What Are You Craving?

“Sugar is a food fraught with layers of emotional meaning, inextricably linked with your sense of comfort and well-being”.  Andrea Nakayama

 

Do you sometimes crave a certain food?

Or is “often” a more accurate description?

Whether ‘sometimes”, or  “often”, cravings are usually a sign that something is out of balance in your body.

It could be due to hormones, a nutritional imbalance, low blood sugar or even stress.

Of course, any food can become a substitute for what we’re really craving in the moment.

However, for many of us, our go-to comfort food is sugar.

If your downfall seems to be Sugar, you’re not alone.

Yet, as we head into the holiday season, this becomes even more of a challenge, with temptations around every corner.

In a twist of irony, though – the more you crave a certain food, that’s often your Body’s way of telling you in an oh-so-subtle-way to cut back.

And while you may not be able to ditch those sugar cravings completely – after all, we’re biologically programmed to love anything sweet – it is possible to get your sugar cravings under control by ditching soda and processed foods.

In lieu of refined sugar, consider alternate ways to satisfy your sweet tooth.

At the same time, keep in mind that alternate sweeteners such as agave, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar and sucanat – to name a few – are still Sugar.

They may seem to be easier on your blood sugar levels – but the bottom line is still this:

Sugar is Sugar.

That’s a tough one to swallow, I know.

Consider too, that the very foods we often crave are often the very foods we’re highly sensitive, or allergic to!

(Yet another reason to avoid them).

A strange anomaly, yes, but also fascinating, if you take the time to think about it.

Then again, perhaps salty – rather than sweet – foods are your downfall?

Cause let’s face it – even those seemingly healthy snack foods can be just as addictive!

It’s the combination of sugar, salt and fat is what makes foods more desirable and satisfying.

So what’s a hungry person to do?

After all, sometimes we just need a quick snack to tide us over, and veggies with hummus might not be available at a moment’s notice.

Nor will that satisfy a craving for something sweet or salty.

In my own case, once I realized it was salt I craved more than anything else, I was able to shift my eating habits and come up with a few substitutes to satisfy my cravings for something salty.

Things like:

• Olives
• Steamed Edamame, sprinkled with Sea Salt
• Garbanzo Nuts

Even Soy Nuts will do, in a pinch.

The thing is, there are usually ways to get you cravings under control, and that also goes for Sugar.

Try listening to what your body really needs, and go from there.

The truth is – the body always knows!

With this in mind, here’s an easy salty, snack you can whip up in 45 minutes or less.

 

GARBANZO NUTS

1 15 ox can Garbanzo Beans, rinsed & drained*

1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Sea Salt

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the garbanzo beans with the oil and salt and mix until coated.

Spread the beans on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes, until crisp and golden. After 30 minutes, be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.

Enjoy!

 

*Eden brand is BPA free

Or, try soaking & cooking your own beans from scratch – I like to cook a big batch, and roast them for future snacking!