Causes that make you crave food

It has happened to all of us at some point. Arriving home and not being able to control the urge to grab a bag of chips or a package of chocolate chip cookies. The desire to eat certain foods can sometimes be difficult to control, but most of the time if you know the causes that cause it, you can take measures to overcome this temptation. The first step to dealing with this food desire is to understand why it arises. To do this, you can keep track of your cravings, writing down on your cell phone or notepad which foods you have wanted to eat anxiously or compulsively and at what time of day this need arose. If you do this for one or two weeks you will be able to check your behavioral pattern associated with your cravings.

CAUSES

You are stressed, anxious or sad

Chronic stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol, which causes increased cravings for food, especially sweet carbohydrates. If we feel sad or discouraged, we eat these foods because they are pleasant to us since they trigger the release of endogenous cannabinoids that can help calm our mood naturally.

Are you tired

One way to renew our energy is through a restful sleep, but another way to obtain energy is through food. Food provides us with calories that are converted into energy. Therefore, if we do not sleep enough or our sleep is not of good quality, the body needs to eat more food to maintain optimal energy levels. Additionally, poor sleep quality can affect cortisol levels, and this factor also contributes to increased cravings for sweet things.

You are dehydrated

Hunger and thirst are closely related. Control here is easy! Try drinking a glass of water and wait 20 minutes to see if the craving goes away.

You have a nutrient imbalance

If we do not provide enough protein, fat, vitamin B, magnesium and other nutrients to our body, we can experience food cravings, since our body needs nutrients that it lacks because they are not incorporated into the daily diet. It is important to follow a balanced diet and, if necessary, take a food supplement that provides all the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that our body needs to be healthy and energetic.