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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DavidLA on July 17, 2007, at 0:18:41
Is there any way to satify the sugar/carb cravings from without binging on high-calorie foods?
My understanding is that Nardil reduces the liver's production of glocuse. So, for instance, what if I tried to eat a lot of low-calorie, but high-sugar foods, like oranges? Would that theoretically curb my cravings?
I usually binge on chocolate chip cookies when I get these cravings - and my scale is showing it!
Thanks,
David
Posted by Jedi on July 17, 2007, at 2:40:34
In reply to Nardil sugar cravings, posted by DavidLA on July 17, 2007, at 0:18:41
David,
I took Nardil for the better part of ten years and the sweet carb cravings were one side effect that did not go away. I could eat quantities of sweet carbs that a normal person could not even think of consuming. At one point I had gained more than 100 pounds. I found two things that would keep me from gaining weight and even lose some. One was strenuous exercise for two hours per day. The other was a low carb diet, similar to Atkins. I found that if I ate no carbohydrates the craving for them would reduce. Not a very healthy diet but gaining 100 pounds is not very healthy either. I have tried the high carb/high fiber apples, pears, oranges, etc. in large quantities. It is a lot healthier, takes your digestive system a while to adjust, and is hard to stick with for the long haul. I believe a combination of the high fiber/natural carbohydrates and daily exercise is the way to go. It is just a matter of being able to stick to it, long term. You'll probably still crave those cookies.
Be well,
Jedi
> Is there any way to satify the sugar/carb cravings from without binging on high-calorie foods?
>
> My understanding is that Nardil reduces the liver's production of glocuse. So, for instance, what if I tried to eat a lot of low-calorie, but high-sugar foods, like oranges? Would that theoretically curb my cravings?
>
> I usually binge on chocolate chip cookies when I get these cravings - and my scale is showing it!
>
> Thanks,
> David
Posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2007, at 11:28:30
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings » DavidLA, posted by Jedi on July 17, 2007, at 2:40:34
Wow that much weight gain on nardil? I think not I will not be visiting that med. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jedi on July 17, 2007, at 12:07:20
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2007, at 11:28:30
> Wow that much weight gain on nardil? I think not I will not be visiting that med. Love Phillipa
Phillipa,
As we all know, what one person experiences can have very little to do with what happens with somebody else. That weight gain was over a very long time period and I'm sure there were other factors other than Nardil. That medication saved my life at least twice.It is hard on Nardil, but a healthy diet with lots of fruits & vegetables plus exercise can limit or reverse weight gain; even in a person prone to obesity.
Be well,
Jedi
Posted by girlnterrupted78 on July 17, 2007, at 18:32:25
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings » Phillipa, posted by Jedi on July 17, 2007, at 12:07:20
> As we all know, what one person experiences can have very little to do with what happens with somebody else. That weight gain was over a very long time period and I'm sure there were other factors other than Nardil. That medication saved my life at least twice.
I agree with you, Jedi. I have been on Nardil for 1.5 months, and I haven't had any cravings, so it depends on the person. I have other side effects, though (eg. Daytime sleepiness, low blood pressure, and syncope.)
I've always had a hard time with sweets and carbs, though--since I was a kid and not taking any meds. I would eat 10+ chocolates in one sitting, and would devour cookies, chips, cakes, donuts, shakes--you name it.
So when I became a teen, the trouble started--because my fast (kid) metabolism began to slow down as I developed, so I had to find a way to take control of it cause I began gaining weight, which worsened my depression (all of this WITHOUT meds causing it.)
I began to follow the WW (weight watchers) program (a GODSEND for anyone who needs to track down their weight) and I exercise as much as I can.
Doing this, I have kept myself slim all these years. If I had any cravings from Nardil, this kind of discipline would be extremely useful because I'm constantly refusing foods that are fattening (i.e. I NEVER eat chocolates, cookies, candies, or any type of junk.)
I'm also vegan and I watch everything that enters my mouth; I try to eat organic foods, I eat lots of fruits and vegs, yogurt, cereal, and never bad, greasy, or unhealthy foods. My desserts are raw foods like nut bars and organic peanut butter & honey sandwiches.
Take a hold of your health and your eating habits and this will help you stop those cravings. Change your eating habits completely and try to get your vitamins and nutrients instead of eating for the sake of eating.
I get cravings all the time (with or without Nardil) but I have become disciplined and have developed strategies to deal with weight issues. This would be helpful for anyone experiencing Nardil side effects like cravings.
Best of luck
Posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 19:06:49
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings » Jedi, posted by girlnterrupted78 on July 17, 2007, at 18:32:25
I don't see how an orange can be low carb. It's sweetness comes from fructose and that means calories. GI mentions bad greasy food. I don't think it's bad, so long as it comes from animals and not from those rancid oils like soy and canola
Posted by Sigismund on July 17, 2007, at 19:09:31
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 19:06:49
Does fructose have a lower GI than sucrose?
I think it might.
Posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 20:18:56
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by Sigismund on July 17, 2007, at 19:09:31
Note sure. I think it might be higher
Posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 22:54:15
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 20:18:56
Something I found (glucose is possibly classified as GI=100 or it might be more as there are 2 different GI scales)
And there is a last problem as far as diabetics are concerned. The GI of fructose (fruit sugar) is 22, very much lower than sucrose (table sugar) at 64, yet fructose is far more damaging to a diabetic's health than sugar.(2-4) To sum up, the Glycaemic Index is a very weak index which is over simplified, over hyped, and over sold. While it may have some use in a clinical setting, it is really of very limited use to the general public.
What matters as far as your body is concerned is not the GI of a carbohydrate, but the total amount. A hundred grams of carbohydrate is a hundred grams of carbohydrate whatever its GI is.
By the way, as I mentioned, the GI diet was billed on the magazine's cover as a 'low-carb' diet, and so it should be, of course, as all the truly low-GI foods have little if any carb in them. However, in the recipes section, under the heading 'Putting it all into practice', readers were told to eat 6 portions of carb, 5 portions of fruit and veg (which are also carbs, of course, even though they are listed separately), 2-3 servings of protein and 3 portions of low-fat diary food. In other words it's the same dreary, old 'healthy' low-calorie, low-fat, high-carb diet that has consistently failed dieters and ruined their health for more than a century.
Posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2007, at 23:01:07
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 22:54:15
Best diet there is is the eat whatever you want in small portions. When younger on every diet there was the day I stopped dieting and ate what I wanted no more cravings and I lost weight. So I don't believe in dieting. A diabetic diet is the best. Love Phillipa
Posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 23:12:56
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings, posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2007, at 23:01:07
yes but nobody can agree on what a diabetic diet is. Back to mental health - here is an interesting site which includes novel information on depression, suicide and schizophrenia
Posted by Phillipa on July 17, 2007, at 23:18:39
In reply to Re: Nardil sugar cravings » Phillipa, posted by FredPotter on July 17, 2007, at 23:12:56
Fred I hate meat. I was always a chicken person. Just make sure to get enough protein about 40 grams I think and fruit, cereal, grains, vegtables pretty unlimited, and milk products me I eat yougurt. Love Phillipa
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