yes, after dinner I generally want something sweet (which is more habit and conditioning than anything else.) FF/SF pudding or some fruit with cottage cheese takes care of that. Today at a meeting everybody was having cookies and coffee. I had the coffee, but I was able to resist the chocolate chip cookies totally, even though they were within easy reach and people kept encouraging me to have one. I don't credit that to willpower-- I credit it to a stable blood-sugar level because of what I'm eating on this Plan.

India, you said you're using your points on tortillas. That's a high-carb food. Maybe that choice, while totally "legal" from a WW point of view, is triggering a bad carb response and giving you the cravings? Just because you have the points for something doesn't necessarily mean you should use them.

Spryng: not to be critical, but for some people, that pastry (which might be "legal" because you have the Points for it) could lead to a prolonged binge a few hours later. Maybe it doesn't in you, but it might in some people (like me!) I'm finally beginning to see how that sort of stuff effects me...

Finally, India: just because your husband CAN eat sweets doesn't mean he HAS to. Let him eat junk food at work if he has to. Explain to him that you NEED to make your home more "binge-proof" by eliminating these foods from your living environment. If you don't have them, you can't eat them. IMHO, he should support your weight-loss efforts by forgoing sweets at home. Just my opinion...

India, I have tortillas almost everyday, but I only buy the low carb kind. They're not as tasty as the real thing, but they have not been a trigger food for me like the flour ones would be. You might want to switch to low carb or eliminate them all together to see if they are what's causing your sugar cravings.

Also, if pastries/sweets are your weakness, you might want to consider keeping them out of the house and let your husband have his treats elsewhere. Keep fruit on-hand to satisfy your sweet tooth instead. I like making fruit shakes w/milk, fruit, splenda and cinnamon. They satisfy me and fill me up. I've also really enjoyed cottage cheese w/fruit and plain yogurt with crushed pineapple and splenda. You could also make some baked apple, pear or even banana slices with a little splenda and cinnamon sprinkled on top.

My sugar cravings also have just about disappeared since starting core. Sometimes in the evenings after dinner I'll have another yogurt for a snack with some sugar free maple syrup and a points worth of walnuts and it completely satisfies my sweet tooth. I was a huge chocoholic but have been able to have candy in the house and not touch it for the first time in my life. I made my son and hub some choc. chip cookies the other night and other than picking a choc chip off the cookie sheet that got stuck totally left them alone.

The big test will be Halloween and I'm not buying any candy until the very last minute, and then only stuff that I wouldn't crave. I did see someone post something about some low carb choc. bars called zcarb which I thought they said were 1 point. Also WW has some 1 or 2 point bars which come in many different flavors which I hear are not too bad. I saw the zcarb in Walmart but didn't buy any because I am better off if I don't start with the choc. as its too easy to tell myself that one more won't hurt.

Kathy - Cold and cloudy in Vermont

I agree with everyone--a fail-proof enviornment is one of the steps they recommend.

I haven't craved sweets since I started CORE. But I don't use WPAs for them either. Tortilla chips are a once a week at best IF we eat Mexican food out.

As Daniel said, keep your blood sugar level and you will have an easier time resisting sweets.

Sounds more like you have a "it's in the house and I want it" craving rather than your body actually "needing it." You have to make up your mind that losing weight and the long term benefits are worth more to you than a sugar fix that will only leave you wanting more.

I hope this doesn't sound too harsh but sometimes we just have to practice "tough love" when we talk to ourselves.

You can do it!

India - Hope it's ok to post here. I'm pretty new to this site and I think the opinions and support are right on.

When I first started Core I craved sweet's constantly. I think it was both habit and too much sugar in my system. After about a week and a half I stopped thinking about it so much. However, after a few weeks I did have some cake and went on a carb. binge. I felt so guilty until I figured something out......Now I know 100% that carb/sugar is addicting for me. I just have to stay away from sweet's altogether. Now, if I want something sweet I go for yogurt or fruit. My favorite thing is to have pineapple with cottage cheese.

Also, I have to agree with everyone else about your home environment. Clean it out. I don't know about you but I am the one who does the shopping in my house so it makes it really easy not to buy my trigger foods. If my boyfriend wants something he knows that he can go out get some, but don't leave it around the house. If he decides he has to have cookies he makes sure to leave the open package in his car - with the windows up and the doors locked.

Before Core, I always wanted something sweet after lunch and dinner. Some foods (like Mexican and pizza) set up cravings for sweets. Now I eat fruits after my meals and if that doesn't work, a little Listerine does the trick. Also, I remind myself that I really am full and am wanting that dessert for all the wrong reasons.

Something to think about: a friend's daughter is going through cancer treatment. The doctor told them that cancer feeds on sugar and that everyone would be better off without it!!! Whenever I want something sweet, I remind myself of that.