Chocoholic in Distress!! HELP!!

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

I need some serious advice ASAP!! Yet again, I went overboard on the chocolate tonight!!! I really need ideas on how to combat my chocolate cravings! I had gotten some with the intention of only having one piece every once in awhile so I wouldn’t binge on it, but that just doesn’t work cause once I have a piece I can’t stop! I feel as though I can't even have it in the house!! But if I don’t, then I end up craving it and find some unhealthy way to satisfy that craving despite knowing it’s screwing up my diet and hindering my weight lose goals! It’s like I have no control!! HeLp!!!! Anyone have suggestions?! I’m open to anything!!!

23k rep

MemberBellingham, WA

Well, the first step would be to not even bring them home if they are a trigger food you go overboard with. I'm the same way with potato chips, I cant bring big bags home. So, I just bring a small portion package home.

With chocolate, one thing you might consider is buying smaller portions of higher quality chocolate. I have an amazing chocolatier in town that I stop by now and then and just bring home a couple truffles. They are rich and cost a few bucks each so I cant go overboard with them, but it satisfies a dessert craving and keeps the caloric impact within reason.

Other thoughts...maybe sugar free chocolate candies, chocolate flavored tea, sugar free jello pudding (I use that quite a bit). You could just be habit snacking and it could be filled by other foods like crunchy veggies or calorie free drinks

1.2k rep

I have the same problem. I tried to not have any in my home, to see if it would help, but I actually had one time where I got the shakes and sweating, and I was going through cupboards like I was a stranger to my own home, found a piece of bakers chocolate and ate it. I haven't found a cure, but I do know that i'm ok if I have a little piece/day. Theres a girl at work that has a jar of hershey kisses. They're not mine, but i'm allowed to have a couple of those/day, so if I get that little bit of taste, i'm usually ok. they're not on my desk or in my home, and it helps control me. I'm the same way, i'll buy an entire bar and can't stop at one little piece.
Maybe if you can get a friend to hold your chocolate and that person can ration it out to you on a daily basis? Sounds weird but it does help. Darker chocolate also helps get the 'satisfied' feeling in faster

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

Hey Matt!
Thanks for the ideas!! I don't feel like it's habit snacking since I usually do go for the veggies in those situations. But I do love your idea of just getting one or two expensive chocolates! I always opt for the very dark ones since those seem to be best at combatting the craving! Also, I do agree that I shouldn't have them in my house!! I won't buy anything else I know is unhealthy I'll want to snack on, so I don't know why I thought chocolate would be an ok exception to that rule?! Do you have any preferences on which chocolate jello you prefer? Do you like the pre-made or homemade varieties? Sugar-free or normal? I am scared I'd eat the whole bowl, so any suggestions on keeping the portion size to a limit? I greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice!! Looking forward to any others you might have! Thanks!!

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

Hey Carrie!
LOVE the idea!!! I could definitely have my friend keep it at our clinic and keep my stash safe! Thanks and it helps knowing I'm not the only one with this issue!! I know I have an addictive personality and hence have never tried smoking or anything like that since I know I would be hooked! Can't imagine how difficult it would be to combat one of those addictions seeing how I have struggled with just chocolate!! I will definitely try your suggestion and let you know how it goes!! Thanks!!

762 rep

MemberOskaloosa, IA

One thing that has helped me is I found a Vietnamese tea called Artichoke Tea. I know it sounds odd but it tastes like really rich cocoa. A girlfriend of mine who suffers from chronic migraines shouldn't have chocolate or caffeine when her headaches spike but she agree's with me that it's a good fix for chocolate if you can't have any. I would compare it with a green tea and you don't need sugar or honey to sweeten it. A good tea shop or oriental grocery may have it.

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

Thanks AJ for yet another great suggestion!!! Do you by chance know what brand it is that you have so I could be assured I purchase the right one! Anxious to try it! Thanks!!!

7 rep

I can also binge on chololate or most any snacks. I agree with Matt, for me, sugar free chocolate pudding helps. I have learned to mix up protein powder, add some nuts, a dollop of lite cool whip and freeze individual protions. Now, it's a healthier snack with protein powder added. I'm trying to add more protein into my diet, also

94 rep

H₂i | ManagerWaxahachie, TX

one thing that helps me is these protein bars, its Oh Yeah brand and the almond fudge brownie flavor. you can get the small snack size or bigger one if its a meal, and they taste really good. better for you than a chocolate candy bar. i find myself craving those instead of a candy bar.

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

Awesome tips Melanie and Foreverhealthy!!! Thanks! I took the first step today and got the chocolate out of my house! So now I am definitely anxious to give all your ideas a try!!! If you have any others I'm open to anything!!

1.2k rep

You could try some chocolate that isn't quite such a guilt trip. I just discovered MaraNatha chocolate almond butter. It has 1/2 the sugar of Nutella. I just put the 2 tbs. serving on a whole wheat piece of toast and it was a great snack with a cup of herbal tea and it was SO GOOD.

422 rep

MemberRoseville, MN

That sounds delish, but yet again I'm scared I'd eat the whole jar since I have been guilty of the with Nutella several times. Not in one sitting, but it definitely didn't last a week! I just really need to learn self control but don't know where to begin with that!!

8.7k rep

MemberGig Harbor, WA

I have the same problem, LOVE chocolate. The darker the chocolate the better/healthier .. I satisfy my craving with dark chocolate chips (obviously limit the amount) and most recently I discovered chocolate whipped light cream in the can -- it has only 15 calories per two tablespoons.

2.6k rep

MemberFairfield, ME

I keep one bar of chocolate in the house...I get Divine Chocolate (its a dark chocolate bar, about 75%) and it comes with different things in it, raspberries, mint, cherries....its very good and a little goes a long way so I never feel like I go overboard with it. about 2 peices usually does it for me and theres 25 in a bar. Good luck with your chocolate problem, hope this helps!

171 rep

MemberSpokane, WA

I keep Cliff bars in the house, they have so many variety's. I like the Builder bars and Luna.They taste great if you keep them in the fridge. I cut one up and eat small bites when I just want a snack. You can also get your favorite yogurt and add cocoa powder or a little melted dark chocolate or melted semi-sweet chips(use portion control and look at the calories per teaspoon). I put a teas of bakers powder chocolate in my decaf coffee all the time.I drink chocolate almond or soy milk for a treat also.
When I am bad I make my tofu chocolate mousse or eat Soy Delicious ice cream.

2.7k rep

MemberMarshall, MI

Kellogg's FiberPlus bars - YUM. Dark Chocolate Almond has 35% of your daily fiber, 7g sugar, and only 130 calories.

I agree with comments about DARK chocolate - it's supposed to be better for you and will really solve the craving for chocolate flavor. Google it and you will find lots of articles. The expensive "treat" chocolates too are a good suggestion.

I can NOT keep anything in the house that I crave - it's just too hard for me to avoid when I'm anxious, bored, stressed.

Good luck!