I'm addicted to chocolate - help

[Sk3l3t0n]

I am being unreasonable, obviously, but I need the attention of AIBU.

I am absolutely addicted to chocolate. I cannot stop eating it. It's like when I Was a smoker, I know all the risks etc but I Cannot stop. I eat it multiple times a day, I would eat more if I could.

I have been like this since I was young, as a child I would steal it. As a teenager I got into smoking and I don't recall being as obsessed with it when I smoked. I smoked till my late 20s then one day I woke up and said 'not anymore'. Somewhere over the next few yeas the chocolate started up again and its worse than ever. I do all the things people say, dont keep it in the house - doesn't work I go and buy it. Chew gum - doesn't work I go and but it. Eat a balanced diet - doesn't work I go and buy it. I have had counselling. Didn't work. I have had blood tests. All fine, not diabetes etc. I do have AuDHD and I know that binging is related. But I don't care about other sweet things; I hate sweets, hate desserts, hate sugary drinks. I don't drink alcohol, dont use packet sauces with loads of sugar or but ready meals with loads of sugar or have cereals or sugary condiments. I eat a great diet and I know a lot about nutrition. But I cannot go a day without chcolate. And one small bar is never enough. I have tried switching to dark chocolate but they only come in massive bars and then I eat the whole thing. I even tried that Paul McKenna thing to help me quit - it did not work!!! Cold turkey also has not worked, I managed a whole day then relapsed. Fuck, I took coke as a teenager and it wasn't like this!!!!

How do I stop this? I quite smoking overnight with no cravings so I know it is in me, but I can't fucking do it. I don't want to have a pickled liver, or develop diabetes or brain issues as I get older. But I'm early 40s and this has been going on for a long time. I'm chewing my hands right now as there is a chocolate yoghurt in the fridge and it is all I can do to not go and get it.

Do you live alone @Sk3l3t0n ?

Following as I'm exactly the same! I don't ever eat desserts or other sugar but I have to have chocolate every day. I did have some success in cutting down on the quantity a few months ago by not allowing myself to have it until the afternoon as I find that once I've started for the day I can't stop. I have gone back to normal consumption now though as I'm in a job I don't really like so I need the chocolate to get me through. Hoping to have a bit more success after Christmas and when I'm in a new job.

Try drinking this magnesium drink op:
https://www.healthy-metal.com/products/magnesium-drink-mix-5-night-free-trial

have it in the evening to chill you out and get a good nights sleep. You’re probably craving the sugar and carbs because you’re tired.

If you can’t take monjaro because of your bmi, try speaking to a dietary therapist who can help you chose some supplements to help take away the craving. I have used them to get rid of my sugar/carb addiction - I have felt similar about chocolate in the past, in that, it it’s there, I’d eat it. All of it. I can honestly take it or completely ignore it now.

Focusing eating a very high protein (30g 3x a day) low carb diet with no UPFs helps end those feelings of craving sweet things.

Good luck!

This thread has reminded me, I watched something online about how cheap chocolate has so little chocolate in it, it can’t actually be marketed at chocolate anymore and brands like Club or penguin now say “chocolate flavour” instead. It’s all the sugar and trans fats that are probably to blame. And you’re right, they are so bad for you!

There is a book for this called ‘The Sweet Poison Quit Plan’. He takes Allen Carr’s ideas from the Easy Way to stop smoking and applies them to sugar. I have quit sugar for varying lengths of time using these methods and am trying to go again now but haven’t got there yet. It is so hard but does get easier after about three days. The problem for me is that relapse is too easy and once I start again it snowballs.

You've had loads of good advice here, I just wanted to add the thing that really helped me when I gave up smoking was not too be disheartened when you try and fail to give something up.

Most people ( I know you didn't with smoking, but most people!) who successfully given up an addiction have several failed attempts first. So having tried and failed before does not mean you won't be successful.

You can do this.

You're a healthy weight despite eating lots of chocolate every day, which suggests you're not nearly getting enough calories of healthy, nutritious food. If you're neglecting to eat properly, your body will be craving calorific, quick access energy foods - I.e, chocolate. Sounds like you've gotten into the habit of relying on it for your calorie needs.

Instead of cutting out chocolate, decide instead to eat a proper day's worth of healthy food and meals. Chocolate can come after you've done that, if you still want it. After a while you may find the chocolate cravings die down, because you're actually putting effort in to eat properly.

Also, try some nuts or other high fat (but nutritious) for snacks. You talk about sugar, but it could be the fat you're seeking too if it's chocolate you're binging.

Don't buy chocolate. If it's not in the house you can't eat it. When you feel you want chocolate eat something very savoury. I did this with sauerkraut and kimchi. If you don't like it, tough it out. Your taste buds will adapt. Get proper fresh kimchi or saurrkraut from a fridge, not the pasteurised stuff in jars. Your digestive system will thank you for the ferments. It may not be easy so you have to persevere. You CAN do it.

I have a terrible lack of self control when it comes to food, once I start I find it almost impossible to stop. One thing I can do however is not start. I’ve had to stop buying the foods I know I binge on and really focussing on not indulging. It took about a month but the craving stopped and, because I was no longer thinking of those foods, I’ve pretty much stopped snacking altogether.

It’s not easy though.

This is a post from my AMA;

I" have worked with ** and she is amazing!
I have always had weight issues and had weight loss surgery 4 years ago. I lost the weight but it has slowly been creeping back on due to my chocolate addiction/secret eating problem.
I thought I would be very difficult to fix, because it is so deep-seated, but in one session the whole desire for chocolate and to binge eat it has completely gone!!
I feel like a new person and have so much more headspace because I'm not obsessing about food and chocolate the whole time. It's the best money I have ever spent."

Sugar/chocolate/comfort food addiction often stem from childhood when the mind learnt that unpleasant feelings could be miraculously cured by a 'treat' – that's a very powerful lesson. The problem is that adult problems aren't as easy to resolve but the subconscious will keep reverting back to that failsafe just in case it might work this time – it's trying to help, not realising that it's adding to your problems. Once it does, it stops.

This was part of my eating disorder treatment. I had every cupboard stuffed to the doors with chocolate and crisps.

Another part of the same stage, mind you, was 'thoughtful' eating. The idea was that I had tons more crisps & choc than I could ever eat in one binge (this was important) ... and that I could have as much as I liked, so no need to panic. Just have half a pack of crisps to start with, one bit of chocolate, really pay attention to it, go back and do it again if I want.

The mindful eating was the thing. When you really take your time over either crisps or chocolate, notice everything happening in your mouth - it gets disgusting pretty quick! The chocolate's all gloopy and sticky, the crisps turn into a gritty slush. They taste lovely, of course, and I still enjoy them now. But it did add a whole new, distinctly unattractive dimension to the experience.

In any case, OP, I'm afraid I don't see you as having a serious problem. I agree with the PPs recommending Moser Roth mini-bars and cocoa. As you like dark chocolate, you can just make cocoa with boiling water. Add a bit of sugar if you want. Full-on choc for you and it's healthy!

I also agree you might not be eating enough proper food. Could you try really boosting your protein intake, preferably with a few more fats? See if it makes a difference to the amount of chocolate you feel you need.

Who have you worked with?

I am exactly the same OP and completely addicted to chocolate. I only eat expensive dark chocolate but that doesn’t mean I eat less of it. I eat it at least twice if not three times every single day. I can be stuffed full after a (healthy and nutritious) meal but still feel I need chocolate.

Except, the last few weeks I have stopped needing it so much. One day last week I realised I hadn’t had my daily chocolate, and then realised I hadn’t had any for a few days. I’ve still had some, but nowhere near like I’d normally be eating.

The only thing I can think of is that since September I’ve been taking a glucomannan and chromium supplement. Maybe that’s stopped the cravings. It wasn’t instant if that is what has changed but could be worth a try.

(A few weeks ago I would have been reading this thread thinking “why would you even want to cut down on chocolate?” which shows how something has changed)

Apparently cravings only last for 20 minutes…can you distract yourself with something until it passes?

@MoserRothOrangeandAlmond what?? Did you read the post??

@LucyandLudwig – they also posted a subsequent update.

Edited - did you mean the ** in the post? That's meeeee! Don't know why my username didn't show 😊

Try brushing your teeth when you are trying to resist. Nothing is more off-putting than toothpaste

I tried Allen Carr to quit smoking and it didn't work, or maybe it did and that is why I eventually quit later? I don't know, but either way I am going to look this up.

I also tried this sugar sniffer, like a Vicks stick but had this smell in it where every time you had a craving you sniff it? Meant to clear all your issues in three months. IT DIDN'T WORK. What is wrong with me?!

Ooh maybe we need to start a Quit Chocolate support thread @Bones101 and for the next 8 weeks we group together and work on it!??!!??!

That is interesting, could you link the supplement please? thank you

Interestingly, I have a very stressful day today. I caved and ate the mousse in the fridge and I thought - I wonder if this is a stress reaction, its my coping mechanism. It started as a child, switched to cigarettes and then reverted to chcocolate again later, so I guess my addictive personality needs a crux and I need to find a way to shift that to an overall balance.

Trust me this doesn't work.

I switched to dark years ago. My entry drug was 70%, I now eat 90% Waitrose chocolate and often eat 5 squares a day.

But.

Each square is 1.2g of sugar and 1.3g of fibre. So in total, less sugar than two custard creams and 1/6 of my fibre intake for the day!

Not for me. I sympathise with the op. Dark chocolate, Gin and tonic and red wine are all still totally delicious after tooth brushing for me!

Have you tried magnesium supplements, some people who crave chocolate are low in magnesium. I would also switch out all chocolate for dark chocolate, it's harder to eat a lot of it.