Why Corn Chips Jump Into Your Mouth Without Any Warning?
That life stress thing can be a doozy. Many of my clients and friends experience a 3, 5 or 9pm slump and next thing they know a bag of corn chips with salsa has disappeared. When the nervous system is on edge it is more difficult to make conscious choices and your stress hormones take the lead.
The cortisol hormone increases throughout the day when you experience long-term stressors. Chronic stress will raise your cortisol levels for a while, but eventually your body is unable to continue producing cortisol in such high amounts. Also key hormones and neurotransmitters like aldosterone, testosterone, epinephrine are affected and throw your nervous and endocrine system into a tizzy. Additionally, the diurnal (24 hour period) rhythm of cortisol production is often disrupted, resulting in late-evening spikes that cause insomnia which leads to your body and organs not properly restoring back to balance.
The goal is to observe the craving coming in before it crashes into you. For example, if you fall into the 5 pm time slot, have crunchy nuts in your car, purse, shoe, ANYWHERE for the trip home from work or while you heading to the gym. It is better to have nourishment handy prior then when it is too late and you are in the mental fog state to make a better choice.
If this chip fiasco is happening to you on a regular basis, here are the reasons why and a few things you can do.
Why do you crave crunchy? Crunchy craving can be caused from Chloride & Essential fatty acid deficiency. Emotionally it can be linked to feeling overwhelmed and can’t keep up.
What to do if crunchy corn chips are jumping into your mouth with no warning:
- Add in celery, olives, tomato, kelp, Himalayan sea salt, radishes.
- Increase Omega 3’s (EPA and DHA), especially in the morning and night such as- Flax oil, ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.
- Take a time out and prioritize what is really important to you.
- Drink hydrating tea to support you, such as ginger, chamomile, and lemon flavors.
Please check out our new Cravings book for more support. Also, let us know if you have any other tips that have supported you away from chips flying into your mouth.
Stay crunchy,
Heather Fleming, C.C.N
Photo by: Niklas Bildhauer
