FOOD SHOPPING FOR A FAMILY - ISH

sce37

This is going to get abit technical ??? But if you understand the biology of craving sweet things it  might help.  The thought or smell or sight of chocolate stimulates certain neurological pathways in the brain which create the craving.  Dopamine (a chemical) released stimulates this.  Once chocolate is eaten you get a release of opiod chemicals in the brain that give you that sense of aahhhh/mmmmm.  Try and identify the triggers in everyday life that set this craving off.  Whilst going cold turkey is a good solution evidence shows that there is a high likelihood of going back on the chocolate.   The methods quoted above about finding alternatives are good.  Try to create an alternative behaviour pattern when the craving is triggered.  Make it something rewarding but healthy.  It wont be easy but eventually new behavioural pathways in the brain will be developed and strengthened and the 'chocolate' craving will be reduced and eventually extinguished.  

sce37

Sugar cravings particularly for sweets mean the body is telling you that you need more glucose for energy. Trouble with sweet things is that they give you a quick fix and then drop dramatically. Hence the need for yet another fix. Then you get into that cycle of craving those things that give the fix.

Its back to the old healthy eating thing really. Try and eat foods that release sugars slowly. Not an expert here but its about eating complex carbohydrates ie bread, pasta, potatoes, porridge. You then get a steady release of the sugars/glucose your body needs. That might help circumvent the craving for sweet things.

16011996

ooh, didn't know that.

System

I didnt know either. Thanks.

16011996

just noticed your icon judi, you must be a true choc o holic!!

jaybee

My body must be screaming out for more energy then. Really must try to start being sensible with food (not so many Mars Bars, sob)

sce37

I have been known to stuff 3 jam doughnuts with a cup of tea to get my fix. So I don't practice what I preach ;D

System

just noticed your icon judi, you must be a true choc o holic!!

Yes, i suppose i am. Its the only thing i struggle with. I dont drink, and have never smoked so i suppose its my only vice. ;D Ok i have 5 kids but thats beside the point!

jaybee

I think that the trouble with food is that you NEED a certain amount of it to keep going (unlike ciggies, alcohol or drugs). I'm certainly not nelittling the difficulties of giving up (or cutting down) on anything. It's just that food is so essential to life that it's sometimes difficult to cut down (or cut out) something that is basically essential.

Okay - I know chocoloate isn't essential. Bah - it just isn't fair that everything you love is bad for you. >:( >:(

sce37

Found this site onchocolate and addiction.