Strategies for Cravings

[Jennimik]

I just got Alissa's book and did exactly what she cautions against. I didn't make all the food because I thought it was too much. So I'm caught here at work this morning without any food except a salad and sprouts. PMS cravings hit and I wasn't prepared. I'm disappointed in what I did, especially after going well over a month without any refined sugars, flours or really anything cooked except coffee. :( In the future I will have a plan--bring dates, make a dessert, etc.

The reason I'm posting is because I'm wondering what your strategies (besides "don't entertain the thought") are for beating cravings. I find myself thinking about cooked food I don't even like.

I think having dried fruits, a raw trail mix, or a dessert on hand would help, at least until I'm further into the raw lifestyle to not have PMS anymore.

Thanks.

Jenn

[SedonaSun]

I pack a lunch bag with all sorts of stuff. For the first few weeks, I took LOTS and now I take about half as much. I usually bring most of it home, but it's there if I need it. I take apples, oranges, dates, pumpkin seeds, nuts, my intended lunch, a banana or two and/or whatever else fits in there. It may seem like overkill, but if it's there, I can make the choice between raw and a candy bar.

[golfngardennut]

My cravings happen at night, usually. I keep on hand nuts and dates, someone recommended putting the nut in the date to eat it - it helps. Last night I sat and dipped almonds in raw honey and ate them. And Alissa's Walnut date torte is AWESOME for satisfying the candy fixation.

I think experimentation is the only way to discover what will cure a craving, because it might be different for each of us. I really think the sweet and protein mix is what does it for me...

Good luck, I sympathize with you....

[tracyinfo]

Like Sedona Sun, I too pack a large lunch. Lots of fresh fruit, some salads in little containers, {I made up either that morning or the night before}, then some dehydrated cookies, sometimes some nuts. Sometimes I eat it all and other times I don't. But it helps that the food is close by, if I need it. Most times, I try to save at least one thing like an apple, for the ride home. That way, I am not starving when I get home.

Good Luck, Tracy

[Sweet lips]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I scream, no really, :D

I take a lot of stuff with me, (got a nice sized lunch pail) because my taste are always changing, and what I decided to eat in the a.m., may not have an appeal in the afternoon, so I have something from all the taste groups, sweet, sour, bitter and salty, just to cover. I also like Alissa's recipe for the fudge balls - and pop them when needed - and yeah - it is needed. I do a few dehydrated things, and most recent goodie is a shitaki mushroom jerky - I soaked them until soft, and then with seasonings and a little oil, I put them in the food processor and then spread on the dehydrator. I suppose this should have been posted on the recipe board so I will.

I hope my rambling helps

[askcassyfirst]

I always bring HUGE bags of fruit and veggies with me to work. Typically 3 oranges or apples & a small salad or avocado. (Now that is something that gets looks when YOu dig in with a spoon. I once even peeled back the skin and took a bite!) :) I keep a bag of raisins in my cupboard as well, incase my produce supply runs out.

WHen I first went raw I was kinda self concious that I was carrying this huge load of stuff with me to the office, but then I realized it was helping me stay on track. Also, it allows me to share with others when they are hungry!

Nuts and seeds are also good staples, and lately I have been eating baby carrots a lot too. I think that I was able to deal with the worst of my cravings when I learned to replace them with fruit smoothies. (I tend to crave sweet drinks like coffee & chai, and there has been little other than a good thick banana "milkshake" that can quench them!)

Good luck.

Cassy:)

[Amethyst_Rain]

what works for me is, whenever i'm craving something i just have the raw "alternative" for what i'm craving...like for me...when i'm craving carbs like bread or rice or pasta (i haven't been craving any of these for a while now) but i would have sprouted buckwheat, sesame seeds, flaxmeal or nuts instead...if i was craving sweets, i'd have dried fruit or nuts with raw honey...for fats and/or cheese, i find avocado and raw olives really satisfying...hmmmmm hope that helps...oh ya, and what i also do is i sit down and imagine the bad food and what it would do to my body and how i would feel after eating it...take a few minutes to do that, and you'll find that you won't want that "food" anymore :)

peace

[SamL]

I try to make sure I have a snack prepared, if not, nuts are calming and take away the urge.

[jax]

goes everywhere with me! When I go out to eat I use that for my lettuce topping if the restaurant doesn't have raw veggies. Dates or raisins satisfy my sweet cravings! PMS cravings were mild this month and nuts, dates and avocados filled the need nicely! We're all learning as we go. ;)

Love, Jax

[Allison]

Something we enjoy is a spicy trail mix. Sometimes we soak the nuts and sometimes we don't. We mix almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds with a tad of olive oil and spices, like curry, cayenne, cinammon, ginger, salt, whatever you like. Then we dehydrate them for a while.