What’s the reason we crave snacks?
Why don’t we just ‘stop cravings!’
If only it was this simple. We figure out the one reason, and hey-presto, we’ve cracked it!
From the selection of snack-attack triggers that I’ve come across whilst working with a variety of clients over the last 2 decades – it comes down to just a couple that seem to make the biggest difference.
And each of these triggers are based on how well our system is –
1. Nutriented (micronutrients like vitamins, enzymes + minerals)
2. Fuelled (macronutrients like fats, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber)
3. Hydrated
4. Hormonally balanced
5. Metabolically balanced (how efficiently our fuel-burning system’s working)
And from my experience, the key ways that can turn things around the fastest for the most people, are Fuel type + quality, and Hydration.
So this means having-
1. A balance of each fuel type during the day, and for –
Carbohydrates – go for low glycemic index,
Fats – good quality (and if heated are stable at higher temps),
Protein – needs to be absorbable
Fiber – ideal when it’s a variety of both soluble and insoluble forms
2. Enough water each day; as a rough guide this is 1.5 litres for an adult.
This will increase with the types of food we eat (eg if it’s dry or salty), when we’ve been exercising, in air conditioning or travelling, and if it’s hotter or less humid.
The challenge can be though; even when we know what we need to be doing, we don’t always do it. This is the reason I do what I do! – helping to create Life-long Healthful Habits.
Interestingly, the work of leaders such as Psychiatrist M Scott Peck show us the scope of what’s possible – for those of us who currently have a gap between our daily health-habits and our Healthy LifeStyle goals.
Scott’s discovered that even though doing an activity may not be a natural thing for us to do, we can train ourselves to do it.
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Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O., I.N.H.C., is The LifeStyle Aligner. She’s an experienced practitioner since 1992 in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified Osteopath, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, speaker, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, and Health Brand Ambassador.
