Yet another sugar dragon topic...

[baltomom86]

Alas... at least we know we are all in this together! Anyway today is my 31st day of my first Whole30. I really enjoyed it and hope to continue eating this way. I did eat some non-compliant food today, but it's all good. One meal doesn't ruin 30 days of great eating.

Anyway, my sugar dragon is pretty fierce. While I have definitely tamed it some, I definitely have a ways to go. One pattern I have yet to kick is as follows: for one reason or another I have a bad night sleep and the next day I am pretty zonked. It's hard to keep moving and stay W30 true, but I eat my 3 meals and I am OK. However, not too long after dinner I am feeling really hungry/peckish/my stomach had turned into a bottomless pit. Then I start eating nut butter,fruit and dried fruit. Then I way over eat on that, and the next day I have indigestion and diarrhea. It's hard to get into a good pattern the next day too, since I feel sick and don't eat beakfast. then I'll feel hungry and try and stick it out and eat 3 meals... you get the picture?

Any advice about breaking this horrible pattern?? TIA!

[JJB]

I have days where I just can't seem to feel satisfied, although I know I've had plenty to eat. I don't keep nut butters or dried fruit in the house...I just can't. I rarely buy fruit either. While it's never a great thing to overeat, when I'm feeling that way I just do my best to stick to pickles and vegetables. I refuse to feel badly because I ate an extra bag of frozen green beans or a handful of carrots. The strong flavor of pickles does help quell my cravings sometimes too.

[LadyM]

I'd recommend having a loving and compassionate talk with yourself about why you continue to do things that cause you suffering. Perhaps even write a letter to yourself.

 

That, and simply keep the stuff that tempts you and makes you sick out. of. the. house.

 

TBH, though, I did the same thing my first whole30. Then I did another one without fruit. And another one without nuts and nut butters. I went from eating something sweet and compliant after meals to having tea with coconut milk to having tea without coconut milk to having nothing after a meal. It's been a process. But one of the most worthwhile processes of my life.

[ladyshanny]

Lack of sleep or reduced quality sleep can cause carbohydrate cravings. I think you can probably try a few things.

A) if you are hungry after your dinner, eat protein and fat and a bit more veggies. Not just straight fruits and nut butters.

A1) remind yourself that you're about to give yourself massive diarrhea if you eat that. Should be a decent deterrent!

on days when you have slept poorly the night before, try adding some carbohydrates to your mid day meal to head off the need at the end of the night.

C) *best option* go to bed. Seriously, your body is probably tired from the previous poor night and you are misreading the signals for sleep as a desire for food. You know that amazing feeling you get when you've had a long day and you finally lay down in bed and your whole body just tingles with relief? I liken that to the feeling I get when I eat a lot of sugar. Try hitting the hay instead of the kitchen cupboards.

[baltomom86]

Ok. One reason I hope to extend my w30, is that not only do I feel great, but I hope to really stick it to the dragon. sucks to be you sugar dragon!

[MTNan]

Have you tried tea in the evening rather than eating? Getting a little fresh air might help: take a walk around the block, or just stand outside for 10 minutes and enjoy the air and whatever view you have. Distract yourself from how miserable, tired, and hungry you feel.