Many people struggling with adrenal fatigue report an increased amount of food cravings; sugar and salt especially!
Low energy induces food cravings for instant forms of energy to keep you going in the absence of correct cortisol levels.
In stage 3 adrenal fatigue (low cortisol all day) or stage 2 (low cortisol in the morning) you crave more salt. Your blood pressure may be low due to the cortisol levels being low and you’ll find yourself hunting around for salty snacks.
If you’re stressed you may be desperate for crunchy food. You crave the crunch to relieve tension in your body. Crunchy foods have a soothing effect on a body that’s stressed.
When you crave creamy taste or texture, it usually means your body needs fat. Food cravings are also hugely psychological, and creamy (and chocolaty) cravings may give you a comforting feeling of childhood that is soothing.
We’ve put together a list of our 3 favorite snacks to help satisfy these common food cravings that accompany adrenal fatigue. The ingredients satisfy the crave factor and provide the right nutrients to help your body heal.
Sweet
Arguably, craving sweets is most people’s downfall. Ingesting large amounts of sugar combined with a long, sedentary work day pits you against natural weight loss and mood balance.
Almond butter, jicama and apple stacks are prefect for giving you a solid amount of sweet without a blood sugar surge. I’ve tested this snack out using my blood sugar monitor… it’s amazing to note that the bites don’t have an impact while sweet fruits like banana do!
Jicama is a really good pre-biotic, meaning it feeds the friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract. It’s kind of a cross between a potato and an apple and its very common to find at major super markets.
Sweet Jicama Apple Stacks
Jicama
Apple
Your favorite nut or seed butter (I love sunflower or almond butter)
Cinnamon powder
Peel the jicama and if desired, the apple too. Slice the jicama and apple and top with a teaspoon of nut or seed butter. Finish with a dusting of cinnamon.
Salty & Crunchy
Next to sweet, the salt and crunch that chips bring is the second most intense food craving. Make up a batch of our pumpkin seeds; they’re one of my favorite hormone balancing superfoods.
Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which supports the thyroid and sex hormones, magnesium for calming the nervous system and helping with sleep, iron, potassium and B-vitamins!
These seeds are also more cost effective; around half the price of nuts. In addition, they have less fat and more protein than most nuts!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil OR melted ghee
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (depending on how spicy you like it)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside
- In a bowl, combine the pumpkin seeds with the melted coconut oil, the spices, maple syrup and salt. Stir to combine.
- Spread in on the baking sheet and bake until the seeds are golden and crunchy, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Allow the seeds to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Chocolate & Creamy
Are you craving chocolate or something creamy and fatty… like a brownie or ice cream?
Try out this delicious creamy chocolate avocado pudding. Avocado is such a wonderful hormone balancing superfood because of it’s high B-vitamins, magnesium and vitamin-E. The healthy fats will help keep your blood sugar stable and when you blend it with raw cacao it’s just delicious.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
1 Banana
1/2 Avocado
2 scoops Collagen peptide protein powder
2 Tbsp Cacao powder
1 Tbsp Lucuma
1 Tbsp Honey OR maple syrup
1 tsp Cinnamon OR doTerra essential oil
1 tsp Vanilla powder OR extract
In a high-speed blender, combine banana and avocado until smooth. Add a bit of water as needed.
Add the rest of the ingredients and process again until combined.
Let us know in the comments what your cravings are and healthy snacks you use to satisfy them.
Pin it for snack ideas!
Photos by Sarah Steffens of Savor & Fancy
Sarah Steffens is a Personal Chef based in Los Angeles. She specializes in Paleo, Autoimmune, and Whole30 cooking and believes food is the starting ground for practicing kindness to one’s body, mind and spirit. She shares recipes and kitchen tips at Savor & Fancy.
