Do you have sweet cravings?

If you DO NOT have sweet cravings, you are the rare exception.

The majority of people crave something sweet.

But why?

Well… first and foremost, mother’s milk is sweet.

People (yes, the adults that have tasted it) describe mother’s milk as[1]:

• Overly sweetened almond milk
• Sugar water
• Cantaloupe
• Honey
• Melted ice-cream

The sweet flavor is deeply nourishing and we are hardwired for it from the time we pop out of the womb and are plopped onto a breast for our first meal.

Once we are weaned from the breast and start eating regular food, guess what?

We still crave that sweet flavor!

Unfortunately, many of us reach out for the wrong type of sweets like sugar, soft drinks, glucose, candy, refined starches, and excessive amounts of carbs.

Generally speaking, the more refined the carb, the sweeter it is, and the more rapidly it is utilized for energy.

And, here’s where it gets tricky…

We physically crave sweets because the body requires nourishment and energy, but the more refined the food is the less nutrition it actually provides.

The more refined the food, the less fiber and nutrients your body receives when you eat it.

Here are some examples to consider:

• Corn syrup -vs- corn on the cob
• Fructose -vs- apples or other fruit
• Malt -vs- whole grain barley
• Cane sugar -vs- beets
• Cookies -vs- whole wheat flour

Even though you may be eating the flavor that is fulfilling your body’s deep need for energy and nourishment, you are actually becoming more deficient as you eat it.

Since we are programmed for sweets we need to make better choices.

Also, keep in mind that you can still enjoy the occasional sweet treat (cookie, pastry, cake, honey, straight up sugar) just don’t make it a daily habit.

If you find that you are craving an abundance of sweet foods all the time, this is an indicator that your body is deficient in energy.

Pay attention to those cravings and give yourself better choices.

Below are a few of my favorite “sweet” foods and recipes.

Polenta with Turkey Sausage

Grains, because they are starches, generally have a “sweet” profile.

Some grains are sweeter than others, and polenta, rice and barley fall into the sweet category.

Others are more sour like oats, wheat and rye.

And, some are bitter-flavored like quinoa and kasha.

If you are craving a sweet grain, try Polenta with Turkey Sausage.

It’s both sweet and savory, and of course… delicious!

Cinnamon and Nutmeg Spiced Squash Soup

Starchy vegetables are undeniably sweet and filled with a wide variety of nutrients to give your body the energy it needs.

Here is a list of the most common starchy vegetables. And, if you click on each of those vegetables it will take you to a deliciously sweet recipe:

• Beets
• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Squash
• Parsnips
• Corn
• Sugar snap peas
• Carrots
• Pumpkin

The list of recipes above ought to keep your sweet tooth satisfied for a very long time!

Baked Stuffed Apples with Tahini and Raisins

We all know that fruit is sweet – it’s considered natures candy for gosh sakes.

The best way to satisfy a sweet craving is with some fresh raw fruit, like berries, apples, pears, plums, tangerines, nectarines, melons, grapes, and so many others.

But, if you are feeling like you want a little something extra sweet, try Baked Stuffed Apples with Tahini and Raisins.

They are baked and that increases the sweetness factor plus they have a little bit of added honey.

Do you want more insight on how to use food to support your body’s needs?

Check out my Using Food and Herbs as Medicine Guide, and get on a delicious path to better health.

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