This post is part of my ongoing Reader Questions Series.
READER QUESTION:
I seem to manage my plant-based lifestyle, but I’m craving sweets and salty snacks. I eat fruit daily. Plus, I cook with very little to no salt at all. I LOVE my starchy foods, brown rice, quinoa, and seeded bread but is there something I can eat to minimize the cravings for snacking? Thanks for the suggestions in advance.
PLANT-BASED COOKING ANSWERS:
Hey Cheryl, thanks for your question. Funny enough, I also have cravings for sweets at times. It’s part of our genes to want food no matter what, especially when it’s around and especially at night. “The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health & Happiness,” by Douglas Lisle, deals with just this issue.
Are You Eating Enough?
It sounds like you’re eating the right things, but perhaps not quite enough. I do believe healthy snacking is okay with the right foods because whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can fill up your stomach but not always be enough calories.
That would probably depend on your weight. If it’s doing well or you’re losing weight, you could try adding an extra snack (or two) during the day. Or, if you don’t want to snack, be sure you’re getting enough food at each meal.
Add a Little more of These
I know that eating more protein and fat may help. Most plant-based experts feel that we get enough of these without trying, but perhaps you’d do better with a little more of each… avocado and/or nuts and seeds for fat. Are you eating some of these? I like to put flaxseed and hemp seeds on my oatmeal.
Then, if possible, include plant sources of protein, such as legumes, tofu, tempeh, or seitan, in most meals.
Do You Exercise?
Are you exercising? That will also make you hungrier, and, as already mentioned, maybe you need more calories. Also, lack of sleep can make us hungrier, so getting enough and regular sleep is good.
Stop Cravings
Since we all, to some extent, have cravings for sweets (and salt), it’s best to keep tempting food out of the house. Sometimes, it’s just a habit— like having that sweet snack with tea in the afternoon. Finding alternative activities to eating at these times can help, such as taking a short walk or drinking a glass of water instead of eating.
Also, be sure to have healthier plant-based options when cravings must be satisfied. Keep Low-Fat Hummus and crunchy apples or salsa and no-oil baked tortilla chips ready to go.
Cravings usually go away pretty quickly, so if you can give yourself 30 minutes it just might be enough to overcome them.
Helpful Articles
You might enjoy reading my article “Just Say No, How to Quickly and Easily Stop Eating Junk Food,” which has several tips and strategies for coping with tempting food. Or you might enjoy this article, “Why You Can’t Resist Food Temptations and What To Do About It,” which goes into the reasons you’re feeling this way.
There’s more that might occur to me so I’ll let you know. I hope this helps.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVING A PLANT-BASED LIFESTYLE?
This post is part of an ongoing series of questions about eating a plant-based diet from my readers. If you have a question that you’d like me to answer, please email me at diane@plantbasedcooking.com. I read every question and answer them personally so if you feel stuck, are struggling with something, or feel overwhelmed, I’d love to help you!
If you have a question about a medical condition, I want to emphasize that I am not a medical doctor and I would suggest, if you’re not getting the help you seek from your current doctor, that you look into this site, Plant-Based Doctors, to see if you can find someone who would more likely help your deeper issues from a plant-based diet perspective.
I have a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and am a certified Food Over Medicine instructor. I read a lot about what a plant-based diet and lifestyle can do for your health so I will answer your questions to the best of my knowledge.
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