surgar binges

[mschele]

Has anyone used raw foods as a way to stop surgar bingeing? I can't seem to stop. The more raw I am during the day, the stronger my cravings are at night. Cooked foods defintely sets off a craving. I will find whatever is around to binge on. I was doing okay until thanksgiving and I have not been able to recover yet. Since my household is not 100% raw, I will always find something. Any advice.

Thanks.

[dreamrawalwz]

You said the longer raw you are in the day the worse the cravings? Those cravings are your body trying to rid itself of the poisonous foods. I myself need to stop eating the food I crave some I'm right here with you at the moment. During those moments just take a deep breaths and do self talk. Ask if you really "need" that food. Tell yourself "oh, i can have it tomorrow if i really must" and then tomorrow say the same thing...push it off. I don't know what foods you're craving. If it's junk is it possible to make a (family?) decision to become healthier?

[mschele]

Hi dreamwalz. Thank you for your response. My household is a very healthy household (although not raw). Whatever junk I have is the "healthy version". I pretty much got rid of all snacks for my kids except fruit & nuts, but come the end of the day I am out of control. I am like a drug addict searching for a fix. I will not stop until I satisfy my craving. Usually, it starts as a craving for cooked food, which leads to a surgary craving, which lead to a salty craving, which leads back to a surgar craving. For instance my day today:

3 banana's
2 oranges
salad - romaine, tomatoe, beets (roasted), olives
2 apples
my brother - in - law brought over McDonald's for my neice who I was watching, therefore when he left instead of throwing it out I then ate 2 cold pancakes with syrup, then chicken nuggets, then animal crackers, then marshmallows (which my son made me promise not the throw out), then pretzels.

Is this insane. The craving seems to be stronger than the urge to stay healthy, but then I start again the next day.

[James Smith]

Eat more fruit? Bananas, pears, apples, etc. They are sweet, so they should satisfy the cravings.

[luckitri]

dream know......I lost my sugar craving with raw until the last couple days and I have been wondering if it has something to do with the cold weather hitting where I am since the 2 came together - cold weather and sugar craving.

[Zuzu]

Has anyone used raw foods as a way to stop surgar bingeing? I can't seem to stop. The more raw I am during the day, the stronger my cravings are at night. Cooked foods defintely sets off a craving. I will find whatever is around to binge on. I was doing okay until thanksgiving and I have not been able to recover yet. Since my household is not 100% raw, I will always find something. Any advice.

Thanks.

I am the same way! I hope we can get threw this!
Goodluck!

[fairygirl]

I can totally relate...ive struggled with the sugar addiction/binges for years. Im just getting back into raw again, but i know whenever ive been both raw and cooked, i always crave sweets.
From what i know, most people who crave sugar use it as a substitute for love. At least its the case with myself. i am learning to take care and have more self love, and i can say yes, it is helping with my temporary sugar addiction.

so like someone said, if u are craving it, stop and ask yourself what u really want in that moment.

good luck! maybe we can all help each other thru this!

[misslinda]

Definately make sure you are getting hydrated.

myself, if I don't get a balance of greens, I crave unhealthy stuff. I force myself to go out and exercise---do what you have to. Grab the keys and drive to the nearest hill and walk up and down. You'll be amazed at how much a good workout will ward off those cravings and pump your blood so you can THEN think clearly :)

[juliebove]

I rarely get cravings for sugar but I do remember reading something about this when I was a kid and it sure does seem to work. The first thing to try is to eat a pickle. The sourness of the pickle will take away the craving. If that doesn't work, then brush your teeth. You're less likely to want to eat something sweet with clean teeth.

[Sunshine9]

oh my dear, I can SOO relate. When I first started eating a healthier diet, I couldn't shake the sugar. It was soo hard, and I felt like it ruled me. I HAD to have a fix a few times a day. It is a drug, and I'm sure you're aware. I would binge on anything I could get my hands on until I felt ill and totally sugared out

When I started raw I knew the sugar would be the biggest hurdle for me. I armed myself with dried fruit, all raw sweet things I could, and was ready. For me, it still was a challege. I had to PUSH THROUGH for a few tough days, the raw sweets helped moderately. My body was singin' for white sugar, but I just went on with my day and knew it was a good thing - the toxins were on their way out. That push through is so incredible though, because afterward I wasn't ruled by sugar anymore. At least not to the degree that I had been...

I think that replacing the refined white sugar with excess dates/dried fruit is a MISTAKE. Personally, just me. They still have enough sugar in them to cause blood spikes and crashes. Regular wonderful whole fruits and vegetables are good sources of natural sugar.

Also, the craving for sweet could likely be other things the body is calling out for. I know for me it was calcium, magnesium, sodium, WATER.. all the good stuff

drinking green juice really helped
making sesame seed milk (with UNhulled seeds is key) - Victoria Boutenko says drink this every day for 2 wks & the calcium will get rid of your sugar cravings
probiotics help..

You are on the right path, and it will happen if you want it. You have so much support on this board, and I know you can do this! Whatever process you need to take for yourself, starting right now where you are comfortable. I support you. Baby steps, or big steps. Whatever feels like the best way for you.

[mschele]

Sunshine, thanks for some really good advice. I have tried dried fruit and it sets me off on a binges. I just read to eat dried fruit (ex dates) with lettuce or celery and that should help.

I like the idea of Sesame Seed Milk. How do you make it? Do you just drink it plain?

Thanks.

[tvillemom]

Sunshine, I read Victoria Boutenko's book, "12 steps to Raw", and I was remembering the same thing. I need to do this myself. Make sesame milk by soaking unhulled sesame seeds overnight...drain and rinse in the am. Blend them in a blender with some dates (Victoria Boutenko says that as you continue to get the calcium from the milk, eventually you won't want it as sweet). So, dates, seeds, blended with water (I think if I remember, seed : water ratio is 1:2) like 1/2 cup of seeds, 1 cup of water. I make mine fresh every morning, but I bet you could make enough for a couple of days. (Store it in the fridge) Oh I remember when I made mine, after I strained it through a nutmilk bag, if it wasn't sweet enough just maybe add alittle honey, or put it back in the blender with more dates and restrain it. Best of luck, and thank you for sharing this. Maybe the reason more women have the sugar cravings is because we NEED more calcium. ;) Thank you for reminding me....I'm starting this tomorrow!!!
Wendi

[chilove]

Hi there,

I would suggest that you fill up on sweet fruit during the day. It is very satisfying and after a few days of eating a lot fresh, sweet fruit I bet your sugar cravings will diminish significantly!!

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Sunshine9]

Dried fruit would set off binges for me too. Tvillemom explained how to make sesame seed milk perfectly! I would just drink it plain, or add a little agave & cinnamon. Agave is a much more balanced sugar than dates.

Small goals & being gentle and loving with yourself is key

[mschele]

On day two of sesame seed milk. So far so good. I have been drinking it around 1:00, which is after I have a salad (I usually am not quite safisfied, although full). It is somewhat sweet with the dates and quite filling. Let's see if it can cure my surgar cravings.

Just curious, why sesame seed milk as oppossed to the seed itself, or tahini??? Also, does anyone know how much calcium is in the milk as oppossed to the seed?

Thanks.

[NFrawRUNNER]

been there done that....the best way I get over my cravings is to do apple cleansing....apples and water all day....unlimited amounts....1+ days until you feel better and cleansed....works for me everytime and I am NOT a "faster" by any means....love to eat! More fruit is definately going to give you more sweet and cut the cravings! Good luck!
D

[rande]

i know it might sound weird, cause it isnt very sweet, but the more green juice i drink the less cravings i have for anything! i make mine with lots of greens some lemon and some apple or stevia! its seriously like a miracle drink, and it helps me stay away from things i shouldnt be eating!

[PositiveEnergy4U]

I was a severe white sugar addict most of my life. I can now count the number of times I have had a serving of white sugar in the past 15-months since I started eating more raw on one hand. It absolutely helped!

Try some delicious whole food replacements. Coconut water is a good treat for me. I was lucky enough to pick up a few bottles of fresh organic Thai coconut water today. It is far better than any sugar ever was.

White sugar is an addiction and for me it wasn't much different than the alcohol, cocaine, and marijuiana I was addicted to 19 years ago. It is a very minor part of my life now and doesn't have any hold on me.

Best wishes. The most important thing is to know you are changing now and it is part of your past and not part of your future.