Chocolate/Caffeine Withdrawal

Anyone got any good ways of passing the time while waiting for the withdrawal symptoms go away and my B*tch levels go down? Doctor's orders, no chocolate for 3 months (WTF???)

Btw, caffeine free soft drinks suck!

Start smoking. Just kidding.

And only reason I jest is because I've been trying to quit smoking for a while now, and it just isn't working. So I feel you on the withdrawal part and, "what do I do in the meantime bit."

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!

Can you have carob instead of chocolate? I see it sold at most upscale and/or health food stores. I'm not sure I've ever tasted it, so I can't vouch for it's tastiness (or lack thereof).

You might also look into buying some good quality decaf coffee. It won't have the same caffeine kick, but you could still get some good flavor. Also, sometimes replacing one habit with another is just as good, like, instead of snacking on candy and chips in the evening, I try to reach for several cups of hot herbal tea with Splenda sweetener (instead of sugar). It's satisfying, warms me up in this cold weather, and fills my tummy.

Could be worse.. No dairy, No wheat makes Zap a saaaad puppy

What Beryl said, plus I'd like to add now that she sparked an idea in me with the choc. alternative:

Sugar Free Chocolate? I'm assuming it's all the carbs/sugar in chocolate that's getting you a vacation from it? Maybe not. But if that is the case, sugar free chocolate, in my opinion, tastes just as great. And might just make those three months go by a little easier.

No unfortunatley it's the caffeine....no chocolate, no AMPS (OMG no Amps) , no Red Bull, no Caffinated Sodas...that was about 70% of my diet I think...and fruits and vegetables.

I'm getting heavy eyed just sitting here with no Amps and no King Sized Creamy Milk Chocolate Symphony Bars...Damn....Just one lil square pleeeease!!!!! I'll do ANYTHING!!!!

LMAO

I have never heard of it, but I'll be able to tell you EXACTLY how it tastes tomorrow (writes "Carob" down on the grocery list).

But think of the phosphoric acid you'll be getting out of your system, if you ask me, that stuff doesn't do you any good..

But I don't wanna start a whole thing on it...

Ouch! Then that does suck. Best wishes for these next months then. Hard as hell to just go cold turkey on things you're so used to. Good luck with the carob. I've seen it in stores before, but can't attest to what it tastes like.

This might be useful.. Don't ask me if its all acurate tho.. It says white chocolate doesn't have any caffeine.. Which I find hard to believe, but I wouldn't know

Well after a bit of digging it seems MOST white chocolate is caffeine free.. I know some people who can't stand white chocolate tho.. But, might help

Hm... been a good bit since I ate carob, but I recall it not being bad. Just... not really chocolate.

You have my deepest sympathies. I'd rather be eaten by rabid sugar gliders than have to swear off chocolate or caffeine.

Mmmmm sounds yummy. Escpecially around the holidays. You're my Holiday Angel! *Kisses*** (Writes "White Chocolate" just above Carob on the Grocery List).

It's been 5 days now, so my caffeine high is wearing off and I have been turning in earlier and earlier each night. Is THIS is what normal people do every night?...off to bed.

Hehe awws.. White choca is my fav.. I think you have to make sure it comes from cocoa butter and not cocoa solids on the pack.. GL!

I recommend repeating,

"Any doctor who orders a patient to be off caffeine for 3 months clearly thinks there is something seriously dangerous, and I don't really want to die of a heart attack before my middle age."

and taking tylenol to dull the pains during your initial few days of painful, searing headaches. :/

*agrees*

Caffeine And Your Health

Chocolate does not normally contain caffeine, but rather theobromine. And I should know, I practically OD'd on the damn thing the other day

Coffee contains Caffeine == Trimethylxanthine == intense, short-lived stimulation
Cocoa contains Theobromine == Dimethylxanthine == mild, long-lasting stimulation

Although tea is said to contain "theine" and guarana is said to contain "guaranine" but these are just stupid made up names for caffeine.

The cacao seed does not contain a measurable amount of caffeine. There is supposedly some on the pod, but the pods aren't supposed to be used in chocolate manufacture... of course, god knows what actually goes on in those factories
Products containing caffeine are required to clearly indicate it on the label, and I've certainly never seen a caffeine warning on a candy bar. Milk chocolate usually has very little cocoa in it, and white chocolate is basically cocoa butter (purified cocoa fat) and condensed milk, containing little or no theobromine (let alone caffeine).

Of course, that isn't to say you should go and eat it. It is still a stimulant, though mild, and normally found in very dilute amounts which do not give you a "buzz". Your doctor was probably just playing it safe or trying to avoid giving you a chemistry lesson. *shrug*

I found some caffeine info on Hershey's Website:
http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition/caffeine.asp

Also on Theobromine
http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition/theobromine.asp

Also good info about the different types of Chocolates (including White Chocolate)
http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition/chocolate.asp

Good resources there as well.

LOL, I'll be sure to check the label on the white chocolate and let you all know what it says.

You're forgetting the isomer to theobromine, theophylline. It's like Caffeine's little brother but not nearly as chill as theobromine. I once did a report on the methylxanthines after taking half a box of caffeine pills (not all at once, obviously, spaced over about 6-8 hours) and used myself as the live demonstration.

Carob...blah! Not too great for me. But the white chocolate was quite tasty. Of course it didn't give me the usual chocoholic high I am used to though. But it was worth a trip to the store.





Edited a typo.

Good to know

My favorite white chocolate comes from the Swiss chocolate maker Lindt. Their Swiss White Chocolate Bar is to die for and can be found in many American grocery stores. (Gah, now I think _I_ need a trip to the store!)

Eggy, you really don't want to know.... no, really... you really don't!