Your CRUNCHY Food Cravings

Why can’t I stop eating, Why do I have to always struggle with food, etc.? Have you ever found yourself saying these things and not able to say no to a food craving, or stop eating once you have started? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to take a look at what is driving these irresistible cravings.  Loving a certain food is not necessarily a craving.  A food craving is an intense, urgent or abnormal desire for a specific food to “satisfy” something.  That something, however, rarely has anything to do with food, cravings may actually be a clue that you’re longing for something not found in a grocery store.

Let's take a look at what might be going on within you if when you crave CRUNCHY foods.  

CRUNCHY CRAVINGS
Crunchy cravings like having a biscotti or overeating on nuts can hint to an inner frustration & irritation.  Crunchy foods help you act out your temporary emotional and mental release of frustration.  The act of chewing and cracking the food in your mouth can momentarily release the feeling of frustration, but the problem is that the second that the crunching stops—the frustration returns, which is why people go back to eat more and more.  Instead, crunchy cravings can be information that you are looking for self-fulfillment, approval, and pleasure.  Self-fulfillment could be anything that individually fills you up.  I have heard people say painting a picture, doing their nails, or walking on the beach is fulfilling.  The goal is to find what fulfills you and then practice that instead of running to food. 

Remember, there is a difference between what your inner problem is (frustration or irritation) and then what you truly need.   Look at the inner need as the navigator giving you information and then make a list of 20 things that make you feel whatever your true need is, but that you cannot BLT (bite/buy, lick or taste).  The goal is to begin practicing those new things when the craving surfaces.

When you take the time to figure out what it is you are truly longing for (which is probably not food) and begin to give yourself what you really need, you'll notice that your food cravings begin to dissolve.

Other Textures: 

SWEET CRAVINGS

Sweet cravings, like the desire forchocolate or donuts could be an indication that you are feeling insecure or tired.  Yes, the sugar can make you temporarily feel good, but the crash that follows shows it’s not a satisfying fix.  In this instance you may truly need to be nurtured and get true rest.  An example of feeling nurtured could be: cuddling up with a blanket, turning on some soft music and reading a book.  Or a rejuvenating solution to achieve true rest could be meditating or taking a nap.  The the goal is to begin practicing those new things when the craving surfaces instead of just impulsively acting on the craving. 

SALTY CRAVINGS

Salty cravings like chips or pretzels may be a sign that you feel tension and anxiety.  When you're in an anxious--negative emotional, mental and spiritual state you are probably going to experience a disconnection from feeling good.  It is not necessarily a physiological “lack of salt” but rather a craving for salty foods to subdue the tense and anxious feelings.  While the salty snack may seem satisfying at the moment, you’ll never truly be satisfied because the basic needmay be to truly relax & feelsatisfaction.