Sweet Cravings, Weight Watchers' Points & Skinny Cows

11:15 pm: Sweet cravings are nothing new to me nor the rest of humanity lacking self control. Kings have lost wars that were easier to fight than the sweet craving. Cravings are addressed in every dieting book I own. Because of my extensive library, I’m well aware of all the basic temptation fighters; (1) drink more water, (2) chew a stick of gum, (3) eat some protein, (4) suck on a jalapeno, or (5) use a coat hanger to wire your mouth shut. These basic craving killers work for skinny people, but I’ve tried them all and they don’t work for people who would rather have sugar than meaningful relationships.

I get cravings for sweets on a daily basis and my internal clock seems to strike “sugar” right around bed time. Instead of “winning” against this temptation, I’ve created my own personal cravings strategy where I choose to play for the “tie.” Contrary to what you might think, a “tie” is not giving up. Giving up would be considered a “lose.” For me, a lose would be a binge containing a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream chased down with a 16 ounce shot of caramel, then brush my teeth and repeat above… that would be a “lose” (albeit, in a sick way it would also be a win). I can usually settle the sweet craving with a “tie” if I stick to only one sweet item—that’s the real battle.

Tonight I found a Weight Watcher’s Chewy Oatmeal Raisin bar that I was hoping would satisfy my craving. It was hiding in my refrigerator from my Weight Watcher’s days (September—which is usually when I begin my “fall diet”). Weight Watchers uses a point-system and their dessert supplements are usually only worth 1 point. With most cravings, 1 point doesn’t do it for me. This particular bar is small enough for me to snort… not satisfy. I eat it though (because it was there) to hold me over as I moved from the refrigerator to the freezer (an approximate 8 inch body shift). Luckily, as I dig thru the freezer I discover I have one Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich left (140 calories). This is the equivalent of shopping at Costco and having all the sample tables unmanned. It’s awesome! This particular frozen treat will always satisfy the sweet spot for me. Not only do I love the taste of ice cream sandwiches, but it also taps into my childhood, where this particular dessert was a staple from the ice cream truck visits. I should also admit that I actually enjoy eating something that uses the word “cow” in it that won’t clog my artery. The product name (Skinny Cow) definitely fits with another dieting oxymoron—“delicious nonfat...” Using the word “skinny” in dessert is brilliant marketing, much in the same way that Del Taco (www.deltaco) has named their popular “Big Fat Steak Taco” (390 calories). Had they called it The Skinny Lean Steak Taco, it would have been kicked to the curb right next to The Cottage Cheese Enchilada.