Food Cravings News

Cravings.  We all experience them at some time or another.  Usually we get that chocolate craving at a time when we least want it such as when we are really trying to shed a few pounds.  Why can't we ever crave fruits and vegetables?  For me, it's always chocolate chip cookies or chocolate cake and ice cream.  What causes these intense urges to eat high carbohydrate, high fat foods? 

Most researchers are not convinced that any one thing causes a person to crave certain foods.  Some scientists speculate that your body craves foods according to its nutritional needs.  Now, I'm not sure my body needs chocolate cake every day at 4 PM, but there are times when I just can't settle for anything less than a large glass of milk.  It could be that at those times, my body needs extra calcium.  Also people tend to have carbohydrate cravings when they are restricting their calories too much.  With too little calories, you blood sugar levels remain low, triggering cravings of carbohydrates.  This happens because carbohydrates, along with protein, play a large part in regulating our blood sugar levels.

Not only can eating too little calories cause cravings, but the heavy exercise seen in people trying to lose weight can deplete glycogen stores.  These glycogen stores are replenished by the carbohydrates we eat, thus, a depletion will lead to carbohydrate cravings.

Knowing this, what can we do to help control our cravings?  First of all, don't restrict your calories too much, especially you carbohydrates.  Eat a sensible, well balanced diet to keep your body in top working condition.  Don't restrict yourself too much when it comes to those foods you love.  Research has proven that people tend to binge when they tell themselves that they can't have any chips, cake, ice cream or like foods.  Instead, keep your portions in check.  When you want some potato chips, only take out one portion, and put the bag away.  Do not eat out of the bag!  You will eat more than you plan to. . . always.

Another way to help keep your cravings in check is to eat at regular intervals.  Don't skip meals. This causes your blood sugar levels to drop which can lead to carbohydrate cravings and binging.  Eat breakfast, snack, and don't skip lunch.  Just keep your calories undre control, and you will feel better all day long.

Don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day dealing with your cravings.  Just remember the good days you've had, and keep your end goal in mind.  With just a little thought, you can manage your cravings and be on your way to a leaner, healthier you!

Food Cravings

Issue Number 4