Cravings

[Guest guest]

I have a problem... how does one keep popcorn butter and potato chip

salt etc from gumming up the keyboard. I`ve tried

pouring (accidently albeit ) pepsi on it but

to only mixed results. I`ve noticed however that mustard stains (with

subdued moderation) can add a certain....

je ne se quoi...ambiance to it`s otherwise austere decor.

I love tomato sandwichess but haven`t found the right dipping combo.

in peace and love

jerry

[Guest guest]

Killer Cravings

No mysterious ingredient. The Cadbury's secret is out. Chocolate is

drug-like

in its effect. Artificial taste explodes in the mouth with crunchy,

smooth, sweet

flavors, supplying intense pleasure. Every texture and nuance of taste

contrived

to stimulate your 9,000 taste buds into sending pleasure signals to the

brain. The

intensified pleasure effect is addictive.

We don't care about the additives or empty calories. Chocolate junkies

crave a fix,

driven by the desire for that chocolate pleasure. Pleasure for which we

will pay any

price, even our health.

Chocolate bars are loaded with salt, sugar, caffeine and fat, up to 300

calories per

bar. Like a body demanding heroin for its balance, the body will crave

sugar, salt and

fat. Take candy from a sugar junkie, and look out! Quitting causes

withdrawals. Remove

sugar, processed fat or salt from your diet, and you will crave them.

You will go through

the discomfort of facing withdrawal similar to the withdrawal from drugs.

Strawberries and bananas don't cause cravings. You never feel guilty

about eating too

many cantaloupes. You never hear little voices in the back of your head

saying eat, eat,

eat cantaloupe. No, because natural foods balance the body and physical

cravings are

caused by biochemical imbalance. Street drugs, alcohol, caffeine,

nicotine, salt,

saturated fat, refined starch and refined sugars cause cravings because

they imbalance

the body's chemistry.

Addictive substances cause the body to become dependent on an unnatural

substance for

homeostatic balance. Removing it will cause withdrawals.

During withdrawal, the addict suffers through the painful readjustment

as the body cries

out for the missing substance. In a desperate attempt to maintain

homeostasis, (chemical

balance) the body demands the very substance that caused the imbalance.

The body's homeostatic balance is affected by diet. Consumption of

massive amounts of sugar,

salt, caffeine or fried foods drastically affects homeostatic balance.

Natural hunger

becomes distorted as the body craves for the substances necessary for

balance. The body

reacts as it would to any addiction. Powerful cravings override the

body's natural needs.

Food allergies can also cause an addiction-like dependence due to

homeostatic disturbance.

Your favorite foods are usually the ones to which you are addicted. You

usually feel better

immediately after eating the food that you are addicted to, but shortly

afterward the

allergic reaction produces a feeling of irritability. It causes

flatulence, nausea,

depression or headaches. Milk, wheat and eggs are the most common

allergic foods. Each

contains large protein molecules with strong glue-like bonds. If the

appropriate enzyme

necessary for digestion is not available, these protein molecules enter

the blood

undigested. The immune system attacks these fragments as if they were

invaders.

Homeostasis has been imbalanced, and if these foods are continually

eaten, the body will

need them for homeostatic balance, causing an allergen-based food

addiction.

The brain has 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion connectors for memory

alone. Each

brain cell is dependent on homeostatic balance to function properly.

High doses of sugar,

salt, fat and caffeine can cause imbalances in the brain's normal

chemistry. Eating

natural foods allows the brain's chemistry to function normally. Natural

foods assist

homeostasis, supplying vitamins, minerals, soft fibers, cell salts and

enzymes to assist

the body in maintaining balance. In a balanced state, hunger is in

relation to the body's

need for nutrition.

Eating processed food creates cravings for more processed foods. Eat

fried foods, and

you crave more. Eat cooked food, and you crave it. Eat sugar-filled

food, and you will

crave it. The Hostess Munchies are nothing more than disguised cravings

for salt and fat.

They promise satisfaction, but artificial pleasure never satisfies. It

is a pleasure that

takes by first giving. It steals valuable nutrition from your diet by

feeding your body

empty calories.

Addiction in the Brain:

Scientists are discovering that psychological addiction has a common

factor. All

mood-altering drugs elevate levels of the neurotransmitter in the brain,

called dopamine.

Tobacco, cocaine, heroin and caffeine elevate dopamine levels and cause

a feeling of

euphoria. Dopamine may be the master molecule of addiction.

Neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, control how the brain works and

what we feel. When

you feel pleasure from eating or falling in love, receiving a

compliment, it is dopamine

that causes the feeling. Every experience that humans find enjoyable may

be linked to

dopamine whether that be listening to music, savoring chocolate, sex or

shooting heroin.

Fifty neurotransmitters have been discovered to date. A good half dozen

are associated

with addiction by causing a feeling of euphoria. Serotonin is another

interesting

neurotransmitter. It has a sedating effect. This neurotransmitter can be

affected by

rhythm, such as stroking the hair, slow deep breathing or a rocking

motion. It is

possible that the desire for the serotonin effect enforces repetitive

habits such as

nail biting, playing with hair or nose picking. There is a repetition

and a rhythm to

these habits. It may be an unhealthy attempt at trying to gain comfort

from the

serotonin effect. Starches have been known to have a calming effect on

the brain due

to increased levels of serotonin. We are using junk-food, starch, drugs,

and bad

habits to adjust our feelings through stimulating our neurotransmitters.

The pleasure effect of neurotransmitters is designed by God to form

healthy, natural

dependencies. A wholesome pleasure that motivates us to find good

tasting food,

comfortable shelter and loving relationships. Dopamine and serotonin

reinforce healthy

actions and behaviors.

Dopamine has a powerful ability to form triggers. During pleasure,

neurological pathways

are being formed that will trigger a physical and emotional reaction to

repeat that

pleasure. We know it as an urge. We feel impelled. Our minds can become

fixed on pleasure

until we think of nothing else.

Intense pleasure forms the most powerful triggers. For this reason, sex,

drugs and food

create the most powerful urges. A syringe, rolling papers, an X-rated

video, Mcs,

anything that is associated with the pleasure, becomes a trigger for

these powerful

urges. Compelled by an urge, we feel pulled toward pleasure like steel

to a magnet. The

emotions overdrive and our body quivers with adrenaline. An addict may

shake and sweat

with the anticipation of pleasure. A tennis player may also experience

the same reaction

before a championship. The body and mind are being prepared for action.

Urges are powerful at motivating us towards good or evil. We can feel

the urge to pray,

the urge to be kind, the urge to create or build, or we can feel the

urge to destroy.

Yet, even the most powerful urge cannot negate our responsibility. We

can never blame an

urge for the action we have formed, built and accepted. We have given it

power from the

thoughts that we allowed to form.

Stolen Rewards:

Drugs hijack the natural reward system of humans. Smoking a joint feels

like the

relaxation similar to two hours in the gym. Heroin gives a pleasure

similar to " runners

high, " the euphoric state experienced during long distance running. But,

like all

mood-altering drugs, the pleasure is stolen. It has not been gained

honestly through

effort, achievement or challenge.

Processed food hijacks the taste buds, stealing pleasure without giving

nutrition. In

nature, foods that taste good are good for us. Sweetness is an indicator

of calories.

Saltiness is an indicator of mineral content. A bittersweet taste, like

lemon, is a sign

of cleansing acids and vitamins. We like food with fats and oils because

they supply

calories and essential fatty acids. Natural oils and fats are high in

calories and

fat-soluble vitamins. Healthy food has a wholesome taste, a pleasure

intended to

reinforce healthy behavior.

KEY: Compulsive addictive obsessive overeaters binge to find peace. By

running from fear

it controls them.

A Security Blanket:

Food can be used to medicate our feelings. Its pleasure gives a

predictable lift. When

we feel cranky, tired or lonely, food offers comfort. A comfort on which

we can depend.

A comfort that brings peace in an emotional storm. However, the reliance

on food or any

substance to feel better forms dependence.

The pleasure offered by mood-altering drugs and food can easily become a

security

blanket, insulating us from a harsh world. An emotional crutch that

makes us weaker by

leaning on it. Each time we use it natural emotional responses

deteriorate, and the

addict becomes emotionally dependent on the pleasure to control mood.

When we are dependent on a chemical or food to feel good, our self-worth

is eroded. We

no longer are in control. We are dependent. An addict never feels good

about needing a

drug. There is a feeling of being powerless that destroys self-esteem.

Every time we are tired, upset or frustrated and use food to feel good,

that behavior

is being etched deeply into our neuropathways. Whether that be eating

potato chips,

gambling, sexual perversion, horror movies or healthy activities like

exercise or

playing an instrument, the pleasure is creating triggers to repeat that

behavior.

Every time you enjoy a food that is unhealthy, use a mood-altering drug,

engage in a

perverse fantasy or enjoy being lazy you are creating triggers. Triggers

that will

activate emotions, becoming powerful urges to repeat that behavior.

After a lifetime's worth of indulgent triggers and twisted behaviors, we

are out of

control. Tidal waves crash upon the shore of our soul. There is no

peace. The storm

is relentless and the pain is endless. Hope is darkened. Only a glimmer

remains. But

it is enough to see.

Place a huge CAUTION sign over your pleasures. Choose your pleasures

with great care.

The pleasure of dopamine can move us forward towards a healthy,

fulfilling life or

endless indulgence. Through discipline, we can receive dopamine's

pleasure from

healthy activities and actions. We can feel good about doing the right

thing while

enjoying the benefits of a clear conscience and a healthy body.

Through discipline, you can control your neurotransmitters. Imagine

being able to

create nice, warm feelings . a neurotransmitter high without harsh drugs

or side

effects. Just warm dopamine fuzzy feelings. Bet you'd be one happy

person. In a few

chapters you are about to discover how. We call it the Dopamine Diet Plan.

You can master our Cravings Defense System. When emotional and physical

cravings rise

up like a tag team punching from both sides you can hit back with a few

uppercuts.

No more beatings from Mr. Big. Be the aggressor. Fight back. Chase those

cravings

away with a scowl. Flex some muscles. Show no mercy. Take no prisoners.

This is war!!

Addiction is profitable. It sells. Cravings are good for business.

http://www.freedom-you.com/compulsive_eating/killer%20cravings.htm

--

Peace, love and light,

Don Quai

[Guest guest]

I know how you feel but if you want to get healthy the bottom line is you can't

eat any foods that are sweet. Most of us are on the same type of diet as you. It

just takes time to get rid of the cravings. It took me a few months. For the

first few months I kept cheating. Finally I realized that I had a choice - be

sick or eat sugar - the choice was fairly simple. Once in a while I still slip

and eat sweet foods only to have my candida flare up causing me to greatly

regret ever giving in to the sugar cravings. Now when I do get the cravings I

splurge on something with Stevia or sometimes other sweeteners. I know it is

easier said than done. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could

go back to eating chocolate bars, ice cream, etc. but that was one of the

reasons I am as sick as I am. I don't know your situation; you have to decide

what is most appropriate for you.

All the best to you,

Steph

ahappysmileyface <ahappysmileyface@...> wrote:

Thanks to all who answered about my sugar/chocolate cravings. But, the

thing is, I don't want to eat stevia, or splenda. I want to eat actual

food that is sweet. Did you guys mean to sprinkle the sweeteners on

the food? The other thing is, I am on pure protein only, no milk or

dairy. So, I don't think Stevia would taste well on my baked chicken.

LOL Oh, I forgot, I'm not eating any fruits either. Sounds like a fun

diet doesn't it? No wonder I crave sweets! LOL! : )

[Guest guest]

Greetings All

One thing that I learned was the the craving for

chocolate was due to the `magnesium in it.

It could be that you are craving the minerals in the

items such as chocolate.

Success

nieema

--- Blumensaat <albernfrau@...> wrote:

> I know how you feel but if you want to get healthy

> the bottom line is you can't eat any foods that are

> sweet. Most of us are on the same type of diet as

> you. It just takes time to get rid of the cravings.

> It took me a few months. For the first few months I

> kept cheating. Finally I realized that I had a

> choice - be sick or eat sugar - the choice was

> fairly simple. Once in a while I still slip and eat

> sweet foods only to have my candida flare up causing

> me to greatly regret ever giving in to the sugar

> cravings. Now when I do get the cravings I splurge

> on something with Stevia or sometimes other

> sweeteners. I know it is easier said than done.

> There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish I

> could go back to eating chocolate bars, ice cream,

> etc. but that was one of the reasons I am as sick as

> I am. I don't know your situation; you have to

> decide what is most appropriate for you.

>

> All the best to you,

> Steph

PPD Push the Positive Daily!

I hope this message finds you and yours in the

best of Health and Spirit.

Our Health is Our Responsibility

http://a-healing-village.com

Have a look, see some of the new information.

nieema

Looking for A nice place to live:

http://www.thasing-immo.com

[Guest guest]

Bee you're funny. I don't think I will ever lose my craving for M & M's! I do

crave brussel sprouts now, oddly enough :+)

Shirley

>From: " Bee Wilder " <beeisbuzzing2003@...>

>==>This is a very different way to eat for sure!! The wonderful

>thing is that your tastes change over and eventually you won't want

>all those foods that are not good for you! Instead, like me, you

>will crave kimchi, meats, eggs & fats! lol!

>

>Bee

[Guest guest]

>

> Bee you're funny. I don't think I will ever lose my craving for

M & M's! I do crave brussel sprouts now, oddly enough :+)

==>We need a laugh now and again don't we Shirley? I get so intent on

answering all of the posts in the morning I forget. Craving brussel

sprouts is different for sure! Your body probably needs something they

contain. Cravings for M & M I consider to be " real cravings " - lol!

Bee

>