food cravings and Swank diet - junk food junkie rehab?

May · Getting to Know You... Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 11

Hi. Was going to post this under the Diet header but that's an awful sleepy zone there, didn't want to disturb any nappers. So to those of you who stray to general discussion, here's a topic thats probably been chewed and spat out already (ugh that was kinda disgusting Shocked

) but am asking anyway.

So here's the thing, the Swank diet kinda sucks. Uh, did I say that out loud? Embarassed

Not really, I don't have much trouble staying on it usually. But when my cycle comes on (I'm a girl) I get so hungry for a heap of good old nasty greasy salty potato chips and Swankin' just doesn't cut it, but I stick to it cause I know its good for me, right?

Sister and brother Swankers what do you do when junk food fever flares? I cry, sometimes. Rolling Eyes

Last checkup my cholesterol was *up* so if it isn't better this year they're putting me on meds for it, that confuses me, why am I giving up so much fat/salt/sugar/caffeine (scuse the drool) if its gonna do that anyway? Sugar cravings for energy get bad to, at least my brain whines that.

I know this is kind of a fluff question, and I sure don't want to offend anyone by whining abut something that maybe just dumb on my part. But, opinions? Been a good Swanker for years, why does it seem to be getting harder?

P.S. the spellcheck button is a great thing

Bonnie · Family Member Joined: Dec 18, 2003 Posts: 41

May, I'm not a "swanker" as you put it, but hope I can join this thread anyways. Surprised

What exactly can you eat, is baked chips out, pop corn, pretzels? They all satisfy that salt craving. Can you eat dried fruit when you want something sweet.

Is it true you can't have any dairy products, not even skim milk?

I admire your determination to continue with the diet, although for me it seems very difficult. Guess I'd better just stick to my low fat thing, right? Very Happy

I'll read this thread with great interest, to see how other swankers reply. I hope someone comes along with some great tips for you.
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Bonnie

crispy · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject:

Hi May,

I'm certainly not a 'Swanker' but part of it keeps calling me Laughing

I can understand your longing for junk food, and to be honest, I could never follow any of the diets advised for MS myself, so if you are following one for even part of the time that must be good.

I have some strong ideas on diets, but I don't want to hi-jack your thread so I'll start off another.

All the best,
Chris P

dawny · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject:

Wow, I give you alot of credit for staying on for a year. I would have a hard time staying on the swank diet. I do the weight watcher/Dr Phil diet. I was going to try the swank at one time and have young children and I don't think they would go for that. I don't have any suggections for the cravings. Can you have pickles? Those are salty. Good Luck to you! Very Happy

WannaBe · Newbie Joined: Jan 12, 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Central WI

Hi
I tried to do the Swank thing, but found it difficult. I can tell you what work's for me as to having something to "nibble" on, and keeping fats low. I get some cereals in bag packaging and sit & munch while I am watching TV evenings. I find that if I have something crunchy, I am satisfied. There are many different kinds, like Chocolate brands and those with berry flavoring. I also get graham crackers and munch. I like to think that they helped with my loosing weight and keeping my hunger satisfied. Very Happy

_________________
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Show me and I will remember.
Involve me and I will understand.

May · Getting to Know You... Joined: Dec 26, 2003 Posts: 11

Wannabe thanks for the suggestions, I forget about Graham crackers. Ate those all the time as a kid.

Dawny, pickles are good, so are olives, especially the kind that have almonds stuffed in them. I puff up bad after eating salt, but sometimes you just have to live a little. Wink

Bonnie, your to sensible. Laughing

Yeah I can eat baked chips (blaaaaah, where's the *grease*), have skim milk, a little. Dried fruit is ok. But when I feel whigny and self indulgent I want JUNK!!! Swankin' is good but man I just want some real un-good for me trash snacks once in a while. Laughing

I'll quit whigning now. Rolling Eyes

BrendaH · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 4:55 am Post subject:

Hi May! I've been on a non-gluten, non-dairy, no legumes and very little red meat diet for 7 years now. I do get cravings and used to feel so guilty when I gave in to them. But, I think we should indulge once in a while - it's good for you! Just leaning out of the wagon a little, not falling off it altogether! Laughing

_________________
Brenda H.
Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention. -Greg Anderson

jazzcat · Family Member Joined: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 30

Hello all,

First, I have to make a general plug for the Swank diet. Just wanted to share with you that I have been on the Swank diet for almost a year. I find the diet wonderful, as well as the general health changes that have come along with following it. As for knowing, scientifically, exactly what it is doing for my MS, I am not sure. Still, much information exists about aspects of the diet and their effects on health that I believe the diet is doing something. So, as I said, I had to plug the general diet. It may not be for everyone, but it is great for some of us. (If you want to get more perspective on the diet, visit the Swank Foundation website. Lots of great stuff on the message board about handling food cravings and indulging oneself in Swank friendly ways...)

Okay, general diet plug aside, I have to tell you that, in addition to the Swank diet, I am trying to combine incomplete proteins at every meal (as in beans and corn chips--baked Tostitos, soy milk and cereal, peanut butter and ryvita crackers with raisins on top, hummus and pita, nut pate with bread) or to up my protein content in general (salmon, hard-boiled egg, soy cereal). I was a vegetarian before starting the Swank diet and adding salmon and cod liver oil to my diet. I find that keeping my protein levels up (including snacks that include protein--lots of nuts and seeds) I don't have cravings as I did before. Also, eating lots fo nuts and seeds helps.

Also, in addition to the Swank diet, I decided not to go sweeter than fruit. I count my fruits as my diabetic parents do. (This is in line with Swank's idea of cutting down on sugary foods.) I also try to eat the whole grain carbohydrates, which is Swank's recommendation, so that the blood sugar is evened out. To avoid cravings, I understand, one should even out one's blood sugar levels. Since I have decided not to go sweeter than fruit I do not crave sugar as before. (I had 2 pieces of angel food cake in the last year, though, which is Swank friendly.)

To satisfy cravings I eat the foods I mentioned in the paragraphs above. Here are a few more favorites:

dates dipped in natural peanut butter or almond butter
dried apricots and craisins with almonds and walnuts
frozen banana blended with milk/soy milk, a little cocoa powder and vanilla (tastes like a malt/shake)
fruit sorbet or an all natural fruit popsicle
there's a snack food by genisoy called soy crisps--baked

Anyway, hope that helps. If you want, again, join us on the Swank Foudnation site for more good ideas and support.

Here's wishing you health and happy eating!

peace,
jazzcat

dutchchic · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

If you have a Whole Foods near you - it can be a God send. They have healthy (ier) versions of lots of snack foods including cookies and chips. Look for olive oil potato chips - they have good oils and low saturated fats.

Shayk · Family Elder Joined: Feb 07, 2004 Posts: 589

And, I'm not a "Swanker" per se, but trying to do better. I've discovered chocolate covered soy nuts. Sweet, anti-oxidant in those chocolate flavinoids, and protein. I've also found some good soy and flaxseed bars.

Just some things for those of us who can't quite do the whole diet.

Sharon

parksloper · Newbie Joined: Feb 17, 2006 Posts: 1

OK, I'm a thirty-four year old female. I recently got an MRI that showed I had white matter disease, I have some vague symptoms that are definitely MSish, numbness & tingling in face, blurred vision in one eye, seeing flashes of light when my eye moves, inexplicable fatigue, hand tremors, etc.

At the last visit when I saw the results of my MRI, the doctor read the clinician's report (for the first time in front of me) annouced that I did in fact have white matter disease (which I had not heard of before this), answered a call on his cell phone, walked out of the room, then told me to come back in three months. That's it. No explanation, no discussion.

So I'm stuck thinking, hey I might have MS, might not. But screw this useless doctor, I'm going to be proactive and try to head progression of possible MS off at the pass. So I got online found out about the Swank diet, I also found out about the Ashton Embry "Best Bet" diet.

I'm totally confused, one says you can eat wheat, one says you can't, WTF. The Best Bet diet seems crazily restrictive, but I'll do what I gotta do, however, the Swank diet's been around the longest and apparently has decent results.

I don't know what to do. What are the best supplements to take, I'm currently taking Omega 3 - Fish Oil, Ginko-Biloba, and a complete one-a-day vitamin.

What else can I do? What nutritional routes have worked for you? Is there anything in particular I should avoid other than animal fats?

I just ate some cashews thinking, it's OK on the Swank diet, then looked it up on the "Best Bet diet" and it was a big no. Also the Swank diet says soy is OK, but the "Best Bet diet" says no soy because it's a bean. I would have never guessed soy is bad for you. This is really hard to figure out. And not just a little scary.

Dahlia · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 5:46 pm Post subject:

I too am a Swanker, and have cut out gluten - was already a vego, but eat fish - no dairy. Occasionally I do get sugar cravings !! So I allow myself a little Halva (it's a Greek sweet made from sesame seeds and sugar), very addictive - but I just have a little - and there's always a tiny little bit of dark chocolate on the odd occasion. .......................

Brownsfan · Family Member Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 90

Park,

I'm no doctor, but isn't "white matter disease" awfully vague? I'm pretty sure that white matter disorders can involve many other factors other than MS, so you should probably narrow down your diagnosis before starting any diet. Maybe it's time to seek a second opinion or drop your existing doc all together if he's taking cell phone calls while discussing your MRI results. MS should be somewhat easily diagnosed via brain and spine MRIs, examination of spinal fluid via spinal puncture, and clinical history.

With that being said, I think it's safe to say that most of us on the "Swank diet" take fish oil and/or flax oil supplements on a regular basis. I've also added Vitamin D3 (2000 - 4000 IU depending on time of year) per the Embry protocol. I haven't eliminated glutens, as wheat products are just about in everything these days. However, I did have an allergy test to determine my sensitivity to glutens, dairy, etc. I think Embry recommends getting allergy tested to identify any possible allergens which could act as inflammation triggers. Luckilly I had none, but they are common. Bottom line is that Swank says to cut sat fats to less than 15 g per day and supplement with "good fats".

I think the Swank diet is a beneficial complementary therapy to MS, and certainly won't hurt your condition. However, you should definitely try and seek a diagnosis sooner rather than later, as you may want to consider some of the approved conventional treatments for MS if that is indeed the diagnosis.

Best wishes!

J

jimmylegs · Family Elder Joined: Mar 12, 2006 Posts: 2117

hi park! i'm 35 fem recently diagnosed and my 2cents are: eat right, now! don't wait for diagnosis, just look at where you can improve your diet and exercise and maybe you can head off further decline while the doctors dither.

i think i've read it elsewhere on this site but will restate that some elements of those diets are not necessarily for you - i would research why they make each claim, take all the general good ideas on, and then begin to figure out where my own sensitivities lie before i'd accept any restriction based on potential allergic reactions that would vary from person to person.

i'm sorta like brown - i do the Omega-3 with the flaxseed oil and 4000IU D3 (plus I now take a bajillion other supplements too) and i know (only from skin surface injection testing- whatever you call that) that i react mildly to oats but not wheat so that gluten bit's easy.

i'm also a bit like dahlia - was vegan but have now added fish and fish oils to be safe.

i think your most important supplements would be D3, and the omega fatty acids, and in my case b12 (methylcobalamin) is a biggie for neuroprotection because i was deficient. (i also take calcium to help absorb the b12 since i don't eat dairy and am not sure about my calcium intake from other sources - although i do eat non-dairy foods that contain calcium.)

since i started my huge supplement program in early feb06, i have noted improvements such as my lhermitte's sign associated with my cerival lesion disappearing, the numb shock reaction to pressing my spine next to my thoracic lesion is gone, the tiptoe part of my neuro exams is easy again, and some sensation has returned to my feet, although the rest of me is still numb (large fibre modalities only - i still can feel temp and pressure) and my hands still drive me crazy (they were the last thing to go, so far). i went from bedridden in early feb, to the point that i taught skiing 4 hours per day last week.

if you're interested i'll send you some info to read - i've been compiling ms-related nutrition abstracts ever since i recovered from my LP headache at the start of feb 06.

good luck! Smile