This principle applies to me involuntarily and because I try to be very in tune with my body, it's more of an instinct than an actual decision.
When I try to calorically restrict my body determines what calories are sufficient and it will drive me next to insane to ignore it.
Same with food cravings that I try to ignore or replace.
I think this subconscious manipulation is a failsafe mechanism for our heady nature as humans.
My method (for a majority of the diet) goes as such;
I follow Peat principles as much as feels good, for example vegetable oils never feel, smell or look good to me, so that principle matches my instincts. Some others are up for interpretation.
Second, I try my best to keep foods minimally/ naturally and traditionally processed. Mass produced packaged foods are usually out unless the ingredients are super clean. Foods are sourced as clean as possible, organic, grass fed, wild caught etc
I almost never eat out, instead I try and determine what it is about the craving I'm missing. French fries or fried chicken for example is usually a craving of protein, salt and crunch which (for me) usually happens at times of fatigue. So I either try to make it myself or find an equivalent food. This method helps me save money, use better ingredients, feel much better and avoid a possible addiction to the vice food and convenience.
As far as macros, I have a general idea of what I want more or less that day, it's usually more carbs, some protein and some fat. The rest I let my body determine and some days I eat a whole stick of butter and other days I crave almost no fat. There is so much complexity to what our body craves and the influence of every aspect of our life (and the environment) that giving into its wisdom almost never fails me.
Some reasons for failure/ obstacles;
This rather simple diet does take more effort than just giving in to cravings and eating whatever.
Effort. One will likely have to cook quite often. Try not to be ravenous to the point where you have no patience to cook and as a result eat whatever is around.
Uneducated palate. Experiment with what the body is actually craving, this could be testing tastes, taking a moment to interpret the signals the body is sending and recognizing your state for the day.
Unable to fulfill a craving. Ask yourself am I actually hungry? Is there a flavor profile/ food I'm not aware of? Should I try ethnic cuisine of "unusual" combination? Am I eating enough? Is the food too complex? Is the food too simple? Lastly consider getting bloodwork done if the craving is insatiable.
Low quality food. Lets say you really want pineapple, but the pineapples available to you are unripe, GMO or whatever, that may be a case where you try and determine what other higher quality food can replace the craving, considering both taste, nutrients and feel.
What I'm not saying;
Eat whatever you want.
Pay no mind to dietary philosophy.
Eat to your detriment.
Ignore symptoms of intolerance.
Don't try elimination diets.
Do exactly as I do.
Some thoughts that go along with this diet:
Kits like this (BodyBio Liquid Minerals Deficiency Test) exist, which rely on taste to determine mineral requirement. Could be a good tool for getting more specific.
Focusing on good tasting, very fresh food is key, even if that may mean non-organic produce depending on how accessible things are to you. The taste and smell usually indicate the nutrient profile of the food, and subsequently its ability to satiate. The more time the food spends in the grocery store, the more nutrients it will lose, frozen may be a better option for some things.
When I try to calorically restrict my body determines what calories are sufficient and it will drive me next to insane to ignore it.
Same with food cravings that I try to ignore or replace.
I think this subconscious manipulation is a failsafe mechanism for our heady nature as humans.
My method (for a majority of the diet) goes as such;
I follow Peat principles as much as feels good, for example vegetable oils never feel, smell or look good to me, so that principle matches my instincts. Some others are up for interpretation.
Second, I try my best to keep foods minimally/ naturally and traditionally processed. Mass produced packaged foods are usually out unless the ingredients are super clean. Foods are sourced as clean as possible, organic, grass fed, wild caught etc
I almost never eat out, instead I try and determine what it is about the craving I'm missing. French fries or fried chicken for example is usually a craving of protein, salt and crunch which (for me) usually happens at times of fatigue. So I either try to make it myself or find an equivalent food. This method helps me save money, use better ingredients, feel much better and avoid a possible addiction to the vice food and convenience.
As far as macros, I have a general idea of what I want more or less that day, it's usually more carbs, some protein and some fat. The rest I let my body determine and some days I eat a whole stick of butter and other days I crave almost no fat. There is so much complexity to what our body craves and the influence of every aspect of our life (and the environment) that giving into its wisdom almost never fails me.
Some reasons for failure/ obstacles;
This rather simple diet does take more effort than just giving in to cravings and eating whatever.
Effort. One will likely have to cook quite often. Try not to be ravenous to the point where you have no patience to cook and as a result eat whatever is around.
Uneducated palate. Experiment with what the body is actually craving, this could be testing tastes, taking a moment to interpret the signals the body is sending and recognizing your state for the day.
Unable to fulfill a craving. Ask yourself am I actually hungry? Is there a flavor profile/ food I'm not aware of? Should I try ethnic cuisine of "unusual" combination? Am I eating enough? Is the food too complex? Is the food too simple? Lastly consider getting bloodwork done if the craving is insatiable.
Low quality food. Lets say you really want pineapple, but the pineapples available to you are unripe, GMO or whatever, that may be a case where you try and determine what other higher quality food can replace the craving, considering both taste, nutrients and feel.
What I'm not saying;
Eat whatever you want.
Pay no mind to dietary philosophy.
Eat to your detriment.
Ignore symptoms of intolerance.
Don't try elimination diets.
Do exactly as I do.
Some thoughts that go along with this diet:
Kits like this (BodyBio Liquid Minerals Deficiency Test) exist, which rely on taste to determine mineral requirement. Could be a good tool for getting more specific.
Focusing on good tasting, very fresh food is key, even if that may mean non-organic produce depending on how accessible things are to you. The taste and smell usually indicate the nutrient profile of the food, and subsequently its ability to satiate. The more time the food spends in the grocery store, the more nutrients it will lose, frozen may be a better option for some things.
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