Happy Wednesday, friends! 😀
I kind of have a bit to talk about today, so we’re going to skip the fancy intros and jump right in to What I Ate Wednesday Tuesday.
We’re going to kick off this week’s WIAW with what I’m eating as I type up this post on Tuesday night — an incredibly bizarre evening snack…
What is it?!? A cup of my mom’s homemade split pea soup (I really need to bug her for the recipe), alongside a Dr.Kracker pumpkin seed cheddar crispbread for some much needed crunch. A little lot different than the cereal/yogurt/chocolate/fruit/AB/what.have.you concoctions that I normally have before bed, but I was craving it so I rolled with it… time will tell if it was a good idea 😉
Rewind to breakfast, which looked a whole lot more familiar…
Oats, oats, and oats… with plain Greek yogurt, homemade applesauce, honey, and almond butter thrown on top. I start pretty much every.single.day with a bowl of oats (except for when I’m on vacation, apparently), and I have yet to tire of it or crave something else. I’ll switch up my add-ins every now and then, but the oats are pretty much a given. And if I don’t have them in the morning? I’ll end up craving them for the rest of the day, so I figure it’s best to satisfy that craving early and just get it out of the way.
That’s the thing about cravings… they tend to stick around until satisfied. You can try tricking them by snacking on something that’s similar-but-different (recipe coming soon!)…
But they almost always catch up to you in the end… the end in this case being 10:17 AM yesterday morning 😯
Almond Butter & Pretzel Truffle
Cravings are a tricky thing. They don’t seem to be much of an issue when we’re craving something like eggs or broccoli (it does happen!), but when it comes to things like chocolate and ice cream? That’s when we start running into some problems…
I’ve gotten a lot better at honouring my cravings whenever they happen to pop up, but that’s not to suggest that I have everything perfectly figured out. There are definitely still times where I can’t help but question what I’m craving, especially when what I’m craving happens to be chocolate truffles at 9 AM. There are also times where I can’t figure out what the heck it is that I want (besides “something”), and I end up picking away at 20 different things hoping something will strike my fancy. Thankfully that wasn’t the case when lunch time rolled around, though — I knew exactly what I wanted…
An almond butter and jelly sandwich was on the menu. And on the side? Some cold leftover veggies that I roasted up a couple of days ago (not the entire tray)…
My afternoon snack was pretty much a no-brainer as well…
Various dried fruits dipped in almond butter. That obsession I mentioned? Still going strong. My only complaint is that the level of almond butter in my jar has reached that annoyingly low point where I can no longer dip my dates and figs into it with ease. I suppose there are worse problems to have, though… like not being able to figure out what to make for dinner.
I wasn’t feeling overly hungry, but that craving-something-but-don’t-know-what feeling hit me pretty hard in the evening . I almost went with a bowl of cereal or some other kind of breakfast-type-food, since that’s my typical go-to meal when I find myself in that sort of predicament, but I was kind of feeling something savoury, so I went with a a bowl of whole wheat noodles mixed with hummus and a cup of mushroomy soup instead. Not bad, but I was still craving a little something, and I needed to follow it up with some bunnies before I felt fully satisfied.
And that’s how I curb my cravings — by honouring them. I’ve learned that eating a carrot when I want a cookie never works, and that gulping down a glass of water when I’m hungry will leave me bloated sooner than satisfied. I can’t help but cringe when I come across articles that try to teach women how to “silence” their cravings, because while it might work in the short term, ignoring your cravings and denying yourself the foods that you love will usually only get you into trouble in the long run. Not only do those cravings never really go away, but they keep building up, increasing the likelihood that you’ll go overboard when you finally do let yourself have the foods you’ve been wanting… at least that’s what I’ve found.
My eating disorder removed most sugars and carbs from my diet for so long that those things became all I wanted to eat in recovery. Did I go overboard? Heck yeah I did! I don’t think I’ve ever had that many consecutive sugar comas in my life… But my desire to eat ALL the sweets slowly tapered off when I began to eat them more regularly and realized that they weren’t going anywhere. Not labelling them as “off limits” also helped take away some of their appeal — after all, we always want what we can’t have 😉
And that’s it for me today, friends! I’ll see you guys tomorrow for Thinking Out Loud! 😀
What are your thoughts on cravings? Should they always be honoured? Or do they sometimes need to be mediated?
What’s your favourite dried fruit?
What’s your go-to meal when you don’t know what to make?
More places to find me!
E-mail — [email protected]
Twitter — runwithspoons
Facebook — runningwithspoons
Pinterest — runwithspoons
Instagram — runwithspoons
Bloglovin — runningwithspoons
Amen sister! I’m a firm believe in acknowledging and eating your cravings (although in moderation; a bowl of ice cream is great; a gallon might be a little too much, even for me). I’ve said this a bunch of times before, but I think most of those cravings are your body’s way of telling you that you need something (fats, protein, calcium, iron, sugar, nutrients, carbs, etc). Plus denying them will only make them stronger, which generally leads to consuming the entire gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Not a good thing. Some ice cream though is a great thing. Bet you can guess what I’m craving. 🙂
Noodles and hummus….now that’s a unique combo. I’m fascinated.
Ah I love this post so much!!!! Literally all your food looks so amazinggg 🙂 Applesauce in oatmeal?! genius! and that squash looks heavenly. figs and almond butter..again genius!! I have a feeling we have very similar taste buds. I totally agree that when you crave something, its better to just eat it then prolonging it by eating everything else first! just go for it! <333
I will usually just eat it too! Eventually I will have it anyway. I do try to keep it somewhat healthy, like if I am craving Asian food I make my own Pad Thai, etc.
I’ve been eating dried figs dipped in tahini! My cravings / appetite have been completely off recently so I’ve been finding it very challenging knowing when to honour cravings and when to try and make a healthier choice. It’s not that easy as you say x
Giving into my cravings is still something that I’m learning to allow myself to do…but I’ve become SO much better at it. Ignoring what you really want doesn’t make it go away like a lot of people hope for…it just makes it stronger!
My favorite dried fruit? Don’t laugh…but I like prunes! I know a lot of people ONLY eat them for their “pooping purposes” (which are an added benefit, I may add) however I honestly enjoy their taste!
As for my go-to meal. Eggs. ALWAYS eggs.
I love that Maisie Jane almond butter! So good! I am surprised you can eat split peas since you have a peanut allergy, every one I know who has a peanut allergy as well are also allergic to other legumes/ split peas. How did you figure out what you were/ were not allergic to?
I had a couple of allergy tests done when I was younger — the kind where they prick your skin with 40 different allergens and see if you have a reaction. Shudder.
I always crave good chocolate cake. With chips on the side xD Can’t have only sugary or salty things. Gotta have both.
Have you tried dried coconut? Not the crispy coconut chips (which are awesome too) but those amazing coconut chunks. Mmmmm!
I always have some dark chocolate and that helps. Sometimes I want ice cream, and I will give it to myself if I go to the trouble of getting it. I also get good, local ice cream so it’s worth it!
Honoring your cravings is such a big step with finding balance with food. Today, my sweet tooth craving was on a rampage with all of the treats around me, but I am going to satisfy it with my before bed snack. 🙂
I am with ya on the oats in the morning. Every. Single. Morning.
Such a classic for lunch. I have been craving that sandwich as well.
The soups sound yummy!
Kudos to you for honoring your cravings. 😀
I hope you had an awesome before bed snack, Natalie 😀
I can’t always honour my cravings because sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to do so. Like if I’m craving pizza for dinner, but have leftover chili in the fridge, I’ll probably go for the chili. But then I’ll make sure to drag John/my friends/my family out for pizza within the next couple days. I can’t deny a pizza craving for too long! 😉
Your last paragraph sums up my thoughts exactly! I am no longer afraid of cravings because I allow myself to eat what I want. Not all day long or anything, but you better believe I eat dessert every single night. (And by dessert, I don’t mean 5 strawberries dipped in whipped cream.) But because I no longer eat sweets with the mindset: “Eat as much as you can, you’re not allowed to have this tomorrow” I end up eating a “normal” amount rather than binging. Because there will be ice cream tomorrow. There will ALWAYS be ice cream tomorrow. 🙂
Hooray for honoring cravings! When I struggled with my eating disorder, I would load up on veggies, which are amazing of course, but that’s ALL I had sometimes. I wanted carbs and meat so, so badly, but I wouldn’t allow myself to have them. When I did allow myself to have them, it would be in small portions and only if I could “afford” to eat them that day. I’d also be angry if anyone disrupted me when I was eating them, because those were rare times that I ate what my body craved.
Today, I’m glad to say that I satisfy my cravings whenever they come up. I find that my body craves sugar and fat sometimes, but it also craves veggies too. Our bodies are pretty smart, huh? 😉
Favorite dried fruit: FIGS!
Go-to meal: Eggs and avocado toast for lunch or dinner. Greek yogurt bowls for breakfast!
I been slowly reading all your posts from day dot. I think I’m only a year behind now ! But I couldn’t help but sneak in and see what you’re up to in 2014. (don’t worry, as I type this I know how wierd it sounds..). ANYWAYS. I wanted to say that I appreciate your truthfulness and how much you share about your journey. I also cringe now when I hear people trying to silence a craving or avoid eating a certain dessert. We can say it as often as we like, but only they can come to the realisation that it doesn’t work.
😆 Not weird at ALL. I often find myself back-stalking the blogs I enjoy!
I was pleasantly surprised by this post! Haha the title had me rolling my eyes, but I should have known better since it was coming from you! Your morning oats look sooooo amazing!
Cravings? Satisfy them. I read so many articles on how to cut cravings :S I don’t know, I try to balance things, but if I want something I’ll eat, otherwise I’ll eat the entire kitchen!!
dried fruits? Ugh out of my life! Sorry, but I hate them ajajaj the texture just doesn’t go with me 😀
Great post!! Thanks for sharing!!
I find that if I have a craving and don’t satisfy it I”m more likely to go overboard and eat more than I should. Everything in moderation for me. My weakness is dark chocolate. I buy the little dove chocolate squares and allow myself to have 2 a day!
Oh ya lady! I think that if you have a generally healthy diet and you get a craving for something fatty/sugary/salty your body NEEDS it. And yes, there is no way to trick your body into loving that carrot when you really needed a cookie. I used to be so scared that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself if I started in on a treat like ice cream or chocolate, but the fact is I now become satisfied at a certain point and stop craving. It is such a blessing to finally be in this happy place.
Your eats look fabulous!
Love this post! I’ve learned to honor my cravings, but my problem is once I start eating something sugary, my sweet tooth goes into overdrive and wants to eat all the sweet things!
the body knows what it needs. sometimes recognizing that we need something is so much better than a so called craving.. it’s a feed me thought. Yes? Honor that indeed. LOVE!
The pre bed snack? How unSPOONS of you! is it creepy that I kind of knew half of your eats? Haha the dried fruit, pretzels and chocolate. Seeing as I bought a package of pretzels after work last night…If you’re craving something, go for it. A carrot does NOT cure a chocolate craving. Experience is proof. :p
I don’t know why I’ve never asked you this but have you tried roasted cauliflower? It’s amazing. But your other roasted veg looks amazing- seeing as I had kabocha last night too.
Not creepy at all *cough*stalker*cough* And negative on the cauliflower, but I’ve been seeing it around the blog world lately and I’m tempted to give it a try!
AMEN SISTA. I wish every post I read was like this. Ugh I’ll find other ways to vent about those.
Besides honouring your cravings you do realize you were honouring national pb & j day right!?!?!
My cravings have been so insane lately, I honestly don’t even know what to do with myself. I think my body knows that February means chocolate, because its literally ALL I want. Chocolate smoothies. Chocolate waffles. Chocolate pb. Heck, I even got a chocolate covered ice cream cone this week. As you can see… I’m not one to deny my cravings 🙂 Except for the donut craving. Ive been craving one like mad for a while now but I know its going to destroy my tummy…
I’m RIGHT there with you on the chocolate cravings, girl. Truffles, bars, chips, smoothies, BUNNIES, almond butter… Crazy February.
I absolutely admire you for writing posts like this! I am still learning day by day to listen to my body.I am not fully in recovery yet, but my worst days now are far better than my best days then. Thank you again!
I honor my cravings most of the time as well, although a little extra fat with my meals has also made a HUGE difference!
I am sure your message is going to run deep for a lot of your readers, it did for me. Honoring your body is a huge deal, tricking the mind only works for so long. I know a lot of woman struggle with being true to their cravings, especially in this crazed society of “calories!” I actually got peeved when my spin instructor yelled out, “come on, burn off all that turkey you at last night!” What? Since when did eating turkey become a bad thing? And why should I have to kill myself to burn it off? What the hell are you saying?! (he was a man, and that made it 10x worse). Shoot, I think those feminist vs. masculinity lectures are starting to actually kick in O__O who woulda’ thought?!
I guess what I am trying to say is thank you for being real. You are helping me with some struggles in my “food life” way more than you know…<3
<3 If you ever need to chat, I'm more than willing to lend an ear (or… eye?)
I’m slowly starting to honor my cravings but it’s certainly difficult process. I’m realizing that if I don’t give in, I end up eating my meal and ultimately going back to that food I was craving. I should just eat it to begin with . I was never a sweets person until I started “Dieting”!
I am smitten with your noodles and hummus idea. It looked like Mac an Cheese and I was SUPER intrigued. Great Idea Love.
Oh and those pretzel truffles will be made tomorrow FOR SURE! 🙂
Whenever I tell myself I can’t have something, I try to force myself to eat it. Remembering the days where I used to starve myself all day just so I could eat half a gallon of ice cream at night are long and gone. I never want them back.
I always go for waffles, oatmeal, or a sweet potato with all the fixins’ when I don’t know what I want for dinner… Which is about 90% of the time. I think I have gotten so used to depriving myself or everything and telling myself, “You don’t want it,” that I really have no idea what I’m hungry for anymore. It’s sad. Whomp, whomp.
And I love ALL the dried fruit (No sulfur for the sake of my tummy). My favorite? Probably dried papaya spears or figs!
I thought you made mac and cheese at first when i saw that pic of hummus and pasta! Looks and sounds awesome hun! Definitely have to give that a try. I have learned a similar lesson in my recovery, which I am very thankful for. I know I still eat more sweets than I “should,” but I’m also ok with that. Too many years spent not enjoying myself, and I know I’ll continue to taper down as my body keeps getting used to eating what I want. And my favorite dried fruit is either figs or cherry craisins 🙂
I totally agree with you! Whenever I try to not eat peanut butter I end up eating way too much and end up with a stomachache! It is so not worth it! I am learning to listen to myself and my cravings! And that goes for dessert too! Which of course I try to limit but sometimes it is just good!
I’m glad your honoring your cravings! I haven’t tried hummus with noodles before, it sounds like a good combination! My biggest craving is usually nut butter. I always have it with breakfast or end up thinking about it all morning.
I have some with breakfast and I -still- end up thinking about it all morning 😆 Stuff is crack…
That oat concoction looks like perfection in a bowl!
Your oats with applesauce, greek yogurt & honey looks so good right now! I never thought of that combination before. I don’t particularly love dried fruit. Apricots every now and then, but rare. I have a lot of sugar cravings. I find that when I don’t eat enough whole foods I head for the sugar. I need to get better at that.
“There are also times where I can’t figure out what the heck it is that I want (besides “something”), and I end up picking away at 20 different things hoping something will strike my fancy.” Story of my life, seriously. It’s such a predicament. And then when you finally find that THING that you want, you’re a little full from everything you tried before…
I can relate to the whole going a little cray cray on the sugar during recovery. I think my body was just in shock I was finally feeding it something other than broccoli and never wanted me to stop! But like you said now that I’ve given it some time and learned how much my body needs to eat etc. they’ve levelled out a bit.
And on a random note; I had chocolate as an snack yesterday as well! As much as I wanted to make your truffles I a)Didn’t have pretzels and b)Already had homemade PB cups in the fridge so thats what I enjoyed!
As long as chocolate is involved, it’s all good 😀
It really is remarkable – allowing yourself to eat whatever your body is asking for not only makes you more satisfied, but all those foods that used to be “off limits” become so much less enticing. There have been so many things I have been craving for so long, and once i finally ate them, they had no more power over me! I love your attitude towards honouring your body’s requests, not ignoring them. 🙂
I can definitely relate to eating disorders/sweet cravings. I wouldn’t let myself eat a lot of things and then I craved them in my recovery. I think one of the things that helped me the most was being in a treatment center that required dessert as part of our meal plan every single night. It really helped me realize that if I wanted something sweet, I could have it and the world wouldn’t end.