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Ask the Expert
May 17, 2003
Question:
I don't seem to feel "full" unless I eat a piece of bread with my meal. How can I feel satisfied and not hungry on the No-Grain Diet?
Answer:
If your meal feels "incomplete" without bread or dessert it may be a sign that you are a grain addict. It is also a sign that your system is not functioning optimally. It can be especially hard to recognize the addiction since it's likely that the majority of people around you also share the addiction. Plus, bagel and doughnut shops, pizzerias and fast-food restaurants present endless temptations to indulge in grain products.
Your cravings and hunger for grains are the result of your body's addiction to the "high" that eating grains produces. The high, "comfort food" feeling is produced by a surge in your blood sugar and a corresponding insulin release to compensate for the increase in blood sugar. Meanwhile, serotonin, a neurotransmitter that induces relaxation and a state of well-being, is released by grain consumption. Both of these factors will drive you to repeat your habit of eating grains with every meal. But, in the long run this addictive cycle will cause your bodily systems to function below par, leading to low energy, weight gain, exhaustion, digestive problems and disease.
Fortunately, there are ways to break the cycle. Once you eliminate grains from your diet for three days, most physical cravings will stop. Any remaining cravings are emotionally based. One way emotional cravings can be dealt with is by using a form of psychological acupressure known as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT can produce astounding effects, and many people discover rapid freedom from cravings and other emotional challenges they are facing when they begin using EFT.
If you find that you feel physically hungry after eliminating grains from your diet, you will likely need to adjust the ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates in your diet. Try increasing the amount of protein with your meal and decreasing the carbs, or increasing the carbs and decreasing the fat. Through a process of trial-and-error you will find the most satisfying combination for your body. Metabolic Typing can also give you a more accurate depiction of what ratio of foods will work best for your unique system.
Remember, if you feel tempted to eat bread with your meal, try eating an extra serving of vegetables or meat instead. This will fill you up without sending your body on an insulin rollercoaster.
