BAD sweet tooth…tips, please

[Anonymous]

The minute I finish a savory meal I immediately crave sweets. I currently eat dessert after lunch every day, and at least 2 desserts after dinner every night. I have 10 lbs to lose after just having a baby so I need this to stop, but feel like I can’t. The craving is so strong.

Anyone successfully banish your sweet tooth? How do I do it?

[Anonymous]

Mine has never gone, but it’s easier for me to plan grocery trips when I’m not hungry and just not being sweets into the house. I allow myself desserts when eating out.

[Anonymous]

My sweet tooth never disappears until I cut almost all carbs. I can sometimes try to fool it by chewing very spicy cinnamon gum or drinking a sweet but zero carb high protein drink.

[Anonymous]

Fruit after lunch, allow yourself a square of dark chocolate or a low-sugar hot chocolate after dinner.

[Anonymous]

Dark chocolate. Just a square or two of good quality 72+% real dark chocolate (not Hershey, dove, etc)

[Anonymous]

For me, getting rid of the sweet tooth is an unreasonable goal. So it's all about finding ways to placate it that don't cost a ton of calories.

So first of all - one small sweet thing after lunch, one small one after dinner (except special occasions). Three full desserts isn't going to work. Snacking on sweets all day isn't going to work.

Second of all - watch your portion size. The difference between no dessert and a very small dessert is actually smaller than the difference between a very small dessert and an enormous dessert. It's a little counterintuitive when you're trying to lose weight - but eating more at meals can really help. I find this is a common trap - "Oh, I'm dieting, so here's my small-to-reasonably sized dinner" and then you eat a ton of sweets, when in reality filling up on your regular dinner, and having actually a pretty big meal that leaves you feeling satiated, might be the better path.

Third of all - go to sweet foods that don't have a ton of calories. I like diet soda, sugary cereals (fact: froot loops with marshmallows has 110 calories per cup. Cheerios has 93, shredded wheat has 136. Not. that. different.), these protein bars are really sweet and only 130 calories https://shop.clifbar.com/products/clif-kid-zbar-protein-chocolate-mint, fruit snacks are often sweet and in small, not high calorie portions. Anything individually wrapped is good - resist the temptation for more.

[Anonymous]

Are you nursing? That can trigger an insane sweet tooth.

Maybe substitute w/ healthy sweet food (like low-cal snacks, then shift to fruit over time). Give into it sometimes but practice portion control.

[Anonymous]

Me too! I eat quality dark chocolate after dinner, 1-2 squares. I can’t not do that. It seems to work well, but it’s rough.

[Anonymous]

Eat more protein.

[Anonymous]

I’m of the belief that everything in moderation is OK... but I think you’ll need to go cold turkey. Don’t keep anything in the house. You’ll be crabby for a week and then it’ll be much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, getting rid of the sweet tooth is an unreasonable goal. So it's all about finding ways to placate it that don't cost a ton of calories.

So first of all - one small sweet thing after lunch, one small one after dinner (except special occasions). Three full desserts isn't going to work. Snacking on sweets all day isn't going to work.

Second of all - watch your portion size. The difference between no dessert and a very small dessert is actually smaller than the difference between a very small dessert and an enormous dessert. It's a little counterintuitive when you're trying to lose weight - but eating more at meals can really help. I find this is a common trap - "Oh, I'm dieting, so here's my small-to-reasonably sized dinner" and then you eat a ton of sweets, when in reality filling up on your regular dinner, and having actually a pretty big meal that leaves you feeling satiated, might be the better path.

Third of all - go to sweet foods that don't have a ton of calories. I like diet soda, sugary cereals (fact: froot loops with marshmallows has 110 calories per cup. Cheerios has 93, shredded wheat has 136. Not. that. different.), these protein bars are really sweet and only 130 calories https://shop.clifbar.com/products/clif-kid-zbar-protein-chocolate-mint, fruit snacks are often sweet and in small, not high calorie portions. Anything individually wrapped is good - resist the temptation for more.

I don’t recommend buying processed junk.
If you absolutely must have a sweet, go to a bakery, or get some high-quality dark chocolate.


(Like seriously: diet soda?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Me too! I eat quality dark chocolate after dinner, 1-2 squares. I can’t not do that. It seems to work well, but it’s rough.

Dark chocolate is an excellent source of iron and fiber

[Anonymous]

I can't completely banish it, but I can satisfy cravings with relatively small servings that are relatively low in sugar and calories.

I try to keep one or two of the following around: individually wrapped dark chocolate (72%), mini Kind bars with chocolate, Walker's shortbread cookies, Rip Van Wafels mini stroopwafels. They all have 3 grams or less of sugar, 100 calories or less, and go well with a double espresso (I enjoy coffee at all hours). It's just enough to satisfy the craving. I lost 40 pounds while eating these small treats.

Every once in a while, I'll splurge on a bigger treat and I can really notice the difference. If I eat a square of dark chocolate, I'm satisfied. If I eat a bag of M&Ms, I want more sugar.

[Anonymous]

I also needed to lose 10lbs and also have a sweet tooth. I switched to frozen fruit as my dessert and that helped

[Anonymous]

First, make sure you’re eating enough to actually be full. You are going to constantly crave sweets if your calorie deficit is too big. Protein is huge, as a PP mentioned.

Next, the dark chocolate thing really works.

Third, let yourself eat a dessert sometimes. For most people, restricting something means wanting it more. I usually keep some Haagen Daaz chocolate ice cream in the fridge and if dark chocolate isn’t going to satisfy me, I have a few spoonfuls.