Need Help With Your Food Cravings?

2008-10-01 10:58:21-04

Some information about food cravings in general and specifically about cravings for peanuts

What do we know about Food Cravings in general? Why do we crave peanuts?

I believe that a person???s body is always trying to stay optimally healthy and to heal from injury or illness. Therefore, I believe that your body might be trying to tell you something through your cravings. Exactly what it???s trying to tell you, however, is difficult to determine.

In a nutritional sense, cravings can sometimes be related to nutrients that are most needed by the body. Peanuts, for example, are a good source of manganese, niacin, folate, copper, and protein. Peanuts also contain some resveratrol, the phytonutrient that???s become so famous in red wine. Peanuts are not unusually rich in this nutrient???an ounce of peanuts contains about 50 micrograms of resveratrol at most, compared to nearly 1,000 micrograms in an ounce of red wine. However, over the course of time, if peanuts are enjoyed on a daily basis, they could be a worthwhile source of this resveratrol.

Cravings can also be related to food allergies, and it is possible for a person to crave a food to which they are most allergic. (Although this may seem contradictory, craving a food to which we are allergic is a fairly common occurrence in nutrition, and one that is documented in scientific research.) In the allergy research literature, peanuts turn out to be a very common allergenic food.

So how can you tell if your personal craving for peanuts is based on the helpful nutrients that peanuts are providing or if it???s the result of an unwanted allergic reaction? You may not be able to make this decision without the help of an experienced healthcare practitioner. If you have never worked with a nutritionist or other healthcare provider who is familiar with food allergies and elimination/challenge diets, I would encourage you to consider taking that step.

Of course, meeting your nutrient needs or getting caught up in a potentially adverse food reaction may not be the only reason you might be craving peanuts. Peanuts might be an unusually enjoyable food for you based on your past food habits. Or perhaps, they are a ???comfort food??? that is reassuring to eat. While pleasure and comfort certainly aren???t reasons to avoid peanuts, feeling in control of your Healthiest Way of Eating is always an important aspect of nourishment.

If you would like to read more about peanuts and food allergies, see pages 540 and 719, respectively, in The World???s Healthiest Foods: Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating book or visit our website.

Salmon, Cucumber Chili Salad

Enjoy this refreshing salmon salad for lunch or dinner. Our stovetop cooking method, which uses no heated oils makes this recipe especially healthy and light. Prep and Cook Time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

3 cups thinly sliced washed cucumber, do not peel
2 tsp minced jalapeno pepper, seeds and stem removed (or to taste)
1/2 cup chopped scallion
3 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 TBS chopped fresh mint
1 1/2 lb salmon fillet,deboned and skin removed cut into 4 pieces
2 + 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. To Quick-Broil salmon preheat broiler on high and place an all stainless steel skillet (be sure the handle is also stainless steel) or cast iron pan under the heat for about 10 minutes to get it very hot. The pan should be 5 to 7 inches from the heat source.
2. Rub salmon with 2 tsp fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. (You can Quick Broil with the skin on; it just takes a minute or two longer. The skin will peel right off after cooking.)
3. Using a hot pad, pull pan away from heat and place salmon on hot pan, skin side down. Return to broiler. Keep in mind that it is cooking rapidly on both sides so it will be done very quickly, usually in 7 minutes depending on thickness. Test with a fork for doneness. It will flake easily when it is cooked. Salmon is best when it is still pink inside.
4. Prepare the first five ingredients.
5. While salmon is cooking, whisk together lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper. When ready to serve toss with cucumber mixture. Do not toss ahead, as it will dilute the flavor.
6. Place cucumber salad on a platter and place salmon on top. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro and serve.

Serves 4
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In-Depth Nutritional Profile