[Dean Tornabene]

artificial sweetners can affect insulin levels which can lead to an imbalance in blood sugar levels. this can lead to increased sugar cravings, appetite and increased weight gain. stick with natural sugars or stevia as a healthy sugar substitute!

[sweetvtmom]

Tell me something--are our "fake" sugars, like equal or splenda sweenters, are those carbs as well?

I sometimes feel as though they trigger me as well, this is why I am asking.

[joel]

extra virgin olive oil, nut butter, salmon, grass fed beef (not organic, but free range grass fed beef), avocado, walnuts, sunflower seeds, EPA/DHA oil, artichoke hearts - things like that.

There is good research demonstrating increasing these types of fats while cutting out bad fats such as grain fed beef, heated cooking oils, fried foods, margarin, will actually lower cholesterol.

The analogy to a form of addiction is supported by research. There is a research group out of Sweden that has demonstrated rich foods (such as sugary carbs) turn off the bodies natural controls for inhibiting food intake (meaning, eating these foods turns on the craving button)

Really, its just the ratio of sugars to good fats. The simple act of replacing about 30% of your meals with good fats (instead of carbs) for energy (with some protein) while cutting back on liquid sugars and sugary carbs and adding some EPA/DHA oil will stop the cravings in about 2 days - for good. Then what you will notice is they only come back whenever you eat sugary carbs.

If you eat meat, try the grass fed beef in particular. There is a lot of very good research showing many wonderful things from eating grass fed beef.

[sweetvtmom]

When you say "good fats", I am taking it that these fats do nothing to the arteries, meaning it won't raise your cholesterol?

And we are talking things like olive oil or even avocados?

Sorry for all the questions--this has just become very interesting. I have never gotten down to the "why" I crave carbs all the time. Just knew it was a down fall. If I can understand all this, I might be able to actually stop it this time.

I like how you compared it to an alcoholic because that is exactly how I explain it to people. I do feel like I am a carbholic.

[joel]

One thing to understand is that eating carbs will create craving for carbs. Think of it this way, no one craves alcohol until they drink it. It's the drinking that creates the cravings. Carbs work the same way. The cravings are created by eating the carbs themselves. They start a self perpetuating cycle. The trick is to supplement with good fats when trying to cut carbs, particularly EPA/DHA oil. It works to lower cortisol and increase serotonin, which helps with carb cravings.

[GI Jane]

Whey protein is another supplement everyone should take. It is mostly taken by bodybuilders, but it has benefits for the average Joe. Joel did a good job of explaining the differences in quality, which is very important.

Whey protein will help support muscle (and from a low calorie source), which has a huge impact on metabolism. The more lean muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn while a rest. I explain it to my personal training clients like this: you can workout on the treadmill for an hour and burn calories, or you can put on a pound of muscle and burn calories 24/7. Seems easy to me.

[sweetvtmom]

Thank you for that information.

I did read the article about the nigh time cravings. My cravings for carbs--come at all hours of the day..LOL

I will look into the liquid drinks though. I have craved carbs my whole life. Pasta, potatoes and bread--I eat that and I am in a never ending battle to stop the binge.

I will try anything.

[admin]

Glad to help. Carb cravings are usually the result of an imbalance of good fats to starches, stress, and dinner and breakfast being out of whack.

two simple, easy things you can do are

1. Get on a good liquid fat with concentrated EPA/DHA Oil and use this in place of carbs 2x a day. This will do wonders for the cravings.

2. Combine this fat with whey concentrate at around 3pm in the afternoon. The combination of fat and whey together acts to increase serotonin, which means you will seek carbs less. (eating carbs increases serotonin, so this does the same thing without the carbs)

In the "Learn" section, there is an article on night eating syndrome. Check that out. It explains a lot of about night binging.

[sweetvtmom]

Thank you Joel. I will have to look into your product, and yes you can make a plug--it's your forum.

Anything that will help me with the carbs cravings in a plus.

[joel]

Whey concentrate has been shown to improve insulin function. This means that you can make a good case that whey concentrate is very good for weight control and weight loss.

Couple of things to understand about whey concentrate is that it is absorbed somewhat quickly, (although not as fast as whey isolate), that there is a lot of research supporting a wide range of benefits, and that it comes in grades.
It comes in grades of 30%, 45%, 65% and 80%. You want the 80%, called WPC 80. Most manufactuers use WPC 30 (the cheap stuff)

If I can make a plug, I suggest the stuff we sell in the store here, Lean Complex. It's excellent for weight loss and uses only WPC 80%

[sweetvtmom]

I have a question about the whey concentrate. I read some where on the board that a couple shots of this will help with carb cravings. My question is: Does it help with weight loss or is it more of a bulk up protein for body building?