A great article about cravings

[PrairieRose]

This is something that I struggle with quite often. I really like the explanations about how cortisol causes you to crave sweets and such. I knew it wasn't just b/c I'm weak....lol

http://www.prevention.com/cda/articl...basics/0/0/0/1

Anyone else have a problem with cravings? How do you generally cope with it?

[perSue]

a lot of times i know when i'm craving sugary foods it's because i havent eaten enough in the day and my blood sugar is dropping.
i have a problem of forgetting to eat or just not eating enough because i feel fuller a lot faster. so i start to crave sugary foods.

one thing that's recommended is pickles! it works (sometimes).

otherwise, i dont cravy sugary foods.

[Momto2Boyz]

Thanks for that article! I am quitting smoking (I'm on Day #3, smoke-free), and I am trying not to gain any extra weight (I've put the idea of weight loss on hold for 30 days). I've been steadily losing weight, so I've been afraid to quit becuase I am so afraid my weight will balloon again!

Over the last 3 days, I've had nothing but sugar cravings! I have no idea why...I hate chewing gum, so that leaves me with no options. So far, I've been just waiting them out and giving myself a treat of a small bowl of ice cream each night.

Next time, I might try to put on some music and see if that helps!

[perSue]

try hard candies... like peppermints or butterscotch's.
ice cream will add the pounds. but hard candies are all sugar & fewer calories... and some last longer than ice cream!

good luck! it's tough but you can do it.

[PrairieRose]

I have no suggestions for you. I stil have 2 hersheys kisses everyday after lunch. That helps curb my chocolate cravings.

[nodmicks]

Good article PrarieRose! Here is one I found quite helpful!

Using Food to Control Cravings

* If you are craving CHOCOLATE, your body may be low in MAGNESIUM Try eating more raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in CHROMIUM. Try eating more broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calves liver, chicken.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in CARBON. Try eating more fresh fruits.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in PHOSPHOROUS. Try eating more chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in SULFUR. Try eating more cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbage.

* If you are craving SWEETS, your body may be low in TRYPTOPHAN. Try eating more cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach.

* If you are craving BREAD & TOAST, your body may be low in NITROGEN. Try eating more high-protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, beans.

* If you are craving OILY/FATTY FOODS, your body may be low in FAT or low in CALCIUM. If you are meeting your good fat requirements, try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in PHOSPHOROUS. Try eating more chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in SULFUR. Try eating more egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetables.

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in NaCl (SALT). Try eating more sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad).

* If you are craving COFFEE & TEA, your body may be low in IRON. Try eating more meat, fish and poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in PROTEIN. Try eating more meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in AVENIN. Try eating more granola, oatmeal.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in CALCIUM. Try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in GLUTAMINE. Try eating more glutamine powder (a supplement) for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice.

* If you are craving ALCOHOL or RECREATIONAL DRUGS, your body may be low in POTASSIUM. Try eating more sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens.

* If you are craving CHEWING ICE, your body may be low in IRON. Try eating more meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries.

* If you are craving BURNT FOOD, your body may be low in CARBON. Try eating more fresh fruit.

* If you are craving SODA & CARBONATED DRINKS, your body may be low in CALCIUM. Try eating more mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.

* If you are craving SALTY FOOD, your body may be low in CHLORIDE. Try eating more raw goat milk, fish, unrefined sea salt.

* If you are craving ACIDIC FOODS, your body may be low in MAGNESIUM. Try eating more raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits.

* If you are craving LIQUIDS RATHER THAN SOLIDS, your body may be low in WATER. Try to drink more water flavored with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day and more when it's hot or you are exercising!

* If you are craving SOLIDS, RATHER THAN LIQUIDS, your body may be low in WATER. Try to drink more water. Long-term, chronic dehydration results in losing your thirst. Flavor water with lemon or lime. You need 8 to 10 glasses per day and more when it's hot or you are exercising!

* If you are craving COOL DRINKS, your body may be low in MANGANESE. Try eating more walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries.

* If your cravings are PRE-MENSTRUAL, your body may be low in ZINC. Try eating more red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in SILICON. Try eating more nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in TRYPTOPHAN. Try eating more cheese, liver, lamb, raisins, sweat potato, spinach.

* If you are HABITUALLY OVEREATING, your body may be low in TYROSINE. Try eating more Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in VITAMIN B1. Try eating more nuts, seeds, beans, liver and other organ meats.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in VITAMIN B3. Try eating more tuna, halibut, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seeds and legumes.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in MANGANESE. Try eating more walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple, blueberries.

* If you suffer from a LACK OF APPETITE, your body may be low in CHLORIDE. Try eating more raw goat milk, unrefined sea salt.

* If you are craving TOBACCO, your body may be low in SILICON. Try eating more nuts, seeds; avoid refined starches.

* If you are craving TOBACCO, your body may be low in TYROSINE. Try eating more Vitamin C supplements or orange, green and red fruits and vegetables.

Compiled by Colleen Huber with additional credit to:
1. Lectures, Cheryl M. Deroin, NMD, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, Spring 2003 (healthy food recommendations)
2. Benard Jenson, PhD, The Chemistry of Man B. Jensen Publisher, 1983 (deficiencies linked to specific cravings and some food recommendations)

[Lisahas2cats]

I haven't read the article yet, but after losing 51 pounds and moving into weight maintenance, I've learned a few things about food cravings.

One of the first things I had to learn was how to make it through cravings. I decided during one particularly bad one not to do any of the "coping" techniques like chewing gum or drinking water.....I instead made a choice to actively FEEL the craving. Painfully torturous? Actually, it wasn't. I stood and stared at the chocolate and just let myself feel the feelings. Not surprisingly, it was very emotional, which I think is at the root of a lot of cravings.

Once I was able to actively FACE that craving, and have the experience of not caving to that feeling, it was like I had slayed a dragon. Yes, I still have food cravings, but I very rarely feel driven to my knees by one.

Now, as far as coping techniques (because the definitely are helpful, no matter how many dragons you slay!)......I make sure to have some chocolate every day, because I love it. Knowing I'm going to have a little chocolate at the end of the day keeps me from obsessing about wanting it all the time.

Really evaluating what's going on in my head when a craving hits is helpful. I don't always figure it out, but shortcircuiting that very IRrational feeling with a rational process puts me back in control.

Thanks for sharing the article...I'm off to read it now

[ballylarkin]

3 Hershey kisses a day (kept in my freezer) so they last longer....helps me quite a bit!