Cravings are a Part of Nature

It has been at least two weeks since my last post. To be honest I have not felt much inspiration, primarily as there has been a great deal of challenges I have been facing at my job, especially that has been trying emotionally. You should know I am a school librarian at a middle school for 7th and 8th grade students, this will perhaps give you some perspective as to why I have been dealing with and helping others deal with some of the issues that I will be mentioning. From the experiences we have been surviving through at my school, over the course of just a couple of weeks mind you, I have had to cope with and help others cope with rushes of adrenaline, high blood pressure, anxiety, anger, and most recently shock and grief. Over time I may discuss a range of these areas and what you may or can try to help you through them, but as I am still working through much of the stresses that come along with these issues, I don't feel I can truly focus and discuss them objectively.

What I want to talk about is often what happens during and/or after these issues that sometimes seems strange to be having. I'm talking about food cravings. Something that seems to have been really percolating at the back of my brain was that after and sometimes during sensations of the above mentioned issues, I was craving a particular food(s). I mean, I was extremely angry at one point during last week and all I could think of was either punching a wall or devouring a thick steak cooked rare. Last night, it was not too strange as I had a similar occasion, when I was coping with the fresh emotional wounds of grief, I wanted...no my body seemed to need...carbs and sugar. I was a crying puddle and all I wanted was a Dr. Pepper and to finish my peanut butter waffles that couldn't stomach for breakfast.

Here's some neuroscience in regards to how food cravings occur and keep in mind it is different for everyone on what you crave. From the article what they've learned so far is that it is mostly different between men and women, but they haven't investigated food cravings enough to know if it is just a matter of you being male or female, as I have not found a study done, so far that demonstrates the correlation between cravings and the emotions a person is going through when such cravings occur.

So, this is what's happening when we get cravings according to an article by Sharon Denny published in Current Health (1997). Chemical messengers in the brain (neurotransmitters) signal sensations and functions for your body. One messenger (serotonin) helps make you feel zen with sensations of calm and relaxation. Other messengers (dopamine and norepinephrine) creates sensations of feeling pumped, alert, and ready for action. We even have messengers for our pleasure, perhaps you've met, they're called endorphins. Now these messengers also seem to be who are triggering potential cravings that your body seems to be communicating with you (Denny, 1997).

In Denny's article she talks about scientists at the time investigating relationships between food and mood, however from my cursory research into academic articles that were published within the last five years and no wonder the best article I found was in a magazine periodical from the late 90s. The trends of study regarding cravings don't seem to be existent. I found articles on nutrition and the influences of socioeconomic situations on your nutrition, as well as a case study on developing a  nutritional plan to help you curb your cravings, but nothing on the correlation between cravings and mood.

Therefore, I must state that what I am about to share is my personal opinion based on observation of others and examination of my own dietary practices, which I'm sure many nutritionists would probably be angered. So here is Kellye's food craving basics.

To feel calm, typically was crave carbs. Pizza, french fries, pastas, cheese, fruites, starchy vegetables, etc. Feeling amped up due to adrenaline or anger, typically cravings for proteins are occuring. Red meats, chicken, eggs, beans, peanut butter, etc. If you desire feelings of pleasure to balance out the pain you may be feeling physically or emotional; typically we crave fatty and sugar rich foods. Cakes, doughnuts, basically any pastry, chocolate (more commonly in women than men; but even men I've known have asked for some of my chocolate stash due to a need to increase their endorphin levels).

Personally, I'm of the school of thought that if your body is sending the message you need something, you should listen to it. The issue that I face and others due is the aspect of moderation and preparation. I usually go for quick and easy, but recently in my efforts to reduce my weight and be more natural with how I work with my body and mind, I've tried to make what I want rather than pay someone else to prepare it for me. Some examples, instead of going out to get fast food fries. Cut you potatoes fry style and cook them up in 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil or bake them in the oven with a sprinkling of virgin olive oil and season to taste with your own seasonings. Takes time, but if you really want it, the wait doesn't matter.

Another example is for the sweets craving. I love sweetings, but I find that since I've incorporated more dark chocolate in my diet, sweets fill me up faster, so I don't consume as much. My favorite little treat to boost my pleasure messages in my body are dark chocolate ginger. Go to the recipe section to see a dark chocolate ginger candy recipe. It's DELECTABLE!

However, I want to note that satisfying your cravings doesn't solve the issue of what you are going through. Be sure to talk to someone and seek counseling if you find yourself needing more help with the above mentioned issues. Mental health is extremely important to physical health and a quality existence. No one should have to feel like they are less than or be forced to live with real issues that are hurting them. Just because we don't see a person's injuries, doesn't mean they aren't in pain. I'm including information on my References page for services you can access. Never feel ashamed of needing help, we all do and we are all an important part of the grand global picture.