Sugar cravings are really common, however, they might not be the ideal situation to be in. Often, when you are at work, after lunch just before tea time, you may experience a drop in energy levels and you may start craving sugar, desperately. Before you know it, you start raiding your bag for sweet treats or asking around for a quick fix.
Fighting them may not be the answer. Identifying what causes them and eliminating them is the answer. Here are a few reasons why you may be experiencing constant sugar cravings. So read on and act appropriately.
Low Mood/Depression
You may have noticed this one too many times, every time you finish eating a cookie or a chocolate you feel happy. Well, it’s not just your taste buds that are in for a treat. When you consume carbohydrates, levels of serotonin receive a boost. This neurotransmitter plays an important role in controlling your mood.
When you are suffering from depression or are simply feeling low, you start craving carbohydrates or sugar rich foods, because your body is subconsciously looking for a boost in mood.
The good news is that you do not need to indulge in processed and sugar rich foods to feel happy, there are healthier alternatives like bananas, walnuts, sauerkraut, greet tea and salmon. If you think that you may be depressed, speaking with a qualified health professional may be a good idea.
Lack of Sleep
When we do not get restful sleep and are deprived of sleep, we make poor food choices. When we do not get enough sleep, our body produces what is known as the hunger hormone, which makes us eat more often. It also produces what is known as the ‘full hormone’, which does not allow your body to recognize when it is full.
So, you end up overeating after a night that has been restless. Sleep deprivation also leads you to making poor food choices, you tend to eat junk food. Lack of quality sleep also makes you tired and you look for a quick boost, and choose processed foods that are high in sugar.
To lead a healthy life, get at least 7 hours of sleep, avoid the use of screen at least half an hour before bed time. Avoid caffeine, refined sugars and get some exercise in the evening. You need to get restful sleep, it’s not just the duration that matters.
Iron Deficiency
Those who suffer from iron deficiency, tend to feel lethargic and need to boost their energy levels from time to time. Get your iron levels checked and take appropriate measures to regulate them. Choose to eat iron rich foods such as egg yolk, spinach, lentils and pumpkin seeds.
Carbohydrate intake
Crash diets that require you to lose carbohydrates from your diet to help lose weight quickly can also cause you to have uncontrollable cravings. 3 days in to the diet you start craving foods that are sugar rich and offer that serotonin bump.
Your body needs carbs. So, to avoid that indulgence in cakes and cookies, choose to include healthier variety of carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potato, carrots, beetroot, whole grains and pumpkins.
Protein Intake
Your body needs a balanced diet. Like it needs carbohydrates, it needs proteins too. To keep sugar cravings in check, you have to regulate your blood sugar levels, and to do so, you need to focus on your protein intake. If you do not consume proteins during lunch or breakfast, you will start craving sweets around 4 PM.
Fats and proteins ensures that sugar is released slowly in to your body, ensuring that you remain energized throughout the day. Choose to include foods that are rich in proteins in your breakfast. Include seeds, nuts, seafood, meat, lentils, beans and mushrooms. A protein rich snack between meals could also help keep your blood sugar levels in check.
Speak with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist or get in touch with a Homeopath to learn how you can take appropriate, natural measures to keep your blood sugar levels in check and avoid unnecessary sugar cravings.
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