Hey, Protein! I Like It!

Ever since I started including protein in my breakfasts, the increased protein amount has been transferring over into my lunch and dinners too.  I didn't plan to do this; it just kind of happened.

I have protein shakes for breakfast made with a plain, whey protein powder. (It's surprisingly good with the right protein powder.) I have eggs, which I only rarely ate in the past. (They really are a health food!) I eat more turkey, chicken, fish, beans, and cheese. I enjoy tofu. (It's delish in miso soup!) I even eat more red meat - my least favorite meat - if it's in a hearty stew or cooked on the grill.

What I've noticed is that eating protein significantly decreases my sugar cravings! I don't go crazy with sweets as much as I used to. I don't even long for them as I did in the past. I haven't been eating sweets as a stand-alone snack as much either.

Today, however, I did happen to eat some chocolate and on an empty stomach. It was a decent amount too. I actually didn't finish the chocolate because, quite frankly, I didn't want it anymore (blasphemy, I know)!

Well, 2 hours later I started feeling jittery, really jittery! My heart was beating a little faster, and I felt queasy too! It was a terrible feeling, and I got a little scared because I had no idea why this was occurring! It was as though the chocolate was rigged! I was acting like... I injested some sort of... drug...

Oh.  Yeah... heh... I guess I really did!

It was the chocolate; it must have been! I was going bonkers over the sugar and caffeine in the chocolate! That's the only explanation I have. I know I'm sensitive to caffeine, but gee wiz! My body was really reacting, and in a very unpleasant way too!

Maybe my body is becoming weaned of all the sugar and chocolate I've put in it in the past? Maybe it's more sensitive because I've been slowly easing off the sweets? If that's the case, then wow! I'm surprise at the progress and healing my body is making!

It's been six hours since ingesting that potent chocolate, and the jittery feelings are just starting to settle down. I had to get on the elliptical machine earlier because I just needed to move!

Well, on a positive note, eating a large amount of chocolate on an empty stomach doesn't sound so appealing to me anymore. The horrible way I felt completely overides any satisfaction I might receive by eating it! It's not worth eating a food if I end up feeling like I did today!

Now I'm looking forward to my protein! It's keeping me steady. I like that.

If you struggle with strong sugar cravings, consider adding a decent amount of quality protein in your meals. (That is, of course, you have no preexisting condition that warrants limiting protein.)

You may find that it will help control your sweet tooth over time.

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7 comments ↓
#1 Mrs. Micah on 03.12.08 at 7:22 pm

Yay? I can’t in good conscience rejoice that chocolate doesn’t agree with someone anymore. But if it helps you achieve your goals, that’s exciting. :)

#2 Susan on 03.12.08 at 7:37 pm

Mrs. Micah,
:) I’ll just go ahead and take that as a compliment.
My mother – self-proclaimed chocoholic to the core – would be shocked and grieved indeed! ;)

#3 lynnae on 03.12.08 at 11:52 pm

Maybe I should try eating more protein. I’m a total carb and sugar addict. And lately my weight is showing it. :(

#4 Susan on 03.13.08 at 6:16 pm

I understand your frustration, Lynnae. It took a little while for me to get used eating more protein, but now I like it. I still have my carb craving days, but it’s a lot more under control. Maybe just start with adding a more protein and go from there?

#5 MizFit on 03.17.08 at 1:24 pm

so true….and I guess you (one) need to experience it as when I tell people that they do look at me as though Ive lost my mind (I have :) but that isnt how we’d know)

Im doing a Monday Facetime soon on another way to control sugar cravings

(ooh a teaser. not that exciting, I know)

M.

#6 Susan on 03.17.08 at 7:04 pm

MizFit,
Yep, sometimes you have to experience something to really accept it, even if it’s simply eating more protein. :)

#7 Juan Batista on 08.09.09 at 1:10 pm

Proteins do help the body regulate the blood sugars. Some people get up in the middle of the night to snack. This is because their blood sugar drops and causes them to get up to eat. A little protein snack just before bed can eliminate this problem. Also, if your going to have sugary snacks, have protein combined with Fish oil supplements. They help to slow down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, hence, preventing the sugar crash described in this blog.

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