Tips on cutting back on sweets

Are you keeping those foods in the house?

If so, I would toss them out.

I have the same problem. I always crave something sweet after dinner. Something that has helped me is to brush my teeth right after I eat. Having a toothpaste taste in my mouth usually makes me not want to eat anything.

Also, drink lots of water. Drinking water can help curb cravings for things (sometimes!).

Try a dark chocolate that doesn't have much if any sugar in it. And just a little. I know what you mean though... sometimes I feel like I can't sleep unless I have something sweet first!

These are all great responses so far. Thanks, ladies!

@MMB, I do not really keep sweets in my house. The thing is, I'll ask my FH, what's for dessert tonight? And we'll go get cookies to bake, or something like that. So sometimes he encourages it and there's no way I'll turn down an offer like that Boy, I must sound like a little pig, but hey I'll admit, there's a problem with the sweets. I can't resistant them.

I'm the same way. The best things that work for me are brushing my teeth or chewing gum if I'm craving sugar after a meal, drinking tea and maybe having a small piece of dark chocolate, or drinking coffee with a little cream or soy milk if I feel like I need something in the afternoon. Just remember that the more you cut back on sugar the less you crave it! The first week will be super hard. Drink lots of water, eat food that keeps you full, and occupy yourself. You'll be able to cut way back also, just like PP said, cut out the fake sugar. It's not good for you and still causes you to crave sugar!

If he encourages it, I would ask him to hold you accountable. Set a limit, like 1-2 nights a week and ask him not to indulge you more than that. I started stocking the kitchen with as many healthy alternatives as possible, particularly fruits and vegetables. When I think I'm hungry or feel like eating, I drink water first, wait 20-30 minutes, and if I still feel hungry, I'll reach for an apple. I've also read that vegetables make you feel fuller, so I've been trying to eat more of those lately. I also keep yogurt around, although it took me a while to find kinds that I liked that didn't have a ton of sugar or carbs.

Get them out of the house, and my nutritionist actually told me to have an altoid-the strong mint flavor triggers your brain to think about that flavor and not craving a sweet flavor

Substitute them. I have not had chocolate or sweets in the regular sense but I eat dark chocolate and cherry granolas, vanilla yogurts, etc. So much so that to eat the normal stuff would be too sweet for me now.

Totally understand this! I have one too. Sugar can be more addictive than cocaine to some people. If you usually crave them only at night after dinner it's probably more of a habitual addiction

These responses are good. Definitely get them out of the house and don't buy them. You'll be less likely to eat them if you have to go out to get them. Also drinking more water. Maybe add some lemon juice in it. Try having tea at night with honey if you like to get out of the habit of sugar. I like to split a banana the long way, put sunflower butter (or almond or peanut butter) in it with shredded unsweetened coconut, cinnamon, sometimes honey, and dark chocolate chips. Then bake it until the chocolate chips and sunflower butter melt. It's like a nice little sweet treat without feeling guilty

Going cold turkey might be hard depending on what kind of person you are. I would try to slowly cut down. Have one less cookie or piece of chocolate or something a night. Go every other night having a treat instead of every night. Try to slowly reduce until you aren't having those treats anymore. It'll take about two weeks before it becomes a habit and you start to not want it as much. Good luck and I hope these help!

ETA: also when I crave something sweet I go do something else to take my mind off of it and eventually I'll forget I was even craving it

Since you said FH supports your sweet tooth, I'd make a plan with him for coming up with "alternative desserts." I know that fruits still have sugar, but when I'm craving a sweet, FH will very optimistically offer to slice an apple or cut some berries (or plain yogurt with a touch of honey).

We just got back from a trip to the store, and when I asked about a treat, his response was, "how about a banana." It was really important to get FH on board in a positively affirmative way.

-a fellow treat lover

Fresh fruit! I tend to have grapes for dessert. And dont buy any sweets, if you are really craving them, then drive somewhere and have it there.

I'm right with you....don't buy it and you won't eat it.

Freeze grapes, make pureed frozen bananas, knit, lol....

Look into Arctic Zero or Halo Top (low calorie ice creams.) I live off of Arctic Zero.

Definitely mints, fruit, etc. One thing I really like is Halo Top ice cream. It's a protein ice cream - my favorite is the peanut butter cup flavor. 320 cals for a pint and fairly low in sugar as far as ice cream goes!

Sugar free stuff is awful for you. Throw that crap away.

I keep dark chocolate Hershey kisses in the freezer and I let myself have 2 after dinner.

Also, banana ice cream is good. But second PPs with getting it out of your house.

Do you like ice cream? My favorite is the SO coconut milk ice cream or halo top! I love them all.. it's a pretty guilt free way to get your sweets in. Or if you don't want it in the house at all.. just don't buy it! Your sweet tooth will start decreasing.

I agree with PPs. Make it clear to FH that you're trying to cut back and that he can help you by not encouraging it.

And yes, fruit still has sugar but having some grapes is far better than eating processed sugar. So when he asks what's for dessert, whip out the fruit lol.

For me it helps to eat a little bit of a sweet after dinner (dark chocolate etc). Also if I buy anything unhealthy or sweet I break it into serving size containers that way I don't mindlessly eat the bag!

Stop buying them.

or buy them in packaged portions instead of a free for all.

keep them out of site- anything IN site will get eaten much sooner than something kept out of site visually (I keep my chocolate stored in the freezer for example)

Look for healthy dessert options on Pinterest. Life saver!