Do nuts make you binge?

[lily]

When I eat nuts, I find I feel very restless afterwards, wanting to nibble this and that -- nothing seems to satisfy me, and it would be very easy for me to eat a LOT of nuts.

My question is, if I gave in and just ate and ate as many nuts as I want, would I eventually get over it -- hopefully before I blow up into a balloon!

I keep wondering about this, and would like to know your experiences.

[GlimR]

I think that would depend on why you would be eating so many...are you hungry?
You say it makes you restless afterwards which seems more emotional than physical.

Tough call...I think you should eat whatever you want, whenever you want it...in moderation...when you are hungry...as long as it's raw.

[Adensspell]

I wouldn't say they MAKE you binge, no more than anything else. If you are eating without being hungry...any food can make you keep eating. I love nuts as they make me feel full and satisfied as well as bringing in a health Earthy energy. Just listen to your body...I know that sounds abstract but as you continue to be Raw it will become easier and easier to know what it is telling you. Good Luck!!

Thank you GlimR! I absolutely love your post! I totally feel this way and I get so bogged down by everyone who becomes so dogmatic. Fortunately that doesn't happen too often here but I have been tempted to leave certain boards because people become so relentless with their propaganda!

[Vivafree2]

It was like that in the past - before i went raw I liked nuts, i couldn't have just few and afterwards i felt heavy...
Since i am raw - i eat nuts in small batches as a snack or for salad. Raw cakes and nut pattes are not my favourites.
When i feel that my cravings for sad food increase i have handful of macadamia or walnuts and cravings stop. It was long journey to get to this point - maybe seeds are better in the meantime - sunflower and sesame ( it worked for me) - i am sure you will conquer this obstacle too. For a long time i simply stayed away from nuts or kept at home very little - 100 grams. Till today i do not have cookies, crackers or candies at home - why to be tempted. So maybe do not buy much. Did you ever binge on baby carrots?
I ate 2 lb bag in 2 hours once - it was as much fun as with nuts - and you can turn orange too!

[lily]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. What is becoming clear to me is that I need to take that leap of faith and trust my body more, rather than fearing that the weight will go on -- or rather, not come off!

I feel once I overcome this fear, and listen to my body on this nut issue, as I try to do on other things, I will have a major breakthrough and get a better relationship with nuts, as you all seem to have done.

So, thanks again. I love this forum.

[Bodhi]

Yes they do. Especially cashews. They taste too good. I have to limit the amount I pack in my lunch because I'll eat every last cashew in my lunch box.

[zig_zag]

Yes they do. Especially cashews. They taste too good.
Ditto:p
Nuts... are like a drug for me... Oy vey....

[juliebove]

Nope. Nuts don't make me binge.

[NoniPixie]

it was a long journey ( about 2 years ) for me to get my fill of nuts. At this point the only time i eat them is as nut milks or in desserts or any recipe. but i never grab a handful anymore. i use to binge on them all the time. they were the only thing that would make me feel full. granted it might have taken me so long to get over them in excessive amounts because i wasn't all raw. But i do think that because i gave in and didn't limit myself i did get sick of them to the point to where now i won't overeat them. But that's just me.... that's my story. I'd just listen to your body and try not to stress out about anything. have confidence in your choices. and remember that you know what's best for you.

[MissBrooks]

Yes, they do! Nuts are definitely a trigger food for me-- especially nut butters! And I do actually gain weight when I overdo nuts or desserts that contain a combination of nuts and dried fruit (I definitely do not need to lose weight, but am too vain to be happy gaining any either :) ). So I agree-- we need to listen to our bodies-- mine is telling me to watch nuts! I do believe they are very beneficial nutritionally, so I sometimes take them blended in dressings and in nut milks. On a daily basis I gravitate toward avocados instead.

[w H i te D a i S y]

and I thought it was just me.. hahha the worst thing is I can't eat too many nuts because I break out (sigh) macadamia nuts rawk!

[NYbutterfly]

Do nuts make me binge? YES! Especially cashews. Just can't stop.

[chilove]

Well, I don't binge on them, but I am crazy for pine nuts! :-)

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[lily]

You are all so helpful -- isn't it great to share!

As a result of what you'd said to me I allowed myself to have some gorgeous creamy almond hummus last night for my supper and the feeling of 'allowing', and 'letting go' and real happiness that this has brought to me is amazing. And today I'm not craving nuts at all!

NoniPixie I have a feeling that doing what you did might be the way for me too -- it has certainly worked for me with black olives and avocado.

Thank you all again and may your raw journey be full of joy and blessings.

[Bananna]

I think that's why they come in shells in the first place!

[mel_s12]

rasiaca - i so agree!

Too many nuts will make you go nuts.

And that's why they come pre-packaged in hard shells. We are not supposed to eat a lot of them.

[durian]

I really over did it at first with the nuts. I've read there's a tendency to start off eating a lot of nuts since you feel like you're missing the heavy, full feeling of a cooked meal. I'm not having as many nut binges now that I've been mostly raw for 1/2 a year and my body is adjusting. There are still instances recently where I eat cashews until I'm physically uncomfortable. So that's not good!

[zig_zag]

You are all so helpful -- isn't it great to share!

As a result of what you'd said to me I allowed myself to have some gorgeous creamy almond hummus last night
I'm drooling... how did you make your creamy almond hummus? Care to share?

[Seren]

Once I have one cashew nut thats it, I am eating them for the rest of the evening then! and nothing can stop me, its horrendus! I have to brush my teeth and drink lots of water to stop the nut madness, and even then its still lingering in the background! Seeds don't do it to me though so you could try those instead. Seeds are better for you than nuts anyhow :) xxx

[lily]

Yes, zig_zag, I'm happy to share the recipe for almond hummus. It's actually one of the Raw Coach, Karen Knowles' lovely recipes.

2 cups almonds, soaked overnight: if not soaked then add ¾ cup of water to this recipe
½ cup tahini
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large lemons, juice of
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt OR Himalayan Crystal Salt (to taste)
1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1 teaspoon fresh basil

Directions
1) Break down the almonds in a high-powered food processor such as the Cuisinart.

2) When almonds are broken down, add all the other ingredients. Try to achieve a smooth consistency. Add a little water if necessary.

3) When you're done, taste-test and add more salt, herbs or garlic to your taste. This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Actually I made it by putting everything in the Vitamix and using the plunger to help it to get to a creamy consistency -- the smooth creaminiess was really yummy. I also added a little extra water, but the consistency was still thick, like the best hummus you can buy.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It makes a lot, by the way: I did a half quantity and that was ample for me and DH, even though I was craving almonds!

[Hygeia]

Omigosh that sounds so yummy..........I gotta make some. Do you eat it with crackers?