I need help with cravings

So I'm on this diet, and my husband isn't.  So there's all sorts of 'regular' food in the house in addition to my lovely little veggies and fruits and grains and blah blah blah. 

I've never been a sweets person, I'm more of a big chunk of beef, bacon and cheese kind of girl.  The other day I was right on target when at 11pm I completely lost it and ate 3 frozen tamales at 285 calories each. 

Does anyone have a suggestion for this sort of craving?  I feel like I'm going to just chew my husband's face off during a kiss, or accidentaly eat the dog.

***giggles...invisioning you running after the dog with a fork..hehe****

Hopefully some good suggestions to save the dog ;p.....I read earlier today (on one of these posts somewhere) that a craving lasts 15 minutes.  It was suggested to get a stopwatch and try to wait it out.....I don't know how well it'll work, but it's worth a shot.

Another suggestions would be to keep something like beef jerky or canned tuna....something savory like you crave and that's portioned out, easy to get to....and help curb your craving.

Hope this helps!

You said it was 11pm when you got the jones for the tamales, right? What if next time you get a late night craving like that you instead go brush your teeth and see what happens? If, after that you still can't be with out the tamales, heat them up one at a time so you at least get exercise to and from the kitchen!

Thanks guys.  I'll try those things tonight.  (So far the dog is safe!)

Hi! I *totally* dig the craving thing. I quit smoking 4 years ago and the cravings were killer. I have incredibly addictive qualities and have to be careful :)

What I did was make a list of 101 things to do instead of having a cigarette (or instead of eating that hunk of cheddar - cheese is my weakness too). I took a list I found online at a smoking cessation site and modified it for me. All of them still apply (except any eating ones obviously). Some off the top of my head:

write a postcard call a friend take a shower go for a walk make yourself drink 12 oz of water alphabetize your CD's go online and respond to two posts brush the dog/cat clean the bathroom read your list of things to do instead of give in to your craving :) etc.

I could go on. Obviously some only work when you're sitting around not doing anything in particular but that's when most people get cravings. It's true, in 15 minutes or so you'll feel differently. If not dramatically, you'll at least be able to control yourself so you can have a couple ounces of that cheese instead of the whole wheel :)

Good luck!

Three methods to prevent food Craving:

1) Create a "password"; its purpose, to desist craving when temptations arise. Example, you see desired food content in the fridge; recite your "password" while realizing the sole purpose for the password is to minimize or eliminate needless binging. Suggestions for passwords: jiggly wiggly, wonka wonka, and my favourite, OH HELL NO.

2) Negative commentary and criticism; the next time you come across a food item that promotes excess craving and self-indulgence, stick your middle finger in the direction of the food item and criticize - begin to nag and brag (about its  interference in your life,  calorie total, fat content, etc.) until craving fades.

3) Grab and Pass or destroy; as soon as craving arises, grab targeted food item and locate the nearest person and offer the meal to him or her. You may go as far as visiting your neighbour, but after that, it may be too late. This is where plan B comes in; if no person willing to consume your craved food item can be found, destroy it. Drop it on the floor, toss it out the window, initiate stomping, punching, well, use your imagination.

(use methods in caution... experiences may differ)

Those are great suggestions.  Last night I did succumb to cheese, but it was a very small amount and I mainly ate a serving of chunk light tuna very s-l-o-w.  I also tried dusting the woodwork way up high by the ceiling.  I figured that if I still caved in, I'd at least have burned off some calories.

I'm going to make a list of eating alternates since that did seem to work last night.  Who knows, maybe my house will sparkle in the process.

Also, rdgatewood suggested beef jerky.  Does anyone know of any low sodium jerky? (Or at least lower than the standard product)  That sounds just yummy.

Why not try making your own beef jerky?  You only need a food dehydrator....

If not....google "beef jerky, low sodim"...there are all kinds out there....beef, turkey, buffalo.

Good luck :p

ooooooooooooooooooo.  A food dehydrator.  A new toy.  What fun!