dikilah Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 3 weeks and I am still struggling with cravings. I am still struggling with eating between meals. My foods of choice, to meet my cravings are raw almonds and coconut flakes. I have eaten 700 calories worth of raw almonds and coconut flakes in a seating. I dont know what to do. I am not hungry, I just want to eat. I am feeling really frustrated at how much my life revolves around food. The harder I try to be mindful of what I eat the more I obsess and think about food. I have been bloated for as long as I can remember and one of my reasons for engaging in whole30 was to determine if the foods I eat are affecting me in this way. Its hard and I am feeling defeated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia Jaybird Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm right with you on cravings! They seemed to disappear for the first week or so of the Whole30, then snuck back up during the second week and were roaring on the third. My cravings are usually for sugar. Here is what I have done: - Do not buy foods you know will trigger cravings. Refusing to keep them in the house is one of the only things that helped me. The work day is still tough as there are tons of treats around. - If you tend to snack at work, pack extra food for your lunch--way more than you expect to eat. It sounds like the foods you crave provide fat, so maybe pack a small avocado. I like to eat them plain with a spoon, or sprinkle salt on it. Chopped avocado with strawberries and mint also provides a refreshing "salad". When you feel a craving for one of those other foods, choose something from your delicious, prepared lunch to eat if you're actually hungry. If not, distract yourself with a task or a short walk. - Think about what you desire from the snacks you eat. Is it the taste, or is it actually the crunch, or is it simply the action of eating? If you just want something crunchy to munch on, fill your lunch with raw vegetable slices to satisfy that urge. I too felt defeated when I felt powerless to overcome my sugar cravings. I think the Whole30 is a wonderful way to get in tune with your body and get a fresh start. It's important to keep addressing this after you finish too! For me and sugar, I learned this the hard way by having a big sugarbomb right after the W30. I basically had the same effects of a hangover. I've learned that moderation is very difficult for me and I tend towards the all or nothing category--the easiest way for me to stay healthy is to keep sugary treats out of the house and only indulge when they are very special, like when celebrating an occasion or eating something made specially by a friend. Then I still get my indulgences as well as the social/emotional pleasure that (to me) is inextricably linked. This is not to say I'm perfect--far, far from it!--but even when I stray, I know that this is a good framework for me to aim for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikilah Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 Thank you Alicia Jaybird. Its nice to know that I am not alone. And it has been similar for me. The first week I had the worst cravings then it seemed to get better, then all of a sudden they are back. Thanks for your feed back too. I cant have almonds around me right now. And I like the avocado idea too. More than anything it was nice to hear from someone who has been and is on this journey too. I am surrounded by people who see this as a fad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia Jaybird Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Agreed. My friends were already used to me being "weird about food" (e.g. Paleo) but since the Whole30 required saying no even more often, or not even having a little bit of whatever food they offered or being able to eat at a certain restaurant, I think they felt it was quite annoying. But it's only 30 days! Plenty of people follow silly trends for longer, and your "fad" is actually a tool that can contribute to a better understanding of your body and nutrition in the long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny M Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Are your meals themselves large enough? Maybe increase their size or add an extra full meal. Maybe you're actually hungry? I would eat more to keep yourself full and maybe do some stress management. Stress and the hormones that come with it are a fairly common trigger for people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikilah Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Whole30 has definately forced me to confront the way I relate to life and stress - I avoid. With food, tv, internet, alcohol. I will try to eat larger meals. And I will not keep, in my house, my go to 'snacks'. I am thinking of going longer than 30 days to figure out how to deal with emotional issues. Thank you for your feed back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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