Rob
09-30-2009, 02:03 AM
Most people suffer from food cravings at some point in their lives. Craving certain types of food or just any food to satisfy their hunger. Generally the craving is for sugary foods like chocolate, cakes, biscuits or something that will give you a quick simple carbohydrate fix. A glass or wine or crisps are a favourite craving some people.
It’s quite thought that poor will power or bad habits are responsible for food cravings. This usually isn’t the case! The cravings that we feel have biological reasons behind them and in order to beat the cravings we must understand these reasons.
Reasons for food cravings
Whenever we are tired or are feeling low our blood sugar level drops and the body tells the brain that it needs something to boost it up. For most of us this results in cravings for sugary or salty foods. Serotonin is one of the causes for this behaviour, our feel-food hormone. A low level of Serotonin and low blood sugar level condition go hand in hand. That’s why whenever our Serotonin levels are low we feed a craving for sugary food which makes up for the shortage of sugar in the blood.
Unfortunately, simple carbohydrates like sugary foods only release a short burst of energy or Serotonin, when that runs out the cravings return. This leads us into a vicious circle.
Run down or stressed?
Another reason for cravings is Adrenal Fatigue. When you’re feeling stressed, run down, tired or haven’t had enough sleep you are suffering from Adrenal Fatigue. In severe cases the condition is described as Adrenal Exhaustion. In modern times as people live busier lives and are under a lot more stress this health disorder is becoming more common, but unfortunately it is very rarely appreciated as such.
With Adrenal Fatigue the body also sends signals to the brain asking for a boost and that results in your cravings for sugary foods and snacks or even a coffee or tea.
Bad diets
People have been on a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet or appetite suppressant pills for a long time also get food cravings. It is because they have become at least partially insulin resistant without realizing this condition. In a person eating a normal diet the insulin in the body keeps the blood sugar level stable; insulin signals the cells of the body to absorb glucose from the bloodstream when necessary. Because they have interfered with their insulin, the cells have trouble responding to the signals and cannot absorb the glucose they need. This results in a signal to the brain calling for more sugar. Even though they may be eating less they’re still putting on fat due to the high calorie foods they snack on.
Beating the cravings
If you understand the basic reasons for food cravings then beating them becomes easier. It make take a few changes and some time but everyone can do it. To beat the cravings the body needs a healthy balanced diet and some exercise. 4 – 6 smaller meals help to keep hunger away and energy levels up.
It’s quite thought that poor will power or bad habits are responsible for food cravings. This usually isn’t the case! The cravings that we feel have biological reasons behind them and in order to beat the cravings we must understand these reasons.
Reasons for food cravings
Whenever we are tired or are feeling low our blood sugar level drops and the body tells the brain that it needs something to boost it up. For most of us this results in cravings for sugary or salty foods. Serotonin is one of the causes for this behaviour, our feel-food hormone. A low level of Serotonin and low blood sugar level condition go hand in hand. That’s why whenever our Serotonin levels are low we feed a craving for sugary food which makes up for the shortage of sugar in the blood.
Unfortunately, simple carbohydrates like sugary foods only release a short burst of energy or Serotonin, when that runs out the cravings return. This leads us into a vicious circle.
Run down or stressed?
Another reason for cravings is Adrenal Fatigue. When you’re feeling stressed, run down, tired or haven’t had enough sleep you are suffering from Adrenal Fatigue. In severe cases the condition is described as Adrenal Exhaustion. In modern times as people live busier lives and are under a lot more stress this health disorder is becoming more common, but unfortunately it is very rarely appreciated as such.
With Adrenal Fatigue the body also sends signals to the brain asking for a boost and that results in your cravings for sugary foods and snacks or even a coffee or tea.
Bad diets
People have been on a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet or appetite suppressant pills for a long time also get food cravings. It is because they have become at least partially insulin resistant without realizing this condition. In a person eating a normal diet the insulin in the body keeps the blood sugar level stable; insulin signals the cells of the body to absorb glucose from the bloodstream when necessary. Because they have interfered with their insulin, the cells have trouble responding to the signals and cannot absorb the glucose they need. This results in a signal to the brain calling for more sugar. Even though they may be eating less they’re still putting on fat due to the high calorie foods they snack on.
Beating the cravings
If you understand the basic reasons for food cravings then beating them becomes easier. It make take a few changes and some time but everyone can do it. To beat the cravings the body needs a healthy balanced diet and some exercise. 4 – 6 smaller meals help to keep hunger away and energy levels up.