Curing Addiction (To Chocolate)

Okay... so I get a really good trail mix, I usually make my own, with cashews, macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, peanuts, almonds and then add in some (not too much) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or m&m's.

Then, I can get a few nice handfuls, get some good energy and vitamins while getting a taste of my chocolate craving. It helps keep those intense cravings at bay.

Dark chocolate IS good for you, you know, just use some some-control for the portions :)

BUG---- go to chocoley.com they have nut and (I believe) dairy allergy free chocolate there. It's high quality and delicious.

http://www.chocoley.com/

Since I was at the Safeway at 11:00 last night buying a German Chocolate cake, I am the last person even remotely qualified to answer this question. And what's even sicker, I'm not sure I want an answer. I really do enjoy chocolate! ;)

Does this mean I'm pregnant...? I LOVE chocolate, just saying..

Actually, chocolate has some great properties to it, just google it. But eat the dark chocolate (not milk chocolate), organic if you can. I like the bars that are 70% chocolate and 30% sugar, so you get that nice chocolate flavor w/ less sugar but not too much bitterness. You can find such chocolate at your healthier grocery stores.

I have been reading the Magnesium Miracle and it mentions chocolate cravings as a sign of Magnesium deficiency. If you're getting a lot of calcium (e.g. supplements), that can rob you of Magnesium. Check the book out from your library (if they have it) and see if you recognize any of the other symptoms they mention. When I was following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet with my daughter, my craving for chocolate completely disappeared. Once I started adding junk/processed foods into my diet when I wasn't home, the chocolate craving came back.

Good luck!

I have done this/still do this as well. bananas and increasing my milk intake have made a difference. The older I get the better it has become, but these two things have helped. I also designate a chocolate dessert for those times and it seems to hold off the terrible cravings. I found that if I abstain it only makes it worse, planned and controlled amounts help. Moderation is the key. Hope this helps!

Take Care...

The nutritionists I used to work with, said a magnesium deficiency can lead to intense chocolate cravings. Incidentally, magnesium deficiency really contributed to extreme cramps with me. Once I started getting my magnesium up, my cramps were so much better/ I craved chocolate, but I have nut and dairy allergies. It's impossible for me to find chocolate at the grocery store. The magnesium supplements (you want whole foods supplements...not the store, but supplements made from whole foods) REALLY did help, and my cravings went away!

I think it's a lack of magnesium that triggers chocolate cravings.

So really isn't not the craving it's the portion control that you are having an issue with. I eat dark chocolate every day. Every single day. But I only have 1 square. I'm not depriving myself of a treat I'm just watching my portion. And yes it's hard knowing that I could just open the rest of them and shove them in my mouth at any time however I've got pictures of my beautiful grandchildren on the front of the cabinet as a reminder that I was to be around to watch them grow into adults and I need to be healthy to do that. Figure out what is a good motivator for you and see if that works. Hi triglycerides aren't going to lead anywhere good.

I heard once that eating a banana when you're craving chocolate helps stop the craving.

Hey, until you figure this out, try to switch real chocolate with chocolate cereals...at least you'll ingest less calories. I just ate a cup of my favourite yogurt with dark choc. cereals and it was really filling and decadent...yummy!!! I hope you can find a good replacement.

Damn now I want chocolate!

At one time I was dieting and ate a balanced diet (You know 2 milks, 3 fruits, 4 starches, 5 vegetables, 5 proteins...) and I did not crave sweets or chocolate. Since I haven't been watching LOOK OUT! So I agree that there must be some dietary definiency.

Oh, you're making me get chocolatitis right now. No, it's not your fault. It's my responsibility what I put in my mouth.

Are you eating a balanced diet? It's easy to pop chocolate instead of popping what the body really needs, so you want to eat healthy stuff first.

I have found that dark chocolate is very worthwhile, and I don't gobble as much of it. It isn't as sweet.

I also try eating chocolate slowly, just one piece at a time (keeping the other ones in another place, away from my grabby hands). You might find that fewer pieces are just as satisfying, if you'll give those few pieces a chance to let your brain know that it should be happy.

I've also discovered that if I can manage to stay away from the milk chocolate for a while, it (gasp!) doesn't taste quite so good when I go back to it.

try a cup of hot chocolate. when i had cravings and didn't have chocolate around the house, that's what i would do.