Can't stop eating chocolate

[JoanThursday1972]

It's an addiction. I have gone from eating a small bar of, say, Dairy Milk, or a KitKat each day to a large size bar. I mean this sort of large size bar. In one sitting. And then I might eat another later in the day.

I've not had chocolate today and have terrible cravings. How do you start to beat this?

I can go without almost anything apart from chocolate, but I have switched to eating only pure dark chocolate and it really helps. I don't eat as much because it's very rich, and with no milk or biscuit, and minimal added sugar, it's healthier overall.

Sounds just like me! I really want to stop- shall we quit together?

Agree, you are probably craving the sugar, that kind of chocolate is more sugar than chocolate. Gradually adjust to 70% then 85% cocoa, reducing amounts you eat as you go. I generally stick to 85% and can satisfy my chocolate cravings with a couple of squares. At Christmas when we get different types like boxes of chocolates, I can see myself craving the sugar and and wanting more, I always end up having to wean myself off in the new year.

I could have written this post myself!
I’ve been like this my whole adult life and now at 36 I’m really starting to worry about diabetes/weight/heart health.
but I can’t help myself. I could easily go without meals if I could just eat chocolate all day

You're not alone. I'm addicted too.

Honestly, just stop. I've given up chocolate for Lent, I'd got to the point where I was being completely ridiculous, a family sized bar of whole nut in the afternoon, then a whole 5 pack of creme eggs in the evening and the like, every single day.

I've not had any chocolate whatsoever for getting on for 2 weeks, and I'm OK! It was really difficult at first but now it's become much easier, almost like a challenge, how long can I last? My clothes are definitely starting to feel looser. If I can do it, you can too!

I've been there. I've swapped them for salted peanuts, if that helps. Still quite calorific, but at least there's some nutritional value! I'm currently underweight, and being referred to ED clinic following significant hair loss, my wake up call. Please, if you can find a way to eat well, grab a hold of it, do it. I would/will eat a load of junk, then not eat anything useful for the rest of the day.

I’ve quit chocolate for Lent, can’t say I feel any thinner yet but at least I’m not fatter.
Cold turkey for a month is the only way to go. Easter Sunday is the 9th April this year so you still have a month to go, just stop.

When do you usually eat it? Is there a pattern to the time?

I cannot have a little chocolate. I can go without it completely - after 3 or 4 days of avoiding it, I stop craving it so badly - but if I eat a little, I want a lot.
I admire people who can eat 2 squares of dark chocolate and ignore the rest of the bar, but that is not me.

You are not alone op. Like @CharmedUndead it is actually easier for me to have no chocolate than just a little bit. I can easily eat one of those Marvellous Creation bars in just a few minutes and then want more chocolate half an hour later. If I know I have it in the house then I can't think about anything else. It's ridiculous really!

Oh God at least I'm not alone. @CharmedUndead I will eat in the evenings if watching a film or TV or reading. Also when working on projects. @spacechimp79 I am just like you. I have managed so far with none today, and there isn't any at home. I think working from home made all of this so much worse, hopping to the fridge to see what was in there.

If you are used to eating something while watching tv in the evenings - then that is your habit, more than the chocolate.

Breaking a habit sucks, but if you can tough it out for a week, then you can do another week, and soon it will be a month.

Things that helped me:

No food after dinner rule. I just knew I could not eat anything after dinner was finished - a cup of tea with one sugar gave me something sweet and something nice to have. (I know it's not the same!)

Alternately, replace chocolate but have some other food ready to feed the habit. Swapping chocolate for something nice but that you can easily stop eating. Raw almonds, dried apricots, walnuts, cheese, plain popcorn - I like this stuff, but not so much that I go overboard. I can have a little. I can eat one yoghurt and not particularly want a second. Find the right alternatives for you.

No chocolate in the house. (Tough with dc.) I find it easier to say no in the grocery store than when I'm on the sofa and it's in the cupboard!

It's hard!

Well I've downgraded to smaller bars and bananas 🍌 it's a start ...

Stop buying chocolate!! If it's not in thehouse you can't eat it.

Instead eat fruit: mango, bananas, melons, cantaloupe, grapes, apples, peaches, apricots, strawberries........ The is endless!

Not sure what happened there... The LIST of fruit is endless.

Keep telling yourself that fruit are more delicious than chocolate which they are.

In due course graduate to carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes....... you know, salady stuff, vegetables.

You can do this!

It’s really hard at first but you honestly just have to go cold turkey. The more sugar you have, the more you want. If you can manage to restrain yourself for a week or so you will stop wanting it so much.

I’m really all or nothing with sugar - I gave it up in January and now don’t really crave it at all. I eat fruit sprinkled with truvia sweetener for a “sugar” fix.

This is me! Check out my name. I just have to not have it in the house. Today I resisted a piece at work when offered. Felt very proud of myself.

Want to stop for weight loss and ethical reasons. Very weak willed though!

I've lost 2 stone since January and I am a chocoholic. I manage cravings by having a Fibre one bar or Skinny Whip bar and if I really want to eat something then I will eat it mindfully and enjoy it rather than gorging on it for the sake of it. I find the more I eat chocolate the more I want it and when I do indulge after a period of not having it, I never enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

I have this problem.

I am counting calories and don’t go over 1400 per day.

However, at least half of those calories are chocolate 🙈

Swap it for berries

Please direct me to the chocolate-flavoured berries!