Candy, cookies, and cake-OH MY!
If those are the thoughts constantly running through your brain, you probably feel like you’re addicted to sugar. For a lot of ladies, this can lead to feelings of guilt and blaming yourself for not having enough “willpower” to resist the cravings. I totally understand why you might feel that way, its the narrative we’ve always been told to believe.
But have you ever stopped to think about WHY you feel like you’re addicted to sugar?
Busy women come to me all the time thinking they are addicted to sugary treats. And usually they think there is only one solution to fix the problem…cut out ALL sugar! If this sounds like you, odds are that you aren’t actually addicted to sugar. But there are probably some common reasons behind your intense cravings for sweets. So let’s break it down!
The first possible reason to address is skipping meals!
Our bodies do a great job of craving what they NEED. And if we aren’t fueling our bodies regularly, of course we’d crave something that gives us just that. Do you know what does provide us with quick energy? SUGAR; it’s a type of carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are our body’s preferred source of energy. In fact, sugar is the quickest source of energy for our bodies. When we look at it this way, is it really that weird that we crave quick energy if we’re not giving our body enough energy? Nope!
Now that we’ve got that concept under our belts, we can discuss why a diet low in protein and fiber would lead to sugar cravings too.
Protein and fiber are two nutrients that do a great job of keeping us satisfied and full after our meals. If you aren’t eating enough of both of these, then it makes sense why you’d crave that quick energy that sugar gives us.
Two reasons you may not think of that could be leading to increased sugar cravings are lack of sleep and increased stress.
When it comes to getting sugar cravings under control, it’s important to recognize that habits outside of food choices can be the culprit. Yup, you read that right! But again, if we break it down, you’ll understand how they are related.
Lack of or poor sleep more than likely means you’re tired. Interestingly enough, it also increases a hormone called ghrelin which increases our desire to eat. And if you’re tired and experiencing increased hunger, there goes your body craving QUICK ENERGY again!
And when it comes to stress, your body experiences increased cortisol. Oftentimes, high cortisol can increase your appetite as well as cravings for sugary, salty, and fatty foods. When you eat those foods, you experience an increase in serotonin, the “feel good” hormone which helps you feel a sense of release from the stress. And fun fact, trying to cut out ALL sugar will only add to the stress. This is why stress management is a big focus with our clients that are super busy!
In the Busy Gal Nutrition coaching program, we’re all about helping you understand the root cause and focus on meeting your specific needs so you’re set up for success!
And as someone who also has a sweet tooth, I want you to know you CAN have sweet treats from time to time and not feel controlled by them!
