Craving junk food and sweets

[connie50]

Its so annoying.  Anyone with more dietary experience then me have suggestions?

My thoughts:

Hormones
Mineral/ vitamin deficiency
Fatigued and looking for a sugar high
Lazy and unmotivated to eat better

I know better and have always been careful about what I eat.  I need to be mindful of glucose intolerance as its on my
horizon not to mention worried about gaining weight.

Any suggestions to help me get this figured out are appreciated.

Happy Memorial Day weekend.

[jazzlover]

Craving junk food and sweets ALWAYS means Candida/yeast for me. Always. It's a vicious cycle, but if you can break it long term you will win the battle!

[SjoDry]

Steroids make me eat like crazy 
SjoDry

[connie50]

What are other symptoms of candida/yeast?

I just caved into an ice cream bar- I feel like such an addict

[engy]

Ice cream is my vice!

I go through periods of eating so healthy & then I break down & eat chips & ice cream. I was feel physically yucky afterward but still give in to my cravings.

I'm not sure I can pinpoint why either but I an rather hard on myself after.

[sarahjane]

I crave carbs but I put that down to my thyroid. You ever had yours checked out as it is pretty common amongst us lot...

[cargillwitch]

I noted you take magnesium- try upping the amount and increasing the amount of protein you take in.

This has really helped me.

[jazzlover]

Candida symptoms:


The Way You Feel

Inability to focus, Poor memory, Brain fog, Irritability, Anger, Dizziness, Depression, Crying spells, Panic attacks, Low libido, Persistent extreme fatigue, Hyperactivity, Cravings for sweets and alcohol, Insomnia, Poor coordination.
Your Digestive System

Acid reflux, Bloating, Flatulence, Nausea, Diarrhea, Constipation, Stomach cramps, Indigestion, Burping after meals, Mucus in stool, Hemorrhoids, Itching anus.

Your Skin

Acne, Cysts, Hives, Night sweats, Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis, Fungal infections of the nails & skin, Athlete?s foot, Body odor.

Your Mouth

Thrush (white coating on tongue), Swollen lower lip, Halitosis, Metallic taste in mouth, Bad breath, Canker sores, Bleeding gums, Cracked tongue.

Your Respiratory System

Persistent cough, Mucus in throat, Sore throat, Sinus congestion, Chronic post-nasal drip, Flu-like symptoms, Hay fever symptoms, Sinusitis, Asthma.

Your Ears And Eyes

Eye pain, Itchy eyes, Sensitivity to light, Blurred vision, Bags under eyes, Ringing in the ears, Ear infections.
Your Genito-Urinary System

Recurring yeast infections, Recurring UTI?s (urinary tract infections), Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), PMS & menstrual irregularities, Fungal rash.

Your Immune System

Frequent colds and flu, Allergies, Sensitivities to food, fragrances and chemicals.
Your Weight

Inability to lose weight, Water retention, Weight loss.

[susanep]

I have been on a lot of steroids, and have been craving sweets like I am addicted. I had been eating healthy before that.

Also, after all this I had thrush, and the roof of my mouth felt like all the skin had been scraped off it hurt so much. I used some miracle mouth wash, and that helped a bunch.

susanep

[connie50]

Thank you for the very helpful replies.

I do wonder if candida is involved.   I bloat after some high carb meals, acid reflux comes and goes and can't attributeit to any one specific food,  have a very thin white coat on my tongue,  corners of my mouth crack from time to time.

Jazzlover ,  besides reducing sugars what else has helped you ?  Is acidophilus helpful?  Would like to avoid taking antibiotics unless necessary.

Cargillwitch:  I noticed the carb/sweets cravings the most when I started eating higher protein very low carbs.  How does additional magnesium help and how many mg. per day do you advise?  I think I read in a past post to take magnesium several hours after plaquenil dosage?  Which is why I usually forget to take it.

Thank you again, you are very helpful.

Connie

[warmwaters]

Focusing less on cause than solutions, since I have craved junk food and sweets most of my life (and double when on prednisone!)

Try finding small treats that touch on the sweet craving, where you can have just one. Ideas - dried fruit, a piece of hard candy, a cup of chai.

I find drinking warm liquids like tea help me want these things less.

Don't keep things that are your triggers in the house. For example, oatmeal raisin cookies (the nice soft ones) can not be in my house. Because if they are, I will eat one, and then Another, and then ANOTHER, and THEN ANOTHER! 

Celery! very chewy, takes a while to eat, and satisfies my need to have something.  I clean and cut it up ahead of time, and then just pull a few pieces out when I want something.

[connie50]

Warmwaters,  wish it were that easy for me.

The other day while out on customer calls I HAD to stop at a convenience store for a soda and candy bar.  No amount of self talk would do.  Its not a sugar low its more like I HAVE TO HAVE IT.  A little bit usually does it but the guilt is terrible.  Its a vicious cycle for sure.

[jazzlover]

Connie.. probiotics are a MUST! Can you ask your Dr for some Diflucan or Nystatin? Check out Doug Kaufman at knowthecause.com .. he has lots of good info and ideas on how to fix it.

[SjoGirl]

Eating nuts and seeds help me a lot. The fat provides a feeling of fullness and I love to crunch things.