Sugar Addict

I'm pretty confident that I have a strong sugar addiction. I use the word addiction because of my out of control relationship with it. Because I know about my addiction, I have always done a pretty good job of not having a lot of candy or sweets in the house. (Kids hate my house because I never have enough treats!) So, when I need to satisfy my sugar fix, I become like a woman possessed. A crazy person looking for anything that has a small nutrient to sugar ratio. Handfuls of chocolate chips, fruit by the foot, whatever I can get my hands on. I swear I'm like an alcoholic going after the mouthwash!

I wish I could say that my healthy new lifestyle has changed this. It hasn't. The only difference is that I'm trying to curb the cravings before they happen. First, I try not to let myself get too hungry. That's when the addiction is the strongest. Second, I drink a glass of water first. Usually, that can control the hunger and limit my intake of whatever I decide to binge on next. Last, I make a conscious decision. I literally have to say to myself, "OK. I will eat this and that's it." I think it's important to indulge some of your cravings so you don't crazy. The important thing is to improve the quality of the indulgence and limit the quantity. Last, as I'm a mom and I'm in and around the kitchen a lot. This is really the root of the problem. Physically removing myself from the kitchen area or busying myself doing something else really helps.

Amen. I'm stepping of my soapbox. What are your suggestions for kicking the cravings?