Why is it bad not to eat what we crave?

Green drinks, smoothies, cereal salads, and more are definitely among the healthy lifestyle favorites, but what happens when you crave a runny chocolate cake or a slice of pizza over hot smoke? How do you act when you crave food that you call “bad” or “unhealthy”? Are you fighting your will or are you trying to get away by running away? “When I feel like junk food, I will resist no matter what!” Let’s ask you: what if sometimes all you really need is a slice of cheesecake or crispy fries?

Adopting a balanced understanding of healthy eating is more sustainable than following strict dietary guidelines.

Proper nutrition is, of course, very important for a healthy life, but giving up all the foods that you call “bad” or “unhealthy” is actually not entirely correct. Because while resisting the food you crave may seem like an exercise of will, it can also cause you to distance yourself from many other things in your life. According to nutritionists, it is important to find a balance between “a healthy diet and what you want to eat.” Otherwise, things can get a little confusing. According to renowned nutrition writer Judith Matz, when we want to eat something, we have to respond to that request; because a “balanced” approach to healthy eating is much more sustainable than following strict dietary guidelines.

matz, “When you tell yourself something is off limits, you probably think about it more often.” says and adds: “Didn’t it make you even more attractive when your parents told you not to do things when you were a kid? So this also applies to your food cravings. Otherwise, you are more likely to overeat; because when you deprive yourself of what you want, your body naturally needs to get more of it.” So, after your struggle not to eat a piece of chocolate whenever you feel like it, you may find yourself eating a pack of chocolate. And that can pave the way for a much more unhealthy cycle.

When you learn to eat what you want, without guilt, your interest and desire to eat foods that you probably called “unhealthy.” decrease.

Of course, some foods may be more nutritious than others, but completely cutting out foods that you consider “bad” or “unhealthy” and eating only foods that you call “good and healthy” will not make you healthier. generally, but may cause you to have a number of negative thoughts and feelings. According to Matz, avoiding certain foods can lead to compulsive overeating when we finally decide to eat them. Our body loves variety when it comes to food; It’s best to have a balanced relationship with all foods rather than just trying to eat “healthy”.

A 2011 study looked at the long-term effects of habits in women with and without obesity. Some of the women ate macaroni and cheese once a week, and some every day. (Pasta with cheese) the. Women who ate macaroni and cheese every day ate less during the week than women who ate only once. Accordingly, the researchers noted that when we include the food you want to eat in our diet, our interest in it decreases and we will have fewer problems with it.

Don’t try to trick your body into eating a “healthier” version of what you crave.

On the other hand, Alyssa Rumsey, nutritionist and founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness, has a similar opinion about eating the foods we want. According to Ramsey, when we crave something, it’s useless to force our body to eat a “healthier” version of it. While low-calorie, less processed versions of fast food like cauliflower pizza and banana ice cream are everywhere, turning to such alternatives when we’re craving something else will result in us falling short of our body’s expectations, and, according to Ramsey, this will make up for it. void later This will result in the need for more food.

However, if you have a certain health condition, then it is of course better to turn to such alternatives. For example, if you have high cholesterol, looking for another alternative to ice cream can be a way to satisfy your sugar cravings while keeping your health in mind. Or, if you have celiac disease but still love pizza, the best way to enjoy this dish is probably with cauliflower. But if you don’t have these health issues, it’s best to eat something when you really feel like eating it. Despite all these assurances, you may be afraid that once you start eating what you really want, the thread will end. This is where listening to your body comes into play, according to Matz. “When you crave something, think about how it will feel in your body.says. For example, you wanted cookies and ate too much; The next day you may feel tired and lethargic, and the next time you crave cookies, it’s better to stop after one or two bites to satisfy your craving and satisfy your body.

As both Matz and Ramsey suggest, when you experience cravings for less nutritious or high-calorie foods, responding to those cravings can help reduce cravings. You can have a balanced and healthy diet when you learn to listen to your body, respond to its needs, and satisfy it in the best possible way, rather than trying to trick it.

With all of these eating habits that we have mentioned, the issue of “mindful eating”, which we often turn to in order to achieve a more balanced and sustainable diet, has become even more important. If you wish, you can also read our articles on this topic:

source: wellandgood