Guest Post: Overcoming Cravings with Raw and Fermented Foods

Chances are, you’ve done some research. Generally speaking, you probably know the rules – less sugar; good fats; quality, real foods, etc. All of the information is out there; we just have to follow it. According to the way it reads on a page, living a healthier lifestyle should be simple, right?

If you’re anything like most people, your answer probably ranges from a subtle facial expression betraying your uncertainty, to an outright, hard-and-fast, sarcastic “Yeah right!” No matter where you fall on this spectrum, you can trust that you’re in good company. But why, when we know better, do we so often fail to do better when it comes to our bodies and health?

The answer: cravings – those pesky little devils that nag at you until you give in to their whispers. The fact is that what you know in your head and what your body fiends for in the middle of the night can be completely opposite things, and the battle of wills that ensues in such moments is not an easy one to win. Cutting out the unhealthy snacks sounds nice, except for the fact that they’re just so tempting! There is good news, though – you can actually overcome your cravings by adding certain foods to your diet, beating them before they even begin.

Overcoming Cravings with Raw Food

A diet that includes adequate amounts of raw foods is likely to cut down on cravings. But, not just any raw foods will do. Stick with alkaline forming foods, as acidic forming foods can throw the body into a tailspin that causes cravings instead of eliminating them. Alkaline forming foods assist the body in maintaining its normal pH. Staying in alignment with your natural pH keeps you well, happy and healthy; the opposite can cause you to feel tired, irritable, and unsatisfied.

Some healthy, alkalizing raw foods to start sneaking into your daily meals include leafy greens (think kale and spinach), nuts and healthy oils (like almonds, pumpkin seeds and coconut oil), and certain fruits (including bananas, avocado, and lemons).

The intense level of nutrients contained in high quality raw foods will help your body feel satisfied by keeping your serotonin level up and even, meaning that there will be no need for the sugary, processed fare you might reach for when serotonin levels dip.

How to Overcome Cravings with Raw Foods

Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter related to our mood, appetite and digestion. It gives you that “feel good” sensation when hunger has been satiated, and 90% of it is produced in the gut.

This is where another important food factor enters the scene. Ensuring the health of your gut with fermented foods will mean that you are able to absorb more nutrients from what you eat. (Remember, more nutrients = optimum serotonin.)

Again, this eliminates the need for the sugary, bad-carbohydrate heavy or processed snacks that your brain turns to when your serotonin is low. Gut-healthy fermented foods that you can add to your diet today include raw apple cider vinegar, fermented vegetables (like kimchi or sauerkraut), and kombucha, kvass or other probiotic rich drinks.

So, now that you have a secret weapon, get ready for battle! Make sure you keep a healthy snack on you at all times – a serving of almonds stashed in your purse, or a bag of kale chips in your desk drawer work well.

Try starting off your day with some kombucha or kefir instead of coffee or tea. Toss some kimchi into your salad for a healthy, spicy kick, or pop some sauerkraut on top of a cracker with avocado in a crunch. Finally, make sure to keep some healthy sugar free sweet treats around for when a craving does hit. Blend frozen bananas with a little coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon for a great tasting alternative to ice cream. (Yum!)

Helping your body absorb high quality nutrients by introducing raw and fermented foods into your daily diet is key to rewiring your system for optimum health. Even more importantly, these factors will help you feel good on your journey to a healthier life, instead of deprived or lacking. So, the next time you face off with Rocky Road, chocolate chips, or peanut butter cups in a midnight snack battle, you’ll emerge victorious!

By Amanda Brocket of The Raw Food Kitchen

If you are interested in exploring a plant based diet to curb your cravings check out my website for a free raw food recipe or two and lots of tips. I also have raw food diet plans to assist people in their transition into a raw food lifestyle.

4 Comments

  1. Cathy on November 14, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    I just returned from Italy and went to La Spezia and Porto Venere and Cinque Terre. There was a shop owner in Porto Venere who gave out free samples of his pesto and it was the most delicious fresh pesto I have ever tasted!! Do you think it would be possible to get the recipe or a similar one? It would be so delicious on zucchini noodles!

    • Christine on November 20, 2016 at 1:11 am

      Hi Cathy,
      How fun hope you had a great time! I know exactly who that Pesto shop is, he’s known for some really good pesto! As far as the exact recipe I couldn’t tell you because I don’t eat it and my husband never measures when he makes his, but here are the ingredients so you can try: Basil, olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino cheese, garlic cloves, pine nuts and salt. I make mine without the cheese and it’s still wonderful! Buon appetito 🙂

  2. Brian Keezer on November 16, 2016 at 3:08 am

    Amanda
    Eight years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and rather than going a medical route chose a 85% raw food lifestyle. My PSA levels have remained around 5-6. However this past 2 years with travel abroad I have slipped into that North American life style. Recent PSA results at now 10. I have just finished a 3 day water fast and changed to more raw food 70-85%. I have lost 6 pounds and feel great. I have a biopsy scheduled for Nov 28. In a cold climate I am eating lentil soups, oatmeal but work at keeping salads raw stir fry etc. as the main part of my lifestyle. Thanks for the email and glad I came across your site.

    • Christine on November 17, 2016 at 6:48 am

      Hi Brian, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us here that’s very inspiring! And it’s amazing how you saw first hand the difference from when you were eating raw and then slipped back into old habits. It’s proof that food really is a form of medicine!As someone who has healed form fibromyalgia thanks to the raw food diet it’s always a pleasure to meet fellow like minded friends on their healing journey.

      I wish you the best for your results on the upcoming biopsy and am so happy you found my blog too hope you find motivation and support from it as well in keeping up your journey! Sending you lots of healthy healing vibes!

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Christine Roseberry

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Hi, I’m Christine, thanks for stopping by! As a fibromyalgia thriver (symptom-free for over 10 years now thanks to diet and lifestyle changes), it is my passion to share the healing power of food.

As an RN and Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, it is my desire to empower you to take charge of your life.

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