We all have those few foods that we get insatiable cravings for (mine are cheesies, for others its chocolate). I had numerous "slip ups" last week - ate 1/2 bag of cheesies, bought a lemon pie at the grocery store and pigged out. Help! How do you deal with these food cravings?

I substitute. No cheesies.....alright so try Crispy Mini's in cheddar cheese (they have small bags now so less tendancy to pig out). Or lemon pie...I take lemon or lime fat free yogurt and add arrowroot crumbs.

But if I do have an occasional slip, I start by forgiving myself. Then I get back into my healthy routine.

I love my snacks and if I had to give them up, I would give up losing weight entirely.

PM me if you need other ideas!

I don't buy an entire pie or anything else that is a trigger food and bring it into the house. That is asking for trouble. I work a single serving of what I am craving into my food plan. Lemon pudding works for lemon pie. I love the soy crisps - only 60-65 calories and they come in a great cheese flavor.

Thanks for the tips girls! You inspired me to create a list of trigger foods and substitutes for them to post on the fridge. I'm definately going to try lemon pudding and arrow roots... mmm, sounds good.

Or, in the case of pizza... I usually order healthy toppings and thin crust, so that not so bad... except that I eat a whole pizza in one sitting. So I'm going to start ordering just 1/2 a pizza with what I like, and the other half with the stuff the kids want. That way I can have 3 (maybe 4?) slices max.

Thanks again!

Pippi,

Looks like we are on the same page. I was just about to start a thread on food triggers. I wonder if most people have them or if we are just special. I define my trigger foods as those that once I start eating them I don't want to stop -and usually I don't!. My trigger foods are: pizza, nuts, chips, dips, dried cranberries and the list goes on. How do you personally handle them:

A) Avoid altogether
B) Splurge once in awhile-eating to your heart's content
C) Substitute a lower calorie version
D) Buy a smaller quanity or share with someone

Thanks for sharing!

All of the above. :D

Seriously, I have tried each of these but I still let my cravings get the better of me sometimes.

With cheesies, chicken wings, etc... I'm trying to simply not buy them. I don't care what anyone says there is not healthy substitute that tastes the same. (A)

I've been thinking of setting up a reward system so that if I stay within my calorie goals for the whole week, I can reward myself with a treat on the weekend (like a small serving of cheesies). I know some people have different opinions on this. (B)

Upon PP's suggestion, I went to the grocery store Wed and found that Hunt's has a pudding desert that tastes JUST like lemon meringue pie! And it even has fewer calories than just plain lemon pudding! (C)

With pizza, I'm going to try to order or make just 1/2 a pizza with toppings I like. Let me kids have the other half. Before I would just eat and eat and eat... until it was all gone or I was too full to make it through another slice. (D)

I'm having a really hard time not munching at night while watching t.v. I made a pact not to eat after 8:00 and was doing good for awhile. But lately I get so hungry in the evening. Last night I stuck to healthy stuff (for a change) but I still ate so much that it put my calorie total over my daily allowance.

You are still making steps in the right direction. Good job and keep it up!

This is one of the hardest obstacles to surmount!

Hi everyone!!!!!

my trigger food are, cheese, sweets, and carbs like breads...pasta and so on.....

in the past i tried telling myself that it's ok to eat it if I only have a small amount.....the problem is that when i start i can not stop, and since i've already done bad, i figure it's ok to eat all the stuff i want for the rest of the day and i will make a fresh start the next day....

IT NEVER WORKS... once I have a taste i will eat it all, so my solution is...don't even touch it...and... don't buy it...

I always try to go to the same grocery store, so that i know where everything is...I stick to the fruit and veggie section...

and when i do need canned veggies i get them and leave...i do NOT walk through the store....i also try to make a list before i leave so that i know what i'm buying and i stick to that....It's probably easier for me since i'm only shopping for myself, (no kids or husband)

I do have a boyfriend that i live with but we both purchase own own groceries...he does buy stuff on occasion that I would love to eat but i try my best to fight it....if i'm having a hard time i will ask him not to buy anything that I might be tempted to eat, and he's usually totally cool with that...

and i can say that for me, it gets easier with time, the more time that passes with out touching anything bad, the less i think about wanting it....and when it's around it's easier to avoid eating....

so thats my advise, i hope it will help at least some one else....

today is thanksgiving in canada, and we are going to my moms for dinner tonight, I asked my parents what food they will be serving, so that i can prepare ahead of time....and know what to expect when i get there...i find that if i have a game plan for dinner i will be more successful.....

if i don't have a plan, and.... uh oh...here comes the pumpkin pie, i will be tempted to eat it....

hope i've helped, and have a great day!!!!!
:)