Carbohydrate-containing foods supply a large proportion of the calories eaten in the stand American diet. Carbohydrates are made of sugars, starches and fiber, but only sugars and starches are broken down to glucose, or sugar, and can directly influence your blood sugar levels after being absorbed. Starches are present in grains, flours and starchy vegetables and are therefore found in potatoes, corn, rice, bread, pasta, couscous, legumes, muffins, breakfast cereals, cookies, granola bars, crackers and many other foods. If you have diabetes and crave starchy foods, you will need to do some investigation to find the cause of your cravings.
Hypoglycemia
Being hungry or craving sugar or starches may indicate that you are experiencing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. When you crave starchy foods, take a minute to check your blood sugar levels, especially if you also have other hypoglycemia symptoms, such as weakness, shakiness, sweatiness, dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, anxiety or difficulty speaking. If your blood sugar levels are below 70 mg/dL, you have low blood sugar levels and should treat them by eating 15 g of carbohydrates. Starchy foods are not the best option and you should go for quick-acting sources of carbohydrates, such as 3 to 4 glucose tablets, 1/2 cup or 4 oz. of either fruit juice or regular soft drink, 1 tbsp. of honey, 1 tbsp. of sugar dissolved in water, 5 to 6 hard candies or 1 cup of milk, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
Hyperglycemia
Carbohydrate cravings and hunger can also be the result of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are above 200 mg/dL, you may be tired, urinate more, be more thirsty and hungry. Your cravings for starchy foods could be the results of an inability of your cells to access the sugar in your blood, despite high blood sugar levels, and eating starches will not help you feel any better. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to lower your elevated blood sugar levels, whether it is by adjusting your medications or insulin or going for a walk.
Carbohydrate Addiction
If you regularly crave starchy foods despite keeping your blood sugar levels within target, you may simply be addicted to carbohydrates. Bagels, pancakes, cookies, granola bars, breads, pasta, rice and crackers are very rewarding foods, especially when consumed with sugar, fat or salt, and eating these foods may make you crave more of them. Try reducing your consumption of starchy foods, especially starchy foods that are combined with sugar, fat or salt, to see if it helps you control your starch cravings.
What to Do
Whenever you feel different or suspect something might be wrong, check your blood sugar levels to see if your symptoms are related. A strong craving for starches is an indication that your blood sugar levels may be either too high or too low and if it is the case, you should correct them accordingly, as per your doctor's advice. If your blood sugar levels are normal, make sure each of your meals do not contain more than 45 to 60 g of carbohydrates, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association, and minimize your sugar intake to reduce your carbohydrate addiction.
