Giving up artificial sweeteners: cravings!

[Stash'sWife]

Please share with me your experiences getting over "the taste of sweet"! How long did it take to "break through" this?!

This is day three for me of no A/S and I know it is the healthy thing to do, but no I am sooooo hungry!

Bacon is my induction "crutch" food so I have traded one poison for another temporarily!

I feel like I am having another round of induction!

Blessings,

SW

PS NOTHING has changed about my woe other than the deletion of AS, so it is not carb creep or something doing this to me.

TIA for any words of encouragement!

[2big4mysize]

how much sweetner were you using?

have you replaced the foods you were having AS in with other foods? if not are you under eating since there were hopefully proteins and fats in those AS foods too.
How are you detemining hunger?
I noticed after a week of induction eating that veggies started tasting sweet along with plain creqm cheese so your tastebuds should detox rapidly.

[Leo41]

I don't understand why you're "hungry" without AS. Did you put sweetener on your meat, eggs, veggies? If not, why not eat?

My own experience was relatively easy. I have a tremendous sweet tooth, so I never made any low carb desserts, etc. because I knew they'd just keep me primed for the real thing. My big weakness was diet soda, but I overcame that with club soda (for the fizz), adding some lemon juice for more taste.

It took me a couple of weeks, and every now and then I'll crave a diet soda, but I refuse to give me. I discovered that AS stimulate my hunger as much as sugar, and I don't need that. For the most part, I'm over any cravings for sweeteners. It helped that I've never used sweeteners in my coffee or tea.

[DiamondDeb]

Hang in there SW! You can do this!

[Stash'sWife]

Thanks, yall!

I stopped putting sweet stuff in my coffee...still use the HWC.

Then I stopped with the diet sodas.

See...I kind of used them like a "dessert" I guess...that is...a savory meal never felt "complete" unless I washed it down with diet cola!

It became a habit and also I was convinced I would never like a bunless burger or some beef jerkey without a swig of cola to go with!

See what I mean?

So one day I just said, "can I go without diet soda for ONE DAY?" And I did, which made it easier to keep going.

SOOO I am pretty good about taking swigs of icy cold water when i would have had soda, which washes away the savory taste and helps me not to want the soda flavor. Another strategy I have is minty floss...but that only works at the END of the meal. LOL

I don't know why this is manifesting as "hunger", but it isn't "hunger" as much as it's that same old "I WANT CAKE" feeling you sometimes get on induction.

I never thought AS was doing that to me...

Thanks again for the helpful support!

-SW

[bmbshl]

Just a thought...

It's not your imagination. Every Tuesday I go to the nearest big town for groceries. Every Tuesday on the way home (since starting LC), I'd stop at Sonic for happy hour and a large iced tea. I did that for months with no problems. One day I decided to "treat" myself to a diet coke because I don't normally have them. Later that day I found myself standing with the pantry door open looking for food, opening the fridge, etc. I realized later when trying to figure out why I was having a difficult time sticking to the plan that day, that it was the diet coke.

[2big4mysize]

but she isn't having the diet coke now.

The issue when you have it is the sweet taste stimulates insulin production in the body to handle the expected sugar ruch those tastebuds told your brain was coming. Since there is no sugar actually coming your blood glucose level drops and you get hunger.

So it is an "emotional hunger" and not a need for food hunger issue.
Distraction is the best thing for that and a consistant nonfood reaction should have your brain stop sending time for a sweet cues to you. Have you got a set thing you do after a meal like wahsing up or going for a walk? if not now would be a good time to include something physically active so your brain is distracted and you are generating some good feeling chemicals too.

[Beezle]

I really want a diet soda right now too, and not having one makes my mind search for something else to fill that craving. Eating is one thought it keeps going back to. It's very frustrating. I'm used to having some kind of drink to sip anytime I'm relaxing. Tea is ok but it takes time to make and water doesn't satisfy at all. That club soda idea sounds promising. Must try that tomorrow.

[fawn]

So you're swigging water now with your food?
Not a good idea. This is disturbing your digestive enzymes.

I want you to eat slow, chew well and do not drink anything during meals and including about 20 minutes post meal. This could be affecting you negatively.

I see you just went zc as well? You could be dealing with cravings, a want or need that your body remembers, leptin levels, insulin resistance.......

Your mind could be playing games with you too now that you're on a restrictive way of eating.

[Minerva]

I gave up sugar in tea and coffee 40 years ago, along with my children. I persuaded them to do it for a month, then they could have sugar again, if they wanted it... none of us went back to sugar!

I gave up added salt 26 years ago. I don't use it in baking (when I baked!) or cooking, and I have to soak my bacon before frying!

[Stash'sWife]

Awesome, awesome, everyone. I so knew I would get helpful feedback here!

Fawn, yeah...I know drinking DURING the meal is not ideal. I totally confess you are right-on about it, but ... baby steps lol. It really is a goal of mine and I am getting better. And ZC hasn't been too bad, restriction wise...I am a pretty good "faster" in my religous life and this is, therefore, not a real huge-oh diff from what I was doing LC. BUT, you are right, this is NOT fasting, and the old Bod may be like...HEY, NO extra glucose? what GIVES?! LOL.

YES a replacement ACTIVITY for the soda is a great idea, instead of a replacement FOOD! Good call, 2BIG4mysize!

Bmbshl, yeah, I think I was "used" to the (whatever the AS did to my blood sugar) reaction from the DC! It's like my body says, "okay, you ate your meat, now where is our SWEET STUFF!" LOL. BTW you are so pretty and we are built kind of the same based on your pics (same build but I am much shorter), I have read your losses have slowed and it frustrates you; I think you look great!

Beezle, I know how you feel. thankfully, ice cold H2O tastes wonderful to me and I love crunching the ice cubes! Have you considered cold brew tea? No hassle, I don't even buy special bags, I just throw a few in a pitcher of water and stick it in the frige.

Minerva, WOW! I look forward to being able to say: I gave up sugar 40 years ago! How inspiring!

You guys are awesome! Thanks for popping in and sharing. So far today I feel content and at peace with the rasm-frasm A/S lol!!

[Stash'sWife]

Originally Posted by Leo41

I don't understand why you're "hungry" without AS. Did you put sweetener on your meat, eggs, veggies? If not, why not eat?

Yeah, the word "hungry" certainly belongs in quotes! It is not a true hunger...the others posting are right, it is more like, "HEY, WHERE"S the SWEET" ??

Kind of like my own mental little clara pellar (the "where's the beef" lady).

I. am. so. old.

Anyway I eat in this instance because the bacon helped me with my desire for sweet on atkins induction. I think it's all the fat.

[Stash'sWife]

Originally Posted by DiamondDeb

Hang in there SW! You can do this!

So sweet!! Thanks! So far so good, today, but then, it is not even ten am. LOL

[texastigerlily]

Originally Posted by bmbshl

Just a thought...

It's not your imagination. Every Tuesday I go to the nearest big town for groceries. Every Tuesday on the way home (since starting LC), I'd stop at Sonic for happy hour and a large iced tea. I did that for months with no problems. One day I decided to "treat" myself to a diet coke because I don't normally have them. Later that day I found myself standing with the pantry door open looking for food, opening the fridge, etc. I realized later when trying to figure out why I was having a difficult time sticking to the plan that day, that it was the diet coke.

I've been tempted to get a diet Dr. Pepper at Sonic. I've gone back and forth over the last couple of years...drinking diets drinks for awhile, then stopping. The last time I went back to the diet drinks I noticed some things - I was hungrier; I craved sweets more; I was TIRED - like I needed the diet dr. pepper to keep going, but it never really helped. I also GAINED weight. I think diet sodas are EVIL

[Stash'sWife]

Originally Posted by texastigerlily

I've been tempted to get a diet Dr. Pepper at Sonic. I've gone back and forth over the last couple of years...drinking diets drinks for awhile, then stopping. The last time I went back to the diet drinks I noticed some things - I was hungrier; I craved sweets more; I was TIRED - like I needed the diet dr. pepper to keep going, but it never really helped. I also GAINED weight. I think diet sodas are EVIL

WOW! Thanks for sharing this!

I think I have been in denial because I experienced weight loss in the past while having my fill of diet sodas. But now I wonder how much I have short changed myself in the energy department...the lack of cravings department...

I know you know what I mean!!! I guess I am fixin to find out, eh?!?

(disclaimer: I am not saying everyone in the world needs to give up AS I just wonder what am I missing out on by NOT giving it up)

Next stop, KICKING THE COFFEE!!!

LOL

Shouldn't be hard to release it when I am ready. Right now it is just "something to do" for the most part...it is really about half a cup a go and about twice a day. Someday I will be ready...

[Minerva]

Thank you for your kind response, Stash's Wife.

You CAN give up sweeteners for 28 days! Just tell yourself: "It's ONLY 28 days; I can go back to sweeteners afterwards."

It's almost guaranteed that you won't be able to go back.

Good luck!

(It will also cut back your liking for other sweet things - I go months without chocolate... but I have trouble walking past licorice!)

[Stash'sWife]

Originally Posted by Minerva

(It will also cut back your liking for other sweet things - I go months without chocolate... but I have trouble walking past licorice!)

Red or black!? See, I liked both. My Mom and sisters think I am coo coo for liking the black, but its because of my Daddy, who got me to eat "snaps" (is that what they are called? Candy coated little nuggets of horror?) LOL!!!!

I guess perhaps you don't need a licorice discussion to "help" with your cravings!!!

[Minerva]

Black for me.

I buy (yes, still... but not often!) a bag of 'cuttings' - short pieces, from the supermarket, soft and fresh. It's my only vice - I only drink alcohol at Christmas or major family celebrations, I gave up smoking in May, and I live alone! Ha ha!

Luckily, they don't wreck my WOE... just damage it slightly for a day.

(Shouldn't have started this... I've got to go shopping this afternoon!)

[Stash'sWife]

Originally Posted by Minerva

(Shouldn't have started this... I've got to go shopping this afternoon!)

ETA haven't I seen anise tea or something like that? May be a good sub if you choose to seek one out someday.

Have a great today!!!

SW

[Minerva]

I'll check out the aniseed tea: it sounds rather good. Mind you, there are a lot of things mentioned on here that are not available in the UK.

Thanks for the tip. You enjoy your day too - you've brightened mine!

[Leo41]

I understand now that this is "emotional hunger."

I went through something similar. Although I was never in the habit of having desserts (had my sweets as snacks), I used to find myself wanting "something sweet" at the end of a meal--especially in the evening.

Since I've given up all AS, I started nibbling a couple of nuts instead--not too many, but perhaps 3-4 almonds or walnuts. That satisfied me, and after a while, I didn't need them any longer.

Now I can have a meal and not want anything after. Sometimes you just have to cure yourself

[Stash'sWife]

Thanks, Leo!

Today was much much better already!!!

[Minerva]

And every day it will get easier! ;-) Go girl!

[SmileySue]

Originally Posted by Minerva

Black for me.

I buy (yes, still... but not often!) a bag of 'cuttings' - short pieces, from the supermarket, soft and fresh. It's my only vice - I only drink alcohol at Christmas or major family celebrations, I gave up smoking in May, and I live alone! Ha ha!

Luckily, they don't wreck my WOE... just damage it slightly for a day.

(Shouldn't have started this... I've got to go shopping this afternoon!)

I apologize in advance for a bit of a threadjack here.....

Last year I had the worst cravings for black licorice. I found a recipe for fruitless fruit leather on Linda Sue's site and used anise extract for the flavoring. It was pretty awesome!! I've seen that LorAnn Oils carries licorice flavoring as well, but I've never triet that flavor.

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes

Again, sorry for the threadjack!!

[Minerva]

No problem, SmileySue. Anything that can take the place of 200g (150 carbs) is welcome!

I just set myself back another day. Ugh. I had intended to have one piece per day... yeah, right. I shall have to do a bit of surfing to see if I can find UK equivalents for your suggestions.

Well, as I'm on 25# by 12/25 (or Christmas, for us Brits that can't get our heads round US dates!) until I discover an alternative, I shall just have to avoid the confectionery aisle. It just has to be done.

If I were on Maintenance, I could cope with this binge, it would just be a small blip, but since I've set myself a target, I gotta be good. Perhaps if I hit my target early, I will allow myself one bag as a treat.

Christmas food doesn't bother me. I don't stuff at this time anyway. Some years ago when things were especially tough, we had a chicken for Christmas lunch and very modest accompaniments, presents etc... BEST Christmas ever!

[Minerva]

How are things going today, SW? Still clinging to the anti-sweetener wagon?

Hang in there, we're all rooting for you. How many days have you done so far?

[Stash'sWife]

Oh I am doing great, minerva! I haven't had sweetner of any kind since october 11~! I am still craving it, though...much in the same way I craved starchy foods when I started LC.

Keeping my diet clean is helping tremendously as I feel sated and comfy .. the cravings are random and seem to strike out of nowhere...

But it is totally mental and emotional and I am hoping to get past it so very soon...

thanks again for asking!!!

[2big4mysize]

Hang in there.

now that your taste buds are getting resensitized you will notice the sweetness of some protein foods now.

[Beezle]

Originally Posted by Stash'sWife

Oh I am doing great, minerva! I haven't had sweetner of any kind since october 11~! I am still craving it, though...much in the same way I craved starchy foods when I started LC.

Keeping my diet clean is helping tremendously as I feel sated and comfy .. the cravings are random and seem to strike out of nowhere...

But it is totally mental and emotional and I am hoping to get past it so very soon...

thanks again for asking!!!

That's so not fair! That's 6 days so far. I quit AS 4 days ago and the craving stopped after 1.5 days. A hard 1.5 days but still, NOT FAIR. And I was drinking 12+ diet sodas some days. You must be rich or have great hair or something I don't have to balance the lucky points out

[sourpeach]

Originally Posted by 2big4mysize

but she isn't having the diet coke now.

The issue when you have it is the sweet taste stimulates insulin production in the body to handle the expected sugar ruch those tastebuds told your brain was coming. Since there is no sugar actually coming your blood glucose level drops and you get hunger.

So it is an "emotional hunger" and not a need for food hunger issue.
Distraction is the best thing for that and a consistant nonfood reaction should have your brain stop sending time for a sweet cues to you. Have you got a set thing you do after a meal like wahsing up or going for a walk? if not now would be a good time to include something physically active so your brain is distracted and you are generating some good feeling chemicals too.

thank you for this. I knew this about sugar as far as the insulin production but not the AS. I thought I was pretty safe with diet soda, as far as this goes anyway.. Ans I get the same thing.. Like a meal is not complete or satisfying without the soda.. whew.. lot to work on!! Thanks again!