Addicted to chocolate

[ktt]

Hi everyone
I'm a recent convert to veganism! The probably is I have a serious chocolate addiction.. like i MUST have it or I start eating everything else in site.
And i'm finding it so hard plus I'm trying to lose weight so it really doesn't help at all

Does anyone know how I can overcome this?

[openeyes]

What side effects have you experienced from your chocolate consumption? What kind do you eat?

[ktt]

I eat any kind.. mainly dark though and (just recently) organic.

Well I eat it because it really makes me happy.. as stupid as that sounds. It really is an addiction.

Negative side affects is that I feel guilt when I eat it, it definately contributes to me gaining weight, majority has milk in it (bad).

If I even think about chocolate I want it...............this thread is making me want some right now..

Is there any way I can mentally train myself to just have 1 square and stop? or just dislike it in general? If I have one piece, I'm out of control

[openeyes]

My girlfriend and I exclusively buy dark chocolate, with the cheapest being 72% cocoa and some being effectively a very smooth baker's chocolate at 99% cocoa. Some people on here may have different experiences, but we tend to do rather well with it, don't notice any negative side effects, and in fact find we have less interest in other sweets when we've had some dark chocolate, which is actually rather nutritious. Too many people are afraid of dietary fat.

Chocolate - Health Benefits of Chocolate

In my experience, getting plenty of veggies/green smoothies is rather satiating as well.

[Cochonette]

Hi, ktt. I recommend watching this video clip: YouTube - Carol Adams video

It is just a woman talking about how a book "The Sexual Politics of Meat" helped change her relationship to food and to overcome anorexia. Might help (no guarantees).

Other than that, I dunno. There are definitely plenty of vegan chocolates. Do you cook? I tell you, some of the best recipes I've used had chocolate (and they're vegan, of course, because I'm vegan). Chocolate-blueberry pancakes! Won't help you lose weight, though. I have to work on self-discipline myself... making use of Steve's articles on the subject right now.

[bluedragon]

Originally Posted by ktt

Is there any way I can mentally train myself to just have 1 square and stop? or just dislike it in general? If I have one piece, I'm out of control

Of course there is: meditation for example. Or finding a substitute, for example, a blueberry banana shake. Or just eat raw cocoa, I heard it is considered a superfood. It won't taste like chocolate, cause it's got no sugar, but once you get used to it, I guarantee you you'll be enjoying it much more, and with no feelings of guilt too. I drink hot cocoa - I prepare it the same way I would prepare black tea (I pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of cocoa), but I can't find any raw cocoa around here, so I just buy plain cocoa from the supermarket - the best quality I can find. I love cup of cocoa! It makes me happy too. I couldn't even dream of adding sugar, it would be just gross. I always liked it plain.

For me, it helps to have a model who is by definition impervious to addictions, such as a movie character who is unaffected by emotion. Or someone in your life you really like - but not just in general - someone who you appreciate for his attitude towards that vice. Someone who, when he says "chocolate is a poor substitute for a good banana shake" for instance, it makes you filled with admiration. Whenever you crave chocolate, you just imagine being that person and saying whatever he is usually saying, in your mind.

[Jthorn]

Why deprive yourself of something you like so much?

You are allowed to eat cocoa seeds as a vegan, aren't you? Using these you can make your own chocolate stuff. I believe there are books and you can probably find recipes online. I would avoid using agave syrup as a sweetener though, which seems often recommended.
The seeds themselves are very healthful and have the distinct chocolate taste, although they are bitter.

[ktt]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your responses!


I know with being a vegan, I can definately still have some kind of cocoa/chocolate.. the problem is really that once I start eating it, I just can't stop.

I do cook, but I feel like if I bake something (say a batch of vegan choc cookies), I'll eat the whole lot.

I don't think this is just about chocolate, I think I'm addicted to sweet food in general, and it's making it nearly impossible for me to lose my last 15 or so pounds.

I really feel like weightloss is my life at the moment and I'm getting obsessive about it. I don't like it at all but I'm so focused on losing weight- without having enough motivation to actually overcome my thoughts/mind and do it

Ps. Just watched the carol adams video and I've never heard of that book in all honesty, but it seems as though it's really worthy of reading. I shall look into that- thanks!

[liamona]

You may have a magnesium deficiency, which is pretty common. Even though I eat a lot of magnesium-rich foods, I find that I need to take a 400 mg. supplement every day. If I skip a couple of days, I get a craving for chocolate. I know I have enough in my system when the craving goes away.

[Fullcrum]

Are you sure it's not a sugar addiction? Try eating some pure cacao powder or nibs and see how you feel then.

Consider eating other foods rich in magnesium. Cacao is of itself addictive, so instead of worrying about taking out foods, add in foods to replace the cacao habit.

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by ktt

Ps. Just watched the carol adams video and I've never heard of that book in all honesty, but it seems as though it's really worthy of reading. I shall look into that- thanks!

Np. I have read it, and I think it's a fantastic book. Definitely on my list of top 5.

[Bleicke]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

Are you sure it's not a sugar addiction?

I second that. I used to think I had a chocolate addiction, turns out it was just sugar. I still love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, but now it's a choice, not a craving. Get yourself off sugar/carbs and then see if you're still addicted to chocolate. I bet not. It's just the tastiest form of sugar ;-)

[rawxstasy]

I have a sugar addiction. I managed to regain 30 pounds over 5 months from eating chocolate every day and drinking hot cocoa.

I heard that smelling vanilla extract or vanilla beans can curb chocolate cravings. When I get a craving I smell the vanilla extract and right away the craving is gone.

I think you should also look at what emotions are driving you to eat sugar. I think alot of addictions are based on unresolved emotional pain.

[Fullcrum]

Fasting during the month of Ramadan made me intimately aware of the emotional attachment I have to food, rather than eating it only out of true nourishment.

Emotions are BIG for most people when it comes to food.

[ginkgo]

Originally Posted by ktt

Hi everyone
I'm a recent convert to veganism! The probably is I have a serious chocolate addiction.. like i MUST have it or I start eating everything else in site.
And i'm finding it so hard plus I'm trying to lose weight so it really doesn't help at all

Does anyone know how I can overcome this?

Cigarettes have over 400 chemical additives to make it more addictive including nail polish remover so I tell them to try American Spirit with no additives to try and quit. This has more nicotine but it is weak for them without the additives. So that is my advice to you.

Are you sure that you are not addicted to the additives HFCS and milk? They are very bad for you. Raw foodist Wolfman (I made up that nickname) David Wolfe says that raw chocolate is the best food for health.

So try the pure stuff. Buy raw cacao nibs and eat them. They know that the HFCS is very addictive. Cacao is a powerful antioxidant. Chocolate is not fattening but that other stuff is. It is just like coffee. It is not fattening, but the sugar and milk is. Go to the bottom of my losing weight webpage below and you see the ad for the Wolfe's products including raw cacao (chocolate). I feel that it is one of the best anti-aging foods.

[Inspirations]

Originally Posted by ktt

Hi everyone
I'm a recent convert to veganism! The probably is I have a serious chocolate addiction.. like i MUST have it or I start eating everything else in site.
And i'm finding it so hard plus I'm trying to lose weight so it really doesn't help at all

Does anyone know how I can overcome this?

Hi ktt,

I started eating chocolate from a young age, and for 20 years of my adult life, chocolate was the main part of my diet. I ate it by the gallons...Just like you describe..

But guess what? I was skinny, had no pimples or other side effects. The chocolate filled me with happiness and the love that I craved - since documented in medical literature as a side effect...

Then, one day, several years ago I thought "I don't remember the last time I ate chocolate". Now this from a person who ate at least 3 full bars of dairymilk and others each day. I still don't eat it..7 years later..

I had resolved my internal need to feel better, because I actually felt better all the time....

So enjoy your chocolate, stop judging yourself, it makes you feel good, you'll stop eating it when you don't need it anymore...

[joelr]

Sugar triggers the release of natural opiates in the brain similarly to the way exercise creates a "runner's high." Adding fat to sugar increases the opiate effect. For some reason chocolate, which obviously is mostly sugar and fat often causes this effect to the most extreme degree.

The opiate high causes an extreme well being, euphoria and completely blocks most negative feelings. Unfortunately the chocolate induced "high" goes away right after eating AND encourages us to continue eating even after being full.
It feels like being on a low dose of oxycodone (the opiate in Percocet and Oxycontin)for a few seconds. In other words it's not a surprise why it's hard to resist and often called "blissful" and "orgasmic".

The good news is kicking chocolate is 10,000 times easier than oxycodone.

Limiting your "dose" to only 1 pre-set time each week helps. Like a weekly cheat meal you can look forward to. Only if you have strong willpower though.
Otherwise if you are losing weight STAY AWAY until your desired weight is achieved. Don't have any available in the house. Then add a weekly or bi-weekly meal where you can have chocolate for dessert. It's easier to maintain a desired weight (even with a few weekly cheat meals) than to lose weight.

For your sweet tooth get diet soda and sugar free candy.

I have experience with weight loss/dieting and kicking both chocolate and oxycodone. So don't worry, what you are facing isn't too bad

[ktt]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the great responses!
I know it's definately a psychological thing. I have dealt with a lot of big emotional things in my life so far (I'm only 20) and food in general has been my comfort. But now it's chocolate more than anything. I have definately tried eating substitutes like sugar-free lollies/desserts but it still doesn't kick the cravings. I think I will allow myself 1 day a week where I can indulge a little. I'm just going to have to be really focused so I don't let this once a week indulgences get out of hand.