Excessive desire for sweets is a common phenomenon in the modern world, especially among women. We all know that feeling when we want to eat something sweet and no matter how hard we try to trick our body with apples or berries, the desire only gets bigger. In the end, we give in and reach for our favorite chocolate, cake or candies. Although we know that sugar is not good for our health (not to mention the pounds), it is often difficult to resist it.
If you are facing this problem, know that you are not alone. Sugar stimulates the secretion of serotonin (hormone of happiness) and endorphins (which makes us tired), which is why it is addictive and hard to give up.
On the other hand, many studies in the field of holistic medicine show that cravings for certain foods are a clear sign that our body is trying to tell us that we need more nutrients. In journal it says what the body is trying to warn us about when we often feel a craving for sweets.
Why do we often eat something sweet?
The fluctuation of blood sugar, or rather its sudden drop, is actually the main cause of the constant need for sweets. If you find yourself craving something sweet all of a sudden and you can't seem to beat this craving, it means your body needs more fuel to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
These situations most often happen to people who skip meals or whose meals are unbalanced. To avoid this scenario, you need to have at least three meals a day (preferably two snacks), which will consist of protein, complex carbohydrates (whole grains) and fiber. These meals will give your body all the necessary nutrients, which is why you will avoid constant drops in blood sugar, and therefore the need for sweet food.
Magnesium
In the last few years, an increasing number of experts indicate that the constant desire for sweets is often an indicator that our body lacks magnesium.
This is especially common in people who eat chocolate all the time. Magnesium deficiency is especially problematic in women during the monthly cycle because PMS symptoms, such as irritability, are more pronounced in women who lack this mineral, which further increases their desire for sweets.
To overcome this problem, increase your intake of foods rich in magnesium, such as spinach, legumes, nuts or seeds. Make sure that each of your meals contains some of the mentioned foods and the desire for sweets will gradually decrease.
Water
When our body is dehydrated, we can also feel the need for sweets because our body often confuses the feeling of hunger and thirst. So before you reach for the chocolate, drink a glass of water first.
Fruit
If you have a constant need for fruit, it means that your body lacks vitamins and minerals. Although there is nothing wrong with consuming a lot of fruit, if your desire is excessive, nutritionists advise that you combine fruit with proteins, such as almond butter or other nuts, coconut yogurt and the like.
Stress
Finally, the desire for sugar very often occurs when we are under stress because, as we said, it stimulates the secretion of seratonin and endorphins. However, while sugar helps us feel better in the moment, it doesn't solve the problem.
How to get rid of the constant desire for sweets?
The first and basic thing you should provide your body with is regular and balanced meals. When you have three meals and two snacks during the day, you will provide your body with enough fuel for all the metabolic processes and activities you perform, so you will not have constant fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
It goes without saying that your meals should consist of protein (meat, fish, eggs, mushrooms, legumes, dairy products), complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as millet, quinoa, brown rice or corn) and fiber (leafy greens vegetables, legumes, various fruits) to avoid mineral and vitamin deficits. It would be good to provide at least two liters of water and, if possible, include any physical activity. In this way, you will get rid of the desire for sweets much more easily than you can imagine.
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