Sugar Cravings

Question: Whenever I am stressed, I crave sugar. I was wondering if this is normal, and if there is something I can do about it. E. T. – Orlando, FL Answer: First about your cravings, there is plenty of science to explain what you experience, and it is common. Stress releases hormones called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids in turn cause an increase in insulin, and insulin instructs cells to take up sugar. This causes blood sugar levels to drop, creating a need to rebalance blood sugar, hence your cravings. There is also another dimension to your sugar cravings. Eating sugar increases the neurochemicals serotonin and dopamine. Both of these create a sense of calm. They are feel-good chemicals. Dopamine has been associated with addiction because it taps into the body’s pleasure/reward system, and this helps to explain why people become addicted to sugar. Finally, as to what you can do about it, learning to control stress is critical. Medication, relaxation techniques and exercise are all helpful. Daily medication can lower your overall stress levels. This helps to reduce the excess of stress hormones when you do become stressed. How you react to stressful events is under your control, so be mindful of what is happening in the moment and choose not to be stressed. In addition, if you crave sugar, but don’t have any around, you won’t be able to eat it. So don’t buy sugary foods. Reward yourself with something healthier like raw nuts.