Want vs Need.
By Penny Lomas
When it comes to food, we all know that we ‘should’ eat healthy, but sometimes our taste buds stray and we pick the wrong foods. Here’s how to recognize the signs, listen to your body and supply yourself with the nutrition your body needs.
Ok, so you’ve just had a killer session, let’s say my favourite…….Legs.
You’re stuffed, you’re exhausted, craving sugar and a carb hit? You walk past the bakery. In this situation, think to yourself:
“What does my body need?” Not “What does my mind want?”
Although the cinnamon yoghurt looks appealing your body does not need this. Your body needs protein in the form of a fast acting powder, a protein shake. Your body needs sugar to replenish your glycogen stores, a piece of fruit or fruit juice.
Exercise Mindful eating:
Mindful eating is consciousness and awareness to what you are putting into your body. To commit to what you are eating and why you are eating it. Bringing awareness to the way you eat, where you eat, how much you eat and most importantly what you eat. Mindful eating is a reward in itself, satisfaction that you are applying thought and commonsense into the correct nutrition.
The mind is a powerful tool so use it to its full capacity, be mindful when eating and think of the rewards in the long run.
Here are some typical cravings and their soluntions:
*Your body WANTS chocolate, your body NEEDS magnesium, try eating raw cacao, raw nuts, seeds, legumes and fruits.
*Your body WANTS sweets, your body NEEDS chromium, try eating broccoli, grapes, calve sliver, chicken.
*Your body WANTS coffee or black tea, your body NEEDS phosphorous, try eating chicken, beef, liver, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes.
*Your body WANTS Alcohol, your body NEEDS calcium, try eating mustard or turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame.
*Your body WANTS Salty foods, your body NEEDS chloride, try eating more raw goat milk (urgh no thanks) or more fish and unrefined salt – Himalayan salt and sea salt is a good option.
*Your body WANTS Tobacco, your body NEEDS tyrosine, try eating more Vitamin C found in Oranges, green and red fruits and vegetables.
*Your body WANTS to habitually overeat, your body NEEDS silicon, try eating more nuts and seeds and avoid refined starches.
*Your body WANTS bread and toast, your body NEEDS nitrogen, try eating more high protein foods like fish, meat, nuts and seeds.
*Your body WANTS oily and fatty foods, your body NEEDS fat or calcium, make sure you are meeting your calorie requirements and try eating more broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese and sesame.
The body is very good at letting us know when we’re hungry, thirsty or simply in need of a pick me up. So next time you are hitting the 3:30pm slump, assess what you have just done, what you are about to do, and what would be the best nutritional option.
Yours in good health
Pen
Xxx
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