It’s a vicious cycle for many people when it comes to carbs:
the more you eat them, the more you crave them. Cookies, donuts, bread, chips
and French fries, name your poison. Once you feed your craving, you’re hungry
again in a couple hours. And so it begins. Unfortunately, it’s the
overconsumption of these carbs that raise and drop your blood sugar levels and
contribute to weight gain and an increased risk for a variety of health
problems.
What causes these carb cravings? Research suggests that a
drop in blood sugar stimulates hunger, and it’s natural to turn to foods high
in carbs, since they are a quick energy source. Or it may have something to do
with serotonin, a “feel-good” brain chemical that helps you feel less pain,
anxiety and stress—it boosts your mood by helping you feel more relaxed. Some
experts think that people who crave carbs have low serotonin levels. Regardless of the various theories that explain why we crave
carbs, we do know that eating carbs raises insulin levels, which then lowers blood
sugar. Leading to the craving for more carbs.
What can you do about these cravings? Well, it’s simple. Control the consumption of carbohydrates especially those that are high in sugar and low in fiber . Although it sounds crazy to restrict the
foods you crave the most, research shows that the fewer carbs you consume (especially
when you are eating high fiber carbohydrates , fat , and protein in their place), the less you will
eventually crave those carbs and the more you will be able to control your
hunger. What this means to you is that, if you have challenges conquering your
carb cravings or just processing carbs in general, science once again shows
that Atkins could be the best fit for you.
