Addiction to chocolate

[Debrah]

I think I am addicted to chocolate. I used to think that was rather cute and harmless--'ha ha, I'm a chocoholic.' But it is starting to bother me. I don't want to be dependent on a substance like chocolate. I am able to turn down other SAD sweets, but chocolate I want every single day. I get anxious if there's no chocolate at hand and if I can't get to a source easily.

So my question is, for those of you with a serious addiction to chocolate (vs. those of you who could take it or leave it), how did you overcome it? I would love any practical advice you have.

[Shivananda]

My best advice? Don't keep it around if it is a problem for you. I find it is much easier to exercise willpower at the store than at home. I just don't buy it anymore.

And one reason that chocolate is so addictive is that it releases the same pleasure chemicals in the body that are released after good sex. No kidding. It's a proven fact, with lots of good science behind it.

Some very good friends, not meaning to sabotage anything for me, just recently brought me a very special kind of cocoa from France that is "better than sex." They said they had laughed when they first heard that, but after tasting it, agreed that it was. And I laughed when I first heard that, but after tasting it (before the challenge), I agreed that it was. But it isn't raw, so now I don't drink it. But the truth is, on this all raw diet, I'm not craving it at all, even though I know all too well that it is... yes, better than sex!.

That point is not lost on me. Before going all raw, I would have been all over it. Something to remember.

[honeybee joy]

It could be that you have a magnesium deficiency. It could cause PMS symptoms in women. Chocolate is high in magnesium. I remember I use to crave chocolate BAD during my time of the month. Try eating foods that are high in magnesium and see if that helps you stop craving it.

[kmik]

I was a chocoholic. I could live on the stuff... I'd buy 5 candy bars and I could eat them all one right after another. Much to my surprise, shortly after going 100% raw, I've lost interest! It's the strangest thing! My kids still don't believe it. My 13 year old son likes to wave chocolate around in my face and say "you know you want it!" (yeah, I know, real supportive!), but it truely doesn't faze me!

In the beginning, I did make recipes like Alissa's fudge, or date nut torte, so I could have something heavy, dense and sweet. If I did have a craving, that got me through it. But now I barely eat those any more!

So I would suggest, if you're not 100% raw, try it! It's great to not have your life controlled by chocolate! :D

[shakti17]

i love chocolate. there is often chocolate lying around my office. i resist it by promising myself a raw chocolate treat later! so i didn't eat the easter m and m's at all today! yay! tonite i am going to have raw chocolate pie.

i think they use unsweetened cocoa powder in the recipe, but the rest is all raw. also i think those raw caocao nibs taste like chocolate chips.

check out that chocolate chip cookie thread from a couple days ago.

carob smoothies are sort of chocolatey too! with bananas and almond butter and vanilla, and cinnamon - yum!

[RawTruth]

My advice parallels some here, but I'm writing this anyway -

First, make sure you're 100% raw. That's the biggest factor. That way, your nutritionally needs will be being met. It is THE answer.

Next, be prepared with your own sweet goodies that are all raw - dates, fudge balls, date nut torte, fruit, even LaraBars (NOT the cocoa as it's not raw) - have them with you at ALL times. Repeat: don't go anywhere without your own supply. At home, in the car, at work, with friends, ALL the time.

I and so many others lost their sweet tooth this way.

Warning!!! Do not buy and use raw cacao nibs, despite the fact that they're being touted by some raw "gurus" to be the most wonderful thing since God gave us life. The chocoholics I know have detoured onto this path and have not ended their addiction; it just transferred to raw chocolate. They justify it by it (supposedly) being raw. You can search here for old threads on it, including Alissa's experience with it and thoughts on it (synopsis: it's not really raw, it's an aggressive stimulant, there's no reason to have it in your die). I know this may not be popular with those who use it a lot. And certainly won't help sell the recent "raw" book about it. But, it's just tempting your addiction, I think.

I'd say good luck to you (which, of course, I wish you), but you don't really need luck. You just need to do the first two things I've listed ... and yay!!! You'll have it conquered!

[mommamia]

I'm with kmik...five in one sitting was easy for me.

I would recommend 100% raw and having the raw treats mentioned available. That really really helps. I used to be able to down a lara bar (some don't feel this is 100% raw) in no time, and now 1/2 is pretty sweet for me. The date nut torte is wonderful. I"m experimenting making bars of my own using that recipe as a base.

That having been said. Before I "found" raw I was trying to wean from refined sugar/chocolate. I started using the Green and Blacks 70% cocoa bars. I could down a giant size hershey w/almonds, but the Green adn Blacks took me forever. I didn't like the slightly bitter taste at first, but it did help curb the choc. craving. Now I can't stand what passes for chocolate bars in the grocery store. I reached for it less and less pretty soon finding I could go a day or even two (!) w/out chocolate. I think it helped not give that great sugar spike. I don't know where you are in your journey but it you haven't cut out carbs and refined sugar it is my feeling you'll never quit the chocolate addiction...which gets me back to: 100% raw!!!



I wanted to add: Dark green juice has worked great for me, too! I noticed a huge difference in only a few days with my cravings. Spinach, collards, chards, parsley, romaine, green leaf....juice with a couple apples/carrots/whatever....

[wyjoz]

Everyone that went on Green Smoothies is surprised and amazed that their cravings are going, going, gone! And no withdrawal symptoms. But in the beginning for mental gimnastics reward yourself with RAW truffles. Alissa's book has recipe and there are others. One very simple that works is:

Blue Berry Truffles http://www.beautifulonraw.com/html/recipes.html

2 cups of walnuts
1 cup of pitted dates
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1/4 cup of raw carob
Crushed walnut to roll the truffles in
Blend the walnuts, dates, raw carob and blue berries in a food processor until the mixture is smooth. Shape the mixture into small balls and roll them in crushed walnut. Makes 10 truffles

[Debrah]

Wow, I really appreciate your responses.
You have given me hope, and further incentive to go 100%.

[rawfigure]

I have always been a chocoholic. I could never have it in the house. I would only buy what I was willing to eat. And if I ate it I had it as my meal to justify it and not gain from the extra sugar and fat!

Since going raw I have lost some desire. So be encouraged ! I think part of it is I now think about the toxic ingredients, cooked fat, sugar, toxic nuts, food dyes and the supposed little things that get into the factory vats...so think about that.

I now make chocolate raw treats !