Carbohydrate munchies

Hi there, does anyone have any tips for when the carbohydrate munchies strike? I have a definite pattern related to my hormones. Can anyone recommend any low cal alternatives, or psychological tricks?

Thanks,

[Stefaniax]

Hi Sjn15, personally I would aim for high fibre and low sugar, which is not necessarily low calories. You may find that a nice slice of toasted brown bread with lots of seeds, with a little spread on it, satisfies you more than a presumably low cal alternative that has sugar in it. It's known that sugar creates dependency, not other carbs, which in fact may be good for you.

[Hidden]

I agree with Stefaniax, although I do struggle with comprehension sometimes and am struggling to understand the term munchies.

If you're talking about physical hunger, then it's best to eat. If you're talking about cravings, then it's best to resist. With a craving I would simply have a drink of water or a tic tac or something and just ride it out.

I say the above only on the assumption that you have no underlying medical problems.

Hope this helps

[Hidden]

I always become concerned when people give advice to cut out or drastically reduce carbohydrates and make claims that your body can eat fat!!!

"our bodies can manufacture any requirements" so why are so many suffering from deficiencies of vitamins and minerals?

Food is not bad for a person and it's wrong to intimate that some foods are bad. This sort of language can lead to eating disorders. You may wish to give a clearer explanation, so the reader does not misinterpret the meaning of your post

We have a collective responsibility to ensure people are using a safe diet and recommending such drastic action without knowing if the person has any underlying medical conditions could put them at risk.

The general consensus is:

Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are the most important source of energy for your body. Your digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar). Your body uses this sugar for energy for your cells, tissues and organs. It stores any extra sugar in your liver and muscles for when it is needed.

Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on their chemical structure. Simple carbohydrates include sugars found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products. They also include sugars added during food processing and refining. Complex carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, starchy vegetables and legumes. Many of the complex carbohydrates are good sources of fiber.

For a healthy diet, limit the amount of added sugar that you eat and choose whole grains over refined grains.

sourced from nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/car...

Further information of other diets nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/...

[nhs2015 in reply to Hidden]

Tewson, Bigleg posts on this forum have been around for some time. They advertise the Low Carb High Fat diet from the diet doctor. I do not know if it is a person experience or a diet group bating for their diet. I do admit, I have cut down on my carb consumption but not to the extent those fad diet are advertising. To me, moderation and variety is the key.

[nhs2015 in reply to nhs2015]

Tewson, I also believe that those fad diet blogs have reduced in number. When I first started the NHS program, they were at least 3 trying to invade this NHS healthunlocked forum.

[Hidden]

Thanks for all the replies, I guess I meant cravings. For two weeks each month I am pretty good and eat the right stuff, then for two weeks I lose the plot and put the weight back on. I like the idea of the sugar snap peas, and/or having a drink. (I managed to post the same question twice so may have muddled up replies here).

Having been around a while and being pretty opinionated myself I am a big believer in everything in moderation. It's not one food type that is bad for us but too much of any one type. For the most part I prepare meals from basic ingredients and don't have a lot of processed stuff and I'm not too worried about that. But the cravings come and I would be grateful for ideas. Food is one of my great pleasures in life and that is not going to go away. I just want to be lighter and fitter and retain my mobility as much as I can as I get older (no probs now at 52 but there is plenty of opportunity for that to change).

Going back to the diet, I know I need to be disciplined about what I eat but also about keeping a food diary, so that when I have bad days I have some chance of catching it before it gets too bad.

Time for bed now, tomorrow is a new day and a new start....

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Your post very much echoes my thoughts, although being a man, I had to have a long conversation with my wife as to what's meant by "munchies" and thanks to her I'm a little more aware, but still a man

There're others who can help a lot more than I

Have a great day

[Hidden]

This morning, I shall do the school run, by foot, before going on a six mile walk to do the shopping. I shall get the bus back and get myself some lunch. I will spend an hour on the computer, mainly researching the financial markets and have this site open in the background. I will then walk to the library for a change of scenery, sit down and read my kindle for an hour. I will then go shopping again, for fresh ingredients for the meal tonight, do the school run again before, walking home and cooking.

I may cover somewhere in the region of eight miles today. This is not exercise, this is my lifestyle and has been for a number of years.

At the age of 61, I'm pleased that I can now do these things without any discomfort, because I'm now a healthy weight and on a healthy diet.

I will have no time to spend sitting inactively in front of a computer, researching diet, looking at films and videos, as I will be too active during the day. Raising activity levels and eating a healthy diet enables me to live a full life. It also helps to maintain a healthy state of mind and clarity of thought. It's good for mind, body and spirit.

If you have improved your health over time, I would recommend that you make the most of your time and include more exercise and social interaction in your day. That you spend less time looking at films and videos which are bent on selling their own particular view of the world.

If you are in poorer health or less mobile, there may be gentler activities you could undertake. Swimming is good, but so is sitting in the park or garden. Interacting with friends and neighbours is also useful. Simple things can improve the quality of life.

Spending too much time in front of a screen whether it be tv or pc, is not good.

I offer you the benefit of my experience, not science, because by using my own experience, I can qualify everything I say as being accurate, I can back it up.

Diet is not a healthy way of life. Diet is a part of life only, an enabler to enjoy life to the full.

I hope you have a nicer day

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tewson - you are the ideal recruit for the Around the World in 80 Days Challenge. Interested? See my thread this morning 😃

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lizy and thank you for the invite. I have some very unusual circumstances which would prevent me joining and for the moment will have to decline.

I know I've not given any detail and this is unavoidable. If you wish I could provide more detail but only on a pm and not until much later in the day.

I hope you have a great day, I always keep an eye out for your posts. They're so positive

8 mins countdown to school run

[Penel]

Perhaps try having a bowl of porridge with a little honey? It will give you some simple and complex carbs.

A small amount of very dark chocolate might help, too, or a small handful of nuts.