Any tips on how to give up chocolate?

[Susanna77]

Even though I don't eat half as much chocolate as I used to, my tendency to gain weight, makes it impossible that I have a small bar a day. (Believe me I used to be the big bar a day kind of girl).

I can go through long periods of not eating chocolate, but just like an addict, it's going past the first week without that's the problem (then I'm more or less fine). I feel like climbing up the walls on the first few days. Usually, going past the withdrawal symptoms means that I crave lots of tea and coffee (which calms me down for a bit but then I'm more anxious as caffeine kicks in).

I lost 14kg last year, and I have just started exercising. I don't want chocolate to spoil it.

I know about meditation, exercise, etc to calm my nerves...maybe I am being naive but...has anyone tried anything that put them off something they really crave?

[ken nubo]

mhmm it all boils down to will power.

Or replace chocolate cravings with apples.

[Angela Leeds]

Or switch to healthy chocolate and view it as food!

I frequently use raw cacao powder in my live green smoothies...it's delicious, high in magnesium and antioxidants, has proven itself to me as an appetite suppresant -- both energizes and satiates me. great stuff.

I use about 3 Tablespoons for a nice dark-chocolate flavor, and I usually pair with fresh spinach or parsley. For sweetener I use either banan or raw honey. And I include hemp seeds and/or raw coconut oil for creaminess (and their both super-healthy in their own right). I also like to add a 1-2 inch piece of vanilla bean. Sometimes I add some maca powder, and a dash of Himalayan crystal salt.

Very good stuff...

[jokerman]

I encourage you to not give up chocolate entirely, but simply don't over-indulge in it. I realize that eating just a little may seem tantalizing, like having just one drink if you're an alcoholic, but ultimately the healthiest approach is not fearful abstinence but enlightened moderation. Now that you've recognized a harmful addiction, you have a good opportunity to truly get at the root of addictive behavior in general, and learn a higher order of self-mastery applicable to many situations. Instead of outright killing the apparent enemy of this specific addiction, transcend the root problem—the fear of losing self-control–by consciously co-existing with your insecurity, and respecting and compromising with your temptations instead of denying or resisting their existence.


Something to try…

--Eat only dark chocolate, and just a little square of it a day (like literally 1-2 bites). I personally love dark chocolate, as its chocolaty-ness is unbridled and almost intoxicating. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, and actually quite good for you in small doses. Milk chocolate is higher in sugar, and the milk neutralizes much of the antioxidant benefits. Get a bar of extremely high quality artisan chocolate and savor it like a good novel or a glass of wine. Note the flavors, textures, and appearance. If you're so inclined, write a review of the bar. Truly investigate the chocolate, and discover its essence. Does it have a "soul"? Is it just a composite of individual flavors? Do your best to solve the "mystery" of chocolate. When you're done with your little bit, feel the lingering taste slowly disappear from your mouth and mourn the loss...until tomorrow.

[liamona]

I'm really proud of the fact that I hardly get chocolate cravings anymore (something that's rare for a woman!). What works for me is to eat a high-fat, low-carb diet (emphasis on fat rather than protein), and to take good magnesium supplements (not magnesium oxide).

The other thing that helps is Sweetleaf's Milk Chocolate sweetener. It's just stevia and natural flavors. I like adding it to smoothies, cream or softened cream cheese.

[painofsalvation]

Like Angela said, raw cacao could be the way to go.

I use it in my smoothies, usually with bananas, dates, water and raw cashew nuts. You won't need to feel guilty anymore.

[Angela Leeds]

I call it live green choco-vibin'.

Live greens and raw chocolate go great together...was marvelous discovery!

[Raymond Burton]

Hi Susanna, I figure we are all in here for a bit of conversation and advice so I did my answer to you in a video. Cheers,
YouTube - Chocolate Isn't So Bad

[andrew]

While normally I would have suggested to some simple NLP to take care of it, I really want to say I appreciate your post jokerman, it really got me thinking. Thank you.

[dice]

Replace with boyfriend.

[Susanna77]

Originally Posted by jokerman

I encourage you to not give up chocolate entirely, but simply don't over-indulge in it. I realize that eating just a little may seem tantalizing, like having just one drink if you're an alcoholic, but ultimately the healthiest approach is not fearful abstinence but enlightened moderation. Now that you've recognized a harmful addiction, you have a good opportunity to truly get at the root of addictive behavior in general, and learn a higher order of self-mastery applicable to many situations. Instead of outright killing the apparent enemy of this specific addiction, transcend the root problem—the fear of losing self-control–by consciously co-existing with your insecurity, and respecting and compromising with your temptations instead of denying or resisting their existence.


Something to try…

--Eat only dark chocolate, and just a little square of it a day (like literally 1-2 bites). I personally love dark chocolate, as its chocolaty-ness is unbridled and almost intoxicating. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, and actually quite good for you in small doses. Milk chocolate is higher in sugar, and the milk neutralizes much of the antioxidant benefits. Get a bar of extremely high quality artisan chocolate and savor it like a good novel or a glass of wine. Note the flavors, textures, and appearance. If you're so inclined, write a review of the bar. Truly investigate the chocolate, and discover its essence. Does it have a "soul"? Is it just a composite of individual flavors? Do your best to solve the "mystery" of chocolate. When you're done with your little bit, feel the lingering taste slowly disappear from your mouth and mourn the loss...until tomorrow.

I only eat dark chocolate. But I find it easier (if that can be said) not to eat it at all, then have one square.

Chocolate has a soul. It's a happy soul and it cheers me up

[Susanna77]

Originally Posted by dice

Replace with boyfriend.

got a husband? does that count?

[Susanna77]

Originally Posted by Raymond Burton

Hi Susanna, I figure we are all in here for a bit of conversation and advice so I did my answer to you in a video. Cheers,
YouTube - Chocolate Isn't So Bad

Wow. I was expecting some chocolate related video and I had a shock when I realised you were reading my post.

That was really REALLY helpful and a great tip: when I exercise, have the chocolate, when I don't...don't have the chocolate. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. (Extra incentive to exercise).

Here's the one I have:

YouTube - Magnum Chocolate ad

[DonnaPage]

Eat chocolate w/o the sugar, raw cocoa powder, a little taste takes away the craving, then you will know if it is chocolate your are craving or the sugar.

[lisamelinda]

maybe a 30 day no choc trial? Then would you really want to have it on day 31, and start the cycle of craving again..? *bites into apple*. just kidding, well i was eating an apple, but i have also had my choc affairs. I'm very all or nothing though, so if i am very healthy, then i don't eat it. but in even slightly unhealthy patches, it creeps in.

[Parthon]

The physical addiction to food dies down in only a few days, then it may resurface when your liver gets rid of old toxins, but for it to be so strong after so long is purely a mental addiction.

Given this I have to ask: What does chocolate give you that you can't get from elsewhere?

[yoopersmith]

I have addictions too...tobacco (smokeless...I KNOW ick!), caffine, beer (micro brew "beer snob" beer), and others...

...thing is, I have beat them all like you, then I return to them...probably due to stressful situations.

Chocolate is three things really...you want all three for various reasons.

- SUGAR-
- MILK -
- Little bit of chocolate -

My wife could answer this one...she is an admitted sugar addict, and loves it!!! Even though her thyroid and general overall health suffers, she continues to eat the sugar and wonder why she's sick.

I suggest you change the way you eat all together, and don't deny a craving until you honestly and consciously no longer want it...WILL POWER will only really feed the addiction...if you consciously feed the beast you can at least control yourself with some measure of consistency...while not falling off the cliff.

I recently started trying this Waist Management Plan...it's not really a diet at all and is very easy to follow:

You on a Diet

I did a web page about my first week on the plan:

YOU on a Diet

Even if you don't think you need to lose weight or shirk your waist...this is a very informative and funny book that might help you eat right and help you ease off the sugar-milk-chocolate MONKEY on your back.

CHEERS!

[Angela]

A couple of weeks ago I re-filed Ben and Jerry's ice cream as something I don't enjoy (previously it was something I loved -- I was something of a junkie) using an NLP technique called Like to Dislike or "Mapping Across." I have had no cravings since then -- very new way of being for me.

This technique might help you get past Hell Week. If you want to, you can put chocolate back where it was (as a "like") later.

[bman]

For a start, eat a different kind of chocolate.


The one that doesn't contain dairy elements, and way less sugar or none.

[Susanna77]

I really appreciate all the input. I always get amazing ideas/solutions from this forum which is great.

I'm going to go with Raymond Burton on this one and if that fails (that is, if I put weight on) I'll have to refer back to this forum.

Chocolate really is my only "sin". I very rarely drink, very rarely go to a fast food joint, don't do fried foods...and this is not hard for me because I have a mediterranean kind of diet. It's how I was brought up.

However, I've always been overweight (my mum usually corrects me at this point and says "no you weren't - you only got fat when you came off baby food". Thanks Ma!

Losing weight is quite something for me (and I've been tested for all sorts). At the end of the day it might be as simple as this: my dad was always fat and I took after him.

One thing though: I never liked exercising and I am finally doing it. I'm loving 1 hour power walk! Can I do this and lose/maintain weight while eating chocolate? I'll keep you posted.

[Nourishing]

YouTube - Fox News Kills Monsanto Milk Story

be very weary of your milk.


the more bacteria in your milk, the more pus and blood being spurted into you from the cow being attacked by monsanto gmo products.


for chocolate - buy organic..

and taste the difference

[Honeywith4bees]

Originally Posted by Angela

A couple of weeks ago I re-filed Ben and Jerry's ice cream as something I don't enjoy (previously it was something I loved -- I was something of a junkie) using an NLP technique called Like to Dislike or "Mapping Across." I have had no cravings since then -- very new way of being for me.

This technique might help you get past Hell Week. If you want to, you can put chocolate back where it was (as a "like") later.

Angela, this is very interesting. Could you expand please?

[yoopersmith]

I'm loving 1 hour power walk! Can I do this and lose/maintain weight while eating chocolate? I'll keep you posted.

You might try the 20-minute free workout video on the "You on a diet" page (link in previous post) every other day...it will help a lot with the weight loss effort.

You can do it...come back here for inspiration.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Honeywith4bees

Angela, this is very interesting. Could you expand please?

Here is a video of a demonstration of the process.

[magi13]

I'm a lean guy but I do eat a lot, even chocolates. I was a little fat this year, but I got leaner than I was in college.

You just need to find time to exercise and drink a lot of water.

As for me, I'd drink water before I eat anything or exercise. Result is I'm happy, healthy, leaner than before, fulfilled and still eat chocolates.

[Honeywith4bees]

Originally Posted by Angela

Here is a video of a demonstration of the process.

Oh Thanks! I'll watch it after I get the kids taken care of.

[Giesel]

Eat other sweets instead like dried fruits. If it's really hard for you, try suger-free chocolate.

[Angela Leeds]

Originally Posted by Raymond Burton

Hi Susanna, I figure we are all in here for a bit of conversation and advice so I did my answer to you in a video. Cheers,
YouTube - Chocolate Isn't So Bad

Ray, this was thoughtful and great! What a nice video...

And I completely agree...in the context of her primarily healthy habits, what's 1/2 a bar a day?

Susanna, IME, not much is ever achieved by resisting something one really wants. Just keep going in the direction of what's good for you and don't worry about the rest.

And still, I also urge you to explore a change in mindset about chocolate being "bad". It's heavily marketed as such, but it's the crap that's normally in chocolate bars & candies that is unhealthy. Cacao itself is actually quite healthful, if it agrees with your constitution.

You might want to consider a quality chocolate bar. Green & Black's "milk chocolate with almonds" is amazing...very high cocoa content, all organic...and doesn't "vibe" like candy at all. I'm an athlete and usually bring it with me to competitive events, and have even enjoyed it with a glas of red wine for dinner on occasion. It feels like *food* in my body, not candy. So maybe explore that chocolate is not all created equal.

[Angela Leeds]

Originally Posted by yoopersmith

Chocolate is three things really...you want all three for various reasons.

- SUGAR-
- MILK -
- Little bit of chocolate -

My wife could answer this one...she is an admitted sugar addict, and loves it!!! Even though her thyroid and general overall health suffers, she continues to eat the sugar and wonder why she's sick.

Thing is, I bet if she switched from white sugar to unprocessed cane sugar (rapadura) she wouldn't feel the sugar-craving crazies as she does. And instead of milk she could make a fresh creamy milk from almonds soaked overnight. Heat it up with a good healthy portion of raw cacao powder to make a nice dark hot chocolate, sweeten with the unprocessed cane sugar, and her body will likely feel very stable and nourished. That's a drink that's rich in calcium, magnesium, and probably iron from the cane sugar. Plus the lovely theobromine from the cacao...that's a great vibe of well-being. No wonder people crave the combo!

I think that the crazy addictive tendencies that are so common in our culture often come from consuming foods that are stripped or separated somehow from their natural state. But even substances such as cane sugar impact the body differently when consumed closer to its natural state.

It's just what my own experience has borne out...it's true that people have different experiences with food.

[Andrew Brunelle]

I wouldn't advise giving it up at all. I eat 85% and 86% cacao and it is a wonderful health food. And if you're a really health-conscious person, switch to cacao nibs and put them in a trail mix. That's also very tasty. Just make your chocolate healthy.