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The Life Foundations Nexus

FOOD CRAVINGS

Copyright August 19, 2003 11:21 PM CST

By Dr. Michael J. Bisconti

Updated August 19, 2003 11:44 PM CST

Copyright August 19, 2003 11:44 PM CST

By Dr. Michael J. Bisconti

Food Cravings (rated 10)

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

Wait.

Drink something before you eat something since hunger can be thirst in disguise.

Snack on something spicy or sour (a pickle, for example) when you have a sweet food craving.

Eat “food-craving killers.” See below under “Nutritional Response.”

Eat slowly.

NUTRITIONAL RESPONSE

FOOD-CRAVING KILLERS

The most powerful food-craving killers are high-protein foods.

· Protein creates blood sugar stability. Not enough protein causes fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

· Nuts and seeds are the first choice. Cashews are a good choice, especially for most women because cashews are high in magnesium. The second protein choice is meat products.

The second group of food-craving killers is vegetables and fruits.

Choose vegetables over fruits. Vegetables contain less sugar than fruits. Green vegetables are a good choice; especially for most women because of the magnesium that green vegetables contain. However, if you are going to eat fruits, pick fruits that fill you up, like bananas.

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates cause insulin to be released and increase food cravings. So eat very little cereals, breads and pastas. If you must eat bread, eat a multigrain bread. Also, eat less sugar.