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“So you don’t eat that stuff, huh?”

Posted by Didi Gorman on

A couple of days ago I was offered a cookie at a get-together. When I kindly refused, I noticed the surprise on the person’s face. After all, the cookie was homemade and looked yummy. So why did I refuse?

Truth is, I simply didn’t feel any need for a cookie at that moment. I had a wonderful, nutritious meal just before, and felt good and satisfied, with no craving for anything afterwards.

In other words, I wasn’t tempted by the cookie.

Does that mean I never have cookies? No, it doesn’t mean that. I do from time to time enjoy a cookie or some other sweet baked goods (whether store-bought or homemade), but only occasionally and mostly on special events. Definitely not every day.

Which brings me to the topic of sugar cravings.

Over the last few years I’ve noticed that the less processed sugar I consume, the less I crave it. The same goes for our children. We therefore keep our sugar consumption ‘below the craving threshold’, by curbing gratuitous refined sugar and replacing sugary desserts with homemade fruit-based treats (no sugar added), which don’t seem to trigger in us the cravings or mood swings often associated with excessive sugar intake.

But that’s only half the story and needs to be put in the context of one’s overall food choices.

Let’s put the dessert aside, and talk about the meal that preceded it.

When I eat real food, I have an overall sense of well-being, and rarely need to ‘compensate’ or ‘cheat’ with unhealthy stuff later. I’ve supplied my body with the right fuel, and it simply feels good. As simple as that.

What’s real food, then?

I will share my understanding of this concept in a minute, but I’ll say right off the bat that this is only an opinion and NOT nutritional advice. I’m not a nutritionist nor a physician. I’m just reflecting on our family’s food choices and how they seem to affect us.

Real food for me is high-quality, nutritious food made from unprocessed (or minimally processed) whole, simple, natural staples, such as fresh produce, whole dairy, grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and eggs, sourdough breads, healthy fats, fermented foods, and the like. Preferably made from scratch, and even better if the ingredients are local and truly organic.

Reducing highly processed foods and unnecessary sugars goes hand in hand with this concept.

Bonus point: The food tastes exquisite! Alive, with vibrant flavors. And fresh veggies taste juicy, crunchy, and even sweet! (in a veggie kind of way). I can’t tell whether it’s because the ingredients are great to start with or because our system is better able to appreciate these flavors.

Does this mean we never go to any fast food chain? No, it doesn’t mean that. But it does mean that a meal at a fast food chain is reserved for special occasions, and as such, is not very frequent.

I’m well aware we’re all different, with different schedules, different physical demands, and certainly different food preferences, but the point stays the same: Does it make sense that our body responds to the type of food we put into it, and that ‘bad’ food choices may have some ill-effects?

And here’s another: Could it be that our sense of well-being has to do with what we DON’T eat, just as much as with what we do?

I’ve learned over the years to listen to my body and let it guide me as to what it needs.

Going back to the cookie that sparked this post - yes, it looked lovely, but I simply wasn’t desiring it.

With that, I will wish you a lovely weekend,

Didi
Wise Choice Market


Disclaimer:
This article represents its author’s opinion, and is not a medical, nutritional, or professional advice.