Hi All,

I have been losing weight steadily since June with alli and seem to have reached a plateau probably due to cravings. I am regularly exercising (cardio and strength training) and I can tell that I am getting stronger. However, I do notice that although I am not a person that likes to eats sweets, I have been craving sweets more than before. Can anyone give me suggestions on how to mange unwanted cravings? Are there any 'good' sweets. Portion control is also tough. Ideas are welcome.

Ketty

 I am a big sweets person. I crave either fruity, chocolate, or minty. I buy sugar free hard cany. Jolly rancher is great and life savers too. If I crave chocolate I eat Fiber One bars for breakfast. I like the chocolate and they have other flavors as well. I try to control my sugar free candy even though they are low calorie, the idea for me is to brak the habit for eating things that got me here in the first place. I always eat fruit for my snacks because it helps my cravings. Also, if I eat alot of protein I find I dont have many cravings because I stay full. I too LOVE big portions like pasta and rice. But that is why I am big. If I eat every 2-3 hours I dont feel the need to eat so much in one sitting. I figure we have to retrain our minds to not want so much and I know it is really hard. I used to eat four servings of pasta for dinner. Now I have one with a salad. Good luck and keep reaching for your dreams!
Best wishes,

Erica

Hi EB84280,

Cravings for sweets can be very frustrating. Changes to your mood, stress level, and even changes to the weather could contribute to these cravings. Pay attention to how you are feeling, what you are thinking, and what is going on when the cravings hit.

There are lots of options that can help to satisfy your sweet tooth without too many calories:

• Tootsie pop - a lollipop takes a lot longer to finish than candy does so you can get your chocolate flavor for only 60 calories
• chocolate covered fruit
• 100 calorie snack packs
• Skinny cow ice cream
• No Pudge brownies
• Angel food cake with fruit and light cool whip
• Yoplait Whips - mousse consistency yogurt; come in chocolate flavors
• Stoneyfield yogurt - chocolate flavors, pie flavors
• Dark chocolate - sometimes it's easier to have less of this to satisfy your craving
• Peppermint Patties
• Low fat hot chocolate

Let me know if you give any of these a try,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD