Craving Junk Food

Do you crave junk food?

 

We’ve all been there! These cravings come and go but do they actually mean something? Cravings can come at any time but do I dare say it!? During that lovely time of the month can be a bit challenging. Our hormones are going crazy! Which often leads to craving and binge on junk. I have put together some tips to help you eliminate those PMS cravings! But it doesn’t just have to be that time of the month when our hormones are out of balance our body naturally craves nutrients that we are lacking. But our bodies can get a bit confused and when we think we need that bag of chips or milk chocolate bar our bodies are actually asking for something else.

How do we tame your cravings? 

crav·ing

ˈkrāviNG’
noun
plural noun: cravings
  1. a powerful desire for something.
    “a craving for chocolate”
    synonyms: longingyearningdesirewantwishhankeringhungerthirstappetitegreedlustacheneedurgeMore

 Why do we crave sugary, greasy food especially around our period? 

Our hormones are to blame!! They are the reason we want fried food or candy in the days before or even during our period. During this time, our stress hormone {cortisol} spikes, and the feel-good hormone serotonin dips. This fluctuation makes our bodies crave foods with lots of sugar and fat because they boost levels of serotonin and combat cortisol production, making you feel happier and more relaxed. That is, until you crash and need another sugary or greasy snack.

The good news?

Eliminating processed foods, and refined carbs especially in the two weeks leading up to your period —and upping your intake of fiber and protein—this can help your hormone and blood-sugar levels stay relatively stable.

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If you’re on your period right now—and can’t stop reaching for the chips or chocolate—start your day off with a protein-packed breakfast. A morning meal of eggs and bacon—as opposed to cereal or pancakes {Unless they are my protein packed pancakes!} —sets you up to have a steady blood-sugar level for the rest of the day. In the afternoon, be sure to snack on fresh produce. It’s a good source of water and fiber, both of which help to reduce bloating and stave off hunger and cravings.

Craving chocolate?

I have good news for you!!! Try to munch on a piece of dark chocolate-covered almonds instead of a candy bar so you can savor the sweetness, get a little protein into curb future cravings, and take in some antioxidants.

There are also many other reasons we have cravings not only around our periods. We can also be deficient in some key nutrients along with having our hormones out of balance.

FOOD CRAVINGS CHART

Craving this:…… Reason is:……………………….. Eat this instead:…………………………………..
COMMON FOOD
Cheese Essential Fatty Acids deficiency Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA)- Flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts
Calcium deficiency Sesame seeds/ tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes, mustard and turnip greens
Pasta, white bread, pastries Chromium deficiency Onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes, apples, sweet potato
Bread and toast Nitrogen deficiency Foods containing proteins, i.e. Green leafy veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains
Red meat Iron deficiency beans, legumes, prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C for iron absorption
Popcorn Stress hormone fluctuations Meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy greens, vitamin B and C
Crisps Chloride deficiency celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt
Essential Fatty Acids deficiency Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA)- Flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts
FLAVOUR
Burned Food Carbon deficiency Fresh fruits
Acid foods Magnesium deficiency raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, Whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, greens, fruit
Salty Foods Chloride deficiency celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt
Stress hormone fluctuations Meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, leafy greens, vitamin B and C
SWEETS
Chocolate Magnesium deficiency raw cacao nibs/beans/powder, Whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, greens, fruit
Soda, fizzy drinks Calcium deficiency Sesame seeds/ tahini, broccoli, kale, legumes, mustard and turnip greens
General sweets Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) fruit, high fiber foods (beans, legumes), complex carbs (grains), chromium (cinnamon)
Tryptophan deficiency spirulina, pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, raw cacao, oatmeal, sweet potato, spinach, raisins
Chromium deficiency Onion, romaine lettuce, tomato, cinnamon, grapes, apples, sweet potato
Sulphur deficiency cruciferous veggie (kale, cabbage, etc), cranberries, horseradish, asparagus, carob powder, garlic, onion
Phosphorus deficiency whole grains, pinto beans, pumpkin seeds, brazil nuts, lentils
EATING HABITS
Lack of appetite Chloride deficiency celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency whole grains, peanuts, seeds, beans, green and yellow vegetables
Niacin (Vitamin B3) deficiency Peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bran and wheat germ
Manganese deficiency walnuts, almonds, pecans, whole grains, green leafy veges, pineapple, blueberries
Often overeating Tryptophan deficiency spirulina, pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, raw cacao, oatmeal, sweet potato, spinach, raisins
Tyrosine deficiency Fruits (esp. Avocado and banana), whole grains, oats, legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, Vitamin C, veges
Silicon deficiency horsetail herb, nuts, seeds, oats, millet, barley, onions, whole wheat, beetroot. Avoid refines starches
Often snacky No balanced diet, missing nutrients Substitute junk food for healthy meals
MORE BIZARRE
Crunching on ice Iron deficiency beans, legumes, prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C for iron absorption
Laundry starch Iron deficiency beans, legumes, prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C for iron absorption
Cigarette butts Iron deficiency beans, legumes,prunes, figs+ other dried fruit, seaweed, spinach, cherries, Vitamin C for iron absorption
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Your Friend and Coach,

Kristin

 

 

Hi!! I'm Kristin McConnell,  I am so glad you are here! I am a wife to my amazing husband and a Mom of two fabulous kids. I love gardening, raising chickens, bee keeping and baking sourdough bread!

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