By Max Sargent

Waking up feeling groggy the day after smoking weed has a lot to do with THC. But if you spent the night endlessly eating unhealthy foods, then this can certainly add to the lethargy and the general feeling that your soul is heavy and dry. But it needn’t be this way!

In this article, we explore the munchies, and give you 10 examples of healthy and delicious foods you can eat when you’re stoned. Believe us when we say that if you make the transition over to healthy foods when high, you’ll soon learn to love them and feel much better in yourself.


What Causes the Munchies?

If you’ve smoked weed, then you’ve likely experienced the munchies to some degree. Sometimes, it’s a faint hunger and an amplified sweet tooth, and other times it can lead you to empty out the cupboards, or head to the shop and spend more than you’d probably like. But what causes the munchies? What goes on inside of us to make us so impulsive, and so incredibly ravenous?

The exact mechanisms behind the munchies remain somewhat murky. Though it is fairly certain that the main cause of the increased appetite we experience when high lies in THC binding to CB1 receptors[1].

CB1 receptors are thought to play a role in appetite and food intake, and when they are stimulated by THC, they appear to go into overdrive, making us unusually and insatiably hungry. What’s more, activating the CB1 receptors in this way is thought to increase sensory perception, and this includes heightening the olfactory senses (taste and smell), making food seem more appealing.

Healthy Munchies - Cake

Why Are Unhealthy Foods So Appealing?

It’s no secret that when hungry, it’s easy to reach for sugary, salty, and fatty foods. When high, this is even more the case. And as you tend to be less inhibited when high—and more impulsive—it is very common to gorge yourself on sweets, crisps, and fast food.

These foods are so appealing when high because certain compounds (sugar, fat, salt) are the most immediately rewarding, in a physiological sense. In a prehistoric, natural setting, foods rich in these compounds deliver immediate effects and require the least processing by the body to make use of them. This is why sugar tastes so good, because it’s an immediate and efficient source of energy.

So, as far as our deep, animal brains are concerned, these foods are far from unhealthy, but are actually marvellous and effective sources of energy and key nutrients. In the modern world, though, where compounds such as these are found in unusual abundance, gluttony can lead to health issues, and so we think of these foods as unhealthy. Unfortunately, when we’re high, our bodies become even more drawn to such foods.

That being said, if we can resist our immediate desires and defer gratification a little, then eating healthy food when high can taste much better, and leave us feeling considerably healthier afterwards.

Why You Should Eat Healthy When You Have the Munchies

Healthy foods—the list is long and varied—have long-term health benefits and, in many ways, actually taste better than unhealthy foods. Sure, you won’t get the immediate hit of sugar, but you can find much more subtle and nuanced flavours, which your extra-sensitive, THC-enhanced palate is sure to find delicious.

So, first and foremost, eating healthy food when high can actually taste far better than unhealthy food. And there’s nothing to stop you from finishing off with a sugary dessert afterwards.

In the long run, though, especially if you’re a regular cannabis user, it's imperative that you pivot towards a healthy diet even when high. If you don’t, and you use cannabis several times a week, or even every day, then you can quickly find that your diet has degenerated into sugary snacks and takeaways. Not only is this very bad for your health, but it will also blow a hole in your bank account.

Eating well, on a regular basis, also helps to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which has a bidirectional relation with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS runs throughout the body, consisting of receptors, neurotransmitters, and enzymes. It is thought to be a signalling system that regulates and controls many functions, from mood through to immune function (and, of course, appetite).

The ECS appears to be able to affect the gut microbiome[2], but the gut microbiome also appears to affect the ECS. Given the importance of each of these systems individually, and given that they seem to influence one another, supporting the gut microbiome is crucial to your overall health and well-being.

10 Best Munchie Snacks

So, for the health-conscious cannabis user, what are the best stoner foods? If you want to go to bed and wake up feeling as though you’ve given your body what it needs, rather than a load of things to work out of your system, then choosing to eat healthy foods when you consume cannabis (and the rest of the time), can be really beneficial.

1. Fresh Fruit

Healthy Munchies - Fruit

First up—fresh fruit. Fresh fruit is hard to beat. With myriad options for any palate, and boasting rich flavours and a satisfying amount of sugar, fruit can really satisfy a whole range of needs.

If you think oranges smell good most of the time, break one’s skin open when you’re high and you’ll be blown away by the wonder of that scent. And if you don’t fancy oranges, there are countless other fruits to choose from.

Another option could be mango, which, aside from being delicious in its own right, also contains the terpene myrcene. This terpene is thought to increase the speed at which THC crosses the blood–brain barrier, thereby increasing the potency of its effects. So not only is mango a healthy option when smoking weed, but it might even increase the strength of your high.

Other good fruit options include:

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Pineapple
  • Watermelon
  • Peaches
  • Lychee
  • Grapes

2. Nuts and Seeds

Maybe you’re already into nuts and seeds, or maybe you’ve just noticed that other people seem to be.

Well, the people who eat nuts and seeds every day are onto something. These little morsels are some of the most nutrient-dense food sources in nature, and are extremely healthy. They contain a range of nutrients, but also a range of very healthy fats, which is why they are so filling.

Healthy fats are thought to improve the function[3] of the ECS, which in turn makes the ECS more able to regulate many different functions, including inflammation.

Therefore, having a regular intake of healthy fats in your diet will help your body to function properly on a deep level. And while you’re high, there are many different nuts and seeds to choose from, each with its own delicious flavour. Plus, opening pistachios can give you something to do!

Nuts and seeds include:

  • Cashews
  • Walnuts
  • Brazil nuts
  • Almonds
  • Pecans
  • Bonus: peanuts (despite the name, they’re not actually a nut, but a legume)

3. Greek Yoghurt

If you’re feeling really indulgent, then you can treat yourself to Greek yoghurt when high. Delicious and refreshing, this is proof that eating healthily while high does not mean that your food has to be dull.

While Greek yoghurt straight from the pack is good in its own right, it’s very easy to complement it with a few more ingredients and treat yourself to a truly delicious stoner snack. Why not try adding berries, hulled hemp seeds, and honey to make a snack that is nutrient-dense and pleasantly sweet?

4. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a world away from common milk chocolate. Not only does it have a subtler, more intense flavour, but it’s actually pretty healthy. For it to be healthy, though, you’ll need to find a dark chocolate with a high concentration of cocoa and little added sugar.

True dark chocolate also has similar effects as CBD, and can make the effects of THC more comfortable and enjoyable. It exerts these effects by inhibiting FAAH[4], an enzyme responsible for breaking down anandamide. Anandamide is a naturally occurring endocannabinoid (produced in the body) that binds primarily to CB1 receptors and induces feelings of joy and well-being.

5. Popcorn

You might not believe it, but popcorn is (by itself) pretty healthy. Or rather, it’s not very unhealthy, as it contains little in the way of anything. So don’t think that you’ve giving your body much when you eat popcorn, but just know that you’re not filling it with unhealthy compounds either.

However, you have to take this with a pinch of salt (pardon the pun), as plain popcorn can be quite dull, and is usually improved by the addition of salt and sugar, which make it less healthy. Indeed, you can play around with flavourings to find a balance between healthy and unhealthy popcorn. And even sugary popcorn is still going to be significantly healthier than many candies and the like.

6. Protein Salad Bowl

Healthy Munchies - Salad

A salad bowl that also contains some sort of protein (meat, fish, tofu, etc.) is a perfect snack or even meal when high. The addition of protein will make your salad much more gratifying for the stoned palate and stomach, and should help you actually feel full. The salad should also contain a host of micronutrients and fibre, which are essential to health.

If you’re new to the salad game, note that not all green leaves are created equal. Lettuce, one of the most popular salad leaves, is almost entirely devoid of anything beneficial. So if you buy or make a salad, ensure that it features a range of different leaves to get a good balance of micronutrients.

7. Rice Cakes

Rice cakes are a very convenient snack for when you want to eat something ready-made. And while you can enjoy them plain, you can improve them a lot by adding some kind of topping.

Toppings are plentiful, and some are less healthy than others. But for a healthy yet delicious and filling rice cake snack, we’d recommend the following:

  • Peanut butter
  • Hummus
  • Guacamole
  • Marmite
  • Cheese

Note: It’s worth having a glass of water handy if you’re eating rice cakes while stoned, as, when combined with cotton mouth, they can be pretty difficult to swallow!

8. Vegetable Sticks With Hummus

If you’re feeling lazy but desire a refreshing snack, why not try vegetable sticks with hummus?

As long as you have enough ingredients, you can basically munch down on these endlessly all night and not worry about a thing. For this reason, they are a great choice for cannabis users who need a more or less constant supply of food, but want that food to be healthy.

9. Curry

If you love cooking, then make yourself a curry. Curries come from all over Asia, and each region has its own takes on what a curry is and how it tastes, so there’s really something for everyone. From super sweet to super spicy, you’ll surely find something to satisfy your palate.

Not only are they delicious, but the process of making a curry can be even more enjoyable than eating it. The colours and smells of all the different spices, and the fact that everything cooks in one pot on the stove, means that cooking curry is an engaging and vibrant process, which can more than satisfy the stoned mind and senses.

10. Sweet Potato Fries

Healthy Munchies - Sweet Potato

Last but by no means least, we have sweet potato fries. These are sweet, high in fat and carbs, and yet are packed with healthy nutrients and low in unhealthy compounds. Ideally, you’d bake them rather than fry them, as the latter option introduces some pretty unhealthy fats into the mix.

Sweet potato fries are perfect for when you need something that tastes a little more like junk food and is really filling, but still want to eat something that’s ultimately healthy.

Tame the Munchies With Healthy Food Choices

Making the transition from sugary, fatty, and salty junk food can be really difficult at first. It’s not appreciated enough that these foods are addictive, and they’re available everywhere. What’s more, there’s no denying that they taste good!

However, if you push yourself to eat healthier food (when high or sober), you will soon discover that your body will learn to love them much more than unhealthy alternatives, and will very quickly crave them instead. The initial change can be a challenge, but keeping it going will soon become effortless, and you’ll feel much better for it.

External Resources:
  1. The endocannabinoid system controls food intake via olfactory processes - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Dietary food patterns as determinants of the gut microbiome | Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com
  3. Endocannabinoid System and Its Regulation by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids - PMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Beyond Cannabis: Plants and the Endocannabinoid System http://ethanrusso.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: