[Evermind]

There are several schools of thought about that sweet tooth issue.

Many people (but not Dr. Atkins so much!) advise that we "kill" it by avoiding all sweets until the craving is gone. Others believe that splenda-sweetened treats are ok in moderation.

I go with the latter. I have no desire to eliminate my sweet tooth. It ebbs and flows, usually with my hormones, but sometimes for no apparent reason. Having a dessert or something sweet has never, ever triggered other cravings for me, nor has it stalled me.

So what do I keep around? Well, I have crustless pumpkin pie for breakfast every day. On weekends, I make myself a hot or cold mocha using coffee, cocoa powder, cream, and splenda. This week, there's jello mixed with cream cheese in the fridge. And if I feel like having my spaghetti squash with splenda and butter drizzled on top, I will.

Another thing I occasionally make is dark chocolate "bark". I take a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil and heat it on the stove, mixing in a teaspoon of cocoa powder and some splenda. When it starts to bubble, I pour it on a plate and stick it in the freezer. It chills in minutes, and is yummy - a little will go a long way.

I don't eat sweets constantly. But it's there when I want it. And it's always mixed with something high in fat, so it fills me up in small quantities. If feeling deprived makes you go out and binge, try to have legal things around to satisfy that sweet tooth.