I was on here about a year ago - lost my login credintials somehow so I had to create a new account...oh well...no biggie...

Anyway, here's my situation; I am a delivery driver for a regional baking chain that sells mainly cupcakes, pies and other sugary treats. We drivers have access to any damaged goods & can consume them as we wish.

All my life I have had a weakness for these foods. Whatever I try I cannot kick this. I have not been feeling well and went for a checkup, dr. says I have borderline diabetes.

He says we can try and correct it with diet first, but he is doubtful. Wants me to take a pill once a day.

I have tried the healthy lifestyle in the past, but I always go back to the junk.

I tried green smoothies & juices, did some raw recipes, and while I do enjoy them, I still enjoy going for the treats & pies as well.

I've been a cooked food vegan for probablly 10 years, and have been as much as 80% raw at one time a few years ago.

Someone, please give me some tips to save me from myself! I don't have any clue on how to break this sugar addiction. I am open to any ideas you may have.

Oh yeah, I did try "tapping", but for some reason that technique doesn't seem to do a thing for me. I think it is becuase I don't really have faith in it that it really works.

Please help -

Going full healthy or not healthy is what i did for a number of years going from one extreme to another and it never really stuck for me. Infact living healthy seemed like a down right pain in the ... sometimes.

I would first suggest replacing the junk with healthier options, there are many great raw treats out there which are much better for you than say a donut or what the average cake is.

I guess it depends what your diet and lifestyle is like overall. Although diet is a massive influence in the development of diabetes so is a sedantary lifestyle and alcohol overindulgence.

Nothing wrong with a little bad food in moderation aslong as the majority of the time you are eating and living healthy.

[www.vegankingdom.co.uk]

Thanks powerlifer,

For me, a "little bad food in moderation" is really a no no. I've been eating junk for so long, and my resistance is so weak, that if I give in at all - then I end up eating several treats.

I don't consume alcohol and I can be sedantary at times, other times I workout a lot. My mom has had diabetes for many years and she never consumed alcohol and was always very active. But, she was always baking, there was always a fresh baked pie or cake on the counter.

What great raw treats would you be referring to? Although, I am really trying to put them ALL out of my diet.

I know EXACTLY the dilema you are in.
You are directly associating food with some form of comfort.Which of course we all want.

If you are open to spiritual possibilities,that could maybe give you a grasp on a different direction.Find that same comfort from something other than food.

This is a mind over matter situation.
Nothing more.

It can be conqured.

Vinny



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2012 10:17PM by eaglefly.

One thing you can do to reduce your desire for sweet treats is to eat a lot of fresh fruit in the day, say like 12 pieces of fruit a day or even more. The sweeter the fruit, the less your desire will be for the harmful carbohydrates like baked goods and cupcakes and other sugary baked treats.

Your job is killing you. Is there anyway you could begin looking for another job that would use your driving skills?

i had the same problem, although not prediabetic, but very addicted to sweet processed junk food. i didn't eat anything healthy back then, although it was vegan. you'll be able to get back on track, once you lose the desire for it, it's no longer a fight to not have it.

i used to eat pies, cakes, all the time, and probably almost a liter of pepsi every day, how on earth i survived living on that i don't know, but i was younger so that helped. the way for me was to give up all processed sugar, that was my start. just doing that i felt a lot better. the longer i stayed away from it, the more i didn't want it anymore. gradually i moved to a vegan whole food diet and so got rid of all flour products which was my second weakness, but that took longer and i went in and out of that for years, but stayed away from sugar which was the worst thing for me. i ate fruit instead, which actually i love fruit now.

you can do it, it's possible, i don't think anyone ate the amount of junk food/sugar that i did.

Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate it.

eaglefly - The snacks as comfort food? Possibly. It may have started out that way when I was younger and just carried over into this job. Now I eat them out of boredom more than anything. Boring long hours on the road. And of course, the sugar chemical addiction at this point.

Prana - Will try the fruit suggestion. It makes sense and most definently will be much healthier. I like fruit - to a point. Grapes are way too sweet for me. Same with figs & apricots. I get tired of apples/bananas. Oranges are okay. Not sure what else I have in my area that I really enjoy.

Molli - I've put out resumes at Fed Ex/UPS, etc., but job prospects are very bleak in this economy.

adrian - Your story sounds a lot like mine. Tons & tons of junk. Right now I can eat maybe six or so treats a day during my driving time. Funny thing is, a few years ago I went "all out" bodybuilding and I didn't eat ANY junk food for almost two years. Not a vegan at that time, but I had a very clean diet otherwise. No junk food, soda, anything like that which I thought would compromise my weightlifting gains.

Now, I am 45, divorced, and depressed. Just a tad overweight (small gut, lol) and lost the drive to really do things right. I guess the depression I am going through is a part of that. But some small part of me still wants to get back on track.


I'm going food shopping tomorrow at our local health food store, I know they have young coconuts there, I am looking foward to getting those.

veganrawdude
your situation and depression would certainly lead you to want "comfort" foods.

It amazing how we are similar.
I was into the bodybuilding yrs ago and would not put one molecule of "junk" into my body.
Turns out that what I was eating was junk....lots of milk,tuna,pills,powders.

Fresh living raw food................thats the answer.
Feel your boredom with carrot and celery sticks.
At least then you will know you have eaten something good,and then you can pat yourself on the back and find a new feeling in that.

Vinny



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2012 02:55AM by eaglefly.

You say you've been vegan for 10 years but I seriously doubt any of those cakes that you have are vegan - are they?

Why not try being completely vegan - check every label. This at least will give you a very clear cut off point.

I'm not sure that too much fruit is a great idea if you are trying to bring diabetes under control but it's not really my area. But the book to get is Eat to Live by Dr Joel Furhman - he spends his entire career now reducing people's blood pressure and reversing diabetes etc.

What else do you like as 'treats' - anything savory? I love olives, hummous etc. Buy yourself really good savory food and try and steer clear of sugar - it is a real addiction or can be. After a few days without it you should start to feel better and your resolve will harden. Golly - diabetes isn't to be taken lightly and it's fab that your dr is willing to support you trying diet first as a means to bring it under control. Go for it - dude - take control - you can you know. Come back here for support - we'll help

veganrawdude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What great raw treats would you be referring to?
> Although, I am really trying to put them ALL out
> of my diet.

I have a friend who makes me a variety of different raw vegan cakes, cacao free also. Mostly carob, date, mesquite based but taste like proper chocolate cake with icing. Much more nutrition, fiber and phyto-nutrients than a normal cake that is high in fat and refined sugars.

Naked do a good raw bar, cashew cookie is my favorite all it contains is dates and cashews but tastes nice sweet cookie dough like bar. Theres quite a few others ill list up later, that are healthier raw and/or vegan choices.

[www.vegankingdom.co.uk]

Good info here, people who have reversed this condition.

[www.raw-living-food-success.com]

The thing is, you really have to exert your powers of self control. Use whatever means work for you but do it, plain and simple. Not being about to get control over your habits will inevitably lead to being medicated, there's just no way around it.

Best of luck to you .

ETA the site I linked to is selling stuff but you don't need to buy anything there. The videos have great info.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2012 02:29PM by coco.

Back after a couple of rough days. Been consuming Carrot/Celery/Apple juice & eating good things (for the most part)

Had a couple of dizzy spells durning the last few days, that was not fun. I suppose the junk is working through my system, being "pushed out" but the healthy stuff I am consuming.

eaglefly - thanks for the posts. I know fresh living raw foods are the answer. Just gotta break the bad habits...somehow.

flipperjan - non, cakes are not vegan. They contain dairy for sure. I do like olives. I like sour foods as well as sweet ones. I guess I would say I am eating this junk more out of habit than anything else, since I was introduced to it all as a young one.

powerlifer - those treats sound yummy. I am familiar with some of them & hacve tried them. Expensive though. And I know there are raw recipes on youtube - I'll have to check thouse out.

coco - great website. I was moved by Michelle's story in that clip. Good points you make. It is just plain & simple as you stated. Either get a handle on it or take meds & be unhealthy.

Question:

How "raw" are all of you? By percentage, I mean. Not sure if I could ever go 100%. Do I need to? I must admit I will pop in a frozen vegan pizza or something like that a couple times a week. And, I will consume other cooked, but vegan dishes.

Good? Bad? Is it "all or nothing"?

Many people who once took the stance that raw vegan was an all or nothing endeavor eventually rescind. I firmly believe that every single tiny positive thing that you do is beneficial. Do a lot of a things? A lot of benefit. But it's not an all or nothing deal. You're also supposed to enjoy your life, else what's the point? It shouldn't stress you out or make you feel bad or guilty. Focus on the things you ARE doing rather than what you haven't done yet .

Since you're dealing with specific health issues I suggest that you don't take weakness, dizziness etc too lightly. Consult with your medical practitioner while you alter your diet and lifestyle. You don't have to say the words "raw vegan" you can just mention improving your diet and habits.

The juice id say was probably what messed with your blood sugar. Juice is void of fiber and thus the sugar is rapidly absorbed by the body which can mess blood sugar and cause dangerous insulin spikes.

[www.vegankingdom.co.uk]

The only time I might be 100% raw is in high summer when I have an abundance of leaves in the garden and it is hot - by definition that ain't often in the UK !!!

I don't think you have to be 100% raw or even near it to be wonderfully healthy. I am vegan - but that's no longer a choice for me - i just am - it's who i am. I could no more change that than i could fly. I strive to eat as healthily as I can but again I don't want it to take over my life. I think it's very easy to let the diet rule your entire life till you have no room for anything else. This is why I think for most people they sit quite happily being less than 100% raw. Desperately trying to be 100% raw and 'failing' can give you far more stress than just enjoying your vegan pizza twice a week etc - and I personally think stress is increably bad for all of us. I also believe that one graduates to more and more % raw over the years of settling down into the diet and lifestyle. Not many people go bang - 100% from a SAD diet and stay with it for very long. There's quite a bit of learning to do - about foods, where to get them, how your body reacts to them, how to afford them, how to socialise and so on. I do believe it is a gradual learning process which you must go at in your own time - no one else knows what is best for you.

I agree with everything Coco has said so I won't repeat it - but I could have written it myself. Actually I will repeat one thing - definately don't take the dizziness lightly - detox is a highly overused word. Get yourself checked out.

Maybe try driving with a packet of nuts, some fruit, some dried fruit - anything to steer clear of those cakes

Keep in touch and keep positive

Percentages?[scratches head] . . . there's a thread on here somewhere about this:
[www.rawfoodsupport.com]

I'm 100% or close to it, in the warmer months. I eat some cooked vegan foods in the fall and winter, though I have done 100% raw in the winter. Practically OD'd on citrus, ha!

All of you have offered great ideas, and I am trying different things - and failing.

I am addicted to chocolate, and I cannot fathom giving it up. I crave it constantly throughout the day in anticipation of my night drives when I know I will be getting my "fix".

I was talking to a co-worker last evening who is fighting ciggerette addiction; He just ordered one of the electronic cig. gadgets in hopes of kicking a 45 yr. habit.

Do they make "E-chocolate", lol?

Seriously though. I don't know how I can do this, even though it is wrecking me. Juices & smoothies and all "healthy" food tastes almost bland, well, like garbage to me.

I just want chocolate...

What kind of chocolate are you eating at the moment, you could try switching to raw chocolate bars which are tasty and better for you than your average mars bar etc. Dark chocolate over 70% has quite a few documented health benefits, plus raw cacao bars are rich in minerals such as magnesium.

http:/www.vegankingdom.co.uk

How about raw cacao beans, grind them yourself with some medjool dates. At least that's real food, nothing factory processed, just 2 simple ingredients.

Maybe you're body is craving the magnesium.

I'm eating the "junk" chocolate that is avail. to me from work. Bad, I know.

I'll have to try the raw cacao bean recipe, maybe with some other ingredient than dates though. Funny, dates are too sweet for my tastes.

Raw chocolate bars are good, but expensive! I know, I know - what is your health worth to you...

Can you list a few of your raw bar favorites? I see you mentioned the Naked bar. I'm not sure what are good choices with little preservatives, etc.

Very depressed today. Burned out with life... Nothing moves me. I could care less about anything, really. I suppose that comes from the sugar withdrawal. (and other issues)

Those bars are so easy to make, it's usually just some sort of nut with dates and cacao powder, coconut can be added too. If you've got a food processor you can whip up a batch yourself, form bars, wrap in waxed paper and there you go, travel candy bars. The nuts will cut the sweetness of the dates, or you could use other dried fruit like apricots (look for the black ones instead of bright orange, those don't have any sulfites added to keep the colour).

Set some small goals for yourself here, gradually increase the percentage of healthy foods that you like and the not so great stuff will naturally decrease. Get a bit more exercise in, like take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator. Go for a walk in the morning and/or evening, see if a friend will go along to encourage each other and make it fun. Celebrate your successes, even the small steps forward count towards getting you closer to where you want to be. Be gentle and kind to yourself, you're doing great even thinking about how to change things.

Good luck .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2012 09:10PM by coco.

veganrawdude,

Have you done a workup online of your nutrient intakes? You may be really deficient in magnesium, as some others suggest. Sorry you are feeling down right now, but that could also indicate mineral or fat deficiency of some kind.

list of all the things veganrawdude does RIGHT

1. asks for help
2. thanks those for receiving help
3. drinks carrot celery apple juice
4. acknowledges that doing bodybuilding allowed for a clean diet and both motivated each other ( maybe you could try that positive feedback loop again, if u so desire)

looks like u are on the right track
keep it up

oh yeah and cinnamon lowers blood sugar ( its cheap, get it in bulk, and put it in those gelatin pill capsule things )

cucumber juice sweetens green drinks
string beans lowers blood sugar and is sweet

so u can avoid the apple carrots ( if need be)

keep a track of all thoughts, actions that you are doing RIGHT
build up that magnet little by little
and it will become a

T
S
U
N
A
M
I

heck, make that list right here right NOW

have fun!

Well thanks la_veronique!

A sweet post - and I do very much appreciate it. I am doing most of the things you mentioned. I guess I am beating myself up because I am also doing bad things to my body, and the negative thinnking that I engauge in all the time doesn't help.

With my personal life being a whirlwind of activity it seems like everything is thrown up in the air at once - kind of overwhelming so I get easily depressed. I'm not the type to read a book & "think" my way out of it either.

And, I don't like to talk to others and share my personal feelings because, well, I really don't trust anyone anymore due to past relationship failures.

At this point I am just plodding through life one day at a time, maybe looking ahead for a glimmer of hope but not really expecting anything spectacular to happen.

Sorry for the downer post - looks like this is shaping up to be a tough week for me. (personal & work stuff)

I have this little unit for making capsules of powered herbs, etc. It comes in a few sizes and you can buy veggie capsules instead of gelatin (that's made of bones and hoof).
[www.cap-m-quik.com]

I recommend fruit too.


RawGosia channel
RawGosia streams

I recommend more fruit, too, green smoothies, particularly. If you're full off of whole-food, raw, vegan calories, why would you want a donut or cake?

Also - why are you calling yourself vegan for 10 years but clearly eating non-vegan foods? If you want chocolate and you are calling yourself a vegan, get vegan, fair-trade chocolate. Or don't call yourself a vegan.

"
Also - why are you calling yourself vegan for 10 years but clearly eating non-vegan foods? If you want chocolate and you are calling yourself a vegan, get vegan, fair-trade chocolate. Or don't call yourself a vegan."

Well, thanks so much for the hurtful post. If you read through this thread from the beginning, you will see that I am struggling here. Thanks again for the confidence building words of encouragement.

Think I'll go have a Hershey's bar now to calm my nerves.

Everyone has to start somewhere guys.

Have you looked at gourmet raws carob and if you wish cacao brownies, they are tasty, expensive as everything raw but healthy and tasty.

[www.vegankingdom.co.uk]