Ekohe

To have junk food cravings like crazy? I generally eat extremely "clean" but like last time, now that I am giving up the booze I am craving sugary foods, and things like chips. It's driving me nuts!

incognition

I think it's perfectly normal. I find myself craving chocolate a lot more than I used to. Maybe our bodies are just looking for something else to consume that will fulfill the "comfort substance" role.

Dee74

It was certainly normal for me

It usually settles down in time - or you could feed yourself healthy snacks instead?

D

Ekohe

Well I opted for healthier options, mixed nuts and air popped popcorn. They seem to be doing the trick. As this is the night I'm usually firing up the weekend, I wanted to check in here and decided to cave in and get some snacks and stay in alone, watching movies.

From the experience on my first real quit attempt last year, the first few weekends were the hardest for me.

CaptainHaddock

Well, for now the junk food might certainly be the lesser of two evils, perhaps even some kind of subconscious reward. I know I keep thinking of ways to reward myself for my efforts to quit drinking.

I am sure it will even out in due course.

Jezzi

I'm definitely having cravings I never normally have. Mostly for sour candy

August252015

I definitely started craving sober as I came out of my non-eating that I did while drinking, there at the end. The explanation I've seen and that makes sense is that my body craves sugar since alcohol has so much in it. I ran with it for a pretty long time!

Cutting myself slack - now I exercise and am working on a consistently better diet concerning desserts - has just been the way for me.

teaorcoffee

Who knows what's normal in this - I do know that I'm in the same boat - was ok (well really, really tired) for the first 5 days, constantly hungry for the last 24 hrs.
Just thinking I give myself two weeks for this to work itself out and worry about healthy eating later.
One thing at a time. Thanks for starting the thread, nice to know it's not just me

Susiegirl

I hope its normal as I have never ever had a sweet tooth but since giving up wine I am eating more sweet things. Not good for the diet - lol X

Ekohe

Haha yeah no kidding! But I prefer having a snack, going to bed and having no hangover to all my previous weekends.

RuneStone

Its normal for me I keep buying ice cream. On one trip to the store I spent $28 on ice cream!

tomsteve

i remember hearing that its quite common for people to crave sugary things early on. something about the body converting alcohol into sugar?
and it was suggested that i keep some sweets around for if/when a craving hits.

Hope1989

Better pizza, nachos and tacos than booze and hangover

It is normal.

azwakeupcall

Absolutely normal, and to be expected. There are 4 sources of energy (calories) for our body: fat, protein, carbohydrates, and alcohol. Alcohol is unique in that it is the only source that has absolutely no nutritional value. It is pure empty calories. Our bodies immediately convert alcohol to sugar to process it. There are many an alcoholic who are diabetic because of their drinking, even though they never had a sweet tooth while on the sauce.

When you stop drinking, that void of sugar is extreme. Your body has not only suddenly lost a huge source of sugar, but the volume you drank in calories is now gone. It would be like giving up an entire meal or two on a diet. You're going to have cravings.

In my experience, heavy drinkers who are conscious of their bodies begin giving up food for drink. They will eat less and less and drink more and more. They may maintain their caloric intake and avoid gaining weight, but they are seriously undernourishing their bodies. If they stop drinking and continue eating they way they did when they drank, they will undoubtedly suffer consequences.

Sadly, replacing alcohol with Snickers bars or other harmful foods isn't the answer. It's okay if you need it for a few weeks to adjust, but a new lifestyle based on unhealthy choices is just as bad as drinking. I would seek the advice of a doctor and a nutritional specialist.