Day 22 of the Vegan Challenge
Yesterday I ate:
– A couple handfuls of grapes and a chocolate milkshake (1 frozen banana, 1 cup unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze, 1 tbsp PB2, 1 tbsp flaxseed meal, 1 tbsp wheat germ, sprinkle of cinnamon, and a couple handfuls of kale)
– 1/3 gRAWnola bar (from the Farmer’s Market) and 1 raisin scone smeared with jam
– 2 falafel balls and 3 yam fries with hummus
– Carrot sticks and chopped cauliflower; grapes with apple slices and cantaloupe
– Sandwich with 2 slices multigrain sandwich, 3 Tofurky oven-roasted deli slices, mustard, Swiss chard, tomato, and green pepper. This was yummy. I think I might be starting to like mustard.
– 1/2 cup brown rice with edemame and chickpeas
Cammy asked me if I think that part of my nut butter addiction is because PB2 has sugar in it. I definitely do think that the sugar/salt in PB2 is addicting! Interestingly, although I could eat half a jar of PB2 in one sitting, I don’t feel the same addiction to FitNutz, even though it too has about the same amount of sugar and salt. They are both delicious, but sometimes I feel as though I can’t control my PB2 cravings, whereas that never seems to happen with FitNutz. So yes, I think that the sugar/salt combo has an effect on my body,
However, I do not think that PB2 is the source of my obsesseion with nuts and nut butters. I had it long before PB2 came along. I guess each of us has our own “needs” when it comes to food- I often have major apple cravings as well, for example; I see that as a sign that my body needs certain nutrients from apples more than another person might. That’s my interpretation of it, anyway! And, of course, when we get in the habit of eating a certain food, we gravitate towards it and can’t seem to get enough.
So with the nuts/nut butters, I’m going to try taking a few days “off” from eating any at all every week. I think it’s healthy to take a break a couple times a week.
I recently found an organic brand of peanut butter. The only ingredient listed is “peanuts”. It’s seriously more-ish, so I have to limit myself. I love tahini too!
interesting (sugar in pb2) as Id not thought about that.
Maybe that’s why I only like it IN THINGS as opposed to plain.
Im not a sweet/salty person.
(have you tried JIFF lately? 🙂 I cant believe I loved that as a child. ICK)
I like yam fries, and haven’t had them for a while. Next time at the market, gonna buy some yams! Thanks!
Is your month of veganism going to change what you had been doing before the challenge?
I tried yam fries for the first time and they were fabulous! I’ve never thought about the sugar content in pb2 either. Sometimes I just get on a roll with certain foods, so I’m not sure it’s just for the sugar or whatever, but rather that I just really like it!
I just think the nut butters taste SO GOOD, despite what they have in them. I have an addiction to them because they go well with just about everything I eat. I will grab something and think, “hmmm, this would be good with some nut butter!” haha. truly.
Either way, good luck taking it out of your diet for a while, but I think you should keep enjoying it! There isnothing wrong with too much nut butter, as long as you are staying without your daily calorie needs.
Hanlie- aside from PB2 and FitNutz, the ONLY kind of nut butters I eat are the kind with only one ingredient. Some brands out there have appalling ingredient lists!
MizFit- I hope you know that I blame you for my PB2 addiction 😉 (love).
Dr. J- mmm homemade yam fries are goooood stuff. And yes. I think there could be a change or two in the works!
Diane- I think that’s a valid point too… when we get used to something and when we enjoy it, we start consuming it without really thinking.
Gina- Yes, I do think you’re absolutely right. If it’s all-natural, then it’s very healthy! My problem is just with portion sizing, that’s all 🙂
Great attitude about food cravings. I agree that when we crave something, a lot of times the reason is because that’s exactly what we need. But momentum is part of it too; if you eat tons of cake and ice cream, you’ll be in the habit and that’s what you’ll crave. And of course we’re not really in need of cake.
I STILL have not tried PB2…I am dying to! It sounds amazing and right up my alley. 🙂 One of these days…
I love my nut butters, but I’ve been trying to “watch” them recently, too. Sometimes it gets hard to put the spoon down!
I crave apples sometimes, too, but I think it’s for the sugar in them. 🙂 That’s one of the things about restricting “bad” sugar; you start noticing the sweetness in more natural foods. Darn it. 😉
I’m going to try making my own peanut butter in my food processor. I talked with someone the other day who insisted it’s possible. Honestly, I don’t expect much, but it’s worth a try.
Matt- definitely!
Holly- don’t. You’ll get addicted. 😀
Cammy- it’s SO TRUE about noticing the sugar. I had a big bowl of fruit the other day and partway through I had to set it aside because the sweetness was just overpowering. As soon as I get my hands on a food processor I’m going to take a stab at making some almond butter. Let me know how your peanut butter turns out!