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Why do I always want something sweet after I eat?

This is a major problem. After any meal, usually lunch or dinner, I crave sweets. I need ice cream, candy, anything sweet. I've tried to have a sweetened drink, like tea or juice to curb the craving, but I ended giving in and going to McDs for icecream (it's the closest thing to my house).

Why? And how to fight?


Wed. Jun 13, 3:07pm

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It's because that's what you've been trained (or trained yourself) to want. It's a habit.

If you can, make yourself give up sweets after meals for 3 weeks (the length of time it takes you to break a habit.) The cravings after meals should disappear.

If that will not work, try to plan out your sweet treat. Maybe you need something sweet, but you'd be okay with two bite-sized tootsie rolls, so that's what you bring with you to have after lunch. Or maybe there is a super-low-cal ice cream place near your home (there's a health food store near us that has soft serve that's 10 calories per ounce; a child's cup is 3oz. I can handle 30 cals when I have a sweet craving!) Then just build the extra calories into your allotment for the day.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 3:17 PM

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Or just have a nice juicy piece of fruit for your sweet instead. How about some grilled pineapple? Or peach slices with raspberries? Or frozen blueberries and banana chunks run through the food processor for instant blueberry "ice cream"?

Yummy AND healthy

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 3:23 PM

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Usually an artificially sweetened cup of coffee does the trick for me - sorry to hear it doesn't work for you.

In the past few months I've added a serving of fruit to the end of every meal, and that's been a huge help in minimizing my cravings for brownies and cookies. I didn't really think it would have that effect, figured it was just one of those bits of perky advice that skinny magazine editors dream up, but I reach for the bad stuff about once a week instead of once a day.

I also keep sugar-free Werther's Toffees, Creme Savers or Jolly Ranchers in the house because they're the only hard candies I'm not tempted to bite and chew, so I get a lot of mileage out of those 8 calories.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 3:32 PM

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try peppermint tea. it's naturally sweet and won't feed into the sugar cycle. i agree that this is all a habit - my family also had dessert every night after dinner; it's a hard one to break. i did it with tea and a big desire to stop.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 3:37 PM

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op - I hear you

OP - I could have written your original post. I am the same way. Even if I am successful at breaking the habit for a while, some event (like a birthday party or holiday) leads me back to it. And it is an excruciating habit to break.

So, I don't have any suggestions, but you aren't alone!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 3:37 PM

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I had the same problem. When I began the induction of South Beach diet, I noticed that the craving for something sweet after meals stopped. Lends credence to the belief some are addicted to sugar.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 5:31 PM

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i keep dark chocolate squares at my desk, each one is 50 calories and seems to satisfy the craving, because it is so rich, 1 usually is good for me all day. Make sure it is over 70 %, so you get all the benefits of dark chocolate.


Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 5:44 PM

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I have the same problem as well. I am on weight watchers. I build in enough to allow myself the 100 calorie packs of cookies twice a day for a total of 200 calories and a few extra points. I figure to start this is okay and then I will wean down to one a day. I totally understand your issue here! Try the grasshoper ones by Keebler. They are really yummy, taste like a girl scout thin mint kind of! :) They come in other varities too. Weight watchers also makes some pretty good sundaes. Mint chocolate and chocolate chip cookie dough are good. Its a bad habit I guess we are going to have to break, but in moderation anything can be included in your diet. I am still losing.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 7:03 PM

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I have the same problem, mainly after lunch, not other times of day.

However, as I read while I have lunch, I just use delaying tactics.... "Oh, I'll just finish this chapter first" then another, and another. Soon enough, the craving goes away & I don't end up having any sweets after my lunch.

For dinner, we almost always have a small tray of grapes out... if I get a sweet craving then, I eat a few grapes.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 7:10 PM

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i agree its a learned behavior but soooo hard to break and fuit of sweet drinks just dont cut it..mine goes all the way back to when i was growing up....we always had something sweet after lunch and dinner

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:23 PM

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I go through the same thing... I have been having decaf chocolate flvor tea from trader joe's... I sip it SLOWLY and by then usually the craving has passed

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:31 PM

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Have you tried sugar-free gum? Does the trick for me! 5 little calories : )

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:39 PM

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Dagoba 100% cacao organic chocolate! Have 1 or 2 small pieces and it will do the trick.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 8:50 PM

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I defenitly feel the same, sometimes I'll brush my teeth or chew gum after meals which only works sometimes...

I keep ice cream in the house, pretty much the only sweet around. Edy's grand light is awesome 120 cals for 1/2 cup. You just have to be able to measure and only have that much. Lately I've been having these mini moo ice cream popsicle things for about 100 cals. I defenitly don't feel deprived or like I'm cheating either.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 10:42 PM

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you shouldn't call it a problem

really, what's wrong with having a little something (good for you) after the dinner? as previous suggestions go, have a few squares of dark chocolate, a piece of sweet fruit, or even better some super-sweet dry fruit like figs or dates. or, then, as above poster suggests, have some 1-serving desserts like popsicles or ice-cream.

and, oh, please, don't go with those suggestions on sugar-free gum, that's simply ridiculous. respect yourself, people.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 10:51 PM

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not the suger free post but to each their own. Her way of not indulging has nothing to do with self respect. Your comment was rude and you sound like a jerk

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:06 AM

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If you desire something sweet...have it! Have a piece of chocolate or one of those 100 cal packs of cookies or those little kids-cups of ice cream (100 cal as well!)...the McD probably causes you to overeat, so buy it at the supermarket.

Dont listen to these fools telling you fruit or tea will satisfy...they are not real chocolate fans :)

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 10:35 AM

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I COMPLETELY AGREE

I don't know how this habit started, but it's BAD. I can be completely stuffed and bloated and on the verge of vomiting and I will still need or want something sweet. My bf just doesn't understand how this is possible....I'm assuming it must be a learned habit. The darn fruit does not do anything more than make me think about what i can do to it....dip it in choc or have it w/ ice cream.

For me, the only thing that has worked ok is to have the 100 cal packs of cookies...the hostess ones w/ the mini cakes aren't too bad either.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:16 AM

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I have the same issue, and noticed it had to do with what I had just eaten. There's this thing called the glycemic index, and certain foods do that whole blood sugar quick rise and quick crash, which leaves you even hungrier soon after you've eaten.

The problem also got worst when I tried a low-card diet, which got rid of breads, etc. Try adding something carb-like to your meal, like a slice of whole wheat bread. The carbs are slow burning energy that don't up your sugar super fast, but instead gradually, giving you energy for a longer time.

=) Hope it works for you as well.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 3:44 PM

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It's a habit. I was the same way but I forced myself to stop and allow myself 1 low calorie sweet each day (100 calorie snack cake or skinny cow ice cream sandwich usually). I have it around 9:00 pm to curb my evening hunger and it satisfies my sweet cravings. It has taken me a couple of weeks to get used to it though, because I used to eat something sweet and high in calories after lunch and dinner every day.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 12:18 AM

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I love hot chocolate made w/green & Black cocao, skim milk and SF Irish cream syrup. 1 cup is ~150 cals and I make it very hot, put it in an insulated mug and sip it - long lasting and very saitsfying to the sweet tooth!

Friday, June 15, 2007, 12:36 AM

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