What Are You Really Hungry For? Really?

Overnight Oatmeal is full of nutrients and is tasty hot or cold. Photo from Whole Foods Market.

By Janet Cook, NYC HEALTHY CHICK

STOP! Put the plate of cookies down.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you were depressed, or your self-esteem was low? Then you walk in the door, go to the fridge or cabinet and just go on a food binge? No amount of food will fill you up despite all that you are putting in your mouth.

Regular exercise, especially with a partner, can help take the mind off of mindless eating. Photo from Ovca.org

This is called a Primary Food Deficiency. You are probably scratching your head and saying, “OK, NYC Healthy Chick, what the #$%&@&! are you talking about here exactly?” In my workshops, I teach that what we consider nutrition today is really just a secondary source of energy.

Think back to a time when you were head over heels in love. Everything was exciting and exhilarating. Colors were in technicolor (or hi-def depending on how recent it was). You completely forgot about food and were high on life.

Remember that time when you were really involved in a juicy-good project. Your belief in what you were doing created a lot of confidence and stimulated you. Time flew by, the outside world didn’t exist, and you didn’t feel the need to eat until you were reminded.

Meditation is a primary food that aids in relaxation. Photo from Maya Telford.

Think back to when you were a kid, playing outside with friends. Your mother would call, “Come in, it’s time for dinner.” You rushed in, gobbled down just enough food to meet your mother’s approval and then you ran back outside to play until it was time to come in. Food never crossed your mind during that whole time. Right?

Primary foods feed us but they don't come on a plate. Elements such as a meaningful spiritual practice, an inspiring career, regular and enjoyable physical activity and honest and open relationships that feed your soul and your hunger for living are all primary foods.

As children, we all lived on primary food. So do those who are deeply in love or who are working passionately on a project. The fun, excitement and love of daily life have the power to feed us so that food becomes secondary.

Salmon and Spinach Salad with Flaxseed Dressing is a secondary food dish that will stick to the ribs. Photo from Whole Foods Market.

The more primary foods we intake, the less dependent we are on secondary foods. The opposite is also true. The more we feed on secondary foods, the less appetite we have for primary foods.

Clear on primary foods? Good. What of secondary foods? Not to worry, NYC Healthy Chick is here to share her secondary foods daily regimen. It’s simple: Eating three balanced, planned meals a day will help sustain the energy that comes from primary food practice. Let’s get started.

Breakfast: Start the day with a bowl of Overnight Oatmeal (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/345">http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/). It is a good source of protein, whole grains and fresh fruit. It can be eaten hot or cold.

Steak with Piquant Italian Salsa Verde can help on those days when nothing can hit the spot like beef. Photo from Whole Foods Market.

Lunch: Keep fueling your furnace with this combo of heart-healthy ingredients full of flavor and zest: Hmm, yummy Salmon and Spinach Salad with Flaxseed Dressing (http://www.recipe.com/salmon-and-spinach-salad-with-flaxseed-dressing/). Your tummy is sure to not rumble for hours.

Dinner: Bold flavors satisfy even the hungriest man on the planet, not to mention the fact that we all have a craving for a little beef every now and then. OK, at least I do! Try Steak with Piquant Italian Salsa Verde. (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/985).

Yes, even NYC Healthy Chick still has “one of those days” every now and then; remember it’s a journey, not a destination. One thing I do each day is to get hugs and kisses from loved ones around me, plus I exercise or mediate to relax just a little bit more.

Those chocolate chip cookies look good, but may not be what you really crave. Photo from Master Life.

So, the next time you find yourself in front of the fridge or cabinet getting ready for a food binge – stop. Instead, go get a hug; take a walk around the block, or call a friend to just talk. Chances are you will feel much better after allowing the energy from these primary foods to feed you and your soul.

See, you really don’t need those cookies after all.