Have You Seen Super Size Me?

My cravings changed when my diet changed. It took some time but some of the foods I used to crave taste awful now: diet coke, packaged donuts, fast food. Now I substitute for my cravings. Instead of Doritos, I'll eat popcorn and that seems to satisfy my craving for salt and crunch. Still caloric but healthy. Instead of a candy bar, I'll have a plain Dove chocolate.

My boys and I watched Super Size me and were totally grossed out. We don't eat at McDonalds anymore.

This is how I see it-

Is that ice cream going to taste better than being healthy will feel?

Answer is definitely not. being healthy is the best decision you can ever make.

Don't know if this will help you or not, but I eat ice. I can eat ice all day long. We have an ice machine at work that has ice similar to Sonic. Whenever I get hungry, I go get a cup of ice. The chewing makes me feel like I'm eating something and it's easy to get in a lot of water. I've been tested and I'm not anemic, I just love my ice!

Initially it takes a ton of self control. After a while, you will develop a taiste for real food again and love the way you feel. Hopefully that will be motivation enough. Don't know if you can do a smart search on your cable but I used to love to watch a show off the BBC called "you are what you eat." The nutritionist had these people who ate like garbage go on an 8 week fast the excluded meat, dairy, sugar , alcohol, flour or bread. They ate fruit, veg, nuts, beans, and nonwheat whole grains, as well did some juicing and eating specific foods which were high in vitamins and minerals for which they had proven to be deficient in through lab tests. Very inspiring. I would not have belived it if I had not seen it play out so many times, but in 8 weeks these people were transformed. Sure they'd loose 20-30 lbs, but thier skin, hair, posture, attitude, spirits, energy were changed. The changes they were able to see and feel fueld motivation for them to keep on with a less strick version of the diet.

http://www.sdachip.org/ check out this link. My church does a program called CHIP (corinary health improvemnt Project) It acctually comes out of Loma Linda University Medical Center, so its not just a hokie church thing, its real medical/ nutitional research offered throught the church nationwide. I see they now offer it on- line which is great because the classes are really time consuming. My parents did it and I was amazed at their results. I never thought I'd see my father change his ways, but at age 50, he got his health under control. His physician was amazed to sit down with him and figure out how he had managed to get off all his meds for high blood preasure and heartburn. I'm sure its different in each community, but in my parents church it was free, they provided you a healthy dinner, and it was physician lead and taught. The problem I see with Super Size me is that it focuses on what not to do. To be inspired, you need to focus on what TO DO. Best of Luck.

Watch Food, Inc. and google the NYT's article on pink slime. I haven't been tempted by fast food on almost two years! The other junk just won't be very appealing the more you stay off of it and research it. Now, if I have a sweet tooth that just won't go away, I make something homemade or buy from local, pure shops. You really don't crave the bad stuff very often though if you'll stay off of it for awhile.

I second the suggestion for Food Inc. You will find it more disturbing than Super Size Me and it will make you think about what food you serve your family and put into your own mouth.

find healthy things that you like - veggies are GREAT!!! Wanna splurge? Add ranch dressing - EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!!!

PCOS affects EVERY W. differently and many doctors mis-label it or someone NEEDS to be labeled with something....your doctor should have referred you to a endocrinologist to get more information and more tests run.

When you get a craving for a candy bar - HAVE ONE...you don't have to STOP, it's called moderation....the more you think about what you have to stop the harder it becomes and your body craves it more...so instead of saying "I can't have that - have ONE...." when it comes to chips - pull out a handful and that is IT...if you go back for more - then you are just comfort eating and that's not good.

You can have those Doritos - a SNACK BAG size and that's IT. ONE BAG...

something doesn't become habit until you do it for more than 2 weeks...then it's habit. The more you stress yourself over "not having" the worse the trigger will be in your brain....

Good for you! I teach high school English, but our students watch Super Size Me in all of our health classes. They come into my class talking about it every year when they see it.

I keep saltines in my desk, and whenever I get a craving for chocolate or something salty, I have a saltine. Something about that salty cracker usually does the trick. :)

Also watch Food Inc. It's very informative and eye-opening, regarding where your food comes from.
I don't recommend eliminating foods that you enjoy...but learn to enjoy them in moderation, like everything else. Getting rid of them entirely only makes you want them more... Weight watchers has taught me a lot about portion control as well and the support from others at meetings has been very helpful, especially when you are feeling discouraged.

I see no reason why you can have a little bowl of Doritos from time to time. A little BOWL, not the whole bag.

As with most things in life, moderation is the trick. Not that I achieve that, but I do know it to be true!

:(

Yes, I have seen it and it really makes you think about what you eat. We eat healthy most of the time. I had cysts on my ovaries they put me on the pill which didn't help I also didn't like the side effects then I started using Arbonne's Natural Balancing Cream and the cysts went away as well as my Migraines. We purchase as much organic food as is available and just because it is healthy doesn't mean it doesn't taste good. I just bake or broil never fry foods, I use Olive Oil instead of vegetable oil, take omega 3's, I have already brought my bad cholesterol way down and the good is way up just from doing those things. I replace All Natural Ground Turkey or Chicken breast for burger (if we use burger it is laura's beef or another natural beef) in tacos or chili, spaghetti etc. You can't even tast the difference. We also only get high fiber breads and cereal. Just slowly do away with the bad things you can also get baked chips and low sodium chips, make your own cake and use less sugar and butter. If you want a dorito look for something baked and just get small bags so you only eat a smaller portion. Good Luck on becoming healthy.

I don't buy anything I don't want to eat. If it's in the house, I'll likely eat it. So, resist any urge to buy things you don't want to eat (or do want to eat, but don't want to want to eat...hehe!). That means no candy, cake, cookies, brownie mixes, soda, juice, etc. I drink only water and eat no sugary foods (excpet on bdays).

I'd look into PCOS and find out every bit of detail about it that you can. Find out how it affects your systems and the relationship to diabetes (there is one, from what I understand). Learn about diabetes too (if it is related) and read all the awful, horrible stories of what happens when diabetes goes bad. Then when you feel a craving for those chips or cake or cookies, think back on those stories. Associate those things with those stories because they ARE linked. You will be there one day unless you manage to get it controlled (which I know you can!). My sister had PCOS for several years and was just diagnosed with diabetes last year. She did nothing healthwise when she was diagnosed with PCOS. She didn't change her diet, lose weight, or anything. She now had full blown diabetes and is really struggling. She is having issues with her legs and if she doesn't get it under control, she might be one of those who starts losing part of their feet! This could be you. (so think of that any time you want some ice cream...)

Another thing to consider, which isn't the most ideal, but if it'll help offer some control, it's a good idea...anyway, you can pick ONE day a week that you can get those cravings out. So, every Saturday, you can eat whatever food you want. I had a friend that was 400 lbs. He got down to 190 lbs from working out and controlling his eating. He had one day a week that he ate whatever he wanted. While it's not ideal, it DID help curb his poor eating habits and helped him eat healthier much more often. If he hadn't done that, it would have probably felt too far beyond his control, and he would have ended up eating crappy way more often and not losing the weight like he wanted to.

Good luck!!

Oh, and someone below made a good point, your taste buds will change given enough time. Healthy food will start tasting yummy...

Life is too short, because we are eating that food we "enjoy" so much. PCOS can be really positively changed, by a good diet. (My sister is proof :)

Eventually, your body will stop craving the junk so much. The more healthy you eat, the more energy you have, the better you feel...your body will thrive on the good foods. You shouldn't deprive yourself. My husband and I allow ourselves to cheat once a week. It's not a huge thing, we don't binge! For example, over the weekend we got a small cone from the ice cream shop. Sometimes, we will eat chips, candy, whatever it is we want. We know we have that one time a week.

Supersize me, is very good. You might be interested in Food Inc, as well.

It was suggested to me that I had PCOS, and I was fortunate enough to have my son.

What helped me considerably was finding a diet that focused on balancing my insulin. When I was pregnant, I tested positive for gestational diabetes. My midwife asked me to get the book "A Week in the Zone" (Dr. Barry Sears diet) and this worked wonders for me. I was about 138 or so when I got pregnant; I was 112 immediately after I delivered. I had better energy too.

We eat mostly organic, and believe me, there's a lot of organic junk food out there. I gained back a lot of the weight. I'm still working on managing my diet, and it's hard. I've also been dealing with possible IBS, which has narrowed my diet considerably. Working long days and being a tired mom in rainy Portland last winter did a number on me. Good luck on this one, Mrs. R.. I think there are lots of us who are in the same boat.

It gets easier with time. After awhile your body adjusts to the new diet and the cravings start to fade.
I find that first 3 months of eating healthy are the hardest. Hang in there!

This is from my 16 yo daughter who has PCOS

I watched Super-Size Me before learning about my PCOS. The movie is a great way to stop eating fast foods. Watching turned me away from all fast foods, and since then I've been doing better. Because I stopped eating all of the greasy foods from McDonalds I lost weight and I feel better inside. You are on the right track with the gum. When I began dieting for my PCOS I was hooked on mint gum. Wrigley's "5" mint gum really helps with cravings because the mint makes you feel like you're actually eating. My advice to you is to try out different brands and different flavors of gum. When you find one that you really love, buy it in bulk from a store like BJ's Club and chew a piece whenever you get a craving for that last piece of chocolate cake. Gum is a dieter's best friend. I also find Trident to be a good choice because almost all of its gums are sugar free and have very few calories (about 3 per piece). Another thing that helps is when you have a long-lasting craving for something think about something else. One great way to stop the longer cravings is eating something healthy like a granola bar or an apple to take the edge off.

Good for you for making a change! It is not easy and it takes awhile. I think after awhile the cravings happen every once in awhile. I don't think they go away but have much less of a hold on you. I'm not a big fan of chps or soda and never got in the habit but man, Chocolate and Ice cream are my downfall! You've inspired me to knock it off! All the Best. OH I've wanted to watch Super Size me and once I ordered "Fast Food Nation" on Netflix mixing them up. UGH! Very gross in it's own right but we did have a laugh when I figured out my mistake and why I was so confused.

The better the food that you put into your body is, the worse the other food full of colors and preservatives will begin to taste. I don't know how I became a healthy eater to be honest. I was raised on chips, kool-aid and hamburger helper... somehow over time I developed an appreciation for good food, which ends up to be mostly fresh food and now all of that other stuff tastes terrible.

This recent realization came to me a couple of weeks ago. I was strolling down the grocery aisle when who should I meet up with but my old childhood friend " Little Debbie." Anyone remember Little Debbie snack cakes?? Nutty Bars, Oatmeal Pies and my personal favorite... Swiss Cake Rolls. And look at that... all that goodness for under 2 bucks!! I thought I would eat the whole box. I took them out as soon as I got home and ate one... Hmmmm... not as good as I remembered. Too sweet and with a weird aftertaste that I did not recall, and now did not enjoy. I tossed the rest.

It's called junk food for a reason... stay strong Mama!!!

After watching Super Size Me I seriously could not even go past a McDonalds without feeling ill. I have not seen the Food Inc, but it is on netflix streaming so I am awfully tempted.
Find a sugar free beverage you enjoy...they make tons of those packets you can stick in a bottle of water that are calorie free...9 times out of 10 when we think we are hungry we are actually thirsty.
I second the gum advice.
I do urge you to find healthy snacks you love and keep them on hand, one in your purse, one at your desk at work...in the car, at home. Having healthy choices on hand helps you from giving into cravings.
Lately I have been on a spinach salad kick...it seems like a treat when I add fruit to my salad...mandarin oranges, even strawberries...yummy!!! Craving chips? Try a baked variety, they are at least a bit healthier. My latest addiction is baked pita crisps...they are so yummy!

I hated McDonalds long before I saw the movie. I think the movie is great and have had some of my personal training clients watch it.
As someone else mentioned, once you are away from the junk for a while, you will experience how bad it really tastes if you try it again.
Another great movie that has come out is Forks over Knives--a must see. It will be on video in August.
A good book is Save our Bones. It is written for people with osteoporosis, but is really an eating plan everyone would be wise to follow. There is a website at http://www.saveourbones.com
A way to help with cravings is to take B complex. I think Shaklee's is the best.

It's not easy. One way is guilting yourself everytime you go to eat something youre not supposed to (of course not to the point you feel bad & eat twice of it). Think about what it is doing to your body as you eat it. I am/was a sugarholic, pepsiholic, ate no veggies & no fruit...ha talk about setting yourself up to die young. At 17 the Drs told me if continued to eat fst food I would die young. I had a mother that cooked from scratch & we had homecooked meals every night of the week.. I had NO taste for any of it. Anyways...now at 35 I needed to lose 40 lbs & my weight was increasing. I gave up soda (pepsi) & switched to water ...do not get caught up in the whole nutrasweet replacement...the only healthy sugar replacement at this time is Steevia. I have a Pepsi occasionally, but I don't even finish it, cuz my taste buds have transormed (as someone else was saying). I added in two cups (I try for more) of green veggies a day,usually green beans or caeser dalad as that's all I still eat..I started with 2 a week.. I actuall y crave them now. I cut out any fast food other than a $1 sandwich from somewhere twice a month, at MOST. I still eat a Snickers occasionally. I try to snack on nuts, natural not salted/greasy...they keep me full & are healthy plus gives me that crnch I crave sometimes. When I do eat something unhealthy now I make sure I am consciuosly aware of the effects of it & then decide if I am still going to eat it or find something else. Think of your kids & how you don't want them to watch you suffer with health issues as you age, that was one for me. I've watched my dad suffer with things beyond his control why would I make my kids watch me suffer with something that I could try to control. I have lost 27 pounds & it's not even about the weight, I feel better, I have more energy, I am eating better & my kids are impressed. If you have an off day...don't condemn yourself...start over tomorow...start small..don't expect to much of yourself all at once...make one change at a time & then slowly add in the others. As the one person said save 1 day a week to eat what you want...it's a goal, that's important & over time I bet you don't gorge like you do in the beginning on that day. I have done that my ownself...not too often, but occasionally the craving will take over for some reason & I just say okay...today will suck but tomorrow I am in control! Just stay positive & don't give up...it's work & takes alot of focus....you CAN do it though,for your health & for your kids!

Sorry to keep harping on P90X (it's funny because I hate Tony Horton - well, it's a love-hate relationship) but that is truly what helps me. When I work out at that level it doesn't feel so great to eat badly.

Literally, I have almost barfed after a couple of work-outs (especially if I eat too close to Plyometrics).

Your body needs good fuel to work out at its optimum.

I also love a book by Dr. Eric Braverman called "The Edge Effect."

Good luck.

PS: I loved "Super Size Me" - it was an eye-opener.

I have read several articles that say that once the sugar is completely out of your system, you no longer crave it. So stick with it! Food Inc and Supersize me are both great movies!!

When I look at an item all I have to do is consider the calories, what it may or may not do to my body in the long run. At least for me it makes junk food unappealing.