Sugar: Got Cravings?

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To learn more about cravings and the simple ways to heal your body with delicious food, join me and my panel of experts on…

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Are cravings getting the best of you? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain and exploring the raw truth on sugar and cravings.

What causes cravings?

Cravings are caused by signals from the regions in the brain responsible for pleasure, memory, and rewards. Like sex and drugs, consuming sugar stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives us a sense of euphoria and controls the reward and pleasure centers in the brain.

Other factors linked to cravings:

  • An imbalance of hormones such as leptin and serotonin are known to cause food cravings.

  • Cravings may result from endorphins continuing to flow through your body after eating. This can encourage an addictive relationship with certain foods.

  • Medications and menopause can shift your hormones and increase your cravings.

  • If you’re not consuming enough of a specific nutrient, you may experience cravings for foods that contain whatever the body is lacking.

  • An unhealthy gut loaded with non-serving toxic debris is a HUGE reason people struggle with cravings.

Two types of cravings:

  • Selective cravings are cravings for specific foods, like greasy fries or a slice of rich chocolate cake. If you find yourself lingering in the candy cabinet, reaching for that pint of ice cream, or indulging in bags of cookies, you likely have a selective craving for sugar.

  • Nonselective cravings represent a desire to eat or drink anything—most likely the result of real hunger or thirst. If you notice these types of cravings, then drink plenty of water and make sure you’re getting enough to eat. 

Strategies for Overcoming Cravings:

  • Destress. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and engage in fun, stress-relieving activities.

  • Indulge in moderation with a small treat from time to time.

  • Avoid getting too hungry. Eat regularly and keep your blood sugar balanced by eating snacks and meals made up of protein, healthy fat and fiber.

  • Drink water. Stay hydrated. Good for the brain and weight loss!

  • Add-in cordyceps. It’s one of my favorite adaptogens for reducing cravings and creating more energy. Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that helps balance blood sugar, nourish and support your adrenals and improve liver function. Research shows that cordycepin, an extract of cordyceps, makes a great antioxidant and cancer fighter, all while lowering inflammation. Bonus: It makes a great natural aphrodisiac. 

  • Add-in probiotics to promote a healthy gut.

  • Play! Engage in non-food-related, pleasure-inducing activities. Think music, dancing, girl time, traveling, joyful conversations, and loving sex. Ask yourself, “Where do I need more sweetness in my life?”

On a final note…What’s the #1 thing I tell my clients? READ LABELS!!!

There are over 60 different forms of added sugars! Here are a few...

  • Cane Juice, Dehydrated Cane Juice, Cane Juice Solids, Cane Juice Crystals, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Dextran, Barley Malt, Beet Sugar, Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids, Caramel, Carob Syrup, Brown Sugar, Date Sugar, Malt Syrup, Diatastic Malt, Fruit Juice, Fruit Juice Concentrate, Dehydrated Fruit Juice, Fruit Juice Crystals, Golden Syrup, Turbinado, Sorghum Syrup, Refiner’s Syrup, Ethyl Maltol, Maple Syrup, Yellow Sugar, High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Love, Marlyn xo

Marion Hebert