Stevia...evening hunger...helpful books
[FONT=Georgia]Stevita brand stevia has ZERO "green" or "licorice" taste/aftertaste. It is an herb that reputedly has no negative effects on the body. . . though individual response must always be our guide! Stevita brand comes in an easily-dissolved white powder, or bottled liquid. Being intensely sweet, very little is needed. The flavor of stevia is NOT compatible with coffee, and works with chocolate only rarely, in combination with other sweeteners.
For tea, fruit, yogurt, etc., it is superb. I plan to do lots of experimenting with it in recipes, when I start cooking more.
Late-day, "out-of-control" hunger & cravings...mine start as early as 2pm, and more and more I realize they come from being tired. TIRED messes with virtually ALL of our chemicals that regulate hunger and not-hungry sensations. Cortisol is affected; leptin and ghrelin (major hunger & satiation hormones) are affected; serotonin is affected. Some research indicates that the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, and pancreas are affected--all in ways that directly cry out "eat! eat!" in our bodies.
These chemical cravings nearly always demand sweets. [A tired body denied rest demands foods that represent energy as a desperate, if ineffective, substitute.] Tired hunger usually feels like emotional hunger. And this makes sense: After all, the emotions created by fatigue include helplessness, depression, burdenedness, and loneliness. Yes, tiredness is an extremely lonely state: We feel like we need to be picked up, held, soothed, and restored before life is worth continuing to live.
Try it out!--More sleep, naps for those who can, earlier bedtimes (I mean really early--8 or 9pm lights-out!), even resting periods just lying on the floor for those of us who have other interference (mine is fibromyalgia) with getting enough true sleep.
When I force myself to rest as soon as I feel overtired--everytime--a remarkable improvement in food & hunger issues begins within 2 or 3 days!
Hot baths with Epsom salts may help with sleep issues, as the magnesium in the Epsom salts soaks in through the skin. This is immediately tranquilizing, and also contributes to the health of muscles and nerves.
Recent reading I've found exceptionally helpful in terms of insights, information about how food, hunger, and energy work in our bodies, and useful tools or strategies helpful in sticking to any eating/exercise/healthy-life plan: Outwit Your Weight [Cathy Nonas, RD] and Fire Up Your Metabolism [Lyssie Lakatos RD and Tammy Lakatos Shames RD].
I always read books through interlibrary loan before deciding whether I want to buy them.
Best wishes, everyone, and try to refrain from self-blame!!!
Blessings[/FONT]
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