The 3 Types Of Cravings - And How To Tell The Difference

[VeryBerry]

I think this article can help a lot of raw foodist, let me know what you think.

One of the most common issues for people trying to eat more raw is dealing with cravings. Usually they are for cheese, bread, pasta, chocolate or potatoes, although they can be for other "favourite" foods which might come under the banner of comfort foods. And while having the craving is enough of an issue in itself, what can compound it is the concern that "maybe I'm not getting everything I need with what I'm eating?". Well, rarely is this the case, although it may be depending on the range of foods you're eating and the quality of them, so rather than waste lots of time and energy getting confused about things, let's investigate a little further into the 3 different types of cravings and how you can learn to tell the difference between them...

The three types of cravings, as far as I have been able to discern are: 1) Emotional cravings. 2) Nutritional cravings brought about by deficiency issues (mild or pronounced). 3) Food sensitivity issues that may result in cravings.

Now, to the novice raw foodist, a craving is a craving because most of us aren't taught that there are different types, so we all tend to assume one thing (it could be positive or negative) and then stick with that. Which means that, depending on your natural tendencies and belief systems you probably have, in the past, if not now, been inclined to either think of all your cravings as "nutritional needs" that need to be taken care of or "nasty addictions" that need to be overcome!

And while it may be true that all your cravings fall under one banner, it's also highly possible that you have a combination of 1 or 2 going on, or maybe even all 3. SO, to learn how to differentiate between each type by simple process of elimination, read on.

The very first question to ask yourself is: �Is this a food I eat or used to eat regularly, perhaps every day?�
If yes, then it is more likely to be emotional or food sensitivity related.
If no, then it is more likely to be emotional or nutritional deficiency related.

If your answer was yes, then ask yourself: �What is it about this food that I seem to be craving?� You may need to dig deep here and do your best to be still and really tune in to the essence of what it is. Is it the flavour, the texture, the �mouth-feel�, the way it makes you feel before, during or after eating it?

If it�s any of these it�s most likely to be an emotional craving. In which case, you can get over it by finding a raw equivalent that satisfies whatever need you have. (For example, I have always loved ice-cream and when I went through tough times in my life I�d start buying ice-cream after not touching it for months at a time. I came to realise that I loved the way it felt in my mouth, the way it numbed my tongue � and emotions � and even though I didn�t feel great afterwards, I knew that it would make me somehow feel better about life. So I simply developed some amazing raw ice-cream recipes so that I could indulge when I needed to, but not have the �guilt� of eating junk food thrown on top of what was already bothering me!).

If your first answer was �yes�, and you couldn�t pull up any emotional or sensual needs around the food you�re craving then it�s more likely to be a food sensitivity issue. A good way to tell is if you find yourself wanting the same food every single day and you feel as if you really need to have it (and nothing else will do) but you don�t actually feel better for eating it. If this is the case then that food has a physiological hold over you that is most likely going to be allergen or addiction related. In this case, the only truly viable thing to do is to go �cold turkey� and get it out of your system once and for all (I did this with bread and it worked a treat).

If your answer to question one was �no� then you need to discern if it�s an emotional or deficiency-related issue. As we�ve already discussed how to uncover whether it�s an emotional need, you should, by process of elimination be able to figure out which of the two it is. If you suspect or even know that it�s a craving for something because you may be nutritionally deficient in one or more nutrients, then read up about the food (or foods) you are craving in a good nutritional reference book and see if anything slots into place. For example, sometimes if people aren�t careful with their raw diet they may lean too heavily on certain foods or food groups and then miss out on something. Sometimes this can B-vitamins if no sprouted grains are being eaten, or if the diet is low in nuts, greens and is very strictly vegan. So, see what you are craving, and if there is any pattern to it, experiment and eat something raw that appears (on paper at least) to match the nutritional profile of what it is you are craving, and see if that makes a difference. If not, and the cravings persist, then so long as you don�t have an irreconcilable problem with whatever it is your body is asking for, then eat it. Either way, it is always worth consulting your GP or alternative practitioner to see if you do indeed have a deficiency and what exactly that is.

[Ireland]

It appears to be a well written article. Out of curiosity, who's the author?

[luckitri]

Looks good to me. Where did you get this? I might wish to read more from this person.

[rawfigure]

Thanks.

[Antari]

Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach wrote it. Her website is
www.therawfoodcoach.com

[blaqberry]

Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach wrote it. Her website is
www.therawfoodcoach.com

yep, it's Karen's...

I just read that article in Issue 20 of her weekly e-zine: Successfully Raw

[RawTruth]

Great newsletter and gorgous site, btw. I really enjoyed it. Made me almost want to fly to the U.K. to take her class! Almost. I'm saving my money for Thailand, though, so I can wallow in durian. (Now, that's bound to spark some discussion as the durian-haters arise!)

[Gosia]

One very important type of cravings not mentioned above is:

* Craving induced by detox.

My estimate is that most cravigns that one experience are of this type. Myself, I experienced them always after having relapsed. Also, those who have stayed raw for a few years report experiencing cravings relating to deep tissue cleansing, which is also detox from foods/medications that may have been ingested years eariler.

Adding to this, I found that the best way to overcome any cravings is to eat simple meals and lots of sweet juicy fruit.

Sincerely,
Gosia.

[VeryBerry]

Victoria Botenko says that eating greens helps overcome sweet craving.
I find it to be true.

[ktkat]

I think I've been getting salt cravings and have subsequently slipped up. Since I never added salt to my coooked food, I didn't add it to my raw food either. I didn't realize I was craving it until noticing a pattern w/ everything I wanted like butter and olives, etc. I've been substituting the cravings and adding some sea salt. I was wondering though if anyone else experienced this, and whether they were able to wean themselves off of adding salt or found that their bodies actually needed it? Thanks in adv.
Kate

[Antari]

Great newsletter and gorgous site, btw. I really enjoyed it. Made me almost want to fly to the U.K. to take her class! Almost. I'm saving my money for Thailans, though, so I can wallow in durian. (Now, that's bound to spark some discussion as the durian-haters arise!)

That's exactly where I was this weekend...........Karen's class, not Thailand :)

[RawTruth]

That's exactly where I was this weekend...........Karen's class, not Thailand :)

How great. Was it everything you wanted it to be?

[Gosia]

Yes, I am off the salt. And I feel much much better. Foods taste better without it and I can actually tell a natural salty taste in some of them (celery, tomatoes, avocado).

Gosia

[star1919]

Hey RawTruth... love the new avatar... great smile!

[Antari]

How great. Was it everything you wanted it to be?

It was just brilliant! Well worth it and what a lovely lady :)