Do you ever suffer from cravings?

I bet you do

Wanna know a bit more? 

About why you get them?

and

How to beat them? 

Ok let me explain  

5 causes of food cravings  

1.Low levels of Serotonin 

The happy hormone!  It’s thought to have a strong influence on mood, appetite and digestion. Eating carbohydrates and sugar increases the release of serotonin making us feel fabulous (temporarily). So when our serotonin levels are low our brain thinks a cake or chocolate bar is gonna fix it!  A low serotonin level can be due to a variety of things, including poor gut health, alcohol consumption, feelings of depression, anxiety and OCD. I don’t know about you, but I’m much more vulnerable to sugar and carbohydrate cravings when feeling fed up.

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2. Endorphins 

Eating carbs, sugar, chocolate and maybe even salt increases the production of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are human-produced opiates that make us feel relaxed. They’re also produced during sleep and exercise.  So when we eat these foods, we want more, similar to the way drug users become addicted.  One recent review study found that at the chemical level, sugar consumption resulted in an even more intense feeling of reward than cocaine!!! 

3. Casomorphins

Not as many studies about this but still well worth mentioning is the protein casein found in cow’s milk, which is especially rich in cheese. I know loads of you say that giving up cheese on a KSFL lifestyle is reeeeally hard.  Well, there’s actually a very good reason for that. The digestion of casein (found in cheese) results in the production of opiates called casomorphins in the body. These make you feel fantastic just like morphine does - hello, cheese addiction!

4. A wonky gut 

As mentioned earlier, low serotonin levels are linked to cravings and your gut is the epicenter of serotonin production.  In order to maintain feel-good levels of serotonin, your gut needs to be in tip-top shape so that it can absorb nutrients from your food and pump out the right amount of serotonin through your gastrointestinal tract. This process is greatly dependent on healthy levels of digestive enzymes and the proper balance of good bacteria. So when the bad bacteria overpower the good guys, there’s a strong chance that your cravings may overpower you. 

Cultivating a healthy balance of good bacteria by eating fermented foods, taking probiotics and embracing other habits may keep your gut happy and ultimately calm your cravings.

5. Emotional Triggers 

This is a biggie. 

Sadness, boredom, stress, poor self-esteem, negative body image etc etc etc may prompt you to check out what’s in the treat cupboard. I, to have to control my emotional triggers. I know what they are but I find it really hard sometimes not to reach for the chocolate or the crisps.  Who doesn’t want a bag of Haribos when they look back on a painful breakup, losing a job or just having a bad day? But since food cravings are often fleeting and disappear within an hour, choosing to eat a healthier food for the time being or opting for a mood-boosting activity may give you enough satisfaction in the moment while the craving passes.