Stopping Bad Habits?

[CherBear04]

For as long as I can remember, after dinner was always "dessert time". Every single night, it was the one time we were allowed to have our treat for the day.. I have the HARDEST time not having dessert after dinner because I just crave that sweetness.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can quit this bad habit??

Working out so I don't let myself go :-)
~ Married 07-07-07 <3 ~

[mks51369]

How about a sweet fruit instead of a full-blown dessert? Or gradually take down the amount of sugar in your dessert (like go from an apple pie to baked apples to applesauce).

When you crave sugar, it takes a while to get it out of your system. Eventually, though, you won't even crave it anymore.

Also, if you are eating healthy in every other area, I don't see where a sweet treat would hurt every now and then - as long as you don't focus too much on it, and don't behave as though it's the worst thing in the world for you to do.

[sk8rgrrl]

What has helped me is either allowing a little bit of leeway in my caloric intake for the day so I can have a small helping of something sweet if I wish (and most days I don't, but I used to!) OR I'll pop a Creme Saver (I like the chocolate caramel ones) and that seems to trick me a little bit.


BIG HUGS!

--Jen

You're just jealous because the voices aren't talking to *you*!

[mom2scs]

I love those little Andes mints. It gives me a little sweet after a meal and helps me feel satisfied.

Annie

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[spaciechick1]

Im having Manna bread with cc. Reminds me of my moms banana bread at X-mas.

Kim

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[mexmarr]

I think that cutting out you sweet treat altogether will be too drastic of a change, which would just make you want it all the more. I would do 2 things instead. When you eat supper, take into consideration that you will be eating something else. Don't eat until full, then add desert, take slightly smaller portions and leave some space for the desert.

Second, I would work on making your deserts healthier, one step at a time. You could have a fruit/yogurt parfet, sprinkled with a little granola. Make homeade popsicles, using good ingredients. Pinapple juice and banana blended is wonderful for popsicles. Yogurt with any fruit works great. Add a dash of honey before freezing, if needed.

Experiment with natural sugars.

Quick breads made with honey are great, and they also hide whole wheat flour well. Get some veggies in by making zuchinni bread, pumpkin bread, carrot bread, etc. (or muffins, eat some and freeze some for quick desserts.) Use any recipe, replace sugar with honey, using half the amount called for, as honey is sweeter. Replace some or all of the flour with whole wheat. I like the spices doubled in these recipes.

Freeze banana, put in the blender with some milk and cocoa. Serve immediately. Tastes like chocolate ice cream. be generous with the cocoa, and no sweetener is needed. Absolutely wonderful!

I hope these ideas help, and maybe others will come up with more ideas of making your desserts more healthy.

+++++Wife of 5 years to a wonderful man. Mother to 3 precious girls,ages 3,2 and 2 months. Life never gets boring!!!+++++

[nooneyouknow]

I think I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. So, take it one day at a time and be patient. This is a great goal!
You could have a sweet fruit snack at another time during the day and let that be your treat time. More than anything, this is just something that you have to really want to change and then have a little talk with yourself.
A while back, I decided to eat more raw foods, starting with changing my breakfast over to fresh fruit only. But I love those breakfast foods, so it was an adjustment. Now, I don't even want anything else! It's amazing how we can change. Just stick with it
Holly

[aj]

I vote for healthy versions too. I usually keep mint patties in the fridge. Fruit is also a choice. Will you really be happy giving up this treat or does it lead you to eat sweets all day?

If it's causing you to downfall the rest of the day then it's bad and you need to change. If however, you can control your cravings because you know you will have a nice treat after dinner, then you may be saving yourself. Hope that makes sense.

April
Taking it one day at a time.