Hi Rebecca,

I had the same issues and as my husband has a chocolate/lollies stash found it really hard at the start. I basically told myself I would swap to full fat everything and set no restrictions on my eating of savory and dextrose sweetened baked goodies until I made it over the craving hurdle. Luckily for me it didn't take to long, I think after a week I was fine. But I found allowing myself free reign on things that weren't entirely healthy (chips, cheese, kabana, LOTS of cashews and macadamia's) but had no sugar in them gave me the feeling of not being on a 'diet' and really helped. Luckily I like savory foods too so after years of trying to minimise all the naughty fatty foods it was actually really liberating to buy and eat full fat everything and not feel guilty! Not having sugar was actually quite easy. Surprisingly I didn't put on weight and by the end of a couple of weeks I found that firstly, I just couldn't eat as much as I felt sick if I did (as in if I snacked on cheese and kabana in the arvo I just couldn't eat tea) and secondly food was just starting to lose it's appeal. This is a big call for me mine and most of my friends lives really revolved around the food and wine bandwagon. Get togethers always included an abundance of sweet and savory nibbles and plenty of mascato and going out for lunch or tea or coffee and cake was always an exciting prospect planned in advance and focused on the most delicious place to go. Now, honestly I don't even think a bout food that much except to plan meals for the family. The whole food is only for survival thing always eluded me but I'm beginning to figure it out. I still enjoy what I eat and like to eat good food but it's much more enjoyable to eat a nice full fat guilt free meal made with quality fresh products then a sweetened watered down low fat one thats for sure.

Anyway - maybe try to let yourself indulge in the savory and dextrose sweetened things a bit until your cravings wear themselves out? The feeling of not being on a diet really helps rather then relying on self control - which honestly I think was missed when I was made. :)

Good luck!