Where Have All the Carb Cravings Gone?
My last craving. I kid you not.
I’M ASTOUNDED. Major carb cravings have all but disappeared. I keep waiting for a powerful urge to buy a couple dozen chocolate chip cookies, grab a glass of milk, a stack of eight cookies, turn on the HDTV, and knock ‘em down. But I haven’t, and it’s not sheer willpower. For those who know me, this is kind of a big deal.
I used to eat a lot of cookies. For most of the last year, I was a big fan of the Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix that comes in a bag — you know, dump the powder in a bowl, add an egg, some oil, a bit of water, stir and bake. Boom. Hot fresh cookies. Tasty, too.
Cookie Monster
I’ve been called a cookie monster. Before cookies, I ate a heckuva lot of candy — I mentioned this before, you know, up late at night, working away on the computer, eating a bag of licorice. If your mouth is busy chewing, you’re not falling asleep.
See also: Indisputable Six Pack Abs
I’ve been able to mostly keep this up for years because I burned so many calories doing other things — basketball, hiking, yard work, home renovation, weight lifting, and occasionally watching what I eat.
But basically, about twice a week or so, I’d down a bag of Tootsie Rolls, tear through a bag of Doritos, or dunk the aforementioned cookies.
As I write this, I’m trying to remember the junk food gluttony — the taste, the joy, the ahhh. It’s hard to remember, and I’ve only been at this less than a month.
That’s crazy.
Even Energy
Before, I’d get roller coaster bouts of energy — lots of quick energy followed by a crash. Seemed pretty normal at the time. You eat a bunch of whatever is handy, go do something, get tired, eat some more then do it again. Might also be a bit grouchy on the low spots of the roller coaster.
Now, I don’t eat that way. I still eat frequently, but the portions are much smaller. I’m eating bananas, apples, oranges, fruit leather, carrots, peppers, a graham cracker every now and then, a small handful of chips, a bowl of raisin bran, lean turkey lunchmeat, oatmeal, raisins, protein mixes, milk, a big spoonful of yogurt, scrambled eggs, hardboiled eggs, eggs on toast, chili, soup, a piece of peanut butter toast, a slice of cheese, cajun trail mix, and gum. Lots of chewing gum.
You get the idea — plenty of variety, eating every few hours, and not so much. The volume is way down.
Here’s a good strategy: I’ll eat a snack of two or three different things. An apple, sliced up, plus half a graham cracker, plus a handful of trail mix. Or peanut butter toast with a glass of milk.
Why is this key?
I think first, you’re giving your body a look at more nutrients in slightly different forms. Second, I think you’re tricking your mind and body into thinking you have more than you do. Third, it’s just fuel. There’s nothing sexy about a spoonful of yogurt — OK, Kate Beckinsale with a spoonful of yogurt, yeah, that’s sexy. The point is, the glorification of food is essentially gone.
I am sad about this.
I mean, there is something to be said about getting all excited about a big meal, a special meal, or just eating most of a Costco cake with a cream cheese frosting and a red berry-ish center layer. That’s good stuff. Way underrated.
But I’m not sure there’s a middle ground. I’m not sure how many cookies I can eat before I jump back on the carb roller coaster.
Back to the Even Energy Point
Look, I’ve been working out much more intensely than I have in the last year, plus I’ve been working more hours than I have most of this year, plus I’ve been staying up later than usual, averaging about six hours of sleep.
Sure, in the morning, I’ve got to kick my ass out of bed. I’m not happy about it. But during the day, and on into the night, my energy level is surprisingly good. Almost amazing. Especially when I think about how little I’m eating compared to before.
What I don’t have is that crash feeling where molasses is slogging through my veins. I think that’s gone!
Shouldn’t be surprised — most healthy diets and nutrition programs that cut out the crappy foods claim that you’ll end up with more energy, if not a more even flow of energy throughout your day. That’s where I’m at — even energy flow — and it’s crazy.
Craving Broccoli
Sure, after a big workout, I’m hungry. My body is looking to refuel, as expected. So I give it three things:
- a glass of milk
- a scoop of protein mix, eggs, or lunchmeat
- fruit and veggies (if the veggies are handy)
Maybe a small handful of chips.
Yesterday, I got my first big craving in at least two weeks. Yeah, broccoli. I kid you not. I haven’t eaten broccoli in two months, and boom, I’m craving steamed broccoli (and cauliflower, too) with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese melted on top.
I was driving, after playing basketball, and I was thinking, “OK, what does my body need right now, and what do I have at home?”
And that’s when the broccoli craving hit. I didn’t have broccoli at home.
Crazy.
A month ago, I would’ve stopped at the grocery store and picked up a box of cookies.
The lesson?
You’ve got to experience this. Change your mindset about food; change how your body reacts to food; change your identity.
I’m not sure how this is going to shake out heading into the holidays, but I’m optimistic.
I’ve got some great additional strategies I’ll share, too, plus some plans to make nutrition second nature and easier than ever — without counting calories and getting all obsessive-compulsive about it.