5 Reasons for Your Cravings That Have Nothing to do With Food
In 2023, let’s ditch the feel-bad mentality when we have a craving, or–gasp–give into one. Instead of self blaming and feeling ashamed that we have “no willpower,” let’s get curious about the many factors in our life–totally unrelated to food–that have a major impact on our blood sugar, energy levels, and therefore, our cravings.
Are you stressed? If you’re a human being living on this earth, the answer is likely yes. Our bodies can certainly tolerate some stress, but on days when it's running high, our baseline blood sugar is also higher, and the peaks and valleys of our daily blood sugar curves are more extreme. Stressful days make us much more likely to crave those carby comfort foods. Be gentle with yourself and use this knowledge to talk yourself off the ledge. You’re not a bad person for wanting a cookie. But know that sugar will pile physical stress onto your mental stress and probably isn’t the best option. Instead, opt for a really satiating high-protein and fat snack. Think: cheese, nut butter, or a satisfying protein like sliced steak.
Did you sleep badly? Just one night of poor sleep puts the human body into a prediabetic state, meaning that we handle blood sugar very poorly the next day. Unfortunately, when we’re low on energy, we’re also going to be craving those quick hits of sugar for a little boost. This will then lead to a dramatic spike, crash, and–you guessed it–more cravings. Use the strategy above to fortify yourself against these cravings, and if you really need a little sugar, pair it with a protein and fat. For example, put a few Hu chocolate gems in some mixed nuts.
Are you hanging out with people who are sedentary, choose Chinese food instead of a home-cooked meal, and take little interest in their health? A study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that if your friend is obese, you have a 57% increased risk of becoming overweight yourself! Think about ways you can spend more time with people who are on a similar health journey as you are. Choose to make plans with people who are up for a walking coffee date, a salad spot for lunch, or a game of pickleball on the weekend in place of drinks and apps. The payoff for your health will be huge.
Are you bored or unfulfilled? Sometimes our eating habits are a means of distraction or comfort when other aspects of our life aren’t aligned. Take an honest look at your day-to-day and assess for yourself if there’s something off-kilter. Is there a change you could make to bring more joy, peace, or positive stimulation into your life?
Do you have a detrimental daily habit? Are you craving a muffin, or are you just in the habit of getting a muffin and latte from that coffee shop every Saturday and Sunday morning? If a poor food choice becomes a habit, it’s time to replace and then remove it. Can you eat a filling breakfast before heading to the coffee shop so it’s easier for you to turn down the muffin? Can you make homemade muffins with less sugar at home and skip the latte run? Can you take a different route to your weekend activities so you’re not tempted by that habit at all? Can you start a new habit of packing a coffee in a thermos and going for a walk? We will all fall into habits that don’t serve us many, many times in life. Every time we do, it’s our job to step back, reassess, and put some training wheels on for a while until we can confidently leave them behind and do what’s best for our health and wellbeing.
So next time you want to reach for the donut that you haven’t been tempted by in a while, ask yourself… am I stressed? Tired? Bored? What is the underlying reason I feel like I need this food? Analyzing our behavior like a scientist won’t always keep us from taking a bite, but it can help us strategize and potentially avoid another craving in the near future.
If the topic of cravings interested you, these posts might, too.
10 Surprising Health Hacks I Use
3 Questions to Ask About Your Breakfast
And if you’re thinking that you’d really like an objective ear to help you unravel some of your unproductive health habits, send me a message here so we can connect! I’d love to support you.
XO,
Kara
