High Fiber Foods with Staying Power: The New Way to Eat Heartily?

Wouldn’t it be great if you craved healthy food instead of junk food? Well, it IS possible! I am actually living proof of this. I get excited about eating a big plate of stir-fried or steamed vegetables, especially broccoli and brussels sprouts, which are my favorite. I don’t need meat to feel like I’ve had a hearty meal. I also happen to be an apple connoisseur. Growing up in Western New York, we had access to great apples every fall. I think it is the meaty texture of apples, and certain vegetables that I love and crave. Add in some soy-based veggie “meat” to a vegetable stir-fry, and I am in heaven! According to the following study, it may be the fact that these foods I love are high in fiber and staying power that has led me to crave them.

It may be a matter of retraining your brain. The following article is about a pilot study that used MRI scans to show the part of the brain that has to do with reward and satisfaction. The intervention group was told to consume foods that were high in fiber such as vegetables, fruit, and beans. There was a significant difference in their MRI scans before and after they followed the prescribed healthy diet in response to being shown pictures of healthy vs. unhealthy foods. More research needs to be done, but this pilot study makes a lot of sense and has implications for losing weight and keeping it off. http://tinyurl.com/mmua3kb