Even if you're haven't gone through bariatric surgery, Food cravings is something that most of us if not everybody
has pass through and as for why they happened there is no single explanation; explanations range from
low serotonin levels affecting the brain centers for
appetite to production of endorphins as a result of consuming fats and carbohydrates.
Foods
with high levels of sugar glucose,
such as chocolate, are more frequently craved than foods with lower sugar
glucose, such as broccoli, because when glucose interacts with the opioid system in the brain an addictive triggering effect occurs.
The
consumer of the glucose feels the urge to consume more glucose, much like an
alcoholic, because the brain has become conditioned to release "happy
hormones" every time glucose is present. There is evidence that addiction and food craving activate some of the
same brain areas.
There are also certain types of cravings that range from:
- Sweet
- Salty
- Creamy
- Crunchy
And when these cravings occur it’s normally our body telling
us what it needs, Chocolate one of the top contenders in the craving area is contains the
neurotransmitter phenylethylamine, which is important for
the regulation of the body’s release of endorphin's. Endorphin's are released following a
stressor and result in a sense of relaxation. Exercise and sleep are two alternative ways to help
facilitate the release of endorphins.
Craving
salt may be partly due to being dehydrated. When dehydrated the body loses
water, electrolytes, and salt, and by ingesting salt, water retention can be
increased.
Those
who don't have food cravings might say that such cravings are "all in your
head," and new research suggests they are right. It is all in our heads:
several specific areas of our brains, actually. Areas of the brain responsible for memory and sensing pleasure are
partially to blame for keeping those food cravings coming.
Beyond
the physiological reasons for food cravings, they often have something to do
with emotion and desire. For many of us, cravings kick into high gear when
we're stressed or anxious. Carbohydrates boost our levels of the hormone
serotonin, which has a calming effect. And recent research suggests that the
combination of fat and sugar may also have a calming effect.
But
there are ways to prevent these cravings:
- Don’t skip meals: If you eat at your correct time and eat your complete meals you shouldn’t have any problems here.
- Exercise and take care of yourself: By exercising you release stress and by doing this you feel more relieved and happy and can endure until the next meal.
- Control the craving monster: If you feel that the craving is to powerful and it’s taking over you, know what type of craving it is and provide that specific crave.
There is
always the healthy option to give into those cravings and have a better option
for snacking also so for more info on
what types of healthy snacks and for having a better meal plan contact us at longtermvsg@gmail.com
