Men's Health - November 2003

The Cravings Clinic

You’ve got hunger pangs that’d put Gandhi to shame – you want food and you want it now. But don’t just grab anything, use these 7 edible emergency prescriptions to help you steer clear of the Wobble Ward.

You could murder a burger Having sunk a few pints after work, you’re now merrily making your way home. You know there’s a burger bar on the way home. It’s okay this once isn’t it? Not really. An overload of sugar from the alcohol makes your body overcompensate by producing too much insulin, which sends your blood sugar levels crashing down, leaving you feeling tired and shaky. ..”After a night on the tiles, focus on enhancing your nutrient intake and balancing your blood sugar levels by limiting your intake of carbohydrates, such as chips or white bread”, says Laura Williams, nutritionist at Future Perfect consultancy in central London. “Instead, go for complex carbs, such as wholemeal bread or beans, which will give you more sustained energy rather than spikes and troughs”.

For the big game you need big food The match is on the box at your local and it could mean relegation for your team. Foul play aside, you know that your liver’s going to be taking the real pounding..You know how awful you feel after a few pints on an empty stomach and you want to line it with food. …”Preparation is key when you know you’re facing an alcohol session. And while a cheese sandwich will definitely soak up the booze, there’s far too much fat in it, while the white bread is full of simple carbohydrates, which cause your blood sugar to peak”, says Laura Williams. What does that mean? You’ll be reaching for the pork scratchings before you know it. Instead, coat your stomach lining with the fat and calcium from a pint of cold semi-skimmed milk to slow alcohol absorption, and chew on a slow-release energy bar to keep you going until you get you hands on some decent food.

To book a session or to find out how Laura can help you get into shape, email her at laura@laurawilliamsonline.co.uk

Or call her on 07712 001525.