Training & Nutrition - Sugar Addict Help!

Okay, I am a healthy gal, slim, trim, got nice muscle tone and all... but, I am constantly craving sugar, my protein shakes and after ride tuna sandwiches just don't always cut it. So... I often go for fruits high in sugar like bananas and raisins. Somehow I'm STILL considering going to 7/11 to get a Snickers, Pop Tarts, or en entire big box of Lucky Charms, basically ANYTHING super sweet! Any advice on killing cravings for riders? No... I'm not a diabetic either, no one in the family is either. My biggest concern is keeping up my energy without being a jackrabbit on crack. Any words of true wisdom out there.

I've just started researching, does Chromium help too?

Go on a low glycemic diet; have a decent breakfast and then eat a little something with protein in it every few hours. You need to avoid sugar, predigested proteins.
If you need caffeine, have green tea.

If you can make it a couple of weeks, the cravings will subside.

I've tried the cold turkey method, really brings out the inner biotch! Maybe I'll try for longer than a couple of weeks. All it takes is some sweet sauce or a candy bar to set me off again. I am on a higher protien diet so I know I'm off to a good start. My fiance' thinks I'm a reincarnated hummingbird :eek:

For me solution was sweet tea with Splenda, and Rio candies from Trader joes. Splenda is ultra sweet so one packet is usually enough, and with 4 calories per packet no biggie. Rio candy are also very sweet and only have 15 calories, so 4-5 of those during a day is also a no biggie. Other then that Kiwis, apples, bananas, pears do the trick for me. :)

When I get the cravings, I just freakin' eat whatever I'm jonesin' for. Then it goes away.

If you're riding every day, you may actually need some more carbs and that's your body's way of telling you.

All bets are off if you're trying to drop poundage.

Az

Ah, another reincarnated hummingbird. I have a cycling friend like that. If she really pigs out she can get up over 100 lbs. She lives on ice cream and gummi bears. She also rides brevets and climbs like a witch on speed. My advice? Learn to accept yourself. Congrats on the fiance'.

I don't think chromium does anything.

Thanks for all the tips, I'm not a coffee or soda drinker so it's only the sugar, no caffiene addiction thank goodness. Splenda gives me bad stomach cramps unfortunately. Somebody also told me that the human body cannot completely digest Splenda, meaning there are traces of it left in your system, something to do with it's non-natural chemical make-up. I think kiwis are great, I'll add those back into my diet. I'm going to try to add more natural carbs like brocolli, maybe I'm not getting enough! Okay here I go again... gonna cold turkey the refined sugary stuff as best I can.

Any other tips are welcome. :D

Honey!!!

Thanks for all the tips, I'm not a coffee or soda drinker so it's only the sugar, no caffiene addiction thank goodness. Splenda gives me bad stomach cramps unfortunately. Somebody also told me that the human body cannot completely digest Splenda, meaning there are traces of it left in your system, something to do with it's non-natural chemical make-up. I think kiwis are great, I'll add those back into my diet. I'm going to try to add more natural carbs like brocolli, maybe I'm not getting enough! Okay here I go again... gonna cold turkey the refined sugary stuff as best I can.

Any other tips are welcome. :D

Thats kind of the point of Splenda, it's ultra sweet so you use more and the part that is ultra sweet doesn't get absorbed so it's just passes the usual way.... It's not 0 calories thought, just to get the same sweetness as you do if you use sugar you use less of Splenda. Thus reducing calorie intake. I think each packet of Splenda is about 4 calories. To get the same sweetness with sugar I need to use 3-4 tea spoons, over a day it adds up.

Okay, I am a healthy gal, slim, trim, got nice muscle tone and all... but, I am constantly craving sugar, my protein shakes and after ride tuna sandwiches just don't always cut it. So... I often go for fruits high in sugar like bananas and raisins. Somehow I'm STILL considering going to 7/11 to get a Snickers, Pop Tarts, or en entire big box of Lucky Charms, basically ANYTHING super sweet! Any advice on killing cravings for riders? No... I'm not a diabetic either, no one in the family is either. My biggest concern is keeping up my energy without being a jackrabbit on crack. Any words of true wisdom out there.

I've just started researching, does Chromium help too?

Well, healthy athletes need a fair bit of carbs to fuel their exercise. If you aren't eating any carbs, you are likely to be craving them.

My advice? Well, first, make sure your recovery nutrition is good. That means protein and *readily accessible carbs* (ie sugar) right after you get done, about 300 calories total. I have better luck with drinks than food, but different people have different reactions. I use endurox, and chocolate milk works well if you tolerate it. I also really like the simple carbs during rides, especially as they get beyond 60 minutes in length (most of the rides I do are 90 minutes or longer), which for me means a hydration drink.

The rest of the time, you need to get used to eating a mix of protein, fat, and low-glycemic-index carbs. If you eat a lot of sugar, not only will your taste be tuned to really sweet stuff, but whenever you eat the sugars, you spike your blood sugar up, get an insulin response, which drops your blood sugar and you get hungry again.

Fiber is also really important to moderate your blood sugar.

You might want to pick up a copy of the south beach diet. Ignore what it says when you workout, because it's not designed for athletes, but the rest is pretty good.

Thanks, what exactly is a simple carb? Natural foods? I've been skipping on lots of fiber because too much proein seems to cover the waste department pretty good (know what I mean?:eek:). Is oatmeal really considered a fiber food or carb food, I'm starting to confuse myself I think. Chocolate milk is on my next grocery list for sure. I think I might do better with filling liquids too.

Go on a low glycemic diet; have a decent breakfast and then eat a little something with protein in it every few hours. You need to avoid sugar, predigested proteins.
If you need caffeine, have green tea..
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Great answer. I use steel-cut oatmeal. Filling. Eliminates 2 hour munchies. Digests slowly. Apples should reduce appetite.

Breeding yeast needs more sugar, eating sugar makes you want more. If you cut out most all white sugar and especially high fructose corn syrup, you will perform and feel better, but it sucks like kicking a bad habit

If you can make it a couple of weeks, the cravings will subside.

I agree with this

Okay, I am a healthy gal, slim, trim, got nice muscle tone and all... but, I am constantly craving sugar, my protein shakes and after ride tuna sandwiches just don't always cut it. So... I often go for fruits high in sugar like bananas and raisins. Somehow I'm STILL considering going to 7/11 to get a Snickers, Pop Tarts, or en entire big box of Lucky Charms, basically ANYTHING super sweet! Any advice on killing cravings for riders? No... I'm not a diabetic either, no one in the family is either. My biggest concern is keeping up my energy without being a jackrabbit on crack. Any words of true wisdom out there.

I've just started researching, does Chromium help too?

Try Cinnamon!

One half a teaspoon a day with water has been known to reduce cravings; in addition, nutmeg, chromium picolinate and nuts all help stabilize blood sugar.

I once read that rubbing an ear lobe between the thumb and first finger can take away cravings. It is a sort of acupuncture.

Cravings are difficult. Maybe it is a good thing to give in to them in a limited way. Last Sunday's PARADE magazine said never to keep candy in the house, but when you crave some chocolate, go out and buy a small piece or two of really good chocolate.

My cravings are apt to come in the evening. If I can manage an hour or so of evening bike riding at about 70% of my maximum heart rate, the cravings do not hit until after I am asleep and I can probably sleep through them. A cup of hot tea after the ride is good, too.

When I get the Sugar Craving I go for a cup of hot chocolate with honey and Cinnamon.
dRINK

Drink Water Water Water Water Water

On top of the sugar addiction I am trying to drop some weight. Fiance' talked me into a big $ bet. Trying to go from 122 to 113 (I'm 5'5"), no time limit it's a race, he's gotta drop 14 lbs to win. I'm weight training and biking a lot and trying to find that good balance of fuel and workouts, the anorexic way is TOTALLY out of the question, I want to be healthy and strong, getting leaner already but the sugars are my biggest enemy. I'm taking some notes from all these suggestions that are healthy and seem doable.

So what did I bet? $3,500.00, if I lose it's his, if I win it's doubled to $7,000.00. My plan is to win, buy a new bike (Specialized Enduro SL Comp) and instantly put some weight back on. Thanks for all the tips everyone ;)

On top of the sugar addiction I am trying to drop some weight. Fiance' talked me into a big $ bet. Trying to go from 122 to 113 (I'm 5'5"), no time limit it's a race, he's gotta drop 14 lbs to win. I'm weight training and biking a lot and trying to find that good balance of fuel and workouts, the anorexic way is TOTALLY out of the question, I want to be healthy and strong, getting leaner already but the sugars are my biggest enemy. I'm taking some notes from all these suggestions that are healthy and seem doable.

So what did I bet? $3,500.00, if I lose it's his, if I win it's doubled to $7,000.00. My plan is to win, buy a new bike (Specialized Enduro SL Comp) and instantly put some weight back on. Thanks for all the tips everyone ;)

This does not sound healthy to me, neither the relationship part or the weight part.

Why does he want you to weigh that little? At 5'5" and 122 you sound healthy! You *said* you were healthy and like your weight now. Why are you messing with your healthy-slimness to win money from your fiance? You are asking for trouble, getting into the diet yo-yo cycle. To lose weight healthily the common wisdom is to do it gradually, not super fast. If you start the yo-yo, how will you stop it? You could end up FAT! or ANOREXIC!

And why do you have such a high-dollar bet with your man? Do you want him to be thinner? Does he want you to be thinner? If you lose the wieight, win, gain it back, how will he feel? Will he be mad? Ripped off? After all, he's paying $7000 for an ultra-slim wife? What if he wins? How will you feel?

This just sounds weird to me, step back and think about it.

On top of the sugar addiction I am trying to drop some weight. Fiance' talked me into a big $ bet. Trying to go from 122 to 113 (I'm 5'5"), no time limit it's a race, he's gotta drop 14 lbs to win.

You might consider picking up the Cyclo-Fuel program. I've had good luck with the other Cyclo programs, and he has some good testimonials from female cyclists.

Don't worry!!!! I'm not crazy and this is the second time I've done this bet. Last time it took me 6.5 months to lean down in a healthy manner. This is not a fast race. I gained it all back over another 3 months. AND... I won $5,000 from my fiance'. It's doable. I didn't get anorexic either, I am very conscious of eating to have energy I don't understand how women could ruin their figures that way, it's horrible and disgusting. Anyhow the cyclo thing suggestion sounds interesting. I always do research before trying something new, it's my body and I do work hard to take care of it.

Oh yeah, fiance' is a keeper, we're 11 years strong already, bout' time he frickin proposed!!!

Okay, I am a healthy gal, slim, trim, got nice muscle tone and all... but, I am constantly craving sugar, my protein shakes and after ride tuna sandwiches just don't always cut it. So... I often go for fruits high in sugar like bananas and raisins. Somehow I'm STILL considering going to 7/11 to get a Snickers, Pop Tarts, or en entire big box of Lucky Charms, basically ANYTHING super sweet! Any advice on killing cravings for riders? No... I'm not a diabetic either, no one in the family is either. My biggest concern is keeping up my energy without being a jackrabbit on crack. Any words of true wisdom out there.

I've just started researching, does Chromium help too?


I'd go visit your family doctor and get yourself screened for diabetes. Constant hunger even after eating is an indicator..