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Jul 31, 2024 · 5. Iron deficiency. If you haven't been getting enough heme iron from protein sources like meat, seafood and poultry, Bandier says this could be a reason you're turning towards sugar. "Iron ...
- Brittany Gibson
- Force of Habit. As it turns out, sugar cravings are often the result of conditioning over time. In other words, it's a habit. "You've got a stimulus, a behavior, and a reward," says Dr. Crupain.
- Gut Health and Gastrointestinal Issues. According to Hartman, poor gut health, gut inflammation, and other G.I. tract issues might be another cause of sugar cravings.
- Hunger Hormones. Another reason you might be constantly hankering for dessert could have to do with the hunger hormone ghrelin. “Research has shown that ghrelin levels increase in response to sugar intake and may contribute to the development of sugar cravings,” Dr. Ungerleider says.
- Low Serotonin Levels. If you've ever wondered why you might feel like you need to indulge in ice cream after a tough day, that might have something to do with your serotonin levels.
- You're exhausted. "During times of fatigue or exhaustion, the first thing we crave is sugar," says Maya Feller, R.D., a Brooklyn-based registered dietitian nutritionist and author of the upcoming book, Eating From Our Roots.
- You're stressed. "Past research has found that when primates were under stress, they sought out carbohydrates3—primarily in the form of fruit," says Steven Gundry, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon and author of Unlocking the Keto Code.
- Your gut isn't getting what it needs. Gundry says one of the theories around what makes humans hungry is the Gut Flora-Centric Theory of Hunger. "This is a theory that says our hunger is controlled by how much our gut bacteria is being fed the foods they need," he says.
- You're consuming too many artificial sweeteners. "Artificial sweeteners have messed with our system when it comes to detecting sugar," says Gundry. "That's because we don't have sugar receptors in our tongue; we have sweet receptors.
- Behavioral Theory
- Is It All in Your head?
- The Serotonin Theory
- More on Chocolate Cravings
- Hormones and Food Cravings
Research has also shown that cravings can also be driven by memories rather than bodily cues. Sweets and decadent meals are often associated with vivid memories of food at social gatherings, such as holidays, parties, and family get-togethers. If you find yourself thinking about your Grandma’s molasses cookies or your mom’s famous apple pie, you ma...
It might sound like cravings are “all in your head,” but that doesn’t mean you're imagining them. In fact, they're most often rooted in biology. In a 2011 study, researchers found that when the prefrontal cortex of the brain was activated, it temporarily decreased food cravings, particularly for sweet foods and carbohydrates. Another area of the br...
One theory about food cravings involves serotonin, a neurotransmitter needed for mood regulation. Researchers believe that having an imbalance of serotonin in the brain contributes to the development of depression. When you're craving carbs, you're usually drawn to foods that encourage serotonin production. In a sense, reaching for sugary, carbohyd...
Researchers have isolated certain alkaloids in chocolate that may raise the levels of serotonin in the brain.These studies have speculated that cravings for chocolate (so-called "chocoholism") may have a biological basis, with serotonin deficiency being only one factor. In some cases, feeling like you need chocolate might indicate you’re not gettin...
Research shows that hormone fluctuations impact food cravings. For women, it can depend on the different phases of the menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy. For example, women tend to crave sweets and carbs right before and during their period due to fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone. 1. These sex hormones cause a temporary drop in se...
- Nancy Schimelpfening
- Sugar Craving Cause: You didn’t eat enough, or you ate the wrong things. When you don’t eat enough calories, your body starts looking for fast fuel as a way to catch up.
- Sugar Craving Cause: You picked up a bad habit. Some people smack their gum without even realizing it. Some people have picked their fingernails their entire lives.
- Sugar Craving Cause: You ate too much starch and not enough fat and/or protein. When you eat a heavy, starchy meal, like a giant bowl of grandma’s spaghetti, you’re pretty much setting yourself up for a guaranteed gelato craving.
- Sugar Craving Cause: You chowed down on salty foods. When you dine out or eat highly packaged, processed foods, your food has more sodium in it than you probably even realize.
Nov 20, 2023 · November 20, 2023/ Diet, Food & Fitness / Nutrition. Candy Crush: Why You’re Craving Sweets and How To Stop. Stress, lack of sleep and not eating enough all contribute to sugar hankerings. When ...
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Aug 29, 2023 · Get your mind off it: Sometimes, we crave sugar out of sheer boredom. Take a quick walk or exercise and see how you feel when you return. Drink some water: We often misinterpret our need for hydration as a desire to eat. Try drinking some water to see if it helps reduce your sugar craving.
