Since food is the original source of dietary nourishment as well as hydration, it shouldn’t be surprising that our body will signal us to eat whether we need energy (calories) or nutrients (like minerals, electrolytes, vitamins), or even water.
From Dust to Dust…
Our bodies are made of water and earth and are replenished by water and earth. Astoundingly, the ratios, combinations, and mixes of nutrients in food the planet provides are often so well suited for us that they can help inform us of ideal nutrient balances.
For example, most vegetables provide both sodium and potassium…but typically will be far more concentrated in potassium. That’s perfect for our bodies which prehistorically did pretty well with about a 16:1 ratio of potassium to sodium.
See article from Harvard Medical School on Sodium/Potassium Ratio
Plant foods also tend to have high water content – similar to our own bodies. Iceberg, romaine, with other lettuces and leafy green come in at 95-96% water.
Watermelon, strawberries, grapefruit and cantaloupe are over 90% water.
The human body is around 66% water…just like the planet.
Plant foods also provide at least some protein, some more than others such a beans, lentils, peas, and spinach.
We no doubt have countless other sources of non-dietary nourishment, such as from sunbathing, walking barefoot on grass or dirt (as long as its earth dirt, not like…car grease and diesel soot dirt), inhaling fresh flowers and their essences, standing in or around moving water, laughing, sleeping, making love, even working out can be a source of nourishment.
If we overeat but lack these, it may be that we are turning to food for things better fulfilled elsewhere, leaving us wanting no matter how much we eat.
Thankfully, in the case of fresh air or sunshine and the like…with a little strategy and intention…it won’t be too hard to begin getting more of those into your daily.
As for Hunger “Cues”
Not all hunger cues are for energy (calories).
Sometimes, if your body is depleted of energy stores, you crave the quickest source of glucose…namely…sweets. That genuine need for energy can be quickly tamed from ravenousness without resorting to the highly addictive and harmful “brain crack” otherwise known as purified or refined white sugar. Assuming you are not diabetic or have a sugar/insulin related medical condition, you can usually solve that problem by having some honey (fast absorption) while eating a piece of fruit or a handful of dried fruit to get the energy you need (the fiber makes the sugar in fruit slightly more time-released), maybe while preparing your super awesome healthy lunch?
Here’s another helpful tip. If you want to slow the release of glucose for a more sustained energy kick from a snack, add a little fat.
That might look like a thumb-size bit of almond butter or a few nuts (not a few handfuls). The fat will slow the release of sugars and help to prevent a spike and crash. Another great sugar support would be Cinnamon.
Dehydration is also a well-known cause for craving. If you’re hungry but you feel like you’ve eaten plenty, try having a glass of water or finishing your meal with high water-content fruits or vegetables. Better yet, start your meal with one of these. Give it a few minutes after having an apple or drinking a glass of water and then chow down. Watch how it affects your appetite.
If you’ve been sweating a lot, you could be hunkering for a sodium replenishment. Particularly if you live in an area where food is abundantly available, no need to load up on high fat, high calorie, high sodium convenience food to meet the sodium need.
If you live in America or similar and enjoy conventional baked goods, prepared sauces, or anything packaged you will have small chance of being sodium depleted for long. Don’t overdo it. You can replenish with fresh celery, carrots, just about any canned vegetable or bean, or an electrolyte powder.
After a good sweat, try that and then see how hungry you feel or if strong cravings subside. If they do, then you may have figured something out.
Like with hydration…don’t wait to feel depleted. Just plan to have those as your first snack after an expected sweat.
Just be conscientious when it comes to sodium. It is all too easy especially with the modern Western diet…to dramatically overdo sodium, leading to bloating, looking 10-30 pounds heavier, and even developing life-threatening disease.
To help counter sodium spikes, consume more potassium. Generally, any fresh fruits and vegetables you can find in the produce section will help you do this. By the way, potassium favorites like potatoes and bananas are also excellent for your gut health, as well for helping you feel fuller faster for the rest of the day.
For an added boost, I have only found ONE electrolyte replacement powder that is not jacked up on sodium while helping you boost your potassium. It’s called Keto K1000. You can grab it at a discount here.
Nutrition as a “science” is literally in its baby stages. There is still so very much to discover, yet there is so much you can discover simply by paying closer and closer attention to feelings, sensations, cues, cravings, and noticing how they relate to your emotions, stress levels, activity, sleep, and overall circumstances.
In my coaching program, I partner with Precision Nutrition’s core curriculum to show you exactly how to do this so that you’re not randomly trying to figure things out, but working with proven methods and credentialed professionals (myself included) so you don’t waste a single minute on your journey to eating better, feeling better, and even looking better…for LIFE.
I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering (3 John 2).
