Sugar binge cycle-need advice! page

[aeriel]

I am new to the primal world- started after thanksgiving. I have a major sweet tooth and have battled over/eating and yo-yo dieting for a couple years now. I love the primal blueprint because it's a lifestyle not a diet and lowering carbs and eliminating processed crap helps me control my eating. I have never been good at moderation. Basically now I am struggling with food when I 'cheat'. I haven't been able to last without cheating(I mean having a bread or dessert, not a primal cheat at all). Typically after one cheat it turns into many. I also tell myself that I can't have any of my old favorites for a week or so and that causes me to binge even more! How long should I go without a cheat to really control my cravings? Any other advice is very welcome, I want to be on control of my health and eating but not give up some of my favorites forever.

[Ayla2010]

I had to stop the "cheats" 100% because I was the same. After a while the urges for that stuff goes away.
Honestly, we don't need cheats, there are plenty of delicious good food we can eat while primal.
I just takes time, and patience

[magnolia1973]

you need to find new splurges. Make paleo pancakes if you need to. Eat fancy meats. Eat your favorite fruits. The more diversity you eat that you enjoy, the less tempting bread is. So spend some time finding alternatives. Also, get rid of the cheat foods. Throw them out and when you want a cookie, look at all your primal foods and find something.

It takes time- keep at it! I occasionally eat baked goods- and as long as they don't sit around the house, I don't go nuts.

[Chaohinon]

If you're obsessive about keeping carbs constantly very low, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Allow yourself to have the lion's share of fruits and whole food starches, that way your body is less likely to ache for carbs and throw you into a sugar binge.

That's just my take on things and a lot of others here would probably disagree. But look at it this way: if a few potatoes and a banana is all it takes to completely override your desire for gluten and processed sugar, then isn't that a victory?

[Ayla2010]

If you're obsessive about keeping carbs constantly very low, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Allow yourself to have the lion's share of fruits and whole food starches, that way your body is likely to ache for carbs and throw you into a sugar binge.

That's just my take on things and a lot of others here would probably disagree. But look at it this way: if a few potatoes and a banana is all it takes to completely override your desire for gluten and processed sugar, then isn't that a victory?

This is not true for everyone.
If I have potatoes or bananas, they lead to me craving more sugar also.
OP you may need to experiment and see if those foods also make you want more sugar.

[dmcb24]

I have had a binge eating disorder for years and this last year it was spiraling out of control ( along with my wine consumption). Every other week I was on a diet that I never stuck with for more than a day. Since I have started being primal in beginning of January I have not cheated at all, nor do I have the desire. I also haven't desire to drink my beloved wine. Perhaps you need to lower your carbs and eat more fat? I eat between 20-30 g carbs and 100+ g fat. For me this is how I feel satisfied. Hope this helps

[aeriel]

If you're obsessive about keeping carbs constantly very low, then you're setting yourself up for failure. Allow yourself to have the lion's share of fruits and whole food starches, that way your body is likely to ache for carbs and throw you into a sugar binge.

That's just my take on things and a lot of others here would probably disagree. But look at it this way: if a few potatoes and a banana is all it takes to completely override your desire for gluten and processed sugar, then isn't that a victory?

I am trying to lose about 8 lbs of fat and have tried I keep my carbs between 50 and 100 grams. Would you recommend no longer keeping track of this?

[aeriel]

This is all very helpful thank you! I feel like I need to give up all foods that cause me to bige, including primal foods such as sweet potatoes because I over eat those really bad but I'm afraid if I say 'no more' to these, then I will binge! Is there an average amount of time I could go without these carb or starchy foods before I can have them again that would allow me to not binge?

[Althaur]

Aeriel, I have a huge sugar habit. That was the hardest thing for me to kick when I went primal 4 years ago. I had to quit, cold turkey.

For ME, that meant nothing that was sweet, to include fruit. I might have had a piece of fruit every couple of weeks. After a while, I lost the cravings and I was able to add back in some items which were treats. 85% dark chocolate, which most people find very bitter, was quite sweet to me.

One trick that I've had some people I know do, if they are really craving something sweet have an apple. Slice it up and put a little butter on each slice. The apple helps with the sugar craving, and the butter helps blunt the affect of the sugar on your blood. Plus, it tastes pretty darn good, especially if you sprinkle a little cinammon on there.

[Karyn]

I can't cheat at all. It is as if I give myself permission to cheat more because I crave it. Maybe going cold turkey would help.