Hello, I am a 23 year old female struggling with binge-eating.
I have been a vegetarian for about 10 years and have found it difficult
to feel satisfied after a meal on minimal protein. I crave sugar
and refined carbs constantly and am now paying the price by having
gained 10 pounds. I cannot seem to break the cycle of binging on
these "empty" foods- while I am in therapy, I feel that
physiologically there is something missing. Can you help? thanks!
Ellen
It sounds like it's just food cravings, but if you did have an
eating disorder-like issue, you'd have to see a therapist/counselor
in addition to other professionals.
Chinese Medicine Doesn’t Require Vegetarianism
Most people are surprised to hear that Chinese medicine doesn't
suggest vegetarianism. In fact, in our view, animal proteins are
appropriate therapy for some people. But of course some people
feel it's unethical to eat animals, so they have to eat the other
protein sources.
Get Enough Protein!
If you are going to be a vegetarian, you do need to watch your
protein and make sure you get enough. There's no substitute for
it. Beans, tofu, nuts, etc. Most importantly, if you don’t
eat enough food to create the energy you need for your daily activities,
you’re going to crave foods that give you instant energy.
The Carbohydrate Craving Cycle
If we don't eat enough complex carbs (carbohydrates), or if our
digestion can’t fully assimilate them, our body craves simple
ones (sweets, cakes, cookies, donuts, etc.) because they give
us a rush of energy. Anything with a high glycemic index will
do this – in fact, you might be surprised to find out that
Gatorade is very high on the glycemic index. Really, anything
with high fructose corn syrup as the first or second ingredient
is going to do this.
Because our blood sugar levels suddenly spike, our body releases
a bunch of insulin to lower the blood sugar. Unfortunately, we
get too much insulin, and soon our blood sugar is too low again,
and then we get another craving for simple sugars and high glycemic
foods and drinks.
How to Get Free
The solution is either to stoically ignore your cravings and
eat complex carbs regardless, to take Carbo enzymes from Transformations
Enzyme Corp., or to take an herbal formula. For the last, you'd
have to see a local Chinese medicine practitioner. Since complex
carbs can take time to prepare, what I do is take some Carbo’s,
and cook or go buy some food.
The Carbo’s are a mixture of enzymes, herbs, and nutrients.
They not only help you digest all kinds of carbs – thus preventing
the non-assimilation of complex carbs problem – but also
strengthen peristalsis, and prevent gas.
Acupuncture, Appetite, and Metabolism
Acupuncture can help reduce cravings and normalize endocrine
and neurological functions, making it easier to eat right. I’ve
been researching a book on Chinese Medicine Weight Loss, and have
found research that supports this. More in later articles!
B
|
|
