Deconstructing Cravings
Did you know that the body is an amazing source of intelligence? It is always there for you, pumping blood, never skipping a heartbeat, digesting whatever food you put in it + maintaining homeostasis. Is this reliable, intelligent bio-computer making a mistake by craving ice cream or a hamburger or chocolate? Are cravings due to lack of will-power or discipline? I’d like to suggest that cravings are not a problem. They are critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs.
The most important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave. You diet may be too restrictive or lacking essential nutrients. Perhaps you are living a lifestyle that is too boring or stressful; so your body tried to correct the imbalance by sending you a message: a craving. A craving for something sweet could mean you need more protein, more exercise, more water or more love in your life. The key to stopping the sugar craving is to understand + deliver what your body really needs! (P.S. this is where that phrase “out of balance” comes into play!)
Although we search + search; no book or theory can tell you what to eat. Only awareness of your body + its needs can tell you. Books, theories + outside support can help guide you but of all the relationships in our lives, the one with our body is the most essential. It takes communication, love + time to cultivate a relationship with your body. As you learn to decipher + respond to your body’s cravings, you will create a deep + lasting level of health + balance.
The next time you have a craving, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of a weakness. Try these tips to respond to your body:
Did you know that the body is an amazing source of intelligence? It is always there for you, pumping blood, never skipping a heartbeat, digesting whatever food you put in it + maintaining homeostasis. Is this reliable, intelligent bio-computer making a mistake by craving ice cream or a hamburger or chocolate? Are cravings due to lack of will-power or discipline? I’d like to suggest that cravings are not a problem. They are critical pieces of information that tell you what your body needs.
The most important thing is to understand why you crave what you crave. You diet may be too restrictive or lacking essential nutrients. Perhaps you are living a lifestyle that is too boring or stressful; so your body tried to correct the imbalance by sending you a message: a craving. A craving for something sweet could mean you need more protein, more exercise, more water or more love in your life. The key to stopping the sugar craving is to understand + deliver what your body really needs! (P.S. this is where that phrase “out of balance” comes into play!)
Although we search + search; no book or theory can tell you what to eat. Only awareness of your body + its needs can tell you. Books, theories + outside support can help guide you but of all the relationships in our lives, the one with our body is the most essential. It takes communication, love + time to cultivate a relationship with your body. As you learn to decipher + respond to your body’s cravings, you will create a deep + lasting level of health + balance.
The next time you have a craving, treat it as a loving message from your body instead of a weakness. Try these tips to respond to your body:
- Have a glass of water + wait 10 minutes.
- Eat a healthier version of what you crave. For example, if you crave sweets, try eating more fruit + sweet or root vegetables.
- What is out of balance in your life? Is there something you need to express, or is something being repressed? What happened in your life just before you had this craving?
- When you eat the food you are craving, enjoy it, taste it, savor it; notice its effect. Then you will become more aware + free to decide if you really want it next time.
RSS Feed
