Exercise does not come naturally to me either. As I have a lack of growth hormone that contributes to muscle development and what not, plus being obese, (all my excuses btw) I get extra sore from minimal exertion...another excuse. This morning my levels were more normal. I felt better about that, but I find I am hungry now most of the time.

I too am addicted to junk food. Mainly sweets. I think part of the problem is the denial of this disease changing my life! I know that I have to change my ways, I keep trying to diet but after a few days Im craving so bad that on a night Im stuffing my face!

I noticed if Iv eaten a big meal that later Im hungry a lot, dont know why this happens but apparently its quite normal!!

Two months, two days, 13 hours, 9 minutes and 36 seconds. 1906 cigarettes not smoked, saving 209.71. Life saved: 6 days, 14 hours, 50 minutes.

Since being diagnosed with diabetes, I absolutely CRAVE sugar and carbs. For awhile, I experienced intense chocolate cravings like I had never before had. Now I get cravings for any kind of sugar/carbs.

Here's the odd part. From reading your responses, it seems like craving sweets is pretty common among diabetics? Yet when I've mentioned this to my diabetes doctor, he says that my diabetes shouldn't create cravings like this. So I am confused. And probably very ignorant! Now that I have the MS under control (or so I hope), it's time to do the same for the diabetes. I don't think that it's out of control, but if I don't take some healthy steps in the near future, I will probably be in serious trouble.

does your diabetes doc HAVE diabetes too ?
how the hell would they know ?

I just began using protein shakes & natural herb tablets that dramatically helped me to reduce my snack cravings and have lot more energy!! You can find them @ www.naturally4u.net

I was a junk food junkie too!! In fact, when I was diagnosed I was angry knowing I would have to give it up!! Dumb I know but was angry all the same. I do however crave chocolate. I talked with my dr. about this as I had found a substitute. Don't laugh but it works. I found the Ghirardelli semi sweet choc. chips in the grocery store. 32 chips equals 8g of sugar and 10 carbs!! Now, 32 chips are alot of chips and I don't always eat that many. My dr. said it was okay as long as I don't go over. I have checked my blood sugar 2 hrs. after and it is not elevated. So this is my answer to my chocolate craving. I measure out what I can eat,and I don't always eat 32. It takes care of the chocolate craving for me. I can't do a candy bar of any description. Number one they are too sweet for me now, and Number two I would just probably eat the entire bar!! The chips I am talking about come in a gold bag and please look at the back before you buy. This co. makes other chips that are higher sugar and you can't eat as many. The other chips come in a gold bag also. They are in the baking section at the grocery store. Walmart has them at a cheaper price than anywhere else but I have also found them at Food Lion. I have also bought the Glucerna Bars to take with me when I am out of my house and may not be able to eat a meal on time. They are very good, but costly. However, they will hold you until you can get your regular meal. I bought the Chocolate Peanut and like them alot. Hope this helps you. I truly understand the craving for junk but try to limit what comes in my house. If I crave chips I try to eat an apple or some other fruit that is acceptable. Not the same as junk, but it will fill you up with good stuff like fiber etc.
Good Luck!!

I think its hard to just walk away. I still have problems. I think its wise to not bring it in at all. Keep trying you can do it. Please for yourself!

Hi. I understand what you are going through.

Get the junk food out sight, or even better out of the house.

Make sure you have several varieties of fruit in the house. Fruit that you like. (For me, Granny Smith apples, apricots, peaches, nectarines, berries of all kinds, grapefruit, bananas, melons, etc). Try some exotic fruits as well. Get high quality. It may be a little more expensive, but it is worth it.
When you get hungry, have a piece of fruit instead of junk food. At a minimum, tell yourself you are going to have the fruit FIRST.

Eat it and wait a few minutes before heading to the junk food. You may find you no longer want it after you have had the fruit. Moreover, when you cut out the processed sugars, you will find that fruit itself starts tasting pretty darn sweet.

Get in a regular eating pattern, using less processed foods. Avoid anything with added sugar.

Eat vegetables. If you like spicy food, eat spicy vegetables like pepperocini and pickled mushrooms. Dill pickles have zero calories. These are all extremely low in calories. (The only issue with them is sodium).

I take a carton of prepackaged salsa, a light yogurt, and a Granny Smith apple to work every day for lunch. It taste greats, fills me up, and only has about 300 calories or so.

As soon as I get home, I usually have a bowl of carrots, sometimes with lemon juice and no-salt lemon pepper, other times with normal lemon pepper, together with about 5 pepperocini. This gets me full, using very little calories, and prevents me from stuffing myself at dinner.

Cut out the worst offender carbs. No more packaged cereals--period. No more potatoes--period. Keep the bread to a minimum. Eat whole grain and/or dark breads (like rye or pumpernickel)--they taste better anyway.

And (this was very important for me) cut out the before bedtime meal. If you have to have something then, have some herbal tea. Keep some cottage cheese in the fridge (you can buy it mixed with fruit if you want) and eat that if you feel like you have to have something. Or have some more fruit.

And start exercising! It doesn't have to be much, or very complicated. Go for a walk. Ride a bike. If its raining, do an exercycle. Just get in the habit of doing it for a short time each day, every day, no matter what (I do it first thing every morning).

I changed my diet to the above about 3 months ago. My diabetes has come under complete control, and I have lost 30 pounds (and counting). I feel like I have more energy than I have had in years.

There is a book on this subject, "Breaking The Food Seduction" by Dr. Neal Barnard. Try it and see if it helps. It is an actual addiction, make no mistake. Did you know dairy products contain traces of morphine!? And think about sugar -- just another tropical plant distilled down into strange white crystals.

I find that if I keep my candidiasis in check, my jun-food cravings go away almost completely. I have also had success taking gymnema sylvestre and hoodia gordonii; they both kill your food cravings deader than Elvis, but in my opinion gymnema is better. Thise are my suggestion. Good luck!

I don't really have any good advise as I too have he same problems and more. However, I do have an idea... How about we become friends and push each other to healthy habbits... If your willing I am and we can do this together as friends. Think of your child(ren) we need to be there for them and not taking care of ourselves doesnt leave them anyone to share thier life with.