Help...I want Chocolate

[Guest_1055]

Hello everyone.....

Right at this moment the desire and craving to drive to Woolworths and buy chocolate is huge. But I don't want to give in. The reason I am writing this post is because I want victory in this area in my life. And I am hoping the strong cravings will cease, as I write here. And I want to know if anyone else struggles with this particular issue. Any advice would also be very welcomed.

I think a lot of people say chocolate is OK. But I tend to differ. For many years I have turned to it for comfort, a high or some other good feeling. But for me it is short lived. Even as I am writing this, I am visualising chocolate Easter bunnies in my head. As they are in the supermarkets now. Some people may think this is a funny situation. But for more it is not. It is a real hindrance in my life, and I want to be cut loose from the chains.

I normally eat a whole block in one go, that is a huge amount. About 200grams of the stuff. 

I am beginning to believe it is like someone turning to alcohol, drugs or whatever. Using this stuff to escape, hide or feel better, or something for a short time. I use chocolate as a coping mechanism., (so I think at the time of eating it)

 Consuming it every day also affects my emotional and mental health in a non beneficial way.  I also become more gloomy, foggy headed, irritable, angry, my heart beats faster, lethargic, headachy and fat. It is not a good use of our money either.

Anyway does anyone else have similar issues? I haven't had it for three days now. And my body is craving it big time.​

OK, thank you

Shelley xx

[Guest_5218]

Hi Shelley, 

I'm with you, I dont particularly like the dark chocolate.  I know all about the anti-oxidants all that, but I just dont like it.  It isnt as creamy and lucsious as the milk chocolate.  So whats the purpose of eating it?

And I also love easter egg chocolate.  The thin shards of the egg as you break it into pieces.  Yum.

Chocolate craving is very definitely linked to my moods, like most of you who have posted here.  But there is also something to the fact that "I just like chocolate".

I dont think there is any real harm in a chocolate treat occasionally, or even daily if you want.  But it would be nice to be able to restrict the amount to just a couple of squares.  Thats what I need to work on.

Rob, I have never heard of the marshmellow test.  What is it, and what does it prove?

Have a good day all.......

Sherie xx

[Guest_1055]

Hi, a good morning to you Sherie....

Just knowing that you understand me helps me . I don't know why??, but it seems I have a huge need to be understood.

I do remember you mentioning once you get cravings for chocolate and dairy foods, though perhaps not as often as myself.

Yeah the headaches.....not pleasant at all, one should think more about the consequences that come upon me after I consume the chocolate. I have thought of writing myself a note and placing it in my purse. Maybe saying something like "warning chocolate causes headaches, you are loved".

Yeah I did write a reply to you before Sherie, so you may see a double up.

Many hugs to you

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Oh my gosh Carol

I can imagine a mouth full of marshmallows all packed in and squashed together. Ha Ha Um ..... What did you do with them after you were declared the winner. I am guessing you just pulled them out of your mouth??

Yes the chocolate wrapper that can be re sealed..... nope never re sealed it. Not at all experienced in that.

That is a good idea replacing the chocolate treat with something else Carol. I wish there was a food that was yummy and had the same immediate good feeling. Even though that feeling only lasts a short while. If I come up with anything, I will let you know.

But also I think Mary was saying before that if we can just get past the craving stage of chocolate addiction. Then maybe our bodies just simply won't crave it anymore. And we won't want to eat it or something. Or maybe want Robbie and Tony suggested just have it every now and then..

I have tried making homemade chocolate, just so I can get my fix. But it has never tasted that good.

OK you take care now

Hugs

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hello Tony..

I was thinking you must live right in amongst dense bushland. With perhaps only unsealed roads as access to your place?? Sounds adventurous...love it. Even love the fact you built a caravan.

 Anyway I have tried just eating only a bar rather than "pig out" on a whole block. At the time it doesn't feel like enough. So I might buy two bars or more. Buying two blocks for the week um....  I am pretty sure I would consume at least one of those blocks in one day.

I noted you go to the gym, good on you!

Thanks Tony

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hi Shelly Anne 

I totally understand what you are saying the worse my depression and ocd got the more I craved chocolate ice cream anything sweet really! 3 months ago I cut out all sugar the cravings where awful also cut out tea and coffee. But so worth it after the first week the cravings slowed down still have cravings but only maybe one a week.

Feel so much better still have my bad days but they are more manageable I  was having panic attacks all the time only had few in the last 3 months. 

I found that a good way to ease the cravings was to eat some fruit and natural yogurt with a hot cup of water obviously you could have tea or coffee. The yogurt helps the cravings for something creamy and the fruit helps with the sugar. 

Good luck with the cravings hope that helps

 Good afternoon ci.......

This reply is from your above post.

Yes you post did help. It sounds like you went through similar experiences to Mary here. I do feel encouraged by your words, as you have indeed gone through and come out the other side. This is want I desperately want to live on the other side. So I will keep going, the reason is because eating it does affect how depressed I feel. And like you were once, you felt depressed so you craved more of the stuff . That is interesting about the panic attacks easing off once you gave up the chocolate icecream, tea, and coffee. There is definitely some sort of connection there, or something.

Regarding eating the creamy yoghurt and fruit. Um.........I will write that on my coping strategies list of ideas. I just now thought of compiling some sort of list just now. I am assuming the yoghurt had no sugar in it? I do like coconut yoghurt, so maybe I will try that next time the cravings hit. Oh the hot water.....I am having trouble working out the reason for the hot water. Is it a replacement for the coffee or tea. Or is it to fill your tummy up or something?

Anyway thanks ci

Do you like hugs? If yes will you please accept mine.

Shell xx

PS. I am happy that you feel better, after conquering all this. Good on you!

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Shell,

Yes I discarded the marshmallows and have never eaten them again.

I found a recipe called "bliss balls" if you google it you will find a recipe. You need a food processor which I don't have but it sounds likeca good healthy treat alternative to choc. There are a few recipe versions, I saw one with coconut that you may like as you mentioned coconut yoghurt.  If you try it, let me know how you go.

Cheers,

Carol

[Gruffudd]

If you search for the marshmallow test there are some adorable videos. In the test the children are left in a room with a marshmallow, they are told that if they don't eat it they will be rewarded with a second one. Many kids try really hard and wait. I had eaten it before the adult had left the room. It is a test that was trying to figure out when the ability to defer gratification develops. 

Shelley, I am on the yoghurt too and it is working for me 😉 So with the emotions there are usually negative thoughts that happen alongside them, are you able to catch them and reword them? I am sure if it is like me that those thoughts are not true. 

[Guest_1055]

I will try and look for the negative thoughts Rob, when I have these emotions. Most times my emotions are extremely loud. And it is hard to logically think. But I will try to take my thoughts captive and see if they are indeed speaking truth. Before I run to the chocolate. Have I understood you correctly Rob?

Thanks for your advice Robbie, I appreciate it.

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hey Carol......Yes I have come across bliss balls before, mainly vegan and or raw ones. I have actually made some . In fact I have even tried making healthier chocolates. That is how desperate I become. And this has been going on for years. So far I have come across one recipe,I like that one. It tastes a bit like coconut rough. So you are right I do like the coconut type ones. And yeah..you do need a food processor for that one.

Thanks so much Carol

Hugs

Shell xx

[Gruffudd]

You got it Shelley, it works for me mostly. Emotions can be so very loud, too much so sometimes. I do like the idea of alternative recipes.