Sweet Dreams

Last night, I sat down to a bowl of my favorite chocolate concoction: a warm brownie loaded with chocolate ice cream, M&Ms and hot fudge. I love the contrast of temperatures: hot fudge melting the inside of the M&Ms just enough, and the cakey warmth softening the ice cream to perfect soupiness. (Yup, my ice cream goes in the microwave for a few seconds before eating it.)

Of course, I was dreaming.

I haven't had a food dream in ages, so I was surprised by this one. When I first started low carbing, and was craving carbs like crazy, I'd have these "cheating" dreams all the time. Like my dream last night, I'd be sitting down to the worst possible foods for a low-carber: sugar, sugar and more sugar on top! Even during my dream, I'd feel bad for going off plan, knowing that by indulging I'd kick-start the cravings again. Then, I'd wake up grinning, 'cause it hadn't really happened.

Interestingly, in all my previous dreams, I'd really enjoy whatever sweet treat was on the nighttime menu. Last night, I found the chocolate ice cream way too sweet. I remember tasting it and feeling really odd because I was supposed to be loving it and luxuriating in my naughty treat, but actually not enjoying it. Man...I can't even have fun cheating in my dreams anymore!

Does anyone else have sugar-laden dreams? Do you think it's a signal your body is deep down still craving carbs, or just a mental reaction to denying yourself certain foods? A calorie-free, guilt-free foray into carbland, or a potentially dangerous trigger?

Food from thought.

Comments

[KatieP]

I have carb eating dreams all the time - normally involving Pavlova [a meringue dessert] and whipped cream.
I usually wake up extremely relieved that it didn't really happen. I find the dreams a positive thing because it reminds me of how I would feel afterwards if I really did consume such a sugar laden time bomb.
Strangely, I sometimes also have dreams about cheating on my husband and wake up with the same feelings - relieved that it didn't really happen -- maybe I'm weird!!

[Dave]

Surprisingly, no I don't have sugar laden dreams. To be honest, when I started reading this I lost my appetite for sweet foot. I think it is because I just drank a very large glass of water and the thought of anything else rigth now ...

Dave

[BamaGal]

i'm sure there are plenty of people who will tell you that this dream is telling you how much your body is missing carbs.
Personally---I can't control my dreams but I sure as the dickins can control my fork....so no carbs for me...only in my dreams

[Jimmy Moore]

What a fascinating subject, Kate! For me, I am so repulsed by even the thought of eating sugar (aka "rat poison") that dreaming about it doesn't even cross my mind even for a fleeting moment.

Now homemade mac & cheese, that's another story...LOL! GREAT TOPIC!

[elana]

Hi Kate! I must admit I've never checked out your site before but I sure will from now. Your dream has been my reality the last few days (been eating terrible - sugars, carbs, etc..) but I think I'll give this low-carb thing a try. Starting tomorrow, of course.

Keep up the good work!