Originally Posted by carter:
Moreover, to build on what Jay said, it's not a bad thing to learn how to get used to treating pure-treat foods like chocolate as actual treats rather than daily parts of your life.

I disagree with you here. There's no reason why a small piece of chocolate can't be a reasonable part of a healthy and sustainable diet. It's not about deprivation or distorted priorities, it's about acknowledging that chocolate is a great pleasure, and one that is not too costly for weight management. (Assuming, of course, that we're talking about a small amount of good quality product--not a vat of sugar free, synthetic chocolate goop or an entire bag of m&ms.)

Originally Posted by DietVet:
I disagree with you here. There's no reason why a small piece of chocolate can't be a reasonable part of a healthy and sustainable diet. It's not about deprivation or distorted priorities, it's about acknowledging that chocolate is a great pleasure, and one that is not too costly for weight management.

Well, that's fair, and like I said, everyone is different. I don't entirely disagree with you on principle, but I can't really understand why one needs to enjoy that particular great pleasure every day, as opposed to lots of other great pleasures that aren't empty calories or aren't even food-related at all.

It's the daily aspect of it (which I note you haven't mentioned in the post I quoted) that gives me pause. Believe me, I enjoy my treats - for me it's martinis more than chocolate, because I can't do just a small amount of any candy - but I aim to do so just a few times a month. I've tried to learn to look to other sources for my daily pleasures.

Different strategies work for different people, of course, and if someone winds up losing all the weight she wants to lose while eating a piece of chocolate every day, then who am I to question it? I admit, though, that it is a bit of a red flag for me when someone is new to a weight loss plan and looking for a way to fit in a daily indulgence. That's the only reason I offer a different way to think about it.

The thing with giving in to food pleasures every day is that it's easy to over do it. For some people it's a lot easier to abstain from those dangerous foods than constantly have just a bit.

It can be like giving an alcoholic one sip of beer every night...probably going to find them drunk one night.

If a person knows they won't ever go too far, that's fine, but it's dangerous.

Don't know your plan but 90-calorie Fiber One brownies give me a chocolate high. Love the pudding suggestion as well. Also, try strawberry greek yogurt with half a graham cracker crumbled on top (YUM!!!) It satisfies the sweet and crunchy craving.

I keep sugar free jelly in my fridge, i make up a sachet of it in a bowl and then split it into single serving little containers, keep them in the back of the fridge so i dont destroy all my days hard work... gives that bit of sweet taste your after without huge amounts of calories.

I find cereal is good for a sweet tooth plus it helps to fill you up.

I agree with brushing your teeth, also I have a glass of water it gets rid of any cravings I might have after a meal and has the added bonus of filling me up. Now I don't get cravings after i've eaten.

Originally Posted by TL0812:
Brushing my teeth or chewing gum helps me to take the food taste away.

I also found that eating less carbs at dinner has helped me kick the post dinner carb cravings.

Totally agree with this. Since i've restricted my carb intake to breakfast, I don't really feel the need to snack, and I get less cravings. Its been amazing.

I have a bag of vitamin rich bonbons (candy or caramels they call them in the US I think).
One has only 16 calories and is sugary enough. It also lasts long because it melts slowly in the mouth. Make sure to buy the really hard ones and not toffees.

I love the suggestions and the bit of conversation this is bringing about regarding sweets. It is really giving me a lot to think about in terms of indulgence and daily choices.

I usually only get sweet cravings after dinner so I have a coffee with 2 tsps sugar. Works for me.

Coffee is great. Also sf jello with cool whip free. That stuff is AWESOME and you can have a lot of it for so few calories. I also like a nice sized bowl of fruit with cool whip free (or chocolate cool whip- which is really good and only 25 cal/ serving- watch the serving size, tho!). And fruit (esp. strawberries) with a little sf chocolate syrup. Low cal ice cream (I have some that is 100 cal/half cup and is super good) in a little cone (20 cal!) feels indulgent.

Originally Posted by IsobelRose22:
Totally agree with this. Since i've restricted my carb intake to breakfast, I don't really feel the need to snack, and I get less cravings. Its been amazing.

sign me up as another low carber with no cravings. And yes, it really is amazing!!

If I do ever want something sweet, I have a sugar free jello or chew some gum. But even that is extremely rare now, I have jello in my fridge that I haven't touched in weeks.

I always have to chew a piece of gum after a meal.

:shrug: Maybe I should consider a low carb plan....I love carbs and feel like I am always hungry and always wanting to eat.