high-fat foods and restraint

[gardenmommy]

So, I have been really thinking about (could also, I suppose, be defined as *craving*) high-fat foods lately. Ice cream, shortcake, cheesecake, eggs with cheese and butter, steak cooked in butter, butter on *EVERYTHING*, cream in my tea, are you getting the point? I am trying to decide if I should just let my thoughts (cravings) be my guide here, or if I am going overboard and need to exercise some restraint.

What do you think?

[paquerette]

I would eat to satisfy the cravings. Not to say that you should binge on all that all at once, but if you have something and are still feeling the craving an hour later, have some more. And vary it up because maybe the craving's not dissipating because you're not quite getting the exact whatever it is you need. So if butter doesn't do it, have some cottage cheese, for example.

[Jojo F.]

Eat the good fats, we need fat

Full fat coconut milk, coconut oil, nuts, avocados, raw dairy products, etc.

[JElaineB]

I see no problem with eating the high fat things that are not full of sugar (i.e., steak with butter, eggs with cheese and butter, cream in tea, just plain butter, etc.). However you may want to make sure any of the items that are both high in sugar and high in fat are at least made with TF friendly sweeteners if possible rather than regular sugar.

[gardenmommy]

nak... most of my sweets are made with honey or agave. a few with maple syrup, not many with suar. sugar lasts a looong time here. I really only try to limit myself when it comes to sugar and grains (including TF sweeteners). I find that a little sweet goes a long way with me (thank you grain- and sugar-free diet!).

I don't know, it just seems like a lot of the foods I really seem to desire are very high fat. Which I know in theory isn't a bad thing, esp. when it is EVCO, raw homemade butter, cream, etc. Maybe this is a variation on the theme question of "how much fat is too much?".

I reaaaallly craved fat right before I conceived my last baby. It's not quite that bad, lol. But, I wonder if my body is just at a point where I need very nutrient-dense foods, and that happens to also be high-fat (I am nursing a 12 month old, a LOT).

I have been craving beef again, took for what that's worth.

[Metasequoia]

Our bodies convert cholesterol into pregnenolone, the hormone at the top of the hormonal-cascade. Pregnenolone is then converted into our adrenal hormones & sex hormones. Bottom line, if we don't get enough cholesterol, our bodies can't make enough hormones.

Eat the fat!

[quietserena]

This happened to me last summer when I was out of CLO for a few months. Could your body be trying to replenish the A and D vitamins using the fat? Just an idea.

Other than that, I'd give it as long as it won't make you sick. Mmm good ice cream...

[tanyalynn]

I have been craving beef again, took for what that's worth.

I've had the same beef and fat cravings (concurrently, I mean). I've found it reassuring to read other threads, not too long ago (but basically lost without the Search function working properly) where other folks have had the same experience, and it seems to taper off after a time. For me, these were the first "real" food cravings I've ever had (I'm not counting donuts or blizzards or stuff like that). Since it sounds like you eat a pretty decent diet, I'd go with it.

[fek&fuzz]

I'd let my body tell me what it wants, but I would also eat slowly and mindfully so it can also tell me when it is done, or when it wants something else (and by it I mean my stomach and not just my tongue.)

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

I'd let my body tell me what it wants, but I would also eat slowly and mindfully so it can also tell me when it is done, or when it wants something else (and by it I mean my stomach and not just my tongue.)

Yes! This is something I'm trying to be mindful of, because it is so easy to overeat something that tastes so darned good! And IMO, overeating isn't a good thing, even when it is good food you are overeating (did that make sense, a lot of repetition going on in that sentence). Maybe that is where the restraint comes in, to mindful of how much one is eating, instead of the amount of fat one is eating.

Tanyalopez, I have gone in cycles of craving beef/lamb. I find it tends to be more when I am away from home, as those are the times when I generally don't eat as well. Stress tends to cause a craving for red meat (probably something scientific there, but it escapes me ATM).

quietserena, I haven't been very good about taking CLO lately (bad me). I tend to get lazy about that in the warmer months. Thanks for the reminder.

[prana]

Eat healthy oil. Avocados are great. Guac. MMMM!

[bluets]

you're still nursing? then you and your dc definitely DO need those (good) fats.

[prana]

There are some days where I don't eat very much at all and some that I eat a ton. You have to go with what your body is telling you. Keep observing your body before, during and after the cravings. Eat the healthier oils. If your body responds negatively after you eat a ton of oil, maybe then question yourself.

[prana]

Homer Simpson (from the Simpsons) puts butter in his coffee. :

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by prana

Homer Simpson (from the Simpsons) puts butter in his coffee. :

Eeeewww! Just, eeeewww! ('course, I don't like coffee anyway)

I can get to the end of the day, and be starving. The only thing that sounds good is raw cream with frozen blueberries with a drizzle of agave, or some raw cream ice cream (both have sweet in them, but it is not a lot, as I just can't handle stuff very sweet anymore). It isn't a sugar craving, not like I want brownies, it's def. for something fat.

Yep, still going strong on nursing. My sweet babe is 12 months, he is at least 25 lbs., has beautiful features; soft skin, bright eyes, wide spacing in his face. He is just solid and so healthy. I have to think it is largely because of my diet (I can see a difference between him and at least one sibling, unfortunately).

We looove avocados here. guac, sandwiches, tacos, qesadillas, everything is better with an avo!

So, it's probably ok to keep enjoying all this lovely high-fat food? there have been times where it didn't sound good and I didn't eat nearly as much fat. I suppose there will probably come a time again when I don't crave it.

[quietserena]

To put you at ease, here's the recommendations for nursing mothers from wapf:

http://westonaprice.org/children/dietformothers.html

I actually have to consciously work hard to get some of those things in some days.

[gardenmommy]

Originally Posted by quietserena

To put you at ease, here's the recommendations for nursing mothers from wapf:

http://westonaprice.org/children/dietformothers.html

I actually have to consciously work hard to get some of those things in some days.

Thanks, I'd forgotten about that. I have trouble with the liver and the fatty fish, as I don't really like either of those. I have to say, though, it really isn't hard for me to eat 4 TB of butter a day! I like the raw milk, too, although I usually consume dairy in another form (yogurt, kefir, cream). I am feeling doubly blessed at the moment, as the cows are on fresh grass. I must say that our milk is so rich in cream, it just amazes me!

I feel much relieved about my diet, now. Thanks ladies!