All about carb cravings and how to reduce them
4theking
Posts: 1,196 Member
From a weight loss standpoint, this could be my most important post ever if you suffer from cravings, specifically carb cravings. It's no secret after going off plan a bit this past weekend and then having the great pop tart mishap Tuesday, I had something going on. What was causing me to go astray when I typically don't? Why couldn't I control myself? After much research I believe I have found the answer. SERATONIN.
Serotonin is our happy hormone. It is our stay on task hormone.
What raises serotonin levels?
1. Sunshine
2. Physical touch
3. Thinking happy thoughts
4. Exercise
5. Carbohydrates
I am always a positive person. I always think happy thoughts. Recently I have jumped into my past hurts and emotions to write my book. To be honest, it has consumed my thoughts recently. Not in a bad way, I am just ready to tell the story and it is hard to find the time to get my thoughts on paper.
So by changing my thoughts from happy things to the extreme opposite, it is my belief my serotonin levels have dropped. Once I figured out what was causing me to stumble, I wanted to know if there was anything else I could do to raise my serotonin levels. So I started reading.
What causes carbohydrate cravings:
1. Low blood sugar
2. Sleep deprivation
3. Low serotonin levels.
The serotonin connection:
When your serotonin levels are low, your body will naturally crave carbohydrates. Carbohydrates quickly raise and then lower serotonin levels. So the phrase ‘comfort food’ is accurate. High carb foods do indeed release chemicals in the brain that increase a sense of well being.
Especially important in women:
Why do women tend to have more of a problem with carb cravings and with staying on task at hand? Again, it’s serotonin. Estrogen, the dominant female sex hormone, decreases serotonin receptor density. So when Estrogen goes higher through a woman’s monthly cycle, the amount of serotonin needed to feel well, to curb cravings, and to stay on task increases.
In men:
Fat men have more aromatase enzymes, meaning the higher their body fat, the more estrogen their bodies will have. This higher estrogen level will naturally give a man with more bodyfat, more carbohydrate cravings. So in theory, the higher your body fat, the more serotonin your body would need to feel good and decrease cravings.
Serotonin is made in the body by using the amino acid Tryptophan. Tryptophan is mostly found in plants and is not readily available in animal proteins. If you are on a low carb/high protein diet, odds are your Serotonin levels are low. Tryptophan is converted in your body to 5HTP. 5HTP is converted into Serotonin. 5HTP is one step away from becoming active Serotonin. By supplementing with 5HTP, studies show Serotonin levels do rise in test subjects. So if you suffer from carb cravings, depression, or staying on plan, you may want to give 5HTP a try.
Serotonin is our happy hormone. It is our stay on task hormone.
What raises serotonin levels?
1. Sunshine
2. Physical touch
3. Thinking happy thoughts
4. Exercise
5. Carbohydrates
I am always a positive person. I always think happy thoughts. Recently I have jumped into my past hurts and emotions to write my book. To be honest, it has consumed my thoughts recently. Not in a bad way, I am just ready to tell the story and it is hard to find the time to get my thoughts on paper.
So by changing my thoughts from happy things to the extreme opposite, it is my belief my serotonin levels have dropped. Once I figured out what was causing me to stumble, I wanted to know if there was anything else I could do to raise my serotonin levels. So I started reading.
What causes carbohydrate cravings:
1. Low blood sugar
2. Sleep deprivation
3. Low serotonin levels.
The serotonin connection:
When your serotonin levels are low, your body will naturally crave carbohydrates. Carbohydrates quickly raise and then lower serotonin levels. So the phrase ‘comfort food’ is accurate. High carb foods do indeed release chemicals in the brain that increase a sense of well being.
Especially important in women:
Why do women tend to have more of a problem with carb cravings and with staying on task at hand? Again, it’s serotonin. Estrogen, the dominant female sex hormone, decreases serotonin receptor density. So when Estrogen goes higher through a woman’s monthly cycle, the amount of serotonin needed to feel well, to curb cravings, and to stay on task increases.
In men:
Fat men have more aromatase enzymes, meaning the higher their body fat, the more estrogen their bodies will have. This higher estrogen level will naturally give a man with more bodyfat, more carbohydrate cravings. So in theory, the higher your body fat, the more serotonin your body would need to feel good and decrease cravings.
Serotonin is made in the body by using the amino acid Tryptophan. Tryptophan is mostly found in plants and is not readily available in animal proteins. If you are on a low carb/high protein diet, odds are your Serotonin levels are low. Tryptophan is converted in your body to 5HTP. 5HTP is converted into Serotonin. 5HTP is one step away from becoming active Serotonin. By supplementing with 5HTP, studies show Serotonin levels do rise in test subjects. So if you suffer from carb cravings, depression, or staying on plan, you may want to give 5HTP a try.
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Replies
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I kind of thought cravings like that were more mental than anything. Guess I was wrong. Thanks for posting, it was a great read and explains a whole bunch. I really thought my carb cravings had gone away....until last month. LOL. It seems to me that I crave carbs while that TOM is upon me and protein all the other weeks. Thanks again for the great info.0
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VERY informative! I can always count on you to help me along my journey. Thanks for this post!:drinker:0
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Excellent information! Thanks!!0
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Well actually, it is mental. The cravings do come from your brain!I kind of thought cravings like that were more mental than anything. Guess I was wrong. Thanks for posting, it was a great read and explains a whole bunch. I really thought my carb cravings had gone away....until last month. LOL. It seems to me that I crave carbs while that TOM is upon me and protein all the other weeks. Thanks again for the great info.
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Thank you! I needed that. It's weekend I will be outside all day to up my serratonin.0
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Good info, thanks! I'm looking for the sunshine.........0
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Totally amazing post and oh so true ...this is why in the winter months my carb intake seems to be higher!! Not enough sun yikes...lol I think I will be moving to Cuba next winter!0
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Totally amazing post and oh so true ...this is why in the winter months my carb intake seems to be higher!! Not enough sun yikes...lol I think I will be moving to Cuba next winter!
Exactly. Seasonal depression is actually reduced serotonin in your brain and to increase it, your body craves carbs. I always want more carbs in the winter months.0
