Cravings

SOP:

“…Through the intemperance begun at home, the digestive organs first become weakened, and soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a craving for more stimulating food…” CG 403.2} 

“... Luxurious dishes are placed before the children,—spiced foods, rich gravies, cakes, and pastries. This highly seasoned food irritates the stomach, and causes a CRAVING for still stronger stimulants…” {CTBH 17.2}

“Through the intemperance begun at home, the digestive organs first become weakened, and soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite. Unhealthy conditions are established, and there is a CRAVING for more stimulating food…”  {CTBH 31.2}

“Those who make determined efforts in the name of the Conqueror to overcome every unnatural 

CRAVING of appetite will not die in the conflict. In their efforts to control appetite they are placing themselves in right relation to life, so that they may enjoy health and the favor of God and have a right hold on the immortal life.” {Con 79.3}

  

“In this fast age, the less exciting the food, the better. Condiments are injurious in their nature. Mustard, pepper, spices, pickles, and other things of a like character, irritate the stomach and make the blood feverish and impure. The inflamed condition of the drunkard's stomach is often pictured as illustrating the effect of alcoholic liquors. A similarly inflamed condition is produced by the use of irritating condiments. Soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite. The system feels a want, a CRAVING, for something more stimulating.”  {CD 339.3}

Cravings are abnormal drives of a compelling nature, with no regard for a person's benefit. They can be seen as a perversion of a normal function, since they can cause us to eat to the point of pain-heedless of the fact that ill health may follow. APPETITE is a normal and protective mechanism, but when used to support cravings, it becomes destructive.

FINDING THE SOURCES

Among the most common sources of cravings are certain foods which can cause problems in sensitive individuals, even in small quantities.

Sugar is a common offender, and one seemingly innocent teaspoonful can do much damage in the sensitive person.

MILK AND ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS REPRESENT ANOTHER COMMON SOURCE OF CRAVINGS

Salty foods can initiate cravings, since they cause unrecognized thirst, and irritate the stomach lining. This, in turn, causes the stomach to send a message to the brain; and since all messages are received in the “business office” of the brain as “hunger,” it alerts the consciousness to be on the lookout for food. The craving then becomes a compulsion, overriding one's inhibiting and protective influences, and irrational behavior often ensues - sometimes to the consternation and confusion of the victim. Of course, if thirst is eliminated, the craving can be handled with much greater ease.

Meat contains naturally occurring purines, like guanine and other chemicals that have both an excitatory and depressive influence on the brain. The excitatory influence tends to promote craving, while the depressive influence tends to suppress any activity that would attempt to control the craving. Because of this, meat, and sometimes eggs, can irritate the nervous system and causes cravings in some people.

Caffeine and nicotine, both alkaloids of the same chemical family as purines, may also promote cravings by stimulating the brain and depressing inhibitory functions. The relationship of cause and effect is difficult to discern, since the craving is usually not directly associated with their intake. Because of the pharmacologic action of alkaloids, the brain doesn't receive all of the influence of the chemical at the time of use, nor even in the next four or five hours. A day or so later, the person may still be under the influence of alkaloids taken several days before. Unfortunately, this craving may not be for something as simple as food, but for drugs, alcohol, wanderlust, or some neurotic behavior, instead.

Habits or occupations may cause cravings, as demonstrated by persons who cook or prepare menus. If one becomes habituated to indulging the appetite while at work, the problem may develop into a serious habit of eating without restraint. It is important to never eat except at regularly scheduled mealtimes.

Eating too fast is another cause of cravings, since one receives inadequate satisfaction from his food and tends to eat more. Further, swallowing before the food has been properly chewed is a cardinal sign of nervousness, and eating too fast presupposes this. One should not swallow until food has become a cream in his mouth- and that requires calmness and discipline.

Finally, the absence of a set time or place for meals can promote cravings, just as tension or meal interruption can cause overeating through inattention. Eating with dignity and a certain form can act as inhibitors against overeating.

Note: This article presents principles designed to promote good health and is not intended to take the place of personalized professional care. The opinion and ideas expressed are those of the writer. Readers are encouraged to draw their own conclusions about the information presented.

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Got info from Agatha Thrash M.D.