June 24, 2025 • 22 mins
Cravings and Consequences — When Food Becomes an Idol
✨ Part 2 of the Biblical Food Series
Ever found yourself standing in the kitchen, reaching for something sweet—not because you’re hungry, but because you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, or just desperate for comfort? You’re not alone.
In this raw and relatable episode of the God’s Design for Food series, we dive into the powerful (and cautionary) story of the Israelites in the wilderness—how their unmet emotional needs and fear of the unknown led them to crave meat, reject God’s provision, and ultimately suffer the consequences. But this isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a wake-up call for our modern food culture too.
We’ll explore:
-
What cravings reveal about our spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.
-
How imbalances in your body (like insulin crashes or gut dysfunction) actually drive cravings.
-
The difference between God’s sweet provision and our soul-hungry indulgence.
-
Why self-control is a fruit of the Spirit—not a punishment or diet plan.
-
How to stop turning to food as a replacement for trust, comfort, or peace.
Mama, your cravings don’t define you—but they do invite you to dig deeper. This episode will equip you to tune into what your body is asking for, what your spirit is missing, and how to come back to the Source who truly satisfies.
SHOW SOME LOVE: If this episode encouraged you, I’d love for you to leave a quick rating and review here. Your words brighten my day and also help more mamas discover the hope, healing, and joy they deserve.
WORK WITH ME TO RESTORE YOUR ENERGY + DISCOVER YOUR DESIGN FOR HEALTH AS A BUSY MAMA: Option 1) Join the Live Healthy, Mama coaching program today! Find all the details here.
Option 2) Work 1:1 with me to reach your wellness goals - without the overwhelm -and get total clarity on living the healthy and energetic life you were created for. Get the details here.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jerusha Jantz, Holistic Wellness Coach for Christian Moms:
Welcome to Tired Mommy Revival. (00:01):
undefined
Hey mama.
Are you running on coffee fumes,feeling like brain fog, fatigue
and anxiety, or running the show?
Do you wake up dreading the dayahead already overwhelmed by the
endless to-do list, and unsurehow you'll make it through.
Do you long for the energyto enjoy motherhood?
(00:23):
And care for yourself, but feelstuck and unsure where to start.
Let me remind you ofsomething life changing.
You were created for more, moreenergy, more clarity, more joy.
Hi, I'm Jerusha, certifiedHolistic Wellness Coach.
Wife and mom to two wild boysand one baby girl in heaven.
(00:46):
I know the exhaustion you'refeeling because I've been there
barely making it through the day.
Relying on coffee and chocolate tosurvive and wondering why nothing
I tried ever made me feel better.
Then God stepped in andrevealed a powerful truth.
A woman's body is beautifullyand uniquely designed to thrive.
(01:07):
When we align with how God createdus, we can boost our energy bust
through fatigue and step into thevibrant, joy filled life he has for us.
Mama.
I'm living proof thatit's possible these days.
I wake up, refreshed, nourished my bodywith intention and navigate the chaos
of motherhood with patience and peace.
(01:28):
Most days, and I wannahelp you do the same.
If you're ready to swap exhaustion forenergy, brain fog for clarity and guilt
for grace, you are in the right place.
Each week we'll dive into practicalstrategies, faith-filled truths,
and empowering tools to renew yourhealth, body, soul, and spirit.
(01:48):
Are you ready for this?
Let's do it, mama.
Welcome back to part three ofour God's Design for Food Series.
Today's conversation is a littleraw, a little uncomfortable,
but absolutely necessary.
We are diving into the story ofthe Israelites in the wilderness.
(02:10):
The miraculous manna had been flowing.
God had been showing up daily,and yet they weren't satisfied.
They wanted somethingelse, something meatier.
If you've ever had a moment whereyou know God is providing, but you're
still reaching for comfort food.
If you've ever felt spirituallyfull, but emotionally depleted.
(02:35):
If you've ever found yourselfusing food to fix what only God
can heal, this episode is for you.
We're going to talk about cravings,what they reveal, what they cost,
and how we can turn them into aninvitation to trust instead of control.
Let's jump into Numbers 11.
(02:58):
The Israelites are inthe middle of the desert.
Manna is showing up daily, sweet,satisfying, miracle bread from heaven.
And yet,
in verse four, it says, the rabbleamong them began to crave other food,
"if only we had meat to eat" they said.
(03:19):
They go on to list everything they had inEgypt: cucumbers, melons, garlic, onions.
They made it sound likea Whole Foods picnic.
But what they convenientlyleft out, they were slaves.
Why were they craving comfort food?
Because they were uncomfortable,completely in the unknown.
(03:42):
Their whole lives they'd been told whento work, where to sleep, how to survive.
Even if they passed down the stories ofGod, they hadn't lived in the tangible
presence of Yahweh like this before.
This was all new, andscary, and disorienting.
Haven't we all been there?
(04:04):
God, I followed you here.
Now why does it feel likeeverything's falling apart?
You provided so richly last time, butmaybe I've used up all my "God tokens".
Can I really trust you this time?
Deep down, we crave controlwhen we feel abandoned.
(04:27):
Food becomes the thing we can holdwhen we don't know what God's doing.
But while God was giving themsweetness in the manna, he was
asking something in return.
Trust me.
Rest in me.
Ask me.
Receive from me.
(04:47):
Accept me as the source of all your needs.
But instead, the people demanded meat.
They threw a fit until they got it.
So God gave it, and then watched astheir craving turned into catastrophe.
(05:07):
In verse 32 and 33, it says "they stayedup all that day and night, and all the
next day, and gathered quail. Whilethe meat was still between their teeth
before it could be consumed, the Lord'sanger burned against the people and
he struck them with a severe plague".
(05:28):
Let's unpack this.
They didn't just eat the meat.
They obsessed over it.
They stayed up for 48 hours, collectingit with no refrigeration, no way to
preserve it, and no limit on their greed.
They were completely ruled by desire.
(05:48):
Now some scholars suggest theplague may have been the natural
result of spoiled meat andbacterial contamination in the heat.
But whether the cause was divineor natural, the message is clear.
Craving without boundaries can destroy us.
And today, it's not quail, it's processedsugar, food dyes, chemicals, refined oils.
(06:17):
So many things that look good, tastegood, even feel like comfort, but
they lead to inflammation, disease,anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue.
Worse, when we do start to feelthe consequences, we're handed
prescriptions instead of permissionto heal through God's design.
(06:40):
God created food to beenjoyable and life giving.
When it no longer leads to health,it's no longer aligned with his design.
So let's ask the deeper question.
Where do these cravings really come from?
Sometimes they're biological: hormone imbalances, blood sugar, (06:57):
undefined
dips, nutrient deficiencies.
But often cravings areemotional and spiritual.
You're not reaching forchocolate because you're hungry.
You're reaching because your toddleris melting down and you don't know
how you'll get through bedtime.
(07:19):
You are not snacking at 10:00PM because you need energy.
You're wondering how to pay that bill,and if God really still sees you.
You're not baking againbecause you're joyful.
You're asking, "God, doesyour promise still stand"?
Mama, those moments are notweakness, they're invitations.
(07:43):
God wants to meet youright in the craving.
To whisper, "you don't need to numb this.
I'm here for you.
I've got you.
I've got this".
Cravings aren't sinful, butwhat we can do with them can be.
We are told that self-controlis a fruit of the spirit.
(08:06):
That means it's not aboutwillpower, it's about relationship.
When food becomes our master,we stop living under the
freedom God designed for us.
This doesn't mean we live in fear offood, or follow restrictive rules.
It means we check our heart and ask,is this drawing me toward God or away?
(08:30):
Am I honoring my body or ignoring it?
Am I turning to food for comfort,or to the Comforter himself?
Sometimes you'll eat the chocolateand thank God for the joy of it.
Sometimes you'll put it back andchoose a warm cup of tea instead.
But either way, it's not about legalism,it's about alignment with God's best.
(08:56):
Now before we move into today'sheart check, I wanna pause and talk
about something we can't ignore.
Because cravings aren't just emotionaland spiritual, they're also physical.
And if we want to honor God with ourwhole selves, we've got to bring our
bodies into the conversation too.
Here's the truth.
Cravings usually come from imbalance.
(09:19):
It's not always about lack of willpower.
It's often about what's happeningphysically under the surface.
Cravings are often the result ofnutrient deficiencies, especially from
processed foods or carb heavy meals.
If you start eating nutrient-densemeals, you'll find that you actually
(09:41):
get full a lot faster, because you willtrain your body to search, not just for
calories, for volume of food, but yourbody will actually tell you it's full
when its nutritional needs have been met,and so it says "yes, now we're full".
So nutrient deficiencies can keep youeating and searching for food even when
(10:03):
you've already put too much in your body.
The next is blood sugar crashes caused bysugar spikes and insulin highs and lows.
When you find yourself snacking on foods,especially foods high in sugar or carbs,
it can cause a spike in your insulinand you'll feel good in the moment.
(10:25):
You'll feel like you have more energyand you might even get a temporary
emotional boost, but what's gonnahappen is it's going to be followed
by an energy low, that dip in insulin.
And when that happens, you will berunning to the pantry and uncontrollably
grabbing the first snack you can find.
(10:47):
The last is gut dysbiosis.
This is when the bad bacteria in yourgut literally sends signals to your
brain asking for more sugar to feed them.
You guys, the brain and the gutcommunicate with each other.
And when you have good bacteria in yourbelly, it will send signals up to your
(11:11):
brain asking for good foods, foods richin nutrients and fiber that feed you
and help your immune system thrive.
But when the bad bacteria getin control, which happens when
you've eaten a lot of sugar orprocessed carbs, they run the show.
And they send signals up to the braintelling you to eat things that are going
(11:32):
to feed them and make them stronger, whichare carbs and sugars and processed foods.
So you literally have little livingorganisms in your body screaming at
you for sugar, and we have to resolvethat if we want to feel better.
So yes, we need to ask the heartquestions, but we also need to ask,
(11:55):
"what is my body missing? What am Ifeeding that I don't want to grow?
What has God already provided that canhelp me feel balanced and satisfied?"
Because when we fight cravings withsheer willpower alone, we often end up
stuck in a cycle of shame and exhaustion.
(12:18):
Mamas, when we became moms, ourwillpower went out the window.
Yes, we can still have self-control,but let's be honest, more times
than not, if we have to choosebetween cookies and self-discipline,
we're gonna choose the cookies.
Being a mom is hard, and we go throughseasons that are especially hard, and
(12:41):
it's okay to give yourself grace comingout of a hard season where your eating
has been a little out of control.
But when we're ready to change, we need tostop and say, "okay, what do we do now?"
Sometimes the struggle can feel likesuch a spiritual battle, but really our
bodies are crying out for healing too.
(13:02):
That's why we must pair spiritualself-control with physical nourishment.
The Bible calls self-control afruit of this spirit, but it also
calls the fruit of the land good.
Foods that grow from the earth rich incolor, fiber, and life are exactly what
(13:24):
God designed to help heal your body.
Nutrient dense foods help youfeel full because they give
your cells what they need.
Fiber slows blood sugar spikes andcalms insulin response, reducing
those intense cravings over time.
And real foods, feed the goodbacteria in your gut while the sugar
(13:46):
loving bad ones begin to die off.
And when they die, so do the cravings.
So when we partner with God'sprovision, his spirit to guide us
emotionally, and his foods to healus physically, we step into a freedom
that's so much more than willpower.
(14:07):
We step into peace, clarity,energy, patience, and joy.
All the things we need to livethe lives we've been called to as
moms, nurturers, and kingdom women.
You don't have to live atwar with your cravings.
(14:28):
You don't have to feel likeyour body is against you.
You were created to be nourished,and you've already been given
everything you need to begin.
So let's talk about somecraving busting strategies that
can actually help you heal.
Get ready to take notes, mama.
Number one is eat an intentional,nutrient-dense meal instead of
(14:53):
grazing or snacking all day.
This is why it helps.
Snacking often leads to blood sugarinstability and nutrient gaps.
A real meal that includes protein, fiber,and healthy fats with colorful plants
will leave your body satisfied and itwill reduce that chase for something more.
(15:16):
Number two is reach for protein first.
When cravings strike.
And this is why it helps.
Protein is deeply satisfyingand stabilizes blood sugar.
When you want to eat a cupcake, ahandful of nuts, a boiled egg, or some
grilled chicken, or even some almondbutter on an apple is not going to feel
(15:38):
like the thing that you want, but itwill help the craving fade within 15 to
20 minutes, and it will help you feellike you're taking your power back.
And number three is add fiber rich foodsto every meal, and this is why it helps.
Fiber slows digestion, balancesinsulin, and feeds good gut bacteria.
(16:01):
Cravings drop dramatically whenyour gut microbiome is supported
with foods like chia seeds, flax,leafy greens, and colorful veggies.
.Number four is stay hydrated, especially before giving into a craving.
And this is why it helps.
Dehydration can mimic hungerand increase sugar cravings.
(16:24):
So instead, add some lemon or cucumber,or a pinch of mineral salt, to make
water more appealing and mineral rich.
Number five is don't letyourself get overly hungry.
And this is why it helps.
Going too long without food causesblood sugar crashes that trigger intense
cravings, especially for carbs and sugar.
(16:48):
So eat regularly and beproactive, not reactive.
Number six is swap sugary comfort foodsfor naturally sweet fiber rich options.
This is why it helps.
Fruits like berries, apples, or evendates with nuts satisfies a sweet
(17:09):
tooth without spiking your bloodsugar like cookies or candy do.
The benefit of fruits is that you getthe fiber and the antioxidants with
the natural sugar, and you definitelydon't get that with processed foods.
Number seven is getmoving when cravings hit.
And this is why it helps.
A five to 10 minute walk or stretch boostsfeel good brain chemicals, stabilizes
(17:34):
blood sugar, and can interrupt the cravingloop before you get back into the kitchen.
Number eight is pause and praybefore reaching for something.
This is why it helps.
This interrupts emotional eatingpatterns and recenters you.
Ask yourself, "what do I really needright now? What am I trying to soothe?"
(17:57):
Sometimes the answer isn't food at all.
Number nine is go to bed earlier.
And this is why it helps.
Fatigue increases cortisol andhunger hormones like ghrelin,
making cravings harder to control.
Lack of sleep also reducesyour body's ability to regulate
blood sugar the next day.
(18:20):
Now, if you're in a season of havinga newborn at home, obviously you
can't control this very well at all.
So lean into the other tips to helpgive yourself the extra boost and
balance that your body needs inorder to deal with this tough season.
But as soon as you can get thatbaby on a sleep schedule so that
(18:42):
you can be on one too, Mama.
Number 10 is crowd out the junk,don't obsess over restriction.
This is why it helps.
Instead of focusing on what you can'thave, start adding more of what you need.
The more God given whole foods youbring in, the more your body will
(19:03):
naturally stop asking for junk, andit won't feel like you have to give
up everything that you've been relyingon and loving throughout the day.
Okay, mama, are you readyfor that heart check.
Let's pause here for a minute and reflect.
Are you in a season that feelsunfamiliar, overwhelming, or unstable?
(19:27):
Are you seeking comfort infood instead of God's presence?
Are your cravings leading toconnection, or consequences.
You don't need to feel ashamed, but you doneed to feel invited to come back to the
source, the One who still provides, stillsatisfies, still nourishes, even now.
(19:55):
Your journey doesn't have to lookperfect, but you just have to take
one step today towards walkingtowards God's plan for your life,
towards God's plan for your eating.
Start saying yes to him more thanyou were saying yes to the sweets
and the junk that are so tempting,but ultimately don't serve you, your
(20:20):
body or God's design for your life.
Mama, you were created tobe nourished, not just fed.
God is not withholding from you.
He's not done providing.
And he hasn't abandonedyou in this season.
The same God who gave manna in themorning and quail in the evening is
(20:42):
still inviting you to trust him today.
So next time a craving hits pauseand ask what you really need,
invite God into the kitchen.
And remember, your hunger isn't the enemy.
He's the answer.
In the next episode, we'restepping into the Promised land.
(21:04):
We're gonna talk about what it means tofeast with joy, to gather with gratitude,
and to let food become a celebration ofGod's abundance, not a source of stress.
So come back and join me for thenext episode, mama, because I
want you to understand the fullscope of God's abundant blessing
(21:25):
for the food that you eat.
It is gonna be such a good conversation.
But for today, let God feedthe hunger behind the craving.
You were made for more than food.
You were made for him.
Mama, I hope this episode blessedyou and reminded you that you were
beautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
(21:46):
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
(22:08):
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
I'm cheering you on.
undefined
Hey mama.
Are you running on coffee fumes,feeling like brain fog, fatigue
and anxiety, or running the show?
Do you wake up dreading the dayahead already overwhelmed by the
endless to-do list, and unsurehow you'll make it through.
Do you long for the energyto enjoy motherhood?
(00:23):
And care for yourself, but feelstuck and unsure where to start.
Let me remind you ofsomething life changing.
You were created for more, moreenergy, more clarity, more joy.
Hi, I'm Jerusha, certifiedHolistic Wellness Coach.
Wife and mom to two wild boysand one baby girl in heaven.
(00:46):
I know the exhaustion you'refeeling because I've been there
barely making it through the day.
Relying on coffee and chocolate tosurvive and wondering why nothing
I tried ever made me feel better.
Then God stepped in andrevealed a powerful truth.
A woman's body is beautifullyand uniquely designed to thrive.
(01:07):
When we align with how God createdus, we can boost our energy bust
through fatigue and step into thevibrant, joy filled life he has for us.
Mama.
I'm living proof thatit's possible these days.
I wake up, refreshed, nourished my bodywith intention and navigate the chaos
of motherhood with patience and peace.
(01:28):
Most days, and I wannahelp you do the same.
If you're ready to swap exhaustion forenergy, brain fog for clarity and guilt
for grace, you are in the right place.
Each week we'll dive into practicalstrategies, faith-filled truths,
and empowering tools to renew yourhealth, body, soul, and spirit.
(01:48):
Are you ready for this?
Let's do it, mama.
Welcome back to part three ofour God's Design for Food Series.
Today's conversation is a littleraw, a little uncomfortable,
but absolutely necessary.
We are diving into the story ofthe Israelites in the wilderness.
(02:10):
The miraculous manna had been flowing.
God had been showing up daily,and yet they weren't satisfied.
They wanted somethingelse, something meatier.
If you've ever had a moment whereyou know God is providing, but you're
still reaching for comfort food.
If you've ever felt spirituallyfull, but emotionally depleted.
(02:35):
If you've ever found yourselfusing food to fix what only God
can heal, this episode is for you.
We're going to talk about cravings,what they reveal, what they cost,
and how we can turn them into aninvitation to trust instead of control.
Let's jump into Numbers 11.
(02:58):
The Israelites are inthe middle of the desert.
Manna is showing up daily, sweet,satisfying, miracle bread from heaven.
And yet,
in verse four, it says, the rabbleamong them began to crave other food,
"if only we had meat to eat" they said.
(03:19):
They go on to list everything they had inEgypt: cucumbers, melons, garlic, onions.
They made it sound likea Whole Foods picnic.
But what they convenientlyleft out, they were slaves.
Why were they craving comfort food?
Because they were uncomfortable,completely in the unknown.
(03:42):
Their whole lives they'd been told whento work, where to sleep, how to survive.
Even if they passed down the stories ofGod, they hadn't lived in the tangible
presence of Yahweh like this before.
This was all new, andscary, and disorienting.
Haven't we all been there?
(04:04):
God, I followed you here.
Now why does it feel likeeverything's falling apart?
You provided so richly last time, butmaybe I've used up all my "God tokens".
Can I really trust you this time?
Deep down, we crave controlwhen we feel abandoned.
(04:27):
Food becomes the thing we can holdwhen we don't know what God's doing.
But while God was giving themsweetness in the manna, he was
asking something in return.
Trust me.
Rest in me.
Ask me.
Receive from me.
(04:47):
Accept me as the source of all your needs.
But instead, the people demanded meat.
They threw a fit until they got it.
So God gave it, and then watched astheir craving turned into catastrophe.
(05:07):
In verse 32 and 33, it says "they stayedup all that day and night, and all the
next day, and gathered quail. Whilethe meat was still between their teeth
before it could be consumed, the Lord'sanger burned against the people and
he struck them with a severe plague".
(05:28):
Let's unpack this.
They didn't just eat the meat.
They obsessed over it.
They stayed up for 48 hours, collectingit with no refrigeration, no way to
preserve it, and no limit on their greed.
They were completely ruled by desire.
(05:48):
Now some scholars suggest theplague may have been the natural
result of spoiled meat andbacterial contamination in the heat.
But whether the cause was divineor natural, the message is clear.
Craving without boundaries can destroy us.
And today, it's not quail, it's processedsugar, food dyes, chemicals, refined oils.
(06:17):
So many things that look good, tastegood, even feel like comfort, but
they lead to inflammation, disease,anxiety, brain fog, and fatigue.
Worse, when we do start to feelthe consequences, we're handed
prescriptions instead of permissionto heal through God's design.
(06:40):
God created food to beenjoyable and life giving.
When it no longer leads to health,it's no longer aligned with his design.
So let's ask the deeper question.
Where do these cravings really come from?
Sometimes they're biological: hormone imbalances, blood sugar, (06:57):
undefined
dips, nutrient deficiencies.
But often cravings areemotional and spiritual.
You're not reaching forchocolate because you're hungry.
You're reaching because your toddleris melting down and you don't know
how you'll get through bedtime.
(07:19):
You are not snacking at 10:00PM because you need energy.
You're wondering how to pay that bill,and if God really still sees you.
You're not baking againbecause you're joyful.
You're asking, "God, doesyour promise still stand"?
Mama, those moments are notweakness, they're invitations.
(07:43):
God wants to meet youright in the craving.
To whisper, "you don't need to numb this.
I'm here for you.
I've got you.
I've got this".
Cravings aren't sinful, butwhat we can do with them can be.
We are told that self-controlis a fruit of the spirit.
(08:06):
That means it's not aboutwillpower, it's about relationship.
When food becomes our master,we stop living under the
freedom God designed for us.
This doesn't mean we live in fear offood, or follow restrictive rules.
It means we check our heart and ask,is this drawing me toward God or away?
(08:30):
Am I honoring my body or ignoring it?
Am I turning to food for comfort,or to the Comforter himself?
Sometimes you'll eat the chocolateand thank God for the joy of it.
Sometimes you'll put it back andchoose a warm cup of tea instead.
But either way, it's not about legalism,it's about alignment with God's best.
(08:56):
Now before we move into today'sheart check, I wanna pause and talk
about something we can't ignore.
Because cravings aren't just emotionaland spiritual, they're also physical.
And if we want to honor God with ourwhole selves, we've got to bring our
bodies into the conversation too.
Here's the truth.
Cravings usually come from imbalance.
(09:19):
It's not always about lack of willpower.
It's often about what's happeningphysically under the surface.
Cravings are often the result ofnutrient deficiencies, especially from
processed foods or carb heavy meals.
If you start eating nutrient-densemeals, you'll find that you actually
(09:41):
get full a lot faster, because you willtrain your body to search, not just for
calories, for volume of food, but yourbody will actually tell you it's full
when its nutritional needs have been met,and so it says "yes, now we're full".
So nutrient deficiencies can keep youeating and searching for food even when
(10:03):
you've already put too much in your body.
The next is blood sugar crashes caused bysugar spikes and insulin highs and lows.
When you find yourself snacking on foods,especially foods high in sugar or carbs,
it can cause a spike in your insulinand you'll feel good in the moment.
(10:25):
You'll feel like you have more energyand you might even get a temporary
emotional boost, but what's gonnahappen is it's going to be followed
by an energy low, that dip in insulin.
And when that happens, you will berunning to the pantry and uncontrollably
grabbing the first snack you can find.
(10:47):
The last is gut dysbiosis.
This is when the bad bacteria in yourgut literally sends signals to your
brain asking for more sugar to feed them.
You guys, the brain and the gutcommunicate with each other.
And when you have good bacteria in yourbelly, it will send signals up to your
(11:11):
brain asking for good foods, foods richin nutrients and fiber that feed you
and help your immune system thrive.
But when the bad bacteria getin control, which happens when
you've eaten a lot of sugar orprocessed carbs, they run the show.
And they send signals up to the braintelling you to eat things that are going
(11:32):
to feed them and make them stronger, whichare carbs and sugars and processed foods.
So you literally have little livingorganisms in your body screaming at
you for sugar, and we have to resolvethat if we want to feel better.
So yes, we need to ask the heartquestions, but we also need to ask,
(11:55):
"what is my body missing? What am Ifeeding that I don't want to grow?
What has God already provided that canhelp me feel balanced and satisfied?"
Because when we fight cravings withsheer willpower alone, we often end up
stuck in a cycle of shame and exhaustion.
(12:18):
Mamas, when we became moms, ourwillpower went out the window.
Yes, we can still have self-control,but let's be honest, more times
than not, if we have to choosebetween cookies and self-discipline,
we're gonna choose the cookies.
Being a mom is hard, and we go throughseasons that are especially hard, and
(12:41):
it's okay to give yourself grace comingout of a hard season where your eating
has been a little out of control.
But when we're ready to change, we need tostop and say, "okay, what do we do now?"
Sometimes the struggle can feel likesuch a spiritual battle, but really our
bodies are crying out for healing too.
(13:02):
That's why we must pair spiritualself-control with physical nourishment.
The Bible calls self-control afruit of this spirit, but it also
calls the fruit of the land good.
Foods that grow from the earth rich incolor, fiber, and life are exactly what
(13:24):
God designed to help heal your body.
Nutrient dense foods help youfeel full because they give
your cells what they need.
Fiber slows blood sugar spikes andcalms insulin response, reducing
those intense cravings over time.
And real foods, feed the goodbacteria in your gut while the sugar
(13:46):
loving bad ones begin to die off.
And when they die, so do the cravings.
So when we partner with God'sprovision, his spirit to guide us
emotionally, and his foods to healus physically, we step into a freedom
that's so much more than willpower.
(14:07):
We step into peace, clarity,energy, patience, and joy.
All the things we need to livethe lives we've been called to as
moms, nurturers, and kingdom women.
You don't have to live atwar with your cravings.
(14:28):
You don't have to feel likeyour body is against you.
You were created to be nourished,and you've already been given
everything you need to begin.
So let's talk about somecraving busting strategies that
can actually help you heal.
Get ready to take notes, mama.
Number one is eat an intentional,nutrient-dense meal instead of
(14:53):
grazing or snacking all day.
This is why it helps.
Snacking often leads to blood sugarinstability and nutrient gaps.
A real meal that includes protein, fiber,and healthy fats with colorful plants
will leave your body satisfied and itwill reduce that chase for something more.
(15:16):
Number two is reach for protein first.
When cravings strike.
And this is why it helps.
Protein is deeply satisfyingand stabilizes blood sugar.
When you want to eat a cupcake, ahandful of nuts, a boiled egg, or some
grilled chicken, or even some almondbutter on an apple is not going to feel
(15:38):
like the thing that you want, but itwill help the craving fade within 15 to
20 minutes, and it will help you feellike you're taking your power back.
And number three is add fiber rich foodsto every meal, and this is why it helps.
Fiber slows digestion, balancesinsulin, and feeds good gut bacteria.
(16:01):
Cravings drop dramatically whenyour gut microbiome is supported
with foods like chia seeds, flax,leafy greens, and colorful veggies.
.Number four is stay hydrated, especially before giving into a craving.
And this is why it helps.
Dehydration can mimic hungerand increase sugar cravings.
(16:24):
So instead, add some lemon or cucumber,or a pinch of mineral salt, to make
water more appealing and mineral rich.
Number five is don't letyourself get overly hungry.
And this is why it helps.
Going too long without food causesblood sugar crashes that trigger intense
cravings, especially for carbs and sugar.
(16:48):
So eat regularly and beproactive, not reactive.
Number six is swap sugary comfort foodsfor naturally sweet fiber rich options.
This is why it helps.
Fruits like berries, apples, or evendates with nuts satisfies a sweet
(17:09):
tooth without spiking your bloodsugar like cookies or candy do.
The benefit of fruits is that you getthe fiber and the antioxidants with
the natural sugar, and you definitelydon't get that with processed foods.
Number seven is getmoving when cravings hit.
And this is why it helps.
A five to 10 minute walk or stretch boostsfeel good brain chemicals, stabilizes
(17:34):
blood sugar, and can interrupt the cravingloop before you get back into the kitchen.
Number eight is pause and praybefore reaching for something.
This is why it helps.
This interrupts emotional eatingpatterns and recenters you.
Ask yourself, "what do I really needright now? What am I trying to soothe?"
(17:57):
Sometimes the answer isn't food at all.
Number nine is go to bed earlier.
And this is why it helps.
Fatigue increases cortisol andhunger hormones like ghrelin,
making cravings harder to control.
Lack of sleep also reducesyour body's ability to regulate
blood sugar the next day.
(18:20):
Now, if you're in a season of havinga newborn at home, obviously you
can't control this very well at all.
So lean into the other tips to helpgive yourself the extra boost and
balance that your body needs inorder to deal with this tough season.
But as soon as you can get thatbaby on a sleep schedule so that
(18:42):
you can be on one too, Mama.
Number 10 is crowd out the junk,don't obsess over restriction.
This is why it helps.
Instead of focusing on what you can'thave, start adding more of what you need.
The more God given whole foods youbring in, the more your body will
(19:03):
naturally stop asking for junk, andit won't feel like you have to give
up everything that you've been relyingon and loving throughout the day.
Okay, mama, are you readyfor that heart check.
Let's pause here for a minute and reflect.
Are you in a season that feelsunfamiliar, overwhelming, or unstable?
(19:27):
Are you seeking comfort infood instead of God's presence?
Are your cravings leading toconnection, or consequences.
You don't need to feel ashamed, but you doneed to feel invited to come back to the
source, the One who still provides, stillsatisfies, still nourishes, even now.
(19:55):
Your journey doesn't have to lookperfect, but you just have to take
one step today towards walkingtowards God's plan for your life,
towards God's plan for your eating.
Start saying yes to him more thanyou were saying yes to the sweets
and the junk that are so tempting,but ultimately don't serve you, your
(20:20):
body or God's design for your life.
Mama, you were created tobe nourished, not just fed.
God is not withholding from you.
He's not done providing.
And he hasn't abandonedyou in this season.
The same God who gave manna in themorning and quail in the evening is
(20:42):
still inviting you to trust him today.
So next time a craving hits pauseand ask what you really need,
invite God into the kitchen.
And remember, your hunger isn't the enemy.
He's the answer.
In the next episode, we'restepping into the Promised land.
(21:04):
We're gonna talk about what it means tofeast with joy, to gather with gratitude,
and to let food become a celebration ofGod's abundance, not a source of stress.
So come back and join me for thenext episode, mama, because I
want you to understand the fullscope of God's abundant blessing
(21:25):
for the food that you eat.
It is gonna be such a good conversation.
But for today, let God feedthe hunger behind the craving.
You were made for more than food.
You were made for him.
Mama, I hope this episode blessedyou and reminded you that you were
beautifully and uniquely made to thrive.
(21:46):
If today's conversation spoke to yourheart, I'd love for you to take a
moment to leave a rating and review.
Not only does it encourage me,but it helps more tired mamas
discover the hope, healing, andenergy they've been searching for.
You are not in this alone.
Make sure to hit subscribeso you never miss an episode.
Together we will reclaim yourenergy, renew your health, and revive
(22:08):
your spirit one step at a time.
Until next time.
Remember, you are beautifully designed byGod to live with energy, clarity, and joy.
You're not just surviving mama.
You're stepping into the vibrantlife you were created for.
I'm cheering you on.
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