Question:
How do I handle PMS??
I am trying to make sure I don't gain any weight before I have surgery. The toughest part of the new diet I am following is that I gave up chocolate. I do really well until I am having PMS. I have to have chocolate then!! I can't seem to be able to ignore my cravings at this time. When I have surgery, this won't be possible anymore, so I am trying to get used to not having it now. Are there any ideas out there so I can learn to not give in to those awful cravings???? — Saababy (posted on August 19, 2008)
August 19, 2008
Have you tried a chocolate protein drink? Max Protein (from GNC) is a good
one with no protein taste or smell and very chocolately even made with 8
oz. of water....try some crushed ice to make it colder....or use with 1 cup
milk (or what you use for milk) with 2 scoops of the protein, a scant tsp
of vanilla favor...whiz it up good and frothy in a blender and then pour it
into the bowl of a counter top ice cream maker and freeze...it tastes just
like chocolate soft serve from Dairy Queen. My hubby loves it!
— Gena L.
August 19, 2008
Liz, I was terrible with PMS prior to my surgery, I would crave chocolate
like you wouldnt believe. After the surgery you are only able to have
sugar free things and I think because of the huge reduction in how much
sugar is being intaken, I dont crave it anymore. I dont miss it. I bought
some sugar free peanut butter cups because I was missing candy in general I
think, I took like two little tiny bites out of it, and even though it
actually tasted pretty good, I had no desire to eat anymore. There was
something about knowing all that I have gone through to have this surgery,
that I decided that I didnt actually miss it all that much to risk
jeopardizing my weight loss. Of course I have heard that in the future, it
is much harder to keep control of cravings, but if you find something to do
when they hit, you will be fine. Good Luck!
— jenniknowles
August 19, 2008
I satisfy my monthly chocoholic -attack with s/f choc pudding, s/f fudge
cycles (40 calories) Chocolate low carb protein drinks. I use slimfast
low-carb. It's a little harder to find than the Optimim. Think....what
CAN I have, instead of what CAN'T I have! Good luck on your weight loss
journey!
— lesleigh07
August 19, 2008
When I crave chocolate, I do everything to distract myself to see if I can
overcome it and just not do it. Go for a walk, make a call, etc. If after
doing that and I still fell like I just can't make it through another hour
without it, I will have a piece of a sugar free choco perfection bar from
Livinlavidalowcarb.com. They have milk and dark chocolate with and without
nuts. I also buy sugar free mini chocolate chips from the same site for
sugar free cheesecake (recipe bariatriceating.com). Sometimes a teaspoon
of them will hit the spot with a teaspoon of peanut butter when I have to
have a Reese's peanut butter cup. I also like chocolate protein pudding
from Snack & Slim or Instone's. Both have 20 gms protein and only 2
gms of carbs. You can also make your own protein pudding by adding a scoop
of your favorite protein powder to a box of sugar free fat free instant
jello pudding mix. I will substitute soy milk or an actual atkins protein
shake for the milk in the recipe on the box. It doesn't set up quite as
firm, but it is yummy. Great way to try different flavors... hard to keep
my kids out of it when I make vanilla pistachio or chocolate butterscotch
puddings.
Keep in mind I have been at this a couple of years now and I RARELY eat
these things.... they are a rare treat if I believe I am suffering and have
to have something sweet.
If you have a Smoothie King near you, they have low carb smoothies... the
chocolate banana is yummy with only 7 carbs... I will do one once in awhile
as a meal replacement, not a snack when I'm on liquids after a fill.
Remember though, I had LapBand, so I'm not exactly sure of the gms of sugar
in what I have recommended... I watch carbs closely and try to watch sugar
as much as possible. If you have RNY, you'll have to be diligent about
that to prevent dumping.
Good luck to you,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
August 19, 2008
I use the Atkins Advantage Drinks (premix) they have 16 grams of protein, 2
net carbs and 1 sugar and they taste great. I just love the chocolates and
it satisfy my chocolate cravings. You can buy them at Walmart, or some
other pharmacies. Good Luck, I am a big chocolaholic
— dyates2948
August 20, 2008
— phyllismmay
August 20, 2008
Just so you know I have not had the surgery and do not know if this will
help after your surgery. A long time ago I read an article in a magazine
saying if you crave chocolate that means you are craving magnesium. Which
Broccoli is one food that also has magnesium. I used to crave chocolate
soooo bad!! I was pregnant and could not walk by chocolate without buying
it. I really do like broccoli. I started to eat 1 cup of cooked broccoli a
day. That helped so much. I do like to eat chocolate every once in a
while, but it's not like I "HAVE" to have it. Usually a week
before my period I eat a lot of broccoli. That way it will prepare me for
my period. It also helps with being Anemic(I know there are foods which
are higher in iron, for being Anemic, but not really sure which ones they
are).
I know some people say they would never replace chocolate with broccoli,
but I don't think they truly understand how bad my craving was. I really
believe your body tells you what you need when you need it.
— ready4me_now
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