Clean eating advice, please

[FiddleFit]

Hi!

Here's my dilemma. I know how to eat "clean", and I enjoy eating that way. My problem is that I also have an addiction to my morning coffee, and that is triggering strong cravings for chocolate in the evening. I have 2 cups of coffee in the morning (no sugar), and one cup of green tea in the mid-afternoon. By post-dinner time I'm probably needing another caffiene fix, but because I want to be able to sleep (I go to bed at 9pm), I forgo the tea. Then I find myself reaching for the chocolate covered bisuits and anything else with chocolate. I don't eat a lot, but I'd rather get by with nothing at all. I'm not actually hungry, so I don't want the extra calories. And if I were actually hungry, I'd rather eat something more nutritious.

Any advice or suggestions? I'm not prepared to give up my morning coffee at this time (I guess the addiction is pretty strong, hey? And it does have its benefits).

Thank you!
Sandra

 

[Mckmain]

At night, after dinner I normally split a smoothie with my DH and he helps his sweet cravings. I am sure there are some chocolate protein powders you could use with some bananas and milk or water for a nice smoothie instead of any other kind of bad chocolate.....(I have more of the "salt" craving myself!)...

PS...I still have my 2 cups of coffee in the morning, but rarely have any other caffeine later in the day.

 

[onedayatatime]

Sandra--
You could try mixing unsweetened cocoa powder and a little sweetener with soy milk for hot chocolate at night instead of the chocolate cookie (though they sound most excellent).


Also at night, could you be dehydrated? Maybe trying to drink something a few hours before you will expect to be craving chocolate and then have some good quality dark chocolate a little bit later?

HTH,
Barb

 

[truton]

For a 'cleaner' chocolate fix, I take peeled overripe bananas, cut them in half and roll them in unsweetened cocoa (you can also put the cocoa/banana in a sealed ziplock bag and shake to coat) . Sometimes I put a little artificial sweetener on it too but most times the banana provides enough sweetness on it's own. Anyway, I put them in a plastic bag in the frezer. When the urge strikes, I pull one out and eat it frozen. Yum! :9

Money saving tip: I'll buy the bananas off the bargain bin in the produce department. They are always selling the overripe ones at a great discount. Some I do the cocoa thing above and the others just get peeled and put in the freezer for use in morning smoothies.

 

[trish k]

don't buy chocolate so you won't be tempted to eat it. my kids and dh are only allowed to have snacks in the house that aren't trigger foods for me.

 

[angie_nrs]

Maybe try hot decaf green tea after dinner. Having a warm drink after dinner that won't keep me up all night seems to reduce my need for my sweet fix post dinner.

Also, sometimes (PMS) I just have to have my chocolate fix. So I do! I buy the hershey nuggets and only have one. I eat it very slowly. If you can trust yourself to do that, it's really not so bad in the grand scheme of things.:9

Angie

 

[Lynn M.]

If I'm jonesin' for something chocolate, I'll make the Swiss Miss Diet Hot Chocolate. Its 25 calories per packet. Instead of adding it to hot water, I sub in hot milk. Its a great way to get in some Calcium and some protein and really nips my sweet tooth for about 100 calories.



Lynn M.

 

[FiddleFit]

Hi again! Thank you for all of your great suggestions!

Carole - I don't know why I never thought of doing the chocolate smoothie thing for a dessert. Brilliant idea!

Barb - yes, I think dehydration may be part of the equation on some days. I've definitely noticed in recent months that my craving for something sweet seems to feel the same as thirst. Thank you for the reminder to drink more water in the afternoon. I'll try that for sure.

TK - Nice cocoa/banana idea!! I'll be trying that for sure! And maybe adding a smudge of natural peanut butter on that banana....

Trish - Yes, I could certainly cleanse the cupboards, but I'm trying to save that as a last resort. I would like to be able to learn how to control the cravings. But if I'm not successful, then purging the cupboards might be the way to go (I can already hear the family howling).

Angie - The hot drink after dinner is the perfect solution for those nights when I'm not truly hungry, just have a hankering. Thanks for reminding me how effective that can be! I'm going to get some peppermint tea, as I find that the most effective in killing a craving. Last night I had a cup of Wild Orange Tazo tea and it helped significantly.

Lynn - Mmmmmmm. I love hot chocolate. Sounds delicious! Another one to put on the list for the nights I just gotta have the chocolate.

Thank you everyone!
Sandra