Eating Habits and Cravings

Have you ever noticed how your attitude about life changes depending on your general health and what kind of diet you have?

My guest this week is holistic educator and life coach Vanessa Smith from Integrative Wellness Works and she strongly believes that health is the foundation of life. Those who are in good health are more productive and happier with their lives than those who are in poor health. Healthy people also tend to gravitate towards healthy food choices and unhealthy or unhappy people often grab quick, unhealthy foods to fill a void in their lives.

We also chat about ways to add healthy foods slowly into your diet and why eating seasonal foods can help you develop good health.

As always, I welcome you to visit http://www.diana2.com for more ways to kick your unhealthy cravings!

I asked Vanessa Smith the following questions, and here is a summary of her responses:

What have you noticed about people and their eating habits, especially in regard to cravings?

Four main issues I see:

• There is habitual behavior of reaching for certain types of unhealthy foods. This is fed by marketing (“eat this”), media (“be thin”), and expense and cost prohibition (cheaper to buy junk food), but there is a cost in the long run.
• Chemical and hormonal imbalance from eating processed foods and not getting the nutrients you need. This gets in the way of wanting healthy foods because you literally can’t think clearly.
• The stress and fast-paced culture leaves people ungrounded and spinning, where they reach for a sugar high or a fat satiation.
• There is an underlying issue of examining what you really are hungry for, literally and metaphorically. I’ve noticed that people who are unfulfilled in their lives eat out of desire (whatever they want, whenever they want). Conversely, people who are satisfied/content eat out of need (actual hunger and nourishment) and enjoyment. These are anecdotal generalizations, yet, true nonetheless.

How do you turn these issues around?

Pay attention. Ask yourself if you are ready to stop the cycle of feeling bad and treating your body poorly with junk foods. If so, what are you willing to do differently. Have a daily salad. Eat every 3 hours. Increase your vegetable intake by one or two per day. Eat seasonal foods.

Why is eating with the seasons important?

Bodies have different needs depending on the season.

What are the best foods to eat in the summer?

Vanessa goes over cooling foods for us on this Cravings Coach Podcast #18 .
Also check out Vanessa Smith’s website at Integrative Wellness Works

Vanessa’s Summary:

Any step you can take towards cooling foods and eating healthier in general counts. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Also, find a role model, someone who is healthy, strong, clear, confident. See that you have the ability to be that. Let them be your inspiration. Also – become your own role model!

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach