Ice cream, pizza, chocolate and cake are hard to resist but they are some of the most calorie rich foods available. Many people have a hard time resisting the temptation of these and other breads and sweets. The reason your body craves bread and sweets is part chemical and part psychological. If you have trouble eating them in moderation, addressing both aspects of your cravings can help.
Energy-Rich
Calories are a measurement of energy and the foods you tend to crave -- bread and sweets -- are generally high in calories, which means they also are energy-producing. If you have not eaten enough over the course of your day, your body may crave breads and sweets because they are a fast source of energy, according to "Psychology Today." This can explain why you are less likely to crave vegetables, which are lower in calories.
Stress Response
When you are stressed out, your body increases production on a hormone called cortisol. Your adrenal glands produce this hormone, which then stimulates production of neuropeptide Y, which is known to increase your cravings for breads and sweets. Your body also produces this hormone when you do not eat enough calories in your daily diet.
Blood Sugar Rise and Fall
Another reason why you crave bread and sweets is due to the rise and fall of your blood sugar. If you consume a diet low in fiber or foods that are high on the glycemic index -- a measurement of how much foods impact your blood sugar -- your blood sugar increases quickly, which makes you feel energetic. Your blood sugar can also drop faster than when you consume fiber-containing foods because your body burns through refined carbohydrate sources quickly. This can set your body on a destructive path because it must constantly seek carbohydrates to bring your blood sugar up.
Solution
If you have difficulty avoiding breads and sweets, you may have to eat in a way that helps to fight against your cravings. "The trick is to eat frequently enough to avoid strong hunger, but without eating too many calories in total," said Leigh Gibson, a psychologist and professor at the University College of London's Health Behavior Unit in a "Psychology Today" interview. Eating several small meals throughout the day can help you better resist cravings because your body will have the energy it needs to keep you feeling full and energetic.
References
- "Psychology Today"; Why We Crave; Kathleen McGowan; August 2003
- CBS News; Why Do We Crave Unhealthy Foods?; Melissa McNamara; February 2009
- PCOS Network; Why Do You Crave Carbohydrates?; Martha McKittrick, R.D., C.D.E.
- "My Family Doctor"; How to Stop Eating So Much Sugar: 6 Tips; Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D.
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