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

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks CraftyDivaz 🙂

Yes it does help.

[CraftyDivaz]

Hi,

Sorry not sure what's happening I think I clicked post without managing to paste my comment in.

Just a thought, I just remembered hearing somewhere that sometimes the feeling to want to snack comes actually from being thirsty. I think the theory is something like your brain/body interprets the need for liquids inaccurately or something like that. I’ve tried out the idea a few times and it might possibly be correct at least some of the time as it has helped me at least somewhat as long as I remember…

So I try to drink mainly more healthy liquids with less sugar/preservatives content as sugar etc can cause the feeling that you need more to drink or eat, same as the usual sugar craving ideas. So water is the best to try or really diluted cordial if like me you can’t stand water 😄 (yeah I know cordial has sugar "and" preservatives, hehehe  I just absolutely can't stand water usually, see there I am naughty too.

CraftyDivaz

[Guest_1055]

Hello Carol.....

A house full of Easter egg chocolate milk....

I am the same as you Carol, chocolate seems to draw me in. In our thinking we know it really isn't going to help. But it tastes so so yummy. I know there is a substance in the cocoa bean that is similar to the feeling of love. For me I think there is definitely an emotional attachment. What about you, do you want to eat it too when you are struggling emotionally?

Then you have the loads and loads of refined sugar in it. Refined sugar is in so many processed foods as well. I often wonder if the manufacturers of these products, put sugar in the foods...well to help it sell, thus more money for them. People are addicted to it, including myself. More and more people are obese, have diabetes, heart attacks and even depression/ anxiety or whatever. Sorry Carol, I am very passionate about this issue. Because I am sick of myself getting stuck in this rut time and time again. I truly want out, I want to be fit and healthy.

I am hoping in the very near future to be free of this addiction. I have found out to help avoid sugar addiction, one can eat wholefoods. So eat plenty and plenty of vegetables and some fruit. So I aim to increase the uptake of these foods. Because apparently the more you eat from this food group. The more your actual taste buds change. And then you start to crave the healthy stuff. I think someone mentioned that above in another post.

Anyway Carol, if you really want to curb this chocolate issue, you are definitely not alone. 

Also I told you, if I found some recipes that might help. Well I have tried making this chocolate mousse. Sure it still has cocoa powder in it. But it doesn't have refined sugar, nor the unhealthy fats. The base is made from avocado, so you get the creamy texture from that. Then you can use  either medjool dates, raw honey, real maple syrup. Then of course the cocoa powder. I have made this before, and yeah.....it does satisfy the chocolate craving. There is plenty of recipes out there. 

Anyway you take care now.

Many hugs

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hello CraftyDivaz

It appears you also have issues with chocolate /sugar addiction. Well as you can see, you are not alone here. So here is a friendly welcome to you.

I too have read that our bodies are just thirsty, so yeah...I have tried that strategy also. It worked in me by helping me hold off as long as I can without having the chocolate. Normally I would drink water, fresh extracted juice, coconut water or there is this fizzy red grape juice that is also good. The grape juice is refined sugar free.

Anyway just wanted to say hello to you.

Take care now

Shell xx

[blondguy]

Hi Shelleybelly 🙂

I share your devotion the the Chocolate God...I love it..but I dont want the sugar hit anymore...so I will unfortunately exercise restraint 😞 and have Cadbury Dark Choc with almonds....and cant deal with any chocolate after about 7pm...Its the same as Milo for me, just keeps me awake, restless and destroys my sleep...milk or dark.

My brother had big trouble getting his son to sleep years ago and I asked my bro....what does he have before bed? My brother said 'Milo'....lol...I politely mentioned that Milo has 50% sugar....My nephew slept like a baby after the Milo stopped.

Sorry Shelleybelly if I strayed from the topic xx

Paul

[Guest_1055]

Hey Paul...

No I don't think you strayed from the topic at all. Anyway it is good to see you pop up in here.

I totally understand about the drinking of milo, before bedtime. The sugar high, keeps me awake too, as does the caffeine. When I eat the refined sugar, I am sort off on edge, jumpy in the physical body, and much more moody. So yeah I totally get where you are coming from in regards to your yourself and your nephew.

Like I said it is good to see you pop up in here.

Hugs

Shelleybelly

[Guest_5218]

I also share your devotion of chocolate.  However with regards to Milo, malt barley is one of the key ingredients along with milk and a heap of sugar. I believe there may be a tiny bit of cocao, but very little if any.  So I dont think you can place Milo in the same category as chocolate.

I was reading an artical in a magazine today and would like to  relate a few points to you here.  It may change your opinion of chocolate, or help you to change the way you eat it.  And not feel guilty for enjoying it.  I hope so.

Evidence mounts that dark chocolate is linked to body and mind benefits - it lowers blood pressure, improves heart health, memory and mood.  Chocolate's positive effects are mostly related to cocoa powder, the ground up seeds or beans of the cacao plant which contains antioxidants.

It is known that a diet rich in the antioxidants contained in chocolate, red wine and some vegetables play a protective role in the body.  You will get the maximum benefits from chocolate if you have the proper dark kind with a high cocoa content. So although it is an energy dense food, there are some compelling arguments why a few squares of dark chocolate can make a healthy treat.

However, despite the health benefits of eating chocolate, feeling guilty is a very common side effect of chocolate consumption and can ruin what should actually be a healthy treat.  If we tell ourselves that chocolate is bad and we shouldnt eat it, it can result in us feeling guilty which then builds up a very real and compelling desire for more of it.

Apparently what we should do is to eat chocolate "mindfully" thus becoming a normal and enjoyable part of our diet, without us freaking out about it unnecessarily.  When we eat mindfully, we rarely overdo it or eat past the full stage.  So if you feel like a piece or two of chocolate, and you can sit down and really enjoy it, then there's nothing better.

So everything in moderation.  Choose a good quality high-cocoa content chocolate.   Sit and consume your chocolate 'mindfully'.  Dont feel guilty about it, because that will lead to cravings for more.  Enjoy ........

Sherie xx

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Shell and Crafty,

Thanks for the tips and I will look for those recipes Shell. Part of my problem is that I am not motivated or able to cook at the moment. This is out of character because normally I love it. The tiredness from Insomnia and the pain meds that cause drowsiness doesn't help.  I am doing better with restraint than I thought but it is hard.

I drink mineral water and little else. Sometimes hubby makes me a milo at night and I have half a mug but I will stop that now on Paul's advice.

I started drinking mineral water when I had gestational diabetes with my 3rd pregnancy. It took a while to get used to but now I love it. I probably am not drinking enough. Will start drinking more right now.

Thanks guys you are awesome!

Hi Paul!!

Cheers,

Carol

[blondguy]

Thankyou Shelleybelly I am always happy to read your kind words 🙂

I just had my first coffee for the day about an hour ago....my god I am paying for that now.....just my reaction but Im jumpy and some heart palpitations to boot....ugh! I miss my coffee...Its my second for the week.....

CAROL...Thankyou for helping me with Lost World....I am using a PC and read your kind post just before 4am..Thankyou so much...like Shelleybelly & Sherie and everyone....you guys are so very kind and true xx

(Prince's head in my profile pic is roughly the size of a basketball)....Bless his heart 🙂

((Hugs))

Paul

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Sherie,

My psych said the same thing and I do like dark choc. The problem I have is the moderation but I am getting better with dark choc.

Unfortunately the house if full of milk choc and I am not having as much restraint as I should. I don't know why I keep doing it.  I do get a feeling of pleasure from eating it but as mentioned before it is short lived and I know that. I think now I have some time I may need to look into sugar addiction.