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Surge In Sweet Cravings

Discussion in 'Health Issues' started by nayidulhan, Nov 22, 2021.

  1. nayidulhan

    nayidulhan Silver IL'ite

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    Dear friends,
    I have put on weight in the last couple of months. This I know, is due to overeating as a response to stress. :BangHead:
    I got my blood work done recently and the results show me as a pre-diabetic. I need to cut down on sweets, reduce weight and exercise. However, I keep craving for sweets all day long. I can eat cookies, cream biscuits like Bourbon, chocolates, ice creams, traditional sweets like laddoos and pedhas. I mean I just keep looking forward to eat something sweet.
    My body aches all day long and I have a difficulty falling asleep at night. Could you please help me work on this?:disappointed:
     
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  2. Janakinarne

    Janakinarne Gold IL'ite

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    Just stop to bring any junk or sweets to home,if there is any festivals als buy in very less quantity and give away everything to neighbours and other relatives,so that if you crave als u won't found anything,if u crave more just keep jaggery in mouth it wil wrk to reduce ur cravings,
     
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  3. sarvantaryamini

    sarvantaryamini Gold IL'ite

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    You cannot stop eating sweets. You need to address 2 issues here - stress and lack of sleep. This is exactly what is happening to me now. Since a month I am stressed out heavily. Not that there wasn't stress before, but recently, it was a lot. My sugar cravings just shot up like hell. After the given task was completed and the issue addressed (temporarily), they went down. You need to drink water regularly, that might help. This is more of a body reaction to panic and anxiety. Calm down. Do not try to fight the cravings, they will only get worse. Just stop hitting your head against the wall (literally) and become more organized. A good percentage of the population is pre-diabetic, so don't sweat it.
     
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  4. sanjuruby3

    sanjuruby3 Platinum IL'ite

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    Hi OP,
    I have similar situation. I am pre diabetic and obese. I was severe Gestational Diabetes and was uncontrollable with shots and everything. My DS also had. I used to have sever sugar cravings in pregnancy and inspite on knowing all this, i would eat. Sadly, I had stress and no support from H and our fights would increase the matter. He did not provide the love care he should have.
    Anyways, after pregnancy, again, i went through test and yes i was. Metformin is the key.
    It helps curbing sugar cravings. Other than that, eating sugar little bit helps craving throughout the day.

    I have lot of issues. I used to steal my daughters halloween candy ( pregnancy), now as well. All left over, halloween candy, i would finish. From office, I would bring and eat all candies cookies cupcakes and wont even share with kids.

    Now also, all diwali sweets, after lunch dinner i look for sugar. I try not to bring sweets but H wont stop and with kids its hard. Then their leftover.

    When i was put on metformin, it was like awakening for me for sometime. I was able to avoid to eat a lot. And reduce. But you can not keep it for longer. As soon as i stopping eating metform, stopped exercise, weight went up all again.
    Just FYI, I just starve myself and shun sweets. I realized it is part of who i am. If i stop for sometime, i am going to revert back with revenge after sometime. So key is reduce quantity so you do not crave.

    Like eat I eat 1-2 cookies after dinner or chocolates ( i love) or cakes. Whole point of doing excercise is to be able to eat what we want.

    Also for me, sugar and food helps me with anxiety. I do not fast at all for same reasons.
    Now I have another visit scheduled soon for tests and again will ask for metformin.

    Just FYI, too much dosage of metformin is not good. Your system becomes dependent on it and might be deficient in B12.

    Excercise + cut down sugar + consult doctor.
    Doctor might say - stop eating rice/ grain completely. Eat only salads + chicken. Mine said that. No, you have to do everything in balance and follow your lifestyle as well.
    Many things come for convenience. Like we do not eat rice in our family, but here now, in US it is easy to cook so everyday we have become rice eaters. Better than processed food.
    Salad eaters = everyday they eat greens but also processed dressing + bread + cold meats.
    So you have to find your balance. I feel indian food is best thought i do not cook/eat everyday.
     
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  5. NOW

    NOW Gold IL'ite

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    This is a very good first hand experience shared to help others in similar situation. Every person’s genetics, lifestyle, taste , preferences and situation are different and what works for one does not work for others. Sleep, stress and diet go hand-in-hand more than we realize. Sometimes we need a change in scenery or break from the routine to listen to our bodies too. A simple 20 min walk, a gallon of water or few deep breaths also help when the craving overtakes you. I get cravings around 5pm after I have just wrapped up my work and getting ready to prep dinner. On good day I drink herbal tea or do 10 min gardening or take a tiny walk .. on bad days I reach for salty snacks with chai and ruin my dinner appetite and sleep too!! Double trouble. I wish OP the best to find a way to break the cycle that works for her.
     
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  6. gitagita

    gitagita Bronze IL'ite

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    I am also having the same problem. Addicted to sweets.
    I am 60+ and controlling diabetes with diet and exercise. I have BP also.
    I do yoga for an hour and walk on treadmill for 2 hours.
    Lots of exercise. But unhealthy eating.
    When I was working it was better.
    Now I started sitting at home. I am eating like hell.
    Every day think to stop. But cannot control. Always there will be sweets here for my grandson.
    Unfortunately my family is also not controlling me.
    "We live only once" That is their slogan.
    Sometimes I eat sugar free items. {although some people tell they are not at all good. The normal sugar is better}
    I think may be you can try that.
    And also try to do lots of exercise to keep your weight down. {We cannot help our eating}

    Good luck
     
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  7. Gauri03

    Gauri03 Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Increased hunger, carb cravings, and weight gain are signs of high insulin levels in the body, which is reflected in your blood work. Being pre-diabetic means you have poor insulin sensitivity. The body compensates by pumping extra insulin into the blood stream which in turn makes you feel hungry and crave carbohydrates.

    The common suggestion is to lose weight to fix the problem. But weight gain is a symptom not a cause of the problem. You will need to balance blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity to get rid of the cravings and lose weight. Start with a few or as many of these as you can realistically implement.

    * Restrict carbohydrates to under 150 gms a day, and ensure most of your carbs are low GI. Don’t eat more than 45 gms of carbs in any given meal.
    * Aim for 2-3 liters of water a day
    * Eat at least 25 gms of dietary fiber everyday
    * Combine regular walks with 20-30 minutes of weight training a few times a week
    * Implement a sleep routine and get 8 hours regularly
    * Devote 20-30 minutes a day to a stress reduction activity (Yoga, meditation, walk, hot bath, massage, dance)
    * Start taking one or more of these supplements - Inositol, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), Magnesium, Vitamin D
    * Try Intermittent fasting - eat during a small window and fast for the rest of the day.

    It will take a few weeks of consistently implementing these changes for you start noticing a difference in the way you feel. You will notice fewer cravings and more energy. If you can remain consistent over the long term the weight will come off on its own.


    *Late edit: Do get all supplements approved by a doctor before adding to your routine.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2021
  8. hrastro

    hrastro Platinum IL'ite

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    +1 to Every point here - they really work in real life (Except I have not tried the supplements & weight training)

    The lesser the carbs in your diet, the lesser the cravings ..

    Will add a few more "what to do" here:
    Whenever you get cravings, dont reach for sweets, cakes, cookies
    - get some plain hot water and keep sipping - if you still feel hungry ?
    - chew slowly on some roasted peanuts, pumpkin/sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts (limited) - still hungry ??
    - have a piece of coconut or paneer or cheese or a cup of plain dahi or buttermilk.

    These items will not increase the sugar levels but will solve your hunger if you're really hungry.

    I have some ayurvedic mix for sore throat (I have to talk non-stop 12 hours a day) - I pour hot water on it in a large glass and keep sipping the whole day.

    Have your meals at the right time, keep yourself occupied and busy.

    Do have an occasional cheat day for eating sweets but be careful the next day as the cravings will come back! The day after the cheat days are the most difficult to get through! But if you're busy with things, you will be fine.

     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2021
  9. nayidulhan

    nayidulhan Silver IL'ite

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    This is such a workable solution! Access to the forbidden if cut off will automatically translate into prohibition of the action of indulgence. Thanks, Jankinarne. :)
     
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  10. Janakinarne

    Janakinarne Gold IL'ite

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    Even I too went to the phase what I did is stopped to go to super markets ,like buying stuff for a month ata time and remaining things ordering in online, slowly I brought the control in junk food and once in a while I used to now ,I used to buy fruits like oranges and other citrus fruits,when ever I felt I hav to some thing I wil pick a fruit if am not in mood to hav fruit then wil go to kitchen and pick ground nuts along with some jaggery and wil have it,which fills the tummy and cravings
     
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