Can I do it? Can i give up chocolate?

[lauraelmore1033]

I find some of those energy bars which balance the sweet (carbohydrates) with protein to be quite satisfying. I love Balance bars which come in many decadent flavors like chocolate mint and caramel and nut. I'm told we should eat about 100 calories per hour of riding, and so for a 30+mile ride, for instance, I feel absolutely obligated to eat at least one and a half of these delicious treats. I've lost more than 30 pounds over the last year eating this way, so I must not be too far wrong. Having permission to eat candy while riding reduces much of its allure. I even give myself permission to have them when I'm not riding. They don't give you the blood sugar crash that candy does and they go a long way toward alleviating that terrible, desperate, doing-without feeling that can lead to binging.

[smilingcat]

Many of the comments remind me of "Why French Women don't get Fat" book. French snobbery is quite obvious in the book but the jist of it all is eat only high quality and in small portions. The high quality will satiate your desire to eat volume.

Anyway, I do agree about eating dark chocolate 70% cocoa content. one or two small truffles with coffee. And let the truffles melt in your mouth and savior the taste. When you eat it slowly like this, your hunger mechanism in your body has a chance to respond and tell you its enough.

And you don't have to go to Godiva for the chocolate (IMHO, after godiva was bought out by Nestles about 20 years ago, their truffles have taken a nose dive. Its not the same from pre-Nestle days).

You can find very high quality chocolate at Trader Joes. Really. oops just realized Thistle is down under so Trader Joes means nothing to her. but for those here in US its a thought.

Lindt chocolate is very very good high quality and its cheap.
Peters chocolate (Its American) is still good but it was recently acquired by Hersheys ??

I use Callabaut bitter chocolate (65% cocoa) from Belgium in my brownies, double double chocolate-chocolate chip cookies...

Shawn

[Bikingmomof3]

Thistle,
You have been giving some great advice. I know for me, banning a food does not work. That said, only you know how you feel. What concerns me is if you choose to give up chocolate, your coping mechanism, what do you have in mind to replace the chocolate? You will still need some form of coping mechanism(s) in place. Just a thought. Keep us updated and we are here for support.

[Thistle]

Thanks for all the responses. It was great to read them!

I really appreciate your opinions and your personal stories. Ace i really relate to what you said.

I am seeing a counsellor and a dietitian and have been for a while. They have been trying to "move" me to a non-hunger type eating that doesnt involve applying moral judgements (such as "good" and "bad") to food, but rather eat what you want if you really want it (as opposed to eating for coping mechanisms). It's based on Rick Kausman's work www.ifnotdieting.com.au. I've read his book and agree with all the principles and agree that diet research shows restrictions dont help with overeating... but....I am really struggling with this, and feel like my eating (of chocolate) is way out of control I am getting really scared that this will never change. I have made some changes, sometimes i am aware of eating for emotional reasons and i havent eaten as much, but the underlying "eat for comfort" is not changing and i'm panicking

hence, the "if i can give up diet coke (and boy did i love that) maybe i can give up chocolate".

There was definitely a theme of going with dark chocolate, preferably good quality, and that makes sense. I know dark chocolate is lower GI than milk and so wont spike my blood sugar levels the same way. maybe i can try that.

I am really so frightened... which sounds silly, but i am . I didnt have any chocolate yesterday, and i feel really good, but i'm realistic enough to know that it wont be long before that coping mechanism is screaming my name.

I have tried to replace eating with sudoku and kakuro. I feel strongly i need something to do with my hands, and something i can take with me on social outings and do. obviously these puzzles dont qualify! i've tried a rubik's cube, but it's too hard and i get frustrated. i kind of wonder if a stress ball-type toy would help.

Anyway, before this becomes a book, i'll stop. I appreciate the comments, and welcome any more feedback. It really helps to hear your opinions. I will wait for the next chocolate craving and try some lindt dark chocolate (no we dont know about trader joes downunder , but i do know about every type of chocolate available to man in this country!).

Thanks for the feedback and feel free to send me more. I really appreciate your views and experience.

Thea

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Years ago when I gave up smoking I realized taht aside form the nicotine there was a comfort/oral thing going on that would make it very hard to quit. I got tons of sugarless mint gum, and every time I had a cigarette craving I would chew on gum. Sometimes it took two pieces. By the time the gum was all chewed out my jaw was sore and my mouth was super minty and I was distracted from my craving for a while. You might want to keep some mints or gum handy for a while until you get the upper hand on the chocolate/sugar binging.

[run it, ride it]

Oh boy, I second the gum. Hardly ever chew on it--just enjoy the taste. Chewimg gum can wreak havok on the cartiledge in your jaw, so don't wear it out. But mostly I just say that 'cause I know I'm not the only one driven up the wall by a loud gum-chewer.

See? We all have our issues