Hey all,

So long story short.. I keep trying to add broccoli into my eating.. I LOVE broccoli.. and miss it.. but each and every time I eat I feel like I'm spiraling down.. .. I'm hungry right after eating.. I crave sweets.. I get irritated..and get a headache.. it happens only with a broccoli.. I ended up eating 2 cookies(low carb of course!) right after dinner because I just could not help it.. And it's crazy.. I usually have NO issues controlling myself.. it's just after broccoli.. I just don't get it
WHAT IS GOING ON? Why does broccoli(out of all things eh!!) do this to me??

Is it possible it's a subconscious trigger from childhood? Like "if you don't eat all your veggies, you can't have dessert?"

umm I'm thinking no.. I always liked broccoli..

If you think back to the food intolerance section of the DANDR book, Dr. A said it's often the food(s) we love the most (and are actually addicted to in some cases) that we are most intolerant of. He went on to say that many folks "addiction" to carbs is actually a type of food intolerance. Sounds like exactly what you are describing. Dunno, but must might be. I thought his comments on that topic were counter intuitive, but took them at face value. Don't quote me on this, as I don't have the book right in front of me, but the chapter where he talks about food intolerances made quite a connection to it often being the food(s) we like most.

Interesting! I went and got my book and am going to try and find this chapter. Thanks!!

okay I just read the chapter.. wow.. sounds just like it as you said. Crazy.. and even more so it's broccoli for me..

Could it be the way you are serving it that causes the cravings?

I know for myself if I have broccoli with butter or sour cream or even plain on a plate with protein or by itself I get huge cravings after but if I have broccoli mixed into a soup(I make an egg drop soup with chicken and broccoli)I am fine. No cravings, etc.

Thyroid patients are sometimes told to strike any form of cabbage (brassica) off their menu.
Do you have it only with broccoli, or did you see what effect cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, mustard, etc. have on you?

I love broccoli too. Have you tried putting butter on it? I eat it plan, but if you are having an issue maybe you need to make sure there is enough fat on the plate.

I put soy sauce and parmesan on my broccoli...changes it up a bit, and maybe the salt from the soy sauce will curb your sweet tooth.

Well your description of the consistent reactions to broccoli sure evoked that section of the book for me. For a week or two, try just having it plain, without even any seasoning and see if you get the usual reaction. That would be one way to know if it's truly the broccoli that causes the cravings and reaction, or if it's what you're putting ON the broccoli that is doing it. Certain food/flavor associations can be a powerful trigger, and the combination(s) of seasoning and toppings you tend to lean towards, with regard to this veggie, just may be a psychological "comfort" food for you and a true food intolerance as defined by Dr. A in the book.