What Causes Food Cravings?

Here's some help with your food cravings

  What causes food cravings?  Here are some researchers speculations:

Some researchers say that cravings are your body’s way of calling out for nutrients it is lacking.  When you crave carbohydrates, it may be because your blood sugars are low.  The brain contains a neurotransmitter called serotonin that is involved with carbohydrate intake.  If you eat too few carbohydrates, your serotonin level falls and this may result in carbohydrate cravings.  A serotonin deficiency can result in cravings for sweets.

Endorphins are chemicals produced by the brain.  They enhance your mood.  If you go below 10% fat in your diet, it is thought that endorphins are decreased.  To get the enhanced mood swing back, your body craves fat to raise the level from 10%.

Another attempt to explain cravings goes back to childhood.  Rather than physiologically driven, this explanation says cravings are psychologically driven.  Early in childhood, the young child learns to associate comfort with foods that have pleasurable smells, tastes, and textures.  This begins the craving cycle.  During times of stress, this cycle kicks in and these are the foods we crave.

Different cultures offer specific foods for events and situations.  This cultural food link provides comfort and familiarity with known foods.

Depriving yourself of certain foods creates a strong craving for the avoided food.  When this food is eaten, dieters often go into a binge mode.

The strongest sense that brings back past emotions is the sense of smell.  Food evokes past experiences just by the mere sense of smell.  If you associate the smell as good, cravings result.

            SOLUTION:  Be sensible.  Enjoy all foods, just don’t overdo it. 

TO CONTINUE -  Click here to help you pinpoint appropriate snacks

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