Something to Bite On

We all have the need to feed. Hey, we like it, and it ensures our survival. Sometimes we ask ourselves, “What sounds good?” or, “What do I feel like eating?” Maybe we just want something to bite on and don’t care what it is as long as it meets our taste bud criteria: fat, salt and/or sugar.

I remember one time. I was about halfway through a 30-day juice fast and I was jonesing somethin’ awful. I really wanted something to "bite on." I knew I didn’t have any ‘hard’ food in the house except for some popcorn kernels just waiting for me to rescue them from their lonely isolation. It was a good thing I didn’t have any butter; God knows I would have slathered on at least half a stick. I popped the luscious corn and began devouring handfuls. Within minutes I was doubled over in pain. Barbed wire-like sensations wiped out every speck of enjoyment I had felt only moments before. I thought about the butter, wondering if it would have coated my delicate stomach or added more insult to injury.

Tread carefully when you know not what the food will do. I once heard a most disturbing conversation from a person who had eaten those “light” chips. Remember those chips made from Olean aka olestra, supposedly low-fat and healthy? Really?! Chips that make your stomach cramp and give you diarrhea? How can that be healthy?

That’s the problem with processed foods. They can put anything on the label. And I mean ANYTHING. The one that ALWAYS cracks me up is natural. People are still believing that crap. Why shouldn't they, the tv says it's good, so it must be... Hey, lead is natural and so is uranium, still think they’re healthy?

When you want, no need, something to bite on, try and come to your senses first. Ask yourself just how much you need that piece of chocolate cake or bag of chips. If you decide to eat it don’t beat yourself up. It tasted good, right? Next time remember there are healthier options. There are actual foods that taste good and make you feel good after you eat them. And it’s all about feeling good.

Next time give one of these a try.

Reni’s favorite snacks:

Fresh avocado and tomato bites with 1 or 2 cloves of garlic

Fresh popped popcorn with organic butter and Bragg’s Nutritional Seasoning

Fresh summer fruit, I just picked!

Fresh watermelon or orange slices

Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues Chips with organic salsa (add any fresh stuff like tomatoes, avocado, garlic, onion, etc.)

Hot herbal tea with 1 small square of organic dark chocolate (rare occasion)

Banana sliced lengthwise with organic peanut or almond butter and sprinkled with chia seeds

Organic cheese (preferably raw) melted over chips and salsa spooned on top (don’t forget the fresh garlic, it's the most potent antibiotic on the planet!)

Celery and peanut or almond butter

Apple slices with almond or peanut butter

Kilr Kravings: The good, the bad, and the healthy…