Unfortunately, I have been stuck in the house for the past few days because of this horrible snow storm. I am extremely tempted to shove my face and binge eat everything in sight. Instead of reaching for empty calories and junk food I decided to research binge eating and the root cause. I found some awesome tips, I hope you find them helpful next time your fiending for endless amounts of junk.

Start the morning with a protein, loaded meal. Some great choices are eggs, protein shakes and almond butter on whole-wheat toast or bagel thin.  By having a large amount of protein for breakfast you will stay satisfied throughout the day. The protein will actually help to stabilize your blood sugar and prevent it from getting to low and causing you to binge.

Supplement with L-Glutamine and 5-HTP to prevent your body from strong cravings. L-Glutamine is one of my go to supplements. Cinnamon is a great herb for stabilizing blood sugar, sprinkle this herb freely throughout the day.

Sugar is a drug. Sugar can be just as addicting as alcohol and narcotics, often people who abused drugs or alcohol turn to sugar, which is just as addictive. Think about it were you ever able to eat just one bowl of Frosted Flakes or have just one bite of a chocolate chip cookie? After your first bite you always are coming back for “just one more bite”. Next time your eating something high in sugar consider your eating habits.

Consider drinking a large glass of water when you feel a binge coming on. Hunger is often confused with thirst. If you still feel the need to eat after reach for something high in protein. Some quick healthy options are: apple or celery with nut butter, handful of nuts, protein shake, raw veggies with hummus or a Think Thin Bar.

Figuring out what your cravings mean. Often cravings are your body trying to send you a message that it is deficient in a vitamin or nutrient.  I love the chart below by livelovefruit.com, which helps to depict what your cravings really mean.

 

It seems like the biggest health complaint from my friends and family is stomach pain. Digestive disorders are becoming more and more common among our society. I strongly believe stomach issues are being caused by increased amount of GMO's and synthetic ingredients added to our foods.  When stomach pains hit people reach for over the counter medications such as  TUMS, Imodium, Gas-X and Pepto Bismol. Why put these chemicals in our bodies when we can ease pain with earths herbal medicine.  The following herbs are great alternatives to medicine. 

Ginger: Ginger works best at alleviating nausea and vomiting.  It is very easy to get your hands on you can buy ginger root at all supermarkets in ground form, tea bags, candied or by the root. Ginger could act as a blood thinner so talk to your doctor before using regularly. 

Fennel: Fennel is classified as a Carminative herb. Carminative herbs aid digestion and reduce gas. Fennel works as an anti-spasmotic which will help will stomach cramps and slows down intestinal motility. To make fennel tea crush 2 tsp of fennel seeds with a mortar and pestle then place in steeper. Steep for 10 minutes in boiling water then remove and sip. If this is too time consuming you can buy fennel tea already bagged.
* Fennel Tea can actually reduce appetite when consumed before a meal ;)

Peppermint: Mint is helpful for all kinds of upset stomachs. Mint creates a mucous in the body which acts as a coating to the esophagus and stomach. Do not get confused chewing mint gum will not get the job done because the sugar alcohols in the gum actually create gas, bloating and more stomach pain. 


Chamomile: Chamomile is a very calming herb. It can be used to settle a nervous stomach and a nervous mind. Chamomile is most conveniently drank as a tea. Many different tea companies carry this herb but my favorite is Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Tea. Not only is this tea beneficial for your belly it doubles as the perfect sleepy time tea at the end of a stressful day.


Slippery Elm: Slippery Elm is dried bark from a small tree.  Slippery elm aids in digestion, prevents wasting and helps keep food down. Slippery elm creates mucous in the the intestines which helps to soothe ulcers and calm inflammation. Slippery elm can be prepared by adding water to the powdered form of this herb. 

Listen to your body. What may be one persons medicine may be another persons poison.  Play around with the ingredients in your juices. If you feel any pain or discomfort after drinking then you should not consume that veggie or fruit.  Our bodies have a way of communicating with us, listen to what it is trying to tell you. Find a combination of produce that energizes your body.

Give your produce a bath. Fill your CLEAN sink with 3 parts water 1 part vinegar. Soak your produce for at least 15 minutes to ensure pesticides and dirt is eliminated. 

Do not use juice as a meal replacement. Although juice is very nutrient dense it does not meet the qualifications to replace a meal. Juice lacks fiber, protein and sufficient calories. Juice should be used as a snack or a compliment to a meal. The best time to drink juice is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, this will allow the body to absorb maximum nutrients. Wait at least 30 minutes before having breakfast or a meal. 

Choose an abundance of veggies but limit fruit. Your juice should be packed with green veggies such as kale, spinach, cucumbers, collard greens, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli, romaine lettuce or swiss chard. To take out the bitter taste add a lemon or a lime for some extra zing. Limit your juices to 2 servings of fruit to prevent an overload of sugar. If possible choose fruits which have a low glycemic index (apples, pears and grapefruits). I would rather eat the yummy sugar loaded fruit anyway!

Use a base that has plenty of water content. Cucumbers, celery, lettuce, beets, pears and apples make a large amount of juice compared to more dense produce such as kale.

Drink your juice immediately.  You will get maximum nutrients by drinking your juice immediately. If you wish to prepare your juice ahead of time I recommend you store in an airtight container and drink it within 24 hours. If you wait any longer than a day it will lose most nutrients.

Swish your juice. Because juicing eliminates chewing, enzymes do not get the signal to start working. In order to wake up your digestive enzymes and get them moving, swish your juice around in your mouth for a few seconds. This sounds a little bit nuts but if your digestive enzymes in your spit do not come into contact with your food then nutrients may be passed by.