Sweet tooth returning!!

[Quitstretchin']

It has taken a bit of time (over a month), but the cravings have come back. I had gone this whole time without extreme or specific cravings...now I want "sweet" things. My first go with Atkins, I wanted bread carbs when my cravings came back...this time its things like ketchup, icecream, skittles...I never realized how much I'ved missed ketchup until this week.

Not sure whats the problem...haven't cheated....only have had caffine free diet coke a few times. Otherwise, only water. Why are my cravings coming back? This, added with the poor weight loss, I am getting very discouraged and tempted big time. What gives!?! Help before I drive over to Baskin Robbins (or Wienerschnitzel for a ketchup dog!)

[Desertthorn]

Post what you ate yesterday. Maybe its something your eating. When did you start? Have you added anything to your menu lately?

[2big4mysize]

where is TOM? that can cause horrible cravings as the hormones wreck havoc with your craving controls through your Dr Brain wanting to fix you up.

If not TOM check your foods for new to you ingredients and/or new foods. check the fat content of your foods and your protein content too as too much protein will unstablize your blood sugar which in turn will effect your craving controls.

[Kent]

Well one thing you can do is take these cravings and turn them around. Ketchup is one thing that does not need to be a craving. Heinz One Carb is an acceptable alternative, and if you are really motivated, you can make your own sugar-free ketchup. Simply put, ketchup does not need to be a stumbling block.

As for the other cravings, how you handle them is up to you. For me, it was easier to stay the sweet free course. For my wife, something legal like Ziplock ice cream was a god send and killed the ice cream craving. Finally, you are still on E.I. This may be your body and taste buds telling you you need more variety and should think about moving on to OWL. You can still certainly lose on OWL, and the treat or idea of trying new foods may be enough to satiate the cravings.

[Quitstretchin']

The good thing is that the cravings aren't overwhelming (going for icecream was just a joke...kinda(smile!). I just am awfully aware of them. Yesterday, I missed breakfast (slept right through it! Its not often I get 3 day weekends). Lunch I had a green salad with a can of tuna on top with italian dressing. Dinner, I only had BBQ chicken without sauce since the BBQ get together I went to did not have Atkin friendly foods. Lots of water. Plain iced tea without sweetner. Kent, I have considered moving on past E.I. but haven't lost enought weight where I am satisfied. I'm usually a creature of habit, so I don't change up foods very often. I haven't added anything new to my menu. I will keep a close eye on my menu though for the next few days.
BTW...just took a hot bath instead of going for hotdogs or ice cream!

[Quitstretchin']

2Big,
I never really paid attention to TOM while on Atkins before now. In the past, I would have cravings the week after TOM and not during or before. I am currently 2 weeks past my last TOM cycle, so this could be it. I never really paid attention. I will look into it more next time.

[2big4mysize]

since you had bbqless chicken for dinner yesterday your fat intake could be low making your burn those proteins you had for dinner as sugars and giving you cravings today

[Elizellen]

I agree it was probably the lowfat dinner you had!
One way I coped with situations like that was to make sure I carried some sachets of mayo and a few (wrapped) pats of butter with me in case I needed to add fat to a lean meat.

[ValidRouge]

You could also be having a cephalic insulin response to the sweet taste of the diet soda. Especially if that's something new this week.

The taste of the sweetness triggers an insulin response. When the insulin gets there and there is no sugar to transport, the brain gets a signal that there's no sugar...so the brain sends you a signal "NEED SUGAR".

I think that's how it works, anyway...LOL There is a thread called cephalic insulin response. Do a search for it.

Also, the Italian Dressing may have sugars in it.

[CarbaholicJoe]

One glass of caffeine free diet coke started my cravings for sugar but my will power wont allow me to cheat