When was the last time you had a food craving? What did you reach for? Was it sweet? Crunchy? Creamy? Whether we crave health or junk foods, our cravings are our bodies' way of telling us to heed a need. Sometimes that need can be physiological such as an energy boost, mineral replenishment, or hydration. At times, cravings are easy to understand with a direct correlation to what we need. Have you ever craved spinach? That used to be a frequent one for me when my body needed iron.
At other times, we can misread the cues and choose counterproductively. I'm talking about those sugar and caffeine urges when what we actually need is more sleep. Or a food fest when the real source is thirst. Or a hankering for the very foods to which we are intolerant.
At other times, we can misread the cues and choose counterproductively. I'm talking about those sugar and caffeine urges when what we actually need is more sleep. Or a food fest when the real source is thirst. Or a hankering for the very foods to which we are intolerant.
"The very thing we crave upon waking can be what we are sensitive to. What do you crave first thing?"
Excerpt from Gutsy: The Food-Mood Guide to Revitalize Your Health Beyond Conventional Medicine
My new book due out this spring/summer
Likewise, sometimes cravings are due to underlying emotions that haven't been uncovered or tackled: a yearning for more love, connection, being heard and validated, unwinding. Without addressing our emotional needs, we may reach for food to fill the voids. Dark chocolate is my soothing indulgence. And, while that's a pretty healthful snack in moderation, on particularly stressful days I have a hard time stopping myself from eating the whole bar. What satisfies you these days?
Research on emotional eating shows that different emotions frequently correspond to specific foods. How handy! The foods we crave may actually be clues to help uncover the underlying emotion. For example, crunchy foods like chips are often the snack-of-choice when we are angry. Cookies, cake and other sweets are the go-to "foods" when we want more love and sweetness in our lives. Gooey, warm comfort foods like mac and cheese are general stand-ins for...you guessed it...comfort when we are sad.
While soothing in the moment, these foods can backfire, causing us to feel worse later. Sugar highs and lows, inflammatory oils in junky chips, and nutrient-deficient foods take a toll on our bodies and our minds. And if we layer guilt on top of the indulgence, we end up more upset than before. The key is eating for nutrients, and not beating yourself up about it when you don't.
"Real food provides nutrients that curtail cravings so that, once you switch up your diet, you will actually crave junk less and desire wholesome food more." Excerpt from Gutsy: The Food-Mood Guide to Revitalize Your Health Beyond Conventional Medicine
My new book, Gutsy: The Food-Mood Guide to Revitalize Your Health Beyond Conventional Medicine, due out this spring/summer, offers over a dozen mind-body-spirit exercises to assist in unveiling emotional triggers. It also offers a 21-day food elimination guide to discover food intolerances as well as 57 delicious, healthful recipes free of gluten, dairy and other common food triggers. Having satisfying, yummy and nutrient-dense foods on hand is a great way to answer any craving. Below is a warm, crispy, chewy, savory and comforting recipe from my new book to give you a taste of what's to come. Enjoy!
FARINATA – GARBANZO BEAN CRISP
This easy Italian snack, a crispy chickpea pancake, is delicious
served alone or with a dip such as the horseradish almond cream
or with the cold cucumber soup. (Additional recipes in Gutsy.)
1 c garbanzo bean flour
1 c water
4 T olive oil
2 t dried thyme leaves
1 t salt
1 shallot, chopped finely
Preheat oven to 450°. Once heated, place a 12” ovenproof skillet in
the center of the oven for about 5 minutes, or until very hot. Meanwhile
combine garbanzo bean flour, water, 2 tablespoons olive oil,
thyme, salt, and shallot in medium bowl and whisk well. Pull hot pan
out of oven. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into pan and
swirl until pan is fully coated. Pour batter into pan and swirl until
evenly distributed. Bake in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes,
or until edges are golden brown.
Nutritious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes | © 2016 Nan Foster Health, all rights reserved.
This easy Italian snack, a crispy chickpea pancake, is delicious
served alone or with a dip such as the horseradish almond cream
or with the cold cucumber soup. (Additional recipes in Gutsy.)
1 c garbanzo bean flour
1 c water
4 T olive oil
2 t dried thyme leaves
1 t salt
1 shallot, chopped finely
Preheat oven to 450°. Once heated, place a 12” ovenproof skillet in
the center of the oven for about 5 minutes, or until very hot. Meanwhile
combine garbanzo bean flour, water, 2 tablespoons olive oil,
thyme, salt, and shallot in medium bowl and whisk well. Pull hot pan
out of oven. Pour remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into pan and
swirl until pan is fully coated. Pour batter into pan and swirl until
evenly distributed. Bake in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes,
or until edges are golden brown.
Nutritious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Recipes | © 2016 Nan Foster Health, all rights reserved.