Have you ever wondered why you crave sweets when you are stressed?
Well, there is no short answer, but the truth is that we are an evolutionary miracle that has been evolving for several million years now. Stress is a human response that invokes change; sometimes, that change needs to be very rapid if we intend to survive.
The stress response evokes a cascade of metabolic processes in our body. The influx of adrenaline, cortisol and glucagon increases our blood sugar, which, in turn, prepares us for a long struggle ahead.
At the time of the stressor, the human body doesn't experience hunger. Insulin levels drop, and glucagon increases to a level that suffices our need to remain active. And this is when we find ourselves in trouble because there is no need to run from the saber tooth predator or fight the bear.
Our cortisol levels begin to neutralize, and our glucagon starts to drop. Our glucose also decreases as our insulin transports sugar into our cells. That is when we begin to get hungry and reach out for easily accessible snacks, "carbohydrates" in the form of sweets or chips.
Unfortunately, many unhealthy snacks are labeled as low calories are misleading. And so we are not eating as healthily as we think we are. And as a result, we end up choosing the very things that sustain the vicious cycle of insulin-glucose peaks and valleys.
Next time you notice the urge to reach for a snack, ask yourself one quick question: Is this the best thing for me to eat right now? Am I craving sweets because I am stressed? Simply pausing to question your behavior can be enough to help you make better choices for your body, health, and your mind.
Let me help you stay healthy through the ups and downs of a stressful lifestyle. Let me help you interpret your cravings, food labels, glycemic index, and glycemic load. Book a session to learn more and develop your own personalized plan.
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