how often can I have foods that cause cravings?

[7Miriam]

I've been adding new foods every week, but this is the first time one has created a craving - I added decaf coffee, and it made me crave caffiene (it was hard not to drink more than the one serving I had planned) a lot, and also had a little bit of sugar cravings. Does this mean I should never have decaf coffee, or if I have it once in a while - like maybe once every month or every few months, that would be ok according to this WOE?

[Elizellen]

From the Rules of OWL

If new foods provoke weight gain, or return of physical symptoms lost doing Induction, or increased appetite or cravings, stop them immediately.

So the 'by the book' solution is to drop anythting that causes cravings.

Realistically it will have to be your decision as to whether you want to suffer (and hopefully resist) the cravings in order to allow yourself the food/drink that gives you them However if you can't resist you might end up slipping down that slippery slope!!

[sadie147]

You may also want to try not having the decaf coffee on an empty stomach, ie just after or with a meal/combined with a fat or protein in order to help. Sometimes combining foods can help with the cravings. ie I love apples but have them with peanut butter to help to avoid cravings after, I can't eat them on an empty stomach. If you really love your coffee, it may be worth experimenting.

[APanthesilia]

Well...for me...having a just bit of milk in my tea or cream in my coffee triggers cravings. What I do (and it certainly isn't the best thing) is still have it! I am just very aware that it will make me crave milk and I'm vigilant against it! I have never given in since I became aware that I was craving. I do it because it is worth it to me to have that bit of milk even though it will make me want more. But that is only because I am absolutely positive that I won't give in to the craving- if I ever thought I would then I wouldn't have it (I think!). I think you just have to evaluate how important your coffee is to you, how strong the cravings are and how likely you are to give in to them! But of course, giving it up would probably be the most sensible choice! I just know that realistically we sometimes don't always make the most sensible choice! Good luck!

[7Miriam]

Thank you! I decided that I am not going to have it any more, at least for now. Maybe when I get to maintenance I will try it again once in a while. But for now, it is just way too much of a challenge and I am afraid it might lead me astray. I didn't have any today, but it was super hard not to, my body was craving it all day and I had a mild headache for part of the day. It is hard to believe that just one cup of decaf, two days in a row, would have such a strong effect on me. I had not had any caffiene at all since starting Atkins about 4 1/2 months ago. I think being so free of the caffiene made me realize how this little bit affected me so strongly. I felt tired, and headachy without it.

[liv]

Decaf tend to have the same effect on me. I can have some in the morning and a bit right after a meal but I really have to restrict it and think about the amount.

[SugarFreeSheila]

It will get easier after you've nixed it - and you've already come such a long way. Keep up the good work!