Clelia said:
> > The carbohydrate I crave are:  pizza, cookies, pasta, pie, donuts
> > and the occasional decaf coffee...

While the amount of carbs in decaf are pretty insignificant (roughly 1 g per
cup),.... the fact that someone craves sugary things and coffee or decaf can
point toward a probable cause:  low blood sugar.  Also, some people believe
that the craving for those *foods* indicates malnourishment and that when
one is healthy and has a more balanced chemistry, due to a more nourish
diet, one will naturally want nd desire healthier more wholesome foods.

Coffee, even decaf (to some extent), sodas, cigarettes, and sugary things
stimulate an adrenal rush and a temporary rise in energy.  The book *THE
DIET CURE* by Julia Ross explains about how certain substances (particular
foods, beverages, and things people often feel addicted to) are often craved
when one has a history of chronic dieting/undereating and/or eating health
depleting foods, drinking coffee, soda..... when one has exhuasted adrenals,
low-thyroid function, or other problems which may be caused by chronic
under-nutrition or malnututrtion (common in America due to food
choices/habits).

There are some interesting points made in the book.  Although it is not
strictly paleo, the basic dietary suggestions are very close to paleo and
very practical, particularly for those who have dieted, under-eaten, skipped
meals, eaten refined foods, not eaten rea (nourishing) meals or on a regular
schedule, made poor food choices for many years, craved and eaten sugary and
processed foods, etc.  Her plan is far simpler than the zone and is easily
made paleo.  I have recommended it to others and think its worth reading,
particularly for those in helping professions or wanting to improve their
own relationship to food/body/weight.

Rachel
>