Ever since I started running long runs (I consider any run over 8 miles pretty long) my food preferences have REALLY changed. Did this happen to you? Is this normal?
I’ve always been a very bland food lover. A slice of bread? Yes, please! A bowl of broccoli (no sauce)? Sure, I’d love some!
But lately I have been absolutely craving sweets! Froyo, muffins, cupcakes, cookies… I really want to eat them all!
It’s confusing because I have never been the girl who likes sweets.
I mean, if it were socially acceptable I would ask for a loaf of bread instead of a birthday cake for my bday. Actually, I may do that next year… (note to self!).
But not right now. Right now I really want to eat candy and blueberry muffins… and maybe chocolate muffins too.
This is the blueberry muffin I had at lunch …. I thought about it all morning. Whole Foods makes the best blueberry muffins.Ever.
And while we’re talking about not-so-healthy food cravings, Adam ordered pizza for dinner last night and this is what we got:
Apparently Adam forgot only two of us (plus one little cat) live here. At least we are prepared to feed a small army if the need should arise.
Sidenote: I haven’t had Pizza Hut in … FOREVER … it is soooooo salty! I almost can’t taste anything else! : (
Also, just in case you are wondering, no these new food cravings are NOT related to pregnancy in any way! Cecil will remain an only child (cat) for the foreseeable future! : )
But what is up with these food cravings????
Do long runs make you have weird food cravings?
Do you ever crave sweets after a long run?
I think as endurance runs increase if we aren’t getting enough nutrients our body starts craving sweets as a way to tell us we need fuel. I had that issue for a long time, but the last few years as I increased my veggie in take and focused on healthy fats that has dropped off most of the time!
though I do still crave a yummy slice of pizza now and then!!
Author
Ah, that makes sense!! I will increase my intake of other foods and see if these weird cravings for sweets stop. Thank you!
DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ABOUT WHOLE FOODS – I dream about their prepared food. And this is nuts but… I am in my house… I have food that I could cook and eat… Nope. I get in my car… Drive to Whole Foods and pick up lunch and some on-the-go dinner for later, so I can take it to an Ice Hockey game I am going to!!!!! Now that’s just crazy. But I cannot get enough. The chicken is in my fridge right now and I cannot stop thinking about it! LOL!
Author
Yes! Their salad bar and the hot bar are my favorite! I could definitely eat lunch there every single day … actually some weeks I do go 3 to 4 times 🙂
I am a huge sweets fan and definitely crave it more than savory… Salty + sweet is my favorite combo!
Author
I think looking at the pictures you post to your blog may be why I am craving sweets so much! You always post the best looking things!!
I crave junk food after a long run too. I think it has to do with my body wanting calories, STAT!, or maybe needing the simple carbs. Hey, it’s a perk of running!
I agree with some of the other commenters, your body is craving fuel because you depleted your stores during the long run. Increase your intake of fruits and veggies. Rice after a long run probably wouldn’t be too bad either.