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Bharat Savur

Fight that feeling. Here's how.

Tasty but... Foods loaded with artificial confectionaries increase cravings and stress the body - M. Vedhan

It's discomfiting to suffer from a continuous craving for food, isn't it? You polish off an entire packet of cream biscuits.

Then, you hunt for something salty and cram those wafers into your mouth. Once again, you scrounge around for a sweet.

If nothing is available,you slather butter on slices of bread, sprinkle sugar liberally on them and. stop! You can't go on this way.

You've got to tell yourself, `No, no! This is wrong! This is not who I am! I don't want to be like this! I have nothing to do with this craving!'

By always insisting on separating yourself from this feeling, you finally succeed in driving it away.

And one day, you will have a sense of freedom, you will experience a distancing from wanting to eat.

Tell yourself, `This is the real I!' You've sifted the chaff from the wheat in your mind, separated the shadow from the light in your consciousness.

Slowly, you can rid yourself of this shadow. There is a theory that would help women in particular.

It is said that when the ovaries produce too much of the hormone progesterone, this hormone hits the brain in some key spots that trigger off carbohydrate cravings.

Carb-rich foods such as potato wafers, potato wadas, ice cream, and ras malai don't just promote a `full' sensation, they help the body retain fluids that would otherwise be lost due to dehydration or menstruation.

For all that, you must decide firmly not to be ruled by your hormone, rather that you will rule your hormone! This is imperative. Remember, you are the boss. Also know that if it is a hormone-induced false craving, it will hit you for about 7-10 days before you menstruate. Post-menstruation, it disappears.

So, it's those key 7-10 days that you need to be on guard. Drink plenty of water. Eat fresh fruits and raw vegetables every time the craving gnaws at you. Simultaneously, become more active.

Exercise regularly without missing a day. Exercise is the best way to balance and harmonise your hormones. Walk briskly breathing in fresh air. Or swim , jog, cycle. Many women tend to slack off during or pre-menstruation.

To the contrary, this is the time to up your level of activity. The pay-offs are tremendous. Muscles relax. Blood circulation gets enhanced. Fluid retention is vanquished or controlled. Cravings areminimised as happiness is maximised due to the increase of the brain's `happy hormones',the norepinephrines.

Another important thing to do is to go into the de-stress mode. Yes, take a long leisurely bath. Relax to soft instrumental music without percussion. Drumbeats drum up stress.Wear soft loose clothes. Do deep breathing exercises. Eat regular meals.

Tip: Every timeyou feel hunger pangs or your stomach rowls, breathe deeply. Or get on the floor and do 100 abdominal crunches. Eat plenty of superior fibre. It fills without fattening. Superior fibre is found in fruits, potatoes,green leaves, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Whole unpeeled potatoes in oil-free curries are excellent comfort foods. So is hot plain rice mixed with masoor dal boiled with haldi(turmeric), hing (asafoetida), salt, and lemon.

Simple foods, as nature meant us to have them, stave off craves. Whereas, cookies andcakes and all such artificial confectionaries only increase our craving and ultimately stress our body.

It is equally important tostay away from stressful situations. Do not hesitate to refuse a dinner invitation if you have to travel a long distance on a bumpy, traffic-congested road. Do not invite guests over to your place for a dinner party. You don't need the pressures it brings.

Nor do you need to be thinking of food, as you plan and execute the menu.It is a fact that some supplements can play a role in reducing or banishing foods cravings. They are vitamin B6 and magnesium.But these must be taken only in consultation with the doctor.

B6, in particular, is toxic in high doses. Millet and barely are rich in fibre and magnesium too. However, you cannot ignore the fact that at the bottom of the craving could be a simmering or dormant discontent that has nothing to do with food. You probably feel things are not going your way.

The best way to deal with this is to cultivate a humorous, accepting approach. When something stressful happens, say, 'Well, somebody thinks I'm worth being given this problem because I have something unique in me to withstand and resolve this problem!'

Instead of torturing yourself with passive discontent, you will notice your mind rejoicing, strengthening, getting trained in dynamic contentment each time you take this attitude. In this mental state, you can tackle anything. Above all, never think, `What's the use?' They are the worst three words you could ever use because they debilitate the spirit.

Instead, in a difficult situation, think, `This too shall pass.' These are the words of a strong, optimistic spirit in harmony with a larger, greater world.

(The writer is co-author of the book, `Fitness for Life'.)

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