Healthy Munchies to Eat While High

The “munchies” is an experience familiar to many regular cannabis users. For some, it’s a pleasantly appetizing side-effect. Others find the uncontrollable urge to snack on junk food disastrous for their well-planned diets.

However, you don’t have to succumb to high-calorie destruction of your health and fitness goals. It is possible to snack healthily while you have a severe case of the munchies. In this guide, we provide you with five healthy foods that will tide you over until your next meal. First, let’s take a quick look at what causes the munchies and offer some helpful tips.

Why Does Cannabis Give Me the Munchies?

The main reason your stomach suddenly turns into a bottomless pit after smoking weed is due to the cannabinoids. THC is the most abundant compound in cannabis strains and it binds to cannabinoid receptors in our brain, which then leads to us gettingboosts our appetite and making food taste even better.

Some researchers suggest that the method of consumption may also produce contrasting effects. For example, smoking weed as opposed to consuming it through vaporization or edibles. The different modes of ingestion also bring about varying absorption rates; with vapors having a higher bioavailability rate than cannabis consumed via edibles. In other words, your body gets more THC from vaping than eating cannabis products.

In 1994, Mattes et al. published a study in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior concluding that smoking marijuana makes you more likely to crave food than consuming a hash brownie. The variations in potency and consumption methods could even influence your preference for sour, salty, sweet or bitter foods.

No matter your food of choice, if you eat when high often, you’re at risk of gaining weight. As a cannabis lover, what can you do?

Create a Calorie Budget, of Course!

Although it might seem like common sense, there are still many people who don’t realize this about cannabis. Instead of seeing the munchies as an unhealthy choice, why not just go with it and plan for it? You can do this by creating a calorie budget. If you know you’ll be using cannabis, make room in your budget for the added calories from the munchies.

Although calories in and out are not the be-all, end-all of proper nutrition, they do have a significant impact.

If you’re looking to snack but still stay within your recommended daily caloric intake, try budgeting your snacks. For instance, the American Heart Association suggests that no more than 150 calorie per day come from sugar.

You can still include some of your favorite junk food in your diet, as long as it doesn’t consist entirely of sugar. Keep in mind that one slice of cake is about 250 calories, so you’ll need to compensate elsewhere in your diet if you want to enjoy this treat.

You can also choose to have a more ‘fluid’ approach and view your calorie needs weekly. For example, if you like to get high on a Saturday night, throughout the week make sure you eat 1,000 less calories than what is recommended. It would be helpful if you ate very healthily in the days leading up to your session.

After that, you can be a little more lenient. This is something done by bodybuilders in what they call their “cheat meal.”

Get Prepared by Stacking the House with Healthy Snacks

We don’t recommend being constantly high and Junk food will be your downfall if you are. Oreos sound pretty good right about now, don’t they? Too bad for you, if you’re high then your judgment is impared when it comes to stopping at just a few.

If you’re someone who likes to drink but also wants to be healthy, here are some alternatives for your favorite drinks that are worth considering:

• Anything Sweet and Crunchy: Roasted nuts in honey.
• Savory Snacks: Popcorn with a hint of butter; salt only if you’re feeling dangerous.
• Chocolate: Choose a few squares of dark chocolate instead.
• Chips and Dip: Pretzels and Greek Yogurt.
• Fizzy Soda: Sugar-free carbonated drinks.
• Extra Sweet Tooth: Vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries.
• General Snacking: A medley of chopped fruits and vegetables, with a dollop of peanut butter or low-calorie dressing.

People often opt for junk food because it is easy to make and eat. You can find similar options that are healthier for you, though; when grocery shopping, pick up bags of trail mix, roasted vegetable chips, or pre-cut fruit. Most importantly, have some snacks ready before you start consuming marijuana.

Know Thy Cravings

By now, if you frequently use cannabis, you should be familiar with your cravings. Keep in mind that they are normal and happen to lots of people–even when cannabis isn’t present. And while it’s not possible to totally get rid of cravings, you can control how you respond to them.

Before you start snacking, ask yourself why you feel the urge to eat. Oftentimes, people snack out of boredom rather than actual hunger. Although there is a chemical response involved with marijuana use, it doesn’t have to control you. By preparing your snacks and monitoring your calorie intake, you can minimize any negative effects. Now that we understand how snacking works let’s explore five great options for when the munchies hit!

1. Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and Guacamole

Although blue corn tortilla chips are not by any means healthy, they are better for you than regular or potato chips. The blue corn variety has antioxidants, though these can be damaged during the frying process.

Food Should Taste Better brand blue corn tortilla chips are a healthier option than most. They contain whole grains and are low in sodium, which is rare for tortilla chips! With only 140 calories per serving size of 10 chips, they’re perfect for an after-school snack or plated alongside your favorite dips at your next party.

Avocados are not only delicious but also good for you since they contain healthy fats. If you want to try something new, consider adding mango to the mix when making guacamole for a combination of sweet and tangy flavors.

2. Sweet and Spicy: Mango Salsa Placed in Fresh Tortillas

This mango salsa is the perfect partner for guacamole. It’s a sweeter take on classic salsa that will satisfy any sweet tooth. And it makes an excellent topping for a tortilla with lean beef and guacamole. Add in some extra veggies like chopped red peppers, and you’ve turned an unhealthy snack into a filling and healthy meal.

If you’re looking for a fast and easy mango salsa recipe, there are plenty available online. Here’s one that only requires a few ingredients:

• A ripe mango that is peeled, pitted, and diced
• Two tablespoons of finely chopped red onion
• Three tablespoons of fresh lime juice
• Three tablespoons of fresh cilantro leaves
• Half a jalapeno chili, minced

If you find the salsa is too acidic after adding all of the dry ingredients, toss in some diced avocado.

3. Low-Carb, High-Protein: Fresh Veggies and Hummus for Dipping

Fresh vegetables are not only a great way to get your crunch fix, but they’re also incredibly healthy. When you add hummus to the equation, you have a killer snack. If you want to make your own hummus, simply blend the following ingredients in a food processor:

• Chickpeas
• Tahini
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic

Hummus isn’t only delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients that offer a plethora of benefits, some of which are backed by science.

• Many of its ingredients help to fight inflammation.
• The high fiber content in quinoa promotes better digestive health, and it also nourishes good gut bacteria.
• It boasts a low glycemic index, potentially keeping blood sugar levels in check.
• It contains a variety of heart-healthy ingredients that may cut your risk of a heart attack.
• Did you know that not only is hummus delicious, but it may also help with weight loss? So the next time you have the munchies, make sure to reach for some HUMMUS!

If you’re looking for a healthier option to the standard chips and dip, try hummus with chopped vegetables.

4. Sweet & Crunchy – Dark Chocolate and Nuts

Indulging in chocolate is often perceived as a guilty pleasure. The good news is that you can still enjoy it while under the influence of marijuana, and not feel any guilt. Choose dark chocolate, which contains healthy minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. In addition, the cocoa beans contain antioxidants called flavonoids with many potential health benefits. More reasons to eat dark chocolate include:

• Potentially improved brain function.
• Lower fasting glucose levels and reduced insulin resistance.
• Anti-inflammatory effects.
• Increases ‘good’ cholesterol and decreases ‘bad’ cholesterol.
• Lowers blood pressure.

A variety of nuts offer a healthy fats and a satisfying crunch, including macadamia nuts, almonds, and walnuts. Nut butter is also great option that’s easy to include in your diet.

5. Forget Snacking & Have a Meal – Meat, Vegetables & Healthy Carbohydrates

The munchies don’t have to revolve around fatty snacks. While you’re high, why not sit down and have a meal instead? I’m not saying go out and get a greasy burger from McDonald’s. But there’s no reason you can’t order a healthier grass-fed burger.

You could also try a piece of free-range organic chicken with a delicious sauce. We found an amazing recipe for ‘Sticky and Easy Honey Garlic Chicken’ that includes:

• Chicken thighs or chicken breasts
• Honey
• Rice wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Chicken broth

Assemble this dish before indulging in cannabis for the best results. Incorporate roast vegetables, potatoes and/or rice to ensure you get your fill of healthy nutrients.

Final Thoughts

The options we have provided should be helpful. Keep your kitchen free of anything that would tempt you to overeat. Having a calorie budget is also very useful so that you can plan healthy snacks in advance and stay within your limit. Eating less before using marijuana will help the overall experience as well.

There are a few things you can do when hunger strikes. Try drinking some water to see if that does anything to quell the cravings. Another tactic is to keep the mind occupied with another activity, such as completing household chores or exercising. Ultimately, it is better to embrace the munchies and plan for their arrival. You’ll make better eating decisions and feel a lot better about it afterward.